Physical Fitness is very important to ensuring longevity in golf, lowering scores, increasing enjoyment, improving mental and mechanically ability to be a more proficient golfer. These things are all vital in golf and relate to other sports as well. Golf can be played for many years and one must consider the safety factor as one gets older.

Every individual should look in the mirror and ask themselves these questions.

1. Do I always forget to stretch before golf?
2. Am I tired after 9 / 18 holes?
3. Is my back sore after a round of golf?
4. In the past few years have I lost distance in my game?

If you answered YES to any of the above questions then read on!!

Stretching should take place on a daily basis. A one-minute stretch before a round of golf or a ball hitting session is not sufficient. Ever wonder why you always start a round poorly or not good enough. Well it's probably because your muscles are cold and tight and by the time you reach the 4th or 5th hole they are warm. A five minute stretching session followed by a small bucket of wedges is a adequate warm-up and it only takes fifteen minutes. "I don't have enough time," is the common excuse. Well then don't complain about your scores or that you always start poorly.

People who are tired after 9 or 18 holes of golf might be because of their age or some physical ailment. All other golfers who get tired easily are probably doing something mechanically wrong in their golf swing and need to seek the advice of a qualified CPGA golf professional. The energy might be wasted in an effort to achieve that 300+drive or they are simply an upper body swinger. Whatever the case may be a 5-7km walk will result in energy loss but not as much as one might think. Golfers seem to forget that over five hours the body might need to fuel up and this doesn't mean a hotdog or chips (they are tasty though aren't they). A banana, fruit juice or a granola bar is ample to keep the energy level up over this period of time. Find whatever suits you best.

If your back is sore after a round of golf seek professional advice immediately. You might be doing irreversible damage to your back and therefore ruining your golf game completely. If your instructor can observe your golf swing s/he might be able to identify the improper exersion on your back and fix the swing to help that soreness. However s/he is not a back muscle and body specialist and it might be a problem of weakness that needs to be repaired, strengthened or improved through physiotherapy. Whatever it may be do not take it lightly!

Losing distance is a common occurrence in one's golfing life. We can't all hit it 300+ yards like Tiger Woods and he wont be hitting that far at age 75 either (although you never know with the technology and science of today). If you follow a stretching regiment and maintain or even increase your flexibility and strength in your body your distance shouldn't disappear as rapidly as you get older in life. I believe you can do it - do you? If you want to achieve better results than don't just think about it do it. A proactive positive approach is needed and you will succeed.