The Golf Fitness

Fitness has always been a big part of my life. I wasn't just playing golf when I was growing up in Argentina; I was also constantly moving, competing, and pushing myself through various sports. I played basketball, volleyball, rugby, football (soccer, for my American friends), swam, and even did some running and tennis. I had a solid foundation in athletics from a young age, thanks to that mix of sports. I was already in good physical shape when I started playing golf seriously. But the truth is, back then, I never really thought of golf as a sport where fitness mattered all that much. Sure, I stayed active, walked the course, and had stamina. However, there wasn't much structure in place for golf-specific training. Golfers still tend to rely more on technique and feel than they do on physical preparation in Argentina. We focus on the swing, the short game, the strategy, but not so much on strength or mobility. I didn't think that was a problem because I was already fit, right?

Everything changed when I moved to the United States to play college golf. Fitness is an important part of the game here. Every team has workout sessions, strength coaches, recovery programs, and a clear focus on developing the body, just like any other sport. It opened my eyes. I was suddenly doing core exercises, mobility drills, squats, deadlifts, and other exercises designed specifically to help my swing and how well my did on the course. I initially thought it was excessive, but soon realized the difference. My swing became more stable. I could better rotate. I had more control over the club, especially late in the round when fatigue usually kicks in. I was hitting it further and more consistently, and I noticed I was less sore after playing multiple rounds in a weekend. The connection between body and swing became clear, and I started to view fitness as one of the most important parts of my routine, not just something I did because I liked training but because it made me a better golfer.

I now incorporate fitness into my daily routine. I mix cardio, mobility, and strength training in the gym 4-5 times per week. I pay attention to recovery, do proper warm-ups before rounds, and take stretching more seriously than ever. Golf might not seem like a physically demanding sport at first glance, but at a competitive level, it is.

I'm thankful that I was always active as a kid because it made it easy for me to adjust to the college golf lifestyle. But I also realize that intentional, golf-specific fitness is something we need to talk more about, especially in Argentina. Not only can young players back home benefit greatly from training to be fit for play, but also for appearance. I hope this post encourages others, especially the next generation of Argentine golfers, to embrace the physical side of the game. Because in the golfing world of today, being healthy, mobile, and strong is not a luxury; rather, it is a necessity. Your engine is your body. It will reward you on the course if you take care of it and train it with purpose.