While golf is long overdue to benefit from the application of fitness,
thanks to women like Annika Sorenstam, women are now realizing strength
training and flexibility conditioning aren’t just for men. The benefits
on the golf
course are well worth the effort of sticking to a regular golf fitness regime.
Today’s women golfers are more determined than ever to stake their
claim to the golf course and a higher standard of performance. One of the
primary factors allowing women to compete more competently on the course
is fitness. From the baby boomers to the juniors, golfers are beginning
to realize the advantages of increasing strength and flexibility. The women
are no exception.
Here are some things women should keep in mind as they begin regular
golf fitness training:
Women tend to be more flexible than their male counterparts. While there
are exceptions to every rule, women can typically use stretching more for
maintenance of flexibility as opposed to achieving or re-establishing full
range of motion.
While flexibility for female golfers is important, strength is essential.
Most women would be well served to place emphasis on building muscle strength
to be more competitive. You should place emphasis on strength of the posterior
chain muscles (lower back, glutes, and hamstrings), the abdominal muscles,
and the shoulder girdle.
Females tend to be quadriceps dominant in most activities requiring lower
body force production. When is comes to golf, your power will come from
the muscles you don’t see in the mirror, not so much the front of
your thighs. Be certain to include exercises that focus on the posterior
chain like deadlift variations, good mornings, rowing variations, and total
body rotational patterns like medicine ball wood chops.
|