Benefits of Weight Training for Golf

One of the biggest benefits that I have noticed from doing my high intensity training is that I have added quite a bit of distance to my golf shots.  The high intensity training workout that I do is not golf specific.  I don’t believe that it is necessary to have a training regimen that is unique for golf.  Personally, I feel that the general benefits that I have gotten from improved fitness have not only translated into my golf game, but softball as well.

Allow me to give you a few examples of the benefits of weight training when it comes to the game of golf.  The first and most obvious relates to greater distance.  I have noticed greater distance off the tee.  I am able to routinely hit the ball between 230 and 250 yards and have even hit a few drives greater than 290 yards.  Fortunately, I had a few witnesses for those drives.  Being able to hit the ball 250 yards makes for a reasonable approach shot of 130-150 yards for most of the par 4 holes.

Not only does weight training provide for greater distance off the tee, all of my other clubs have gained from 20-30 yards.  It is rare that I use a 3-wood anymore.  Since I can hit my 5-wood about 210 yards, I will tend to use that club since I have greater control.  The biggest problem that I have come across is that over the past 12 months, I have seen a marked change in the distance of my irons.  For example, my 7-iron has gone from my 130 yard club to about 160 or 170 yards.  That has made it difficult to know which club to use, and I have routinely been shooting over greens.  I am hoping that I can get out some more this summer and make the adjustments.

Another benefit associated with greater strength is being able to muscle out of trouble such as tall grass or fairway bunkers.  Having the grip strength to keep the club from turning when it is swung through tall grass sure helps when it comes to getting the ball back onto the fairway during the recovery shot.  It is also useful to be able to use a club with greater loft when trying to hit over trees.  I find that I am able to get behind trees on a fairly routine basis and need to be able to hit the ball high and far.

Lifting weights, even without golf specifically in mind, has certainly helped my game.  It only makes sense that as golf courses become longer and more demanding, the need for physical conditioning will only increase.