Golf

New age athletes in all sports are looking for that competitive edge that will enhance their performance. Generally, a stronger athlete is a better athlete, that why weight lifting provides the foundation of so many fitness programs for athletes. Traditionally, golf is a sport that relies more on improving the technical aspects of the game for improve performance. Now, that may change real soon thanks to the results of a recent study that showed strength training improves a golfer’s performance on the course.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of a weight lifting/plyometric exercise program on golfer’s drive-off-the-tee performance. Eleven male golfer’s golf swing was analyzed for speed and driving distance before and after the 8-week resistance training program. Another group of golfers were assessed over the same period but they continued their normal training regime.

While the control group showed no improvements after the eight weeks, the resistance-trained golfers demonstrated a significant increase in speed and driving distance of the tee. The changes in drive performance were attributed to an increase in muscular force and an improvement in the sequential acceleration of body parts contributing to a greater final velocity being applied to the ball.

The golfers that benefited from resistance training performed only two sessions a week of intense, high overload resistance training. These results do suggest that two strength workouts a week improve a golfer’s performance. For most serious golfers, two weight training sessions can fit easily into their program to improve their performance.

J. Strength Cond. Res. 18(1):59–62. 2004