Golf may not be the first sport that comes to mind when you think of intense physical training, but trust us, it takes more than just a good swing to excel on the course.

Today, just about every golfer on the men's and women's tour hits the gym. Just see Rory's trophy room / home gym pictured above!

While just about every muscle in your body plays a role in your golf game, there are a few key muscle groups that are especially important to train. Here is our key list of muscles along with exercises to help you improve your golf fitness.

1. The core. A strong core is essential for maintaining proper posture and balance during your swing. Try incorporating exercises like planks, Russian twists, and bird dogs into your workout routine to build up your core muscles.
2. The glutes. Your glutes are the powerhouses of your swing, so it's important to keep them strong and stable. Exercises like squats, deadlifts, lunges, and glute bridges are great for building up these muscles.
3. The back. A strong back is crucial for maintaining good posture and generating power during your swing. Try exercises like rows and lat pull-downs to build up your back muscles.
4. The shoulders. Your shoulders are responsible for providing stability and control during your swing, so it's important to keep them strong and flexible. Exercises like shoulder presses, lateral raises, and rotator cuff exercises are great for building up these muscles.
5. The forearms. This is the one shocker on this list. Your forearms play a key role in maintaining your grip on the club, so it's important to keep them strong and flexible. Exercises like wrist curls, wrist extensions, and grip training are great for building up these muscles.

Now, I know what you're thinking. "This all sounds great, but how do I fit all of these exercises into my busy schedule?" The good news is, you don't have to spend hours at the gym to see results. Try to incorporate 1-2 of these exercises into your routine daily to start seeing results on the course. 

So don't be afraid to hit the weights (or the yoga mat) next time you're preparing for a round of golf. Your muscles (and your score) will thank you. Happy training!