Best Exercises to Improve Your Golf Game

We all know we need to work out more for our health, but did you know that you can work out more for your ... golf game? It's true.

Golfing activates specific muscles in your body and the stronger they are, the better quality your swing will be. To learn how to improve your golf game, integrate the five exercises below into your existing workouts.

1. The Best Leg Exercise for Golfers: Lunge Rotations

Instead of classic lunges, make your lunges dynamic by stepping out and adding a twist. This will add core activation and strengthen your obliques, which add to the power of your swing.

For this exercise, you'll need a dumbbell or medicine ball, but any small object will work - even a water bottle! Lunge forward, keeping your front knee over your toes. Holding the object out in front of you, rotate to the right, then back to the center.

Repeat this action on the other leg, but rotate left instead of right. Try to get at least ten reps on each side.

2. Core Exercise: The Deadbug

Crunches aren't the only thing you can do to strengthen your core. The more dynamic your core exercise, the more applicable it is to your golf game.

To do this dynamic core movement one, lay on your back with your knees bent, pull them over your hips, and point your arms straight up from your shoulders.

Without letting your lower back leave the ground, drop your left foot to the ground, while extending your right arm over your head. Alternate and repeat. Aim for 20 total movements.

As you get better at this, you can try straightening the leg you're extending.

3. Upper Back Strengthener: Sword Draws

If you have any shoulder mobility issues, check with your doctor or trainer before doing this exercise.

To do this movement, which will add power to your swing, find a light dumbbell (like 5-8 pounds). Hold it out in front of you, with your palm down, in your normal golf stance.

Your hand should start at your opposite hip as if you're unsheathing a sword. Keeping your arm straight, move your arm up and back, doing a diagonal line across your body. Return your "sword" to its starting position and repeat.

4. Upper Body Option: Bent Over Rows

If the sword unsheath-ers is too complicated for you or you have external shoulder rotation issues, back rows are a great second choice (and should be integrated into your general total body training anyways).

Remember to keep your back straight and to energetically pull your elbows together behind your back, while keeping your core tight.

5. Hip Mobility and Strength: Pelvic Rotations

If you've ever felt that tug in your low back in the height of your swing, this is a must-do for injury prevention.

To start, lay on your back, with your knees bent, like you were going to do a traditional crunch. Put your arms across your chest or behind your head, whatever you prefer.

Next, tighten your core and clench your glutes, so your tailbone rotates upwards, making your back lay flat on the ground beneath you. Return to neutral and repeat.

How to Improve Your Golf Game Through Exercise

While these five exercises aren't going to change your golf game overnight, they will add up over time if you're consistent. After a while, you'll notice your swing is stronger and you're less sore after playing a long round.

For more ways on how to improve your golf game, follow the Southern Hills Plantation Club blog. Then come see us in person to show us your progress!