While new club and ball technology is helping golfers hit their shots farther, much of the challenge of adding distance to your game comes down to your swing and your conditioning. Exercises involving flexibility and strength can help you hit the ball farther, with or without the latest in club design and golf ball construction.
Back Stretches
Back soreness or injuries plague most golfers from time to time, but some good stretching will not only help prevent problems but also give your back and upper body the flexibility needed for you to make a clean, strong rotation while striking the ball. For a basic back stretch, start with your feet about a shoulder-width apart, facing the back of a chair about two feet away. Keeping your back straight, grasp the back of the chair with both hands and slowly move your body away from your hands. When you feel a stretch in both armpits, hold the position for about 10 seconds and slowly return to your original position. Repeat every day and before and after each round.
Leg-Strengthening Exercises
Leg extensions and leg curls, which work the front and back muscles of the thighs, will help add power to your golf shots. Leg presses are also good all-around leg exercises that will boost your shot strength. If you don't have access to weight machines, you can replace leg extensions with step-ups, leg curls with lunges and leg presses with squats.
Towel Drill
This isometric exercise will help train your muscles to give you a wider swing, which can result in more power and distance on your tee shots. To start, stand as though you were addressing the ball on the tee, but hold a towel with your hands about a foot apart, palms facing you. Make sure you begin with a little slack in the towel. Then, simulate your backswing and follow-through while pulling the towel tight. You should feel a little muscle tension on your right and left sides as they are being pulled in opposite directions. You want that same feeling of a wide, swinging arc to get a longer drive.
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