Did you know that there is an effective way to improve your golf game that doesn't involve either a golf course or a practice range? Golf fitness is a given for most golf professionals, but even beginning players can benefit. Golf fitness differs from traditional strength training. Golf fitness includes exercises that are specific to the game of golf and is especially designed to increase increasing your flexibility, strength, balance and endurance.

Flexibility is the key to achieving a complete range of motion during a full golf swing. However, as the years take their toll on our bodies, staying flexible becomes more difficult. Exercises that increase flexibility are worth pursuing because there are lots of great reasons to stay flexible that don't have anything to do with golf. Stretching exercises will have the greatest effect on increasing your flexibility. Don't expect fabulous results from a casual stretch whenever you happen to think about it. Develop a specific stretching routine that you do on a regular basis.

Adding muscle strength to your newly-developed flexibility will add yards to your drives. Strength and flexibility in your upper body make it possible for you to swing the club faster, generate a higher club head speed and ultimately drive the ball to new distance records. The type of strength training required for golf fitness is somewhat different than what you might be familiar with. A great golf swing needs power that is more explosive in nature. If you have access to a gym, then talk to one of the trainers about exercises that have high RFD (that stands for rate of force development). It's not about how much mass you can lift; it's more about how quickly you can accelerate that mass. This is how strength is translated into power.

Strength and flexibility won't be very helpful if you can't stay on your feet. Improving your balance can help keep your body centered over the ball. Good balance also helps you make better shots from difficult lies, like the edge of a bunker or a steep grade in the tall grass. Your golf swing plane will also be much more consistent when you are hitting from a more stable posture. This is where exercises that focus on your core strength and lower back can work wonders.

Golf fitness could help you play some of your best golf ever. Wouldn't it be a shame if you can't last 18 holes? Playing a full 18 holes is truly an athletic feat in the dog days of summer. Some days, it can be hard to maintain your performance for even nine holes. And what if you vacation at a golf resort and play every day? One of the best ways to increase endurance on the golf course is to reduce the amount of body fat you carry around. Most fitness experts agree that cardiovascular exercises are the best way to lower overall body fat. If you have access to machines like an elliptical trainer, a stair climber or a treadmill, then you're all set. Walking or jogging in your neighborhood can accomplish the same results.

Most golfers are not interested in spending lots of time exercising. If you're one of them, you should realize how critical good physical conditioning is to the game. Make your fitness time as focused and efficient as possible. Golf fitness can be your secret weapon to score lower, hurt less and enjoy the game of golf more.