Golfers: Athletes or not?

When most people think golfer they create images of old guys with round belly’s wearing funny socks, smoking cigars and drinking whiskey. This image is prehistoric in my opinion. Although most modern golfers still enjoy the pleasure of using golf fashion to draw attention, gone are the days of the unfit, lazy golfer. Even the poster boy for unhealthy living: John Daly has cleaned up his life. John has lost nearly 70lbs of fat and now participates in a daily fitness routine.

The evolution of golf over the past ten years is amazing.  Not only have ball and club manufacturers advanced the game of golf, a revolution has occurred in the process of preparing the body to play the game. Players require balance, mobility, stability, flexibility and endurance.

We are now aware of the benefits provided by golf fitness training. Research substantiates the benefits golf fitness exercises provide the professional player as well as the advantages such training offers the amateur golfer.

The modern professional golfer participates in yoga, pilates and hit the weight room on a regular basis, you may even find a tour player on a Keiser during a spin class. This healthy living has returned many wonderful results. Look at Fred Couples: at the age of 50, competes on the PGA tour and the senior PGA tour, he remains competitive in both fields.

How can he be competitive against players half his age?  Fred attributes this competitive edge directly to his weight training, endurance routine and flexibility training.  Fred is a great example of how fitness is key to athletic longevity.  We can all learn from Fred that golfers are most definitely athletes.