Golf like many other sports requires a certain level of fitness if the game is to be played well.
You need stamina, both physical and mental. The legs need to be strong to walk between shots which typically for a round of 18 holes would be in the region of 4 -5 miles.
The hands, wrists, arms, legs and back all need to be strong with considerable flexibility in the limbs and body.
Many problems encountered by the amateur golfer are generally to do with flexibility or the lack of it. Good stretching before a game not only helps to loosen and warm the muscles for a more free-flowing action but also to prevent injury
For the Professional golfer considerable emphasis is now placed on fitness with most undertaking grueling exercise regimes to cope with the countless amount of rounds played each year. Combined with mental fitness and a good diet the modern-day golfer is the complete athlete.
A good diet should be sought by amateur golfers looking to improve their game as it should provide enough energy to sustain the player for up to 5 hours - with an intake of some sort of food and most definitely some liquid within this time. The body needs this fuel in order to function; many players tend to lose concentration and suffer from tiredness in the closing holes of a round which could easily be rectified with some sort of nourishment.
Many top professionals now carry energy drinks and supplements as standard in their golf bags but for the amateur golfer fresh fruit or cereal bars can carry the nourishment they need to aid concentration. Jack Nicklaus was often seen eating his way through several banana's during the course of his rounds.
Golf fitness exercises can be performed in the comfort of your own home without the need for any specialised equipment. Most gyms will now offer golf specific training with programs created especially for golfers which concentrate on the muscles most commonly used in the golf swing.