Long-term:

I view fitness as a long-term strategy for building and maintaining endurance, strength, stability and flexibility. It is a continuous cycle of training and recovery, which is especially true in golf because there is no off-season.

 Year-round play has increased the emphasis on fitness – and it is not just about striking the ball harder or farther. It is also about staying in top playing condition so you can avoid injuries and extend your career.

Guys travel with their own trainers to tournaments, everyone is getting bigger, stronger and fitter & I do not want to concede anything to the competition. Therefore, I try to stay focused & train hard all the time. I work out a minimum of 4 days a week, even during tournaments.

Routine:

It is important not to burn out mentally or physically when you are putting in a lot of time. I alternate my routines and focus on maintaining my fitness level. I go for muscle tone instead of bulk, and I incorporate flexibility training into every session.

Flexibility is extremely important because we maneuver our bodies in strange ways. The older we get, the less flexible we are liable to become as our muscles lose elasticity. This means we have to constantly work hard to maintain our movement.

There is a mental element to my fitness regimen that is just as fundamental as sweat time in the gym or on the golf course. I have a few basic principles I follow, and it helps me stay on track: have patience, be committed and have fun.

Patience & Endurance:

When I try to change something, whether it is my swing or my physique, I know it is going to take a lot of patience. You will seldom see immediate results and frustration can get you off your game, so don’t let it.

A great example is my stability routine. I will have to work at this routine for a long time & I know I will only see real changes after a few weeks. I know what I am doing in the gym is constructive so it will pay off. Patience will keep me focused, and I will eventually get the results I want.

Just as you have to commit to every swing, you have to commit to your fitness regimen.

I’m always trying to improve, whether it’s on the golf course or in the gym. So I am constantly asking myself: What do I need to do today to be better than I was yesterday? What am I going to work on tomorrow to be better than I was today? The key to improvement is to commit to your goal and never quit.

How I workout:

When I am working out, I also want to have fun, so if I’m alone I will listen to my iPod, especially during cardio. I believe in routines, but I also mix up my routine occasionally to keep my muscles guessing, this keeps me from getting bored, and i always try remain focused.

If you’re working with a trainer or exercising with a friend, challenge each other to make things interesting. Working-out doesn’t have to be in the gym either – take a break from the gym altogether and do something else that you enjoy. Besides golf, I like to play tennis, touch rugby, softball and water sports. It’s always nice to get a change of scenery once in awhile and challenge different muscles. Just be reasonable.

Fitness is a personal choice and you don’t have to train to be a successful golfer. However if there is a way I can give myself a better chance at success, I will do it. Everyone is different and there is no one-way to train, so find something that works for you and your body type and stick with it.

And never forget the Golden Rule: Always remember to have fun.

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