As I'm in my 50s now and not really that interested in getting or keeping washboard abs and massive guns, I don't really workout at the gym much these days....I do some yoga, some cardio, and that's about it.

So that's what this thread for - for us to share what we do and and what works - because I'm fairly clueless about this.

But I'll try to contribute:

A basic morning yoga program that includes stretches, some poses like downward dog, cobra, etc., will do wonders for your flexibility and combating back issues and pain. And it doesn't take more than 20 minutes.

But I was thinking that my golf game could use golf-specific weight training, stretching, and general fitness building. So what do you guys do and/or recommend?

For someone with an AARP card I'd say you're on a good path. Maybe some leg strengthening exercises that don't stress the joints too much. It's quite possible some more advanced/consistent yoga type routine is all you need.

A good resource:

http://www.mytpi.com/exercises

For me personally, I usually do flexibility-minded drills and bodyweight stuff.

Wow, that's great stuff, thanks

TPI is an awesome resource. I like there simple 20 min daily morning workout. Nothing hard but just a good way to start the day.

I wouldn't do anything that strengthens your legs or core like has been mentioned here.

My beef with these exercises that I see recommended is that I haven't seen any evidence of testing and experiments. And not only that, what are the intended benefits, are they long term or short term? My opinion is that Tiger's career came to a screeching halt because of his work out regimen.

If I imagine two athletes, one has run distance his whole life, and the other has done something like played basketball or soccer, I imagine the distance runner being a bit stiff and fragile (although still strong) whereas the soccer player I picture being more loose and limber. I wouldn't bother lifting weights or doing any endurance training. Dominic, you're a tennnis player, right? I would just keep playing tennis to stay loose and fit.

Lol I've played tennis maybe 5 times in the last 20 years...I'm not sure why you think some core and strength training would be bad for a golfer

If it makes the lower back tighter then I think that is counter productive.

Not strengthening legs and core has to be the worst advice imaginable.

To be specific, for legs I mean don't strengthen the hamstrings. https://www.google.co.th/search?q=ti...JI6ruQSb2IXADQ

I would not do anything that lessens flexibility in the hamstrings, glutes, and lower back.

Abdominal excercises I would guess are beneficial.

Aren't hamstrings one of the more important muscles in golf? we want them weak? Why are strength and flexibility mutually exclusive? I guess I understand why you wouldnt want to be a big bulky weightlighting only guy for golf but, saying "don't strengthen the hamstrings" seems pretty ludicrous.

His stance is completely indefensible; it's not even worth addressing. The only reasonable bit of advice is to not take up distance running at the age of 50.

As is true with all sports, unless you are in the top .1% of competitors then there is no need for movement specificity in weight training for golf. Improving general strength and conditioning will have better carryover to your golf game than a workout laden with golf-specific exercises. For someone over the age of 50 the issue is more about managing injury risk while still challenging yourself enough to progress. So the best course of action is extremely individual dependent, but would include a combination of compound exercises designed to make you stronger coupled with forms of conditioning that are age/injury-history appropriate.

Haha, I'm 30 and I feel like I have to walk this same line, at least during golf season, ouch for me.

55 this year. i swim every morning. half the workout is on a kickboard (500 metres/day). seems to help keep my core strong.

holding your finish does wonders to help take the strain off your lower back. recoil = pain.

I would say most of the working out that should be done should be strength training. Like 80/20 ST/cardio. This is particularly true as you age. The core compound lifts: squat, dead, overhead and bench press is most of what you need.

TPI is fine and there is some good stuff buried in there. But a lot of it is FPS nonsense and frankly most of us would be better off not focusing on "golf specific" garbage and sticking to overall health and strength.

Yeah more or less what Doug said