A sample off-season golf fitness program for you
 
Dec. 28, 2006

Up to this point we have been developing an off-season golf fitness program tailored to you. We began a few weeks ago with a physical assessment. The goal of this assessment was to determine the strengths and weaknesses of your body relative to your golf swing. We looked at your flexibility, strength, and power.

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Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA TOUR regularly and works with TOUR Professionals, most notably Masters and PGA Champion Phil Mickelson.  
He has been involved in the production of numerous golf fitness videos and books including Core Golf Fitness. He has authored numerous articles with publication credits in Golf Digest, Sports Illustrated, and Golf Magazine.  
In addition to working with Mickelson, Cochran has worked with LPGA Champion Hee Won Han, U.S. Open Champion Corey Pavin, world-renowned golf instructor Rick Smith and short game expert Dave Pelz.  
Cochran continues to speak at seminars and clinics around the country on golf fitness. In his free time he enjoys golf and surfing. He resides in Del Mar, Calif.  

The assessment provided us information of what parts of your body may need attention on the "physical side" of the equation relative to your swing. Once the assessment was completed we walked through a series of flexibility exercises (Straight Leg Hamstring Rotations and Openers) to assist in improving your flexibility for the golf swing.

Once we completed the flexibility section of our off-season program we proceeded to implement a series of strength exercises. The strength exercises-- Side Hold, Medicine Ball Rotational Lunge, and Medicine Ball Chop)--were introduced to improve your ability to maintain a spine angle, sequence the muscular contractions of the swing correctly, and assist in power development.

The power exercises were the final series of exercises we introduced. The goal of our Russian Twists and Tubing Side Rotations is to increase the power in your golf swing. At that point we had implemented a series of exercises to develop your body around the golf swing to improve your game.

Finally, last week we set up the parameters of your off-season golf fitness program. We delineated the guidelines for each section of your program and provided some suggestions in terms of the number of sets, repetitions, and frequency of your golf fitness workouts. This week we are going to provide you a sample off-season golf fitness program, using many of the exercises we have discussed over the year.

Keep in mind as you review this sample program that each golfer will have different goals in relation to their golf fitness program. As a result, the first step in the development of your off-season golf fitness program is to determine your personal needs. Once this is complete, it becomes easy to set up a program that fits you and your lifestyle.

Listed below is a sample off-season golf fitness program ideal for anyone new to resistance training or golf. Remember, handicap and golf experience are not factors in determining what exercises are best for your program. It is strictly based upon experience in the area of resistance training. Follow the correct program sequence, beginning with your flexibility exercises, moving through the strength exercises, and completing the program with your power drills. Also be sure to be in good health and cleared by your personal physician before beginning this or any other fitness orientated activity.

Sample Off-Season Golf Fitness Program

Guidelines:
3 times per week, 1-2 sets per exercise, 10-15 repetitions or 30 sec. hold per exercise (SL = single leg, PB = physio-ball, MB = medicine ball)

Flexibility Exercises:
Cats Down, Cats Up
Openers
Rotational Hamstring Stretch
Windmills
Rotational Lunge
Spider

Strength Exercises:
SL Cone Reach
Airplane Rotation
Elbow Hold
Side Press Up
Alternating Arm & Leg Extension
MB Rotational Lunge

Power Exercises:
MB Side Rotation
MB Diagonal Chop
Tubing Side Rotation

Above is a comprehensive off-season golf fitness program. I suggest using this program as a sample for the development of your own individualized golf fitness regimen. Proceed at your own pace with any program, pay strict attention to technique with each exercise, and remember, TOUR players are not made in one day.