First and foremost, it is important to note the benefits of opting to walk the course rather than riding in a cart. If your significant other asked you to go for a 3.5 mile walk, would you hesitate? An 18-hole round, however, will carry you well over 3.5 miles, and is yet another reason to justify spending so much time at the course. While this in itself won't necessarily help your game, walking a couple of rounds per week will definitely help curb your waistline.

In recent years, PGA players have made physical fitness a predominant part of the training process. While guys like John Daly or Craig Stadler may make us question if golfers are actually athletes, by in large, the Tour players have slimmed down and toned up as of late. A monster drive is not only a result of improved equipment, but is due in large part to flexibility, core strength, balance, and stamina as well.

As far as your flexibility goes, this should include more than just blindly waving your club around on the first tee. Maybe you're not ready to sign up for a yoga class, but by regularly performing stretching exercises you will improve your flexibility. Increased flexibility translates into a bigger and more powerful swing, and will also reduce the chance of injury and soreness. There are dozens of books focusing on stretching and calisthenics, and one of which would be a good guide to work from.

Increasing your core strength is something that is going to require a little more dedication and work. It's also important to note that before you start a serious exercise regiment you should consult with your doctor. Rather than relying on the equipment that has been sitting in your basement for collecting dust, you may find it worthwhile to join a gym. Even if you just join a gym for a short period, take advantage of their orientation service. The trainer will be able to show you various exercises to increase your core strength, from the simple yet effective crunch to more advanced use of equipment. You may even find yourself combining your swinging motion with resistance bands in order to power up your swing.

Some great resources for improving your game through some basic fitness techniques include:

1. www.golf-trainer.com, a pay-service with a wealth of workout information
2. www.golf.com, which includes an extensive fitness section
3. Yoga for Dummies by Feuerstein, Payne and Folan
4. "Golf" or "Golf Digest," which often contain fitness articles and tips
5. Your course pro, who is sure to have some suggestions

While the benefits of getting regular physical activity go well beyond the fairway, using an improved golf game as an excuse can make it a little more palatable. Finally, be realistic about your goals and what level of commitment you are willing to make. It is difficult and unrealistic for most of us to hit the gym every single day. If you limit yourself to three days a week, however, that keeps it from becoming such a chore.