I refer to myself as a ‘range trainer’ as much or more than a ‘gym trainer’. A gym trainer is one that meets you only in a gym setting in order to perform exercises and stretches to help you grow stronger, more flexible and improve your performance on the course.

A range trainer is one who talks with everyone associated with your game, for example, your swing instructor, parents and yourself looking for additional input. These days much of my time is spent on the range watching, observing and asking questions. It is these sessions on the range where the most critical information is gathered so we know precisely where to focus when it comes to quick improvement.

Today, parents and students alike all accept and understand the need for a solid exercise program for their junior golfer. There are just too many growth, strength, flexibility and overall conditioning discrepancies in the younger age groups to ignore. But, here are some other important factors to consider when designing a golf fitness program for juniors. Has you son or daughters swing instructor ever said one of the following as a factor or goal in their future improvement:

• Need better posture

o Your junior golfer is too rounded at the top. (a fitness trainer will seek to correct a weak upper back, tight chest and poor mid back flexibility)

o Your junior golfer has a ‘sway’ back. (a fitness trainer will seek exercises for weak abdominals and glutes and tight hip flexors)

• Junior Golfer has a lateral sway (a fitness trainer will add exercises for more hip stability and flexibility for right hip)

• Junior Golfer ‘spins’ too much in the downswing (a fitness trainer will look to add more strength in the hips and add flexibility exercises to re-enforce upper and lower body separation)

These are just three examples of the types of exercises and stretches that could benefit a junior golfer in each of these scenarios. Think in terms of ‘faults and fixes’ or exercises that focus on ‘opportunities’ for improvement. These will give you the quickest improvement results and carryover to your game.

Try this exercise to build glute strength:

Lay on the ground with knees bent. Extend one leg straight out. Squeeze your glute muscles and raise your hips off the ground until your body is in one line. For a little more challenge, try placing a medicine ball between your knees while performing this exercise.

For more information on golf specific fitness programs, contact http://www.fitnessforgolf.com.