Over the weekend, a client sent me a video of a guy doing what I’d call overly golf-specific exercises - basically golf drills disguised as workouts. And it made me think: why are golfers so fascinated with this stuff?
The answer is simple: it looks like golf.
Golfers Don’t Love the Gym - They Love Golf
When I meet golfers out on the course, very rarely do I hear that they work out. Most don’t like the gym, and a lot of them flat-out don’t want to be there.
But they do love golf. They spend their free time, their money, even time away from family to go play. So if they see an exercise in the gym that looks like the swing they love, it’s easy to think:
“Why wouldn’t I just do that? If it promises results and it looks like golf, why would I waste time on a boring squat or deadlift?”
And honestly, that makes total sense.
The Upside of “Golfy” Workouts
Here’s the thing: I don’t even have a huge problem with these drills.
If you’re a golfer, you’re already more active than most people. You walk, swing, practice, hit balls. That’s a positive. Add in some golf-looking exercises in the gym, and you’re moving even more.
That’s another win for your health compared to doing nothing.
But Here’s the Problem
If you’re already going to the gym, you could be getting so much more out of it than just golf drills.
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They don’t really build mobility, strength, or power.
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They don’t prepare you to handle the forces of the swing.
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They don’t prevent the risk of overuse.
If all you do is mimic the swing with bands or weights, you’re just repeating the same patterns you already do on the course - without building the strength to back it up.
Why Strength Training Wins
Strength training is one of the best things you can do for your golf game and your life.
When you’re bigger, stronger, faster, and more mobile, that carries over to the swing. It also helps you:
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Avoid injuries
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Play longer
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Live healthier
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Perform better on and off the course
The Bottom Line
I get it. Seeing banded rotations and golf-swing-with-weights looks fun. It looks like golf.
But if that’s all you ever do, you’re missing out on the true benefits that come from a smart, well-designed fitness program.
I even named my dog Squat, so I’m biased - but the truth is, squats, deadlifts, presses, pulls, jumps, and carries are the things that make your body work better, your swing more powerful, and your life longer.
Golfy exercises can get you started. But strength training is what actually changes the game.
If you're looking for a program that checks all the boxes - try my flagship program Lift Heavy, Swing Fast FREE for 7 Days
