Golf Strength Training

Much of today’s focus on balance training on uneven surfaces, so-called core stability training, and light weight lifting for golfers is only marginally effective, according to Harvey Newton.

Many golfers and coaches fear that lifting anything other than light weights will ruin swing dynamics, make one “muscle-bound,” or create injury. These are the same arguments we’ve heard for years from athletes in most sports. Golf just happens to be late coming to the table on how to effectively strength train.

Coach Harvey Newton first raised questions about today’s popular golf training advice in a recent Annual Review of Golf Coaching article (article in PDF). According to Newton, “We know from many good scientific studies (and some others that don’t pass muster) that improving general physical conditioning pays off for recreational and elite golfers. Results include:

• gains in flexibility
• gains in strength and/or power
• positive changes in body composition
• increased club head speed

“Today’s golfer has tons of choices aimed at shaving a stroke or two off the scorecard. Exotic club materials, high performance golf balls, myriad coaching tools (many are “toys”), online and other forms of instruction, personal trainers and golf coaches all are within easy reach. Sorting it all out is a challenge,” Newton says.

To promote a clear message on proper strength training for golf, Newton Sports partners with Mark Bull, one of UK’s premier golf conditioning experts (www.markbullgolf.co.uk). They recently spent three days training UK golf conditioning coaches in London. Their take-away message was clear: Without a doubt, power (speed-strength) is the vital component of top golf performance. Golfers don’t gain much, if any, power sitting on a weight machine or an uneven surface and moving a light to moderate resistance for a medium (12) or more set of repetitions.

You can learn much more about how to optimize your strength training for golf. Contact Coach Newton for more information.