You know golf is painful if you are a player. The pain is not only on the body, muscles and psyche, but the joints as well. Non-golfers cannot understand the disgust that you feel after a poor shot or when you lose par due to a poor putt. It’s almost like an addiction. Yet we continue to return time and again. It is similar to gambling, drinking, or using drugs in that it hurts but we also know it will eventually make us feel better so we keep returning for more.
Many golfers eventually reach the point where the pain and suffering of addiction becomes unbearable. They either give up or seek help. This is the best way to cope, although it is crucial that you seek help. Your first goal should be to improve your ability to play golf.
There are many aspects to fitness for golf. Take the driving portion. Your drive is not only about distance, it is also important to be accurate. If you are trying to swing too hard, or if your swing is not controlled, it can make the drive long. But, the drive could be anywhere, including the desert or in the woods or at the lake. Fitness for golf requires strength and control.
Flexibility is also necessary to match that strength. How often do you reach over and grab the ball from the cup or tee? How many times can you climb out of your cart? Do you practice your swings every day? A normal golfer might swing the club between two and three hundred times per round. To do this, you need to be flexible and strong.