The Benefits of Strength Training

Perhaps more so than distance, the golfer is concerned with consistency. The ability to “groove” a swing is critical to golfing success. While skill training is essential, properly performed strength training can enhance consistency.

How is this so? Picture a muscle of a given strength level. A typical skeletal muscle contains several thousand muscle fibers. Swinging a driver necessitates that the brain call upon some large percentage of that muscle – say 75%. It is not hard to imagine the complexity involved in controlling such a large number of muscle fibers.

Now take that muscle and strengthen it. Research has documented massive strength gains in short time periods, and it is not unusual for the average man to double his strength in a year. Calling upon that same muscle, the brain now finds that for the same club head velocity it only needs 40% of the muscle – and 40% is far easier to control than 75%. If you choose to call upon more than 40% of the muscle, your club head velocity will increase.

What about the other benefits of strength training? Research documents increases in flexibility. It increases your ability to withstand injury since it improves connective as well as muscular tissue. Strength training also increases metabolic endurance and stimulates marked improvements in cardiovascular function. All it takes is a high intensity exercise protocol and training tools that follow the accepted principles of biomechanics – equipment that provides effective variable resistance and places the limbs in stretched initial positions to enhance flexibility.

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