My goal is to get longer off the tee over the next few years.  In attempt to develop a program to meet my goals of increasing yardage, I have been doing a little research about aging.

According to PGA Tour statistics, at age 44, Phil Mickelson is hitting it farther than he has ever hit his driver before, averaging just over 300 yard drives. Vijay Singh, at 51, averages over 290 yards per drive. Some of this increase is do to increased equipment technology, but a lot has to do with increased fitness on the tours.  The average 45-year-old golfer only hits his driver 235 yards, according to studies.

Assuming you do not change your fitness regime over the years, here is what happens to the average golfer with a 15-handicap who swings the club at 93.4 mph and hits his drive 214 yards when they’re age 30-to-39. As they age to 60-to-69 years-old, their clubhead would decrease to 84.7 mph and their driving distance would decrease to 194 yards, according to Jacob Bowden, professional golfer, swing speed trainer, and the original founder of Swing Man Golf.

Studies show that as we age, there are a number of physiological functions that decline including: loss of brain cells, loss of coordination and balance and loss of muscle mass. All functions needed to play golf. The only way to counter these side effects of aging is exercise.  Strength training 2–3 days a week can help prepare you to fight these effects of aging.

The American College of Sports Medicine believes that strength training is the most important exercise for older adults.  In my opinion, strength training is the most important type of exercise you can do for better health and to improve your golf swing. This may be hard to believe because most of the general population believes that you need to jog, run or do some sort of cardio to be lean, fit and healthy.

You should actually do a combination of both. While studies have demonstrated that a combination of aerobic and resistance training contribute to weight loss more than either method alone, it is important that you’re strategic about the order in which you do things. Since research shows that people tend to do fewer weight-lifting repetitions after cardio than if they lift before cardio, most coaches will recommend the latter (always with a warm-up prior). What’s more, when you lift or do body-weight training feeling fresh, you’ll be more likely to maintain proper form and do exercises correctly. This may mean alternating days that you do cardio and strength training or simply performing one in the morning and the other in the evening.

Cardiogolf is a series golf-specific workout routines that combines swing drills, strength and muscular endurance exercises. Using a golf club and other equipment, I take you through a battery of exercises and drills to improve your swing technique and fitness at the same time.

Get the physical edge to take your game to the next level. Better golf requires getting physical and Cardiogolf provides the exercise tools for any golfer to improve his or her game. Cardiogolf is a comprehensive program that provides golf-specific exercises to improve strength, flexibility, endurance, balance and swing technique. Cardiogolf accommodates golfers of all skills and fitness levels. For more information visit Cardiogolf.com.