The NHSGA recently sat down with PGA Professional and fitness guru Justin Nogay of Peak Golf Fitness in Maryland to learn about simple fitness tips any high school golfer or team can work on.
Fitness has shown to be a vital part of any competitive golfers’ training. But with so much time spent on the course and practicing, there is typically little to no time spent working on fitness. Recently we have seen a lot more exposure to the importance of physical activity and golf. No longer is this an added bonus, but more of a necessity for golfers who want to compete at a high level. With gym time typically limited in the season, here are some great tips and drills you can start doing.
Warm-Up
Warming up is arguably the most underrated area in terms of performance and injury prevention. At my facility we have a saying; we warm up to swing, not swing to warm up. Most golfers will typically start their “warmup” by taking some slow swings and hitting wedges. Instead, do a proper dynamic warm-up to appropriately prepare for the activity about to be performed. The research is clear, warming up properly helps with performance. Remember, the warmup should be dynamic and athletic, not static! Here are two great warm-up routines you can start doing before taking any swings.
Too little is better than too much
When finally starting to begin exercising and maintain a consistent regiment, always start on the lighter side in terms of length. If we begin trying to do hour-long workouts immediately, sometimes that can get too time consuming or overwhelming. When this happens, we typically see the plan fall apart. Instead, start with what you think is too little and master that first. Find yourself wanting to do more, and then you may begin adding exercises to the routine.
Justin can be reached at Peak Golf Fitness or at justin@peakgolffitness.com and wants to help answer any questions to better your team’s fitness.