Best thing to improve your game over winter is weights!

golfstick

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hahah controversial topic but now your here this is why i think it. everyone has certain aspects for winter improvement however you have 5 months at least of terrible weather which i think apart from a few range sessions you cnt do a great deal. My plan, and i think it should be others is to get stronger! i cannot stress the benefits i think this will have!ive found that added strength has given me more control and consistency to create a repeatable swing. it will help you keep things on plane better, bit more strength to hit from ruff an give u a wider variety of shots. When the weather improves then sure, practice ur short game etc but i think in conditions like this, getting stronger shouldnt be passed up.....

any thoughts....
 
As long as you keep a balance between strength and flexibility.
Unfortunately, some less young among us aren't able to hit the gym as you younger pups can, but go for it, have fun but get advice from your pro as to the golf specific muscles you need to work on rather than just bulking up.
 
I'm lucky in that respect as my job is all I need to improve my strength. Lugging bricks and concrete blocks around all day usually does the trick, I need to work more towards getting a bit of finesse in my game.
 
hahah controversial topic but now your here this is why i think it. everyone has certain aspects for winter improvement however you have 5 months at least of terrible weather which i think apart from a few range sessions you cnt do a great deal. My plan, and i think it should be others is to get stronger! i cannot stress the benefits i think this will have!ive found that added strength has given me more control and consistency to create a repeatable swing. it will help you keep things on plane better, bit more strength to hit from ruff an give u a wider variety of shots. When the weather improves then sure, practice ur short game etc but i think in conditions like this, getting stronger shouldnt be passed up.....

any thoughts....


All well and good but you've got to put some cardio and stretching in there as well or there's no point, I've banged on about this before but look at the Titliest Performnace website its a great site full of ideas and exercises.
 
I'm going to try and loose maybe a stone by running and swimming. Also I want to get stronger and more flexible to help with my swing.
So I like the suggestion of the OP and will be giving it a go. Saying that it's more of a healthier approach to my life than actually pumping iron 5 days a week. Good OP! :)
 
I'm lucky in that respect as my job is all I need to improve my strength. Lugging bricks and concrete blocks around all day usually does the trick,...

Strange,... you're one of the shortest hitters I've ever seen! ;)


:p :p :p
 
no point doing weights for strength with respect to golf unless you focus on making sure you have full range of movement. Unless you are really weak then flexibility and some core strength work ideal compared to pure strength work imo
 
no point doing weights for strength with respect to golf unless you focus on making sure you have full range of movement. Unless you are really weak then flexibility and some core strength work ideal compared to pure strength work imo

Could not disagree more. U dont just become stiff as a board from doing weights. You will still maintain movement, sure not fully but im sure a winters training may only reduce your flexibility by 10% MAX. Giving the choice of weak and 100% flexible or strong and 80% flexible, well il see your 5 iron into the green while i hit wedge. Only messing but i think you shudnt judge it so much
 
I tend to do more weights and bulk up in the winter anyway. Got a set indoors but during the summer I find too much to do outside with any freetime so don't really bother with the weights just stay fit walking cycling etc. I'm not massive by any stretch, more tall and lean but I like to have good core strength. Only been playing golf since spring and I usually gain about a pound of muscle over winter so i'll see if it makes any difference to my game over the next few months.
 
I can think of a few better things to do over the winter, I am looking at fundimentals, like set up and alignment, and keeping the swing going. going to maintain fitness through cardio, exercise bike etc, but each to there own, I dont have time for the gym, I can go on the exercise bike at home and hit the range 2/3 times a week, the gym is out as too much hassle!!

:)
 
Even Monty has come out and said he needs to get to the gym as he can no longer compete for distance with the young guns.Why has he taken so long to realise should have done it years ago.
 
Always thought it was an interesting debate as to what degree raw strength impacts on distance for golfers. When you see how far guys like Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler hit it and remember how 6'4" Nick Faldo was never a long hitter it does make you think. Mickelson, Bubba Watson etc are big lads but don't look muscle bound. Tiger has obviously bulked up during his career but not sure if he's much longer than when he was a wisp of a thing in his early days.
 
however they may bot look muscle bound but that because they lack definition due to a little bit more bodyfat. I bet that if u put them in the gym their lifts will surprise u. When I was skinny but flexible i used to whip through the ball and practically have the follow through round my head. I even surprised myself how far i could turn through it. now im 3 stone heavier but not fatter. I dont finish in quite the same place but my turn is still full. I can now hit a 3/4 swing further than my previous full one. The control ive found in unreal.

Paul casey i think is an example of this, he hits it well and is well built
 
Sorry but I don't agree. Muscle mass is detrimental to the golf swing, look at the tour Fisher, McIlroy, Watson, Fowler,Villegas they're not 'big' guys if you must do weights then some light weights with lots of repetitions could help improve your strength whilst not bulking you up.

IMHO the most important element in golf is accuracy. I hit it a pretty long way, but my accuracy is poor. I'd swap 20 yards distance to hit it where I want rather than gain an extra 20 yards to be further in trouble. If your aim is to hit it further, I agree with earlier posts that core stability to help keep your swing stable at higher speeds and flexibility to enable you to generate more coil are the ways to go.

For me it will be improving the quality of my swing and plenty of short game work over the winter, with a little bit of conditioning thrown in for good measure (I'm already pretty bendy :))
 
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