High handicappers, low handicappers and even the pros consistently have the goal of playing better golf. The methods often touted to arrive at the target of better golf are as varied as those attempting to achieve it. There are videos, trainers, golf practice tools and hundred of other solutions available all proclaiming youll play better golf.

Many who want to play better golf spend hours and hours swinging the clubs, hitting balls and taking lessons from a golf professional, yet still dont get the results they are after. Whats missing? The solution could be a lot closer to you than you can imagine.

Lets use the example of taking lessons from a golf professional. A teaching pro can definitely identify what is going wrong, and educate you on the proper techniques to correct your problems. Yet, for some reason, you have not been able to successfully implement or mimic all of the tips from the pros. Many golfers get frustrated because they are not able to make the perfect swing. If youre having similar problems, there may be a simple solution as to why you dont seem to be able to achieve your goal.

Good technique is important and there are many benefits to working with a prowith one major exception. So many golfers are trying to do things with their swings that they simply physically cannot do. Your body simply is not prepared to perform the tasks you are asking it to do. You do not at present, have the physical agility to reach the positions the perfect swing requires. Many trainers will verify the fact that tight or weak muscles are the number one complicating factor to a students success. No matter what the pro suggests, whether it is increasing shoulder turn, improved balance or weight transfer, your body may be incapable of achieving this. Thats why more and more golfers are spending time conditioning their body for the game of golf. There is evidence which proves that spending time with strength and flexibility training will pay off with more consistent and powerful golf swings, greater stamina and endurance, and thus lower scores.

By performing stretching and strengthening exercises that are functional in nature for golf, you decrease your potential for injury and produce a flexible and stronger body for golf. As you achieve higher levels of fitness, producing a smoother swing with greater club head speed requires less effort and strain than for golfers who do not do any fitness training.

For better golf, consider spending more of your practice time doing appropriate golf conditioning exercises. Overall health benefits and lower golf scores will help keep you in the game for years to come.

Susan Hill

Susan Hill is the President of Fitness for Golf, a website dedicated to helping golfers improve through golf specific programs.

Susan has earned national certifications as a fitness trainer with several organizations including the National Academy of Sports Medicine, the International Sports Science Association, and the American Council on Exercise. She currently trains golfers of all levels at the Sunriver Resort, a top U.S. golf destination resort in Sunriver, Oregon.

As a Chek certified Golf Biomechanic and Sports Performance Nutritionist, she is now among an elite group of golf fitness experts nationwide. Susan has worked with hundreds of golfers ranging in skills from beginners just taking up the game of golf to collegiate, amateur and tour players looking for a more competitive edge.

She is a contributing writer to Golf Illustrated, a guest speaker at private and public golf clubs, and a published writer on topics of health, fitness and golf. She was selected as one of the top three trainers as the Trainer of the Year 2003, having been chosen among over 85,000 trainers across the country.

Her work has also been featured in SELF magazine and on ESPN radio.