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During my time playing college golf (some 25
years ago) our team-conditioning program
consisted of running around the track four times
at a self-dictated pace, doing some push-ups,
then sit-ups, and ending with a little
stretching. Wow, have things changed…and for the
better!
Nowadays a specific golf fitness program is
an integral part of most college golf program’s
weekly routine. Whether it is a team-mandated
workout or coaches encouraging players to
integrate fitness into their weekly routines,
fitness in college golf is here to stay. Each
college golf program develops, with the
assistance of the strength and conditioning
coach or the head coach through his/her own
personal expertise/experience, a conditioning
program for its respective team. The head coach,
in some cases, will consult with a golf fitness
expert to formulate specific exercises/routines
for his players. The intensity and type of each
workout will vary depending on the time of year
and whether the team is in or out of season.
During the competitive seasons (fall season,
September 1 through November 1, and spring
season, February 1 through June 1) a coach will
mandate a team workout one to three times per
week, depending on the team’s respective
tournament schedule. During the off season,
coaches will typically mandate team workouts
three to four times per week as players are not
traveling to golf tournaments, and coaches tend
to utilize their NCAA allowed practice hours for
conditioning sessions. Oftentimes these team
workouts will take place early in the morning
(think “zero dark thirty”) prior to class.
As mentioned, the workout regimen will vary
from program to program, but essentially they
all strive to improve the overall fitness of
their players. Specific areas of focus are core
strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular
capacity. There are other forms of fitness used
by coaches, including yoga, Pilates, and cross
training. The various areas of focus are
intended to not only improve a player’s “golf
strength,” but equally important is to assist
players in preventing injury, ensuring longevity
in the game, and keeping in top health to handle
the daily and weekly rigors of life as a college
student-athlete. The typical college golf format
(36 holes the first day and 18 the final day)
requires players to carry their bags the entire
time in all types of conditions and will be both
a physical and mental test. The
better-conditioned golfer will be well-equipped
to handle all conditions. Also, being in top
condition increases a player’s self-esteem,
which certainly can positively affect his
confidence and ultimately his game.
Additionally, college players realize that
developing proper sleep habits and maintaining a
healthy nutritional plan can all assist in one’s
overall health.
The life of a college student-athlete is a
wonderful experience but certainly can be
demanding at times. Making fitness and health a
priority can only enhance the effort and energy
required to excel both in the classroom and on
the golf course. If your intentions are to play
college golf, ensure that you, too, incorporate
fitness into your weekly routine to best prepare
for life as a college student-athlete.
Keep swinging!
Ted Gleason
Road to College
Golf
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