Keep in mind that the relatively small amount of time you put into your golf-conditioning program could save you weeks of down-time by preventing a variety of injuries common to golfers. Just be sure to exercise reasonably and regularly, and to seek professional assistance if you have little experience in physical training.

Wayne L. Westcott, Ph.D., is fitness research director at the South Shore YMCA in Quincy, MA., and author of 15 fitness books including Strength Training Past 50 and Complete Conditioning for Golf.