Strength Training For Junior Golf


Much debate has occurred about kids and strength training. There's been concern about growth plate damage. There's been discussion of whether it increases their likelihood of future success or simply places them at increased stress both physically and mentally. Here's a few notes on the correct way to have a junior golfer build a strong, healthy body. First there are definite differences between adolescent boys and adolescent girls with respect to strength and strength production. In boys, absolute muscular strength (the greatest amount of force an individual can produce) grows consistently between the ages of 7 - 19. In girls, strength gains are incurred on a consistent level until about the age of 15, when a period of stagnation occurs and strength gains plateau, and in fact begins to fall. By the end of the pubescent ages, boys are roughly 50% stronger than girls.

As your child begin a golf training program make sure proper instruction on exercise form is given. Adults can provide instruction and supervision to enforce safety and good technique. You can also consider hiring a trained professional to demonstrate proper form and safety measures. Most gyms have a junior program where they offer proper lifting techniques and protocols.

Golf training programs for juniors should emphasize the principles of lifetime fitness and proper exercise form so they receive maximum benefits from exercise while minimizing any risks. Adults who design training programs for their children should provide an environment centered on enjoyment, positive reinforcement and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle. Young golfers are not seeking to become bodybuilders. They should be trained to become strength builders. Junior golfers should start with body weight exercises that place an emphasis on many muscle groups and movement that mimics real life movements.

Junior golfers should begin each session with a short warm up of roughly 10 minutes. Jogging in place and jumping jacks are good warm up exercises. The workout session should end with light stretching. Don't overwork the muscles. Two or three sessions per week are adequate to improve strength, and endurance.

Monitoring the progress will give you a quick snapshot of what you've done and how best to progress from there. It's important to keep in mind for the junior golfer to add variety, consistency and fun to their workout sessions. Once something becomes a chore or is boring, interest is lost. Trying new exercises, working indoors and out, and not repeating the same process over and over will help keep the junior golfer dedicated to strength training.

Susan Hill is a nationally recognized fitness trainer, CHEK golf biomechanic and sports nutrition specialist. For more information on golf specific nutrition, exercises or stretches, visit http://www.fitnessforgolf.com.


MORE RESOURCES:

USA TODAY

This week in golf, at a glance
USA TODAY
The Northern Trust Open is next week at Riviera in Los Angeles, followed by the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship in Marana, Ariz. Course: Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Composite Course (6505 yards, par 73).
A healthy Tiger Woods trending upwardESPN
Golf GlanceWashington Post
On the Tee: Pebble Beach National Pro-AmCBSSports.com
Atlanta Journal Constitution
all 536 news articles »


Yahoo! Sports (blog)

Five things we learned from the Waste Management Open
Yahoo! Sports (blog)
Nobody has time to sit down and watch four rounds of golf each week -- unless, of course, you watch TV for a living, and if that's the case, please email us your number. So in an effort to condense the tournament coverage for you into a few quick hits, ...
Golf news and notes, Feb. 3San Francisco Chronicle
Record attendance at the Waste Management Phoenix Openbettor.com (blog)
Waste Management Phoenix Open raises $50K for Keep Phoenix BeautifulPhoenix Business Journal
East Valley Tribune -AZ Central.com -Albany Times Union
all 980 news articles »


Cleveland News - Fox 8

Golfer Injured by Golf Club: A Fan's Take
Yahoo! Sports
Contributor Network 7 hours, 36 minutes ago One of the things I have always liked about golf is that it is a non-violent game. You ride the caddy up and down the green; shoot the breeze with your friends, play your holes and go home smiling.
Golf Course Brawl Could Cost Man His LegCleveland News - Fox 8
Man Impaled By Golf Club: Clay Carpenter Faces Leg AmputationHuffington Post
Golf club brawl severely injures manUPI.com
77Square.com -Fox News
all 46 news articles »


Daily Mail

The winning learning curve can be painful
ESPN
If there was ever any question about how difficult it is to win a professional golf tournament, the past two weeks on the PGA Tour certainly offered up some compelling evidence. Kyle Stanley and Spencer Levin seemingly had their respective tournaments ...
Kyle Stanley bounces back at Phoenix Open - World of GolfDaily Mail
Golf roundup: Kyle Stanley rallies from 8 back to win Phoenix OpenDeseret News
Golf roundup: Kyle Stanley rallies at PhoenixVancouver Sun
Yahoo! Sports (blog) -GMA News
all 872 news articles »


Palm Beach Post

Cerabino: Trump golf course-cemetery could present new hazards
Palm Beach Post
Trump's planning a 500-grave cemetery on land near a golf course he owns in New Jersey. The idea is that golfers who already pay a lifetime membership at the course would pay an additional $20000 a year for a er, um a death-time membership?

and more »


Southards: National Golf Club set to reopen in March
Fayetteville Observer
The National Golf Club in Southern Pines expects to reopen in mid-March after a major restoration of its greens. The Jack Nicklaus-designed course has been closed since Nov. 21. The greens are being seeded in a more heat tolerant strain of bentgrass.

and more »


USA TODAY

Sport - Golf:Commercialbank Qatar Master
FOXSports.com
Gusts of 35mph meant less than three hours' play was possible on the second day of the Commercialbank Qatar Masters in Doha - and the second leg of the European Tour's Middle East swing has now been cut to 54 holes. American John Daly was among those ...
GALLERY: Golf's strangest & most obscure trophiesScottish Daily Record
Golf: Paul Lawrie back in world top 50 after second win in QatarScotsman
Paul Lawrie wins Qatar MastersUSA TODAY
Bloomberg -UPI.com -Irish Independent
all 375 news articles »


Longboat Observer

PDGA: Disc Golf's Charleston Ice Bowl Will Take Place February 11
Yahoo! Sports
This PDGA sanctioned C-Tier tournament is a part of the SCDGO Points Series and will begin on Saturday, February 11, with a check-in at 8:30 am, followed by two rounds starting at 10:00 am The event will be played at the Tidal Creek Disc Golf Course in ...
PHOTO GALLERY: Ice Bowl Disc Golf TournamentLongboat Observer

all 3 news articles »


FGCU Athletics

Women's Golf Concludes Courtyard Classic in Fourth Place
FGCU Athletics
Despite improving their team score by nine strokes in the final round of play, the FGCU women's golf team wrapped up the Courtyard Classic in Jacksonville, Fla. in fourth place on the leaderboard. Lowering her individual score in each of the three ...

and more »


USA TODAY

Top-ranked Yani Tseng ready to get season, new swing into action in Australia
Washington Post
“We have a good field this week and a great golf course. “The course is not long but you need to be very focused. Every shot. If you just miss-focus on one shot, you can get in big trouble. This week will be like a major course. You need to be smart, ...
World leader Tseng sets sights on more powerSydney Morning Herald
Australian Women's Open Golf 2012ABC Online
Tseng turns her focus to Open hat-trickBrisbane Times
ESPN -Bangkok Post -San Francisco Chronicle
all 229 news articles »

Google News

home | site map
© 2006