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Do PGA golfers lift weights?

Author

Rachel Ellis

Published Jan 23, 2026

The golf season is a long and grueling one, so it's no surprise that the top PGA stars train hard. Players like Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Jason Day, and Jordan Spieth are known for crushing big lifts in the gym, something golfers decades ago would never think of doing.

Do golfers lift weights?

When you look at two of the top golf athletes of the past two generations in Tiger Woods and McIlroy, you can quickly see that what they're doing is strength training, lifting heavy weights for a low amount of reps.

Why do golfers lift weights?

Typically you will see increased range of motion which will lead to better upper and lower body separation, greater club head speed, increased hip rotation, better control of the golf club and certainly less aches and pains after your round.

Does lifting weights help you hit a golf ball further?

Increasing leg strength can help improve distance off the tee and in the fairway. Being able to hit longer golf shots, assuming they are accurate shots, allows you to lower your scores because you shorten the length of the golf course.

Do biceps help in golf?

Building your bicep muscles can certainly add strength to your body and help you hit the golf ball much farther. In order to do so, exercising and working out weekly is very important.

16 related questions found

Is hitting golf balls exercise?

Conclusion – Hitting balls is most likely light exercise, but certainly not intense “golf exercise”. It probably falls into the 150 minutes of moderate activity that the American Heart Association recommends per week.

Do you need strength to play golf?

The weakest part of most golfers' bodies is the part they need most: the core. Without strong, pliable muscles in your stomach, hips, butt and lower back, you can't make a golf swing that is both powerful and technically sound.

Does muscle help golf?

“It can affect it completely, but you don't have to be muscular to hit a golf ball far. The extra muscle can affect the swing, but it can also help. But if you want to play golf at a scratch level, flexibility is still the most important thing.

Should I lift before golf?

Some players such as Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have taken weight training to an extreme, but you don't need to be as muscle bound to help your golf game. So spend a little time loosening up your body before you start your round rather than doing a few twists and turns with your club or iron before your first shot.

Does swinging a golf club build muscle?

Swinging a golf club, in and of itself, is not very difficult from a strength training point of view. However, as discussed above, golf courses typically have lots of hills and valleys. Walking up these hills is sure to work the quadriceps and hamstrings, which help to make up the muscles of the lower body.

What muscles need to be strong for golf?

The back, neck, shoulder, core and hip muscles are all pivotal in creating a powerful golf swing. How you use these muscles dictates your power and accuracy and could be the difference between a birdie and bogey. With that in mind, here are 5 exercises to improve your golf swing power.

Will squats help golf?

Squats are a great exercise that work different areas of the body, particularly the trunk in keeping an upright position using the back extensors, and also the big powerful muscles of the quads and the gluts, which are really important in the golf swing.

Is cycling good for golf?

Cycling keeps me at a consistent body weight and body fat. But it can make you tight in the hips and it deactivates the glutes, which you need for golf. For well-rounded strength, I do a lot of plyometrics like box jumps and twisting and rotation exercises.

Does Brooks koepka lift weights?

He spends his daily sessions working on cardio to develop his conditioning and endurance, strength and power training to improve clubhead speed and distance, as well stretching, flexibility, massage, and recovery techniques.

How much does Brooks koepka lift?

He said he practiced throwing a discus, hammer, and sledge hammer. Koepka, on the other hand, revealed he can press 315 lbs.

Are push ups good for golfers?

Pushups. Pushups are a terrific upper body exercise you can do anywhere and modify for your needs. For golfers, pushups strengthen your pectoral muscles and improve the stability of the tissues in your shoulders. Your rotator cuff muscles and deltoids are vital to controlling the club as you swing.

Does running help your golf game?

Walking 18 holes of golf is good for you, but add a little extra cardio to your workout (ex. running on the treadmill or using an elliptical machine) for that extra help to your heart. This will not only help with your fitness, but it will also strengthen your legs and keep them fresh while walking in a tournament.

What muscles should be sore after golf?

While the most common area you're likely to feel some tightness is in your hamstrings, soreness can occur anywhere (calves, quads, groin).

How do I strengthen my arms for golf?

Biceps curls are a basic exercise to strengthen the front of your arm, working the biceps and forearm muscles. Stand or sit holding a dumbbell in each hand or a barbell with your hands shoulder-width apart and your palms facing up. Bend your elbows and bring your hands toward your shoulders.

Are planks good for golf?

The side plank is the best exercise for golfers, period! Start on your knees and putting your elbow right underneath your shoulder, and elevating your hip. Ensure that your butt is not sticking out, keeping a straight line between your shoulder, hip, and knee. Alternating Side Planks.

How much exercise is 18 holes of golf?

A golfer can walk four to eight miles for all 18 holes, or less when using a cart. That can burn between 264 and 450 calories per hour or about 531 to 2,467 calories per 18 holes. According to Murray, people who play golf regularly have better lung function than those who do not.

Can you lose weight by playing golf?

Golf can absolutely help you lose weight. Walking an 18-hole golf course in four hours can burn up to 800 calories, or even more if the terrain is hilly and if you are carrying your golf clubs in a carry bag.

Is golf good exercise with a cart?

Even golfers using a motorized cart can burn about 1,300 calories and walk 2 miles when playing 18 holes. When we asked adults who play sports which one they play the most, golf topped the list.

What is kJ peloton?

Total Output, measured in KJ (kilojoules), is how much work you've done over the whole ride. This is calculated by taking the average output times the number of seconds in the ride divided by 1,000. For instance, if you average 100 Watts in a 2,700-second ride (45 minutes), your total output will be 270 KJ.