| Is your handicap decreasing in proportion to the time, | | | | five minute sessions through out your busy day. |
| effort and hard work you are putting into your golf | | | | Walk up stairs in an office building instead of taking |
| game? Do feel like your hitting the ball like a wimpy | | | | the elevator. Park your car a block or two away |
| weakling? Sometimes golfers feel drained and worn | | | | from your work and hoof it. If you prefer a gym, hit |
| out at the end of a round and also make a big | | | | the treadmill machine to start. Do your best to get in |
| mistake by carrying their frustration or | | | | 20-45 inutes, 3-5 days per week doing walking and |
| disappointment from one hole to the next. If you | | | | stair climbing. |
| recognize yourself in any of these situations it's time | | | | Nutrition: |
| to give your game an old fashion shade tree tune up. | | | | Except for John Daly the beer guzzling golf prodigy, |
| You should try focusing on the following five | | | | you don't see many seriously over weight |
| simple-to-fix areas: flexibility, strength, endurance, | | | | professional golfers. As serious armatures we all |
| nutrition, and mental preparedness. | | | | should take a hint from guys who make millions of |
| Flexibility: | | | | dollars doing what we do for recreation. Eat better |
| Start by giving yourself plenty of time to warm up | | | | for better results. Some foods have almost zero |
| before going to the first tee. Rushing in cold and stiff | | | | nutritional value which is what you need to put fuel in |
| to hit your first shot is a recipe for a real "shanksville" | | | | energy tank. Try this mix of foods: high quality |
| disaster. Doing stretches on a regular basis will pay | | | | carbohydrates, lean protein, fruits, vegetables, and |
| big dividends when it comes to your golf game and | | | | plenty of water. If it is hot and humid, double up on |
| other physical efforts. You will find that if you do you | | | | the water. |
| will be able increase and maintain your flexibility easily. | | | | Mental Preparedness: |
| You will be very happy with the results you get from | | | | The Boy Scouts got it right. Be prepared is their |
| a small investment in time and effort you expend. | | | | motto. Be prepared for every shot you will be hitting. |
| Strength: | | | | There are no exceptions or gimme's in being |
| I'm not talking body-builder hulking muscles here. | | | | prepared. Either you're focused and ready to execute |
| Moderate weight training should add the element of | | | | to the best of your ability, or you're not. If your mind |
| resistance to injury that can happen during 18 holes | | | | is wondering so is your concentration and your |
| of golf. This is especially true if you walk around a | | | | results will show it. Negative thoughts will breed |
| hilly golf course, or if you are a high handicap golfer | | | | negative results, so when the last shot leaves the |
| taking more swings than the average. The increases | | | | club face it is done. Go on to the next shot with |
| gained by adding some weight training to your fitness | | | | thinking about the dud you just hit. Positive thoughts |
| should prepare you for more enjoyable golf outings. | | | | and results are the opposites side of the negative |
| Endurance: | | | | scenario just described. You should feed off the |
| If you feel weak and defenseless against the golf | | | | positive whenever possible. |
| course after just a few holes you REALLY do need | | | | By giving these five reminder-facts a fair trial and |
| to get up off the couch at least every other day. A | | | | effort you should achieve the results you need to |
| little focus on endurance is definitely in order. You | | | | improve all phases of your golf game. |
| should start by walking. It's simple and can be done in | | | | |