So you have decided to improve your golf game? You are ready to make a commitment and stand by it. If you are looking for a way to improve your game in a hurry, then we have the answer for you; its our 30 day solution to better golf. In order to get in the best shape of your life and experience the overwhelming benefits for your game, you must be willing to make compromises and concessions on things you usually do in favor of things you need to do to change your lifestyle.

Strength

Lets start with strength. First of all you need to understand that to build your strength you have to build your muscles. Erase your mind of ladies in leotards and men with tank tops. We are moving away from the old style bodybuilding and aerobics routines to stimulate an environment of rapid growth and change for the better. Here are three things you can do today to get started in the right direction.

1. Get off of the machines. Move over to free weight, bodyweight, medicine balls, fitness balls and cable pulley systems or bands.

2. Set a goal of strength training 3 days a week with a day of rest in between.

3. Start out with moderate weights using whole boy movements like pull ups, lunges, squats and push ups.

Flexibility

Lets stop talking about how tight we are and get that stretch program started. Begin with 10 minutes a day, every day of the week. Here are the three rules of flexibility.

1. Stretch after strength training or cardio, not before.

2. Ignore the fluff and general stretch routines. Focus on your back (upper, mid, lower), hips and shoulders.

3. Be patient with tight areas as they need special attention. Progress will come and usually comes quickly, but not without proper form and lots of patience.

Nutrition

We talk about good nutrition every day and then think about putting a plan into action. Well, today is your lucky day. Begin integrating a solid nutrition plan on Day 1 for 30 days. Commit to no alcohol, limited caffeine and serious dedication and effort. Heres a few more things to keep in mind regarding nutrition.

1. Eat 5 to 6 small meals and snacks daily. Think small portions, evenly spaced out over the day and evening.

2. Drink lots of water. It makes you feel full and helps with weight loss.

3. Try balanced portions. Pick up a small source of protein (lean meats, nuts, yogurt, etc.), carbohydrate (vegetables, fruits) and fat.

Your body and your mind have to be alert and functioning properly to be able to endure the elements you are faced with in practice and on the course.

Make a 30 day commitment to a better body and better round of golf. By the end of this summer, you should see a big difference in how you play and be more enthused to make these changes permanently.

Susan Hill

Susan Hill is the President of Fitness for Golf, a website dedicated to helping golfers improve through golf specific programs.

Susan has earned national certifications as a fitness trainer with several organizations including the National Academy of Sports Medicine, the International Sports Science Association, and the American Council on Exercise. She currently trains golfers of all levels at the Sunriver Resort, a top U.S. golf destination resort in Sunriver, Oregon.

As a Chek certified Golf Biomechanic and Sports Performance Nutritionist, she is now among an elite group of golf fitness experts nationwide. Susan has worked with hundreds of golfers ranging in skills from beginners just taking up the game of golf to collegiate, amateur and tour players looking for a more competitive edge.

She is a contributing writer to Golf Illustrated, a guest speaker at private and public golf clubs, and a published writer on topics of health, fitness and golf. She was selected as one of the top three trainers as the Trainer of the Year 2003, having been chosen among over 85,000 trainers across the country.

Her work has also been featured in SELF magazine and on ESPN radio.