Q: The golf season is over and I am pretty happy with my progress. However, I would like to add some distance to my drives to put myself in better scoring positions. By having shorter approach shots.

Since the season is over, I’ll have more time to put towards weight training. What kind of things should I be doing to improve my power for next year?

Peter

The first thing you should do is take inventory of your current physical status. Is there one physical component that needs more attention than the others? Are your strength levels high yet flexibility levels low? Do you have great flexibility but lack strength? Is your power through the roof but lack balance? In order to determine your training path it is important to know what your physical strengths and weaknesses are.

For most golfers the focus over the winter should be on basic movements like the body weight (no weight) squat, pushup and lunge. These are basic compound movements that will help develop the general flexibility and mobility in the lower back, hips and shoulders that is needed in the golf swing.

Once you establish your “training base” by performing these basic movements you can move onto more advanced exercise movements that begin to replicate the demands of the golf swing. It is important to master basic movement patterns like the squat before moving onto any golf-specific exercise movements.

If you cannot master the basics of movement then there is no way you will receive any benefits from more advanced golf-specific training exercises. Master the simple stuff before moving onto the advanced and you will constantly increase your power, strength, balance, flexibility and mobility.

If you need some ideas on the types of exercises you should be doing check out my free public workouts.

Good Luck!!