| Attaining greater distance off the tee is a step by | | | | comes to increasing swing speed. I have a friend |
| step process. The golfer first must address golf | | | | who is a long drive champion and who now trains |
| swing issues. If the golfer always hits a slice due to a | | | | other potential long drive champions, and he mentions |
| flawed swing, increasing swing speed through fitness | | | | that "I am all about the core." And, when you watch |
| training will only result in a bigger slice! | | | | him work out, you know that he truly believes that. |
| Once we set the golfer on the right bath with the | | | | Incredibly, he is capable of 300 yard drives off his |
| golf swing, then we can address some of the | | | | knees, and that is only possible with tremendous core |
| physical factors that may be holding back the swing | | | | strength. |
| speed. Bear in mind, in some instances, it may be a | | | | So what exactly is the core? It is the area between |
| physical limitation that makes addressing a swing issue | | | | the pectoral muscles and the upper thighs. In other |
| more difficult. That is when an instructor with | | | | words, it is mainly the muscles in the abdomen and |
| experience in fitness training may be of value. | | | | rib cage, the obliques, the middle and lower back |
| In regard to fitness training, the first area that should | | | | muscles, the glutes and the hip flexors. These muscle |
| be addressed is flexibility. If the golfer is incapable of | | | | groups are important for stability and balance, and for |
| developing a full backswing with a shoulder turn of 90 | | | | providing rotational force in the golf swing. |
| degrees and the ability to get the golf club parallel to | | | | When you check out many of the routines the PGA |
| the ground at the top of the swing, then stretching | | | | tour players are using these days, much of them |
| will be a key ingredient to generating more power in | | | | focus on developing core strength through the use |
| the golf swing. | | | | of balance balls, medicine balls and training bands. |
| If the golfer has the ability to make that full | | | | However, more traditional abdominal and other |
| backswing, but is still not generating adequate club | | | | exercises will also do a good job at developing your |
| speed, then strength training should become the | | | | core muscles. |
| focus. Strength training should begin with the legs | | | | So if you truly want to get that extra yardage off |
| since they are the foundation of the golf swing. Poor | | | | the tee, start focusing more on training your core |
| balance as a result of weak legs will often hold a | | | | muscles. When you combine that training with |
| golfer back. | | | | increased flexibility and leg strength, I guarantee you |
| After the leg strength is addressed, the next most | | | | will see increased clubhead speed and yardage off |
| important area is the core. In fact, core strength is | | | | the tee! |
| probably just as important as leg strength when it | | | | |