Should golfers lift weights?
Matthew Wilson
Updated on January 21, 2026
Whether you're hoping to add yards off the tee or just looking to feel better during and after a round of golf, lifting weights is a key element in any balanced golf fitness program. If you're worried about getting too bulky, don't worry.
Do golfers need to lift weights?
Training regimens designed specifically for golfers remove the threat of bulking up to the point of hurting your golf swing. Myth: In order to lift weights I have to use the heavy barbells. Truth: You don't have to use the barbell. You can use dumbbells or your own body weight to start.Do PGA players lift weights?
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 do 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.Should I lift weights during golf season?
Even if you only get in one decent training session per week and lift for 2-3 sets of at 70-80 percent of your of 3-rep max (or 7-8 on an RPE scale), it's going to go a long way to mitigating any losses in strength over the course of the competitive season.Three Best Workouts for Golf | Golf Fitness
Can lifting weights mess up golf swing?
Adding weight to the golf swing changes the entire sequence and balance of the movement to accommodate the added resistance. It might look like your golf swing in the mirror, but you'll wind up sending your brain mixed signals about the timing and sequence of your swing.How should a golfer workout?
10 Best Exercises to Improve Your Golf Game
- Seated Rotations. Why you should do it: These will improve your rotational mobility, a key component of the golf swing. ...
- Standing Ys. ...
- Handwalks. ...
- 90/90 Stretch. ...
- Lateral Pillar Bridge. ...
- Medicine Ball Parallel Throw. ...
- Medicine Ball Perpendicular Throw. ...
- Physioball Pushup.
Is deadlift good for golf?
Builds The Forearms And Grip StrengthThe deadlift is the best lift for building grip strength and probably the number 1 reason why we rank it above the squat as the best lift for Golf.