Golf fitness is becoming a very popular topic on television. There's even a segment on the Golf Channel called golf fitness academy. That should tell you it's important if you want to play better golf and hit longer drives.

With age the body declines in both strength and flexibility, and fitness is the ONLY way to slow this down. If you've seen a big drop in driving distance and consistency, you don't need to look much further than your current level of fitness.

The only issue I have with the Golf Channel is many of the exercises they show you are down on fancy equipment most golfers can't afford, unless they have a fitness club membership. My premise has always been doing a program at home, with just a few pieces of very affordable and portable equipment.

Here in Scottsdale golf fitness is booming. Being one of the mecca's of golf in the country, the affluent segment of Scottsdale as well as Paradise Valley golfers are embarking on "in home" golf fitness programs.

When you hear the term golf fitness you might be thinking grunting, groaning and sweating for 2 hours, and this couldn't be farther from the truth. In fact, I've set up programs that golfers can do in just a couple of minutes a day if that's all they want to do.

I believe that even if a golfer does something daily, that's a heckava lot better than nothing! Wouldn't you agree?

If you can identify your physical limitations, and focus on those areas to improve, you can do it in your home in just minutes. You'll be saving time, and seeing improvement in your game quickly.

To achieve longer drives, you need to focus on your core area. The stronger (and more flexible) you can get this area, the faster you'll swing your club, but without added effort or tension. Higher clubhead speed, with solid contact on the clubface, means more distance.

Make sure to do rotational exercises with resistance, as well as stretching your core specifici to the positions in your golf swing.

Golf fitness is here to stay, so why not embrace it, and not ignore it.