I’ve turned down thousands of dollars by refusing to add “golfy” exercises to existing programs. Here’s why.
The notion that a golf fitness program is just a collection of exercises mimicking the golf swing is a total misunderstanding. Golf requires mobility, strength, and power to perform well and hit the ball farther. Achieving this involves a variety of exercises, rep schemes, and movement patterns—not just golf-specific movements. Many of these come from programs like bodybuilding or CrossFit, while others are unique to golf.
If I had to pinpoint the source of this misconception, I’d blame social media. As a coach who built a business on social platforms, I understand that exercises mimicking a golf swing are attention-grabbers. They look like they directly impact performance, which is great for capturing interest. But once you have a golfer’s attention, it's crucial to explain that golf training requires more than just rotational movements—it needs squats, hinges, lunges, presses, pulls, carries and rotation, just like any well-rounded fitness program.
So, why not just add a few rotational exercises to your current routine?
In theory, you could—but you’d have to evaluate your entire program, see what’s missing, and figure out what to take away. Simply piling on extra exercises without considering your overall training load can lead to overtraining, which reduces intensity and results. By the time you do all that, you might as well have just started out with a well rounded golf performance program.
That’s why this approach is unnecessary and inefficient. If your goal is to improve your golf game and athletic performance, just follow a program like Lift Heavy, Swing Fast—it covers all the bases.
It’s like the old saying: “Chase two rabbits, catch none.”
If you care about your golf performance, follow a program specifically designed for it. Don’t rely on a bodybuilding routine that hasn’t improved your physique or your game. Remember, looking great is more about diet than your specific workout plan—you can get results as long as your nutrition is on point.
A proper golf training program includes structured mobility work, heavy lifts (like squats and deadlifts), speed work, accessory exercises, and stretching. People are often surprised that it’s an actual workout, not just swinging weights around.
Curious? I offer a Free 7-Day Trial of my flagship program Lift Heavy, Swing Fast. Click here to check it out and see that golf training isn’t just a bunch of banded golf swings.
