How do triathletes and endurance athletes incorporate consistent golfing in their training? Not only is it a lot of time on our feet, assymetric mpvements, but also it’s just a lot of time out of the day. If you have a family to support, a full time job, and train for top performance in endurance sport(s)—is it even possible to get OK at golf? I’m chasing bogeys over here and having a hard time getting in my training. Maybe I’m doing too much! But dang I love this new mindfulness sport. Golf is so hard! Yet so fun…
I only got into golfing recently upon moving to Austin where we have a super fun small par 3, 9-hole “pitch and putt” course (Butler Pitch & Putt). I’ve been using TR adaptive training plans since Jan 2023 and the team has helped me with winning my third straight Lavaman triathlon (Olympic distance in Kona every Spring), a decent showing at Gravel Locos 100, a decent 2:51 at Boston Marathon, and a 2nd OA at IM 70.3 Hawaii a couple months ago.
I’m gearing up for IM Wisconsin Sep 10 and hoping to earn my IMWC qualification for 2024.
Oh and one last thing—how do we even think to incorporate strength training on top of all this?
Anything is possible if you have the support network in place to enable you.
Sounds like your IMWC training could take up a lot of time and golf itself can be a big time suck, but like everything, it depends…
How good do you want to get at golf?
Do you only want to play 9 hole Pitch and Putt?
What is your triathlon/running training volume like?
What is your family situation?
For me it would definitely be too much to try to focus and be competitive at two sports. Playing golf just for fun, however, could be a good recovery activity (it’s just a long walk spoiled).
I actually find golf super hard if I’m carrying a bunch of training fatigue. I’ve tried a few times doing an am ride then evening golf, and I just can’t seem to hit the ball properly. Golf is also quite tiring when you walk the course, especially with training load.
I’ve enjoyed it a lot more by doing it on a rest day, and using a cart. I actually much prefer walking the course, but cart is way better at avoiding conflict with bike training, which is my main priority.
What MVDP? See the thing is I want to golf regularly. Like most sports, we have to train consistently. Not necessarily high-volume, but just regularly. I’m trying to find that balance of regular golf + regular endurance training.
You’re absolutely right. I played 27 holes Sunday after my 2.5hr long run. I had to cancel my swim training that day because…well golf that’s why! And even with a cart, I was drained. It’s Wednesday now 3 days later and I still am sore in my abs, ribs, lats and forearms. I was totally falling apart on the last 9 holes (the beers didn’t help). But I think you’re spot on–the cart is absolutely necessary for someone doing any regular cycling/running training. There’s no point of suffering and probably being counterproductive by being the stubborn golfer who insists on walking (after a 15-20hr training week!)
That’s what my goal is: 2-3 times a week playing/practicing (at least 1.5hr each sesh). I agree the once a moon, drinking and dropping balls every hole with gimmes and mulligans abound–is just not what I want to get good at. Not like I’m trying to go pro and be “so serious,” either. I think there’s a middle ground where we respect it as a sport (and damn it’s hard) while also, being OK with sucking at it (at least for now).
I am chasing double-bogeys. But I line up all my putts, I take my time and I try to take the game seriously (without being hard on myself). And that’s the thing, I need to be doing it regularly to expect to get any better.
With IRONMAN training, I have to be realistic and limit my play-time to once a week and mostly just 9 hole courses.
I’d love to know how really good endurance athletes get OK at golf as well. If there even are any? Is it possible? I guess is my real question…
Maybe I need to get a golf coach and then depending on how demanding it is–switch to low or mid-volume training plan?
tl;dr:
Just a long walk, spoiled. Love that! I think I heard that somewhere once.
But yeah I have decent support from my partner in terms of basic “adulting” chores and what not. No financial support other than my own and working a full time desk job (love it!). I train 12-19hrs a week in triathlon. However, that will be changing after IMWisco in 10 days. I will be casually training after that. With fun local CX races and trail runs.
I like to think that I’ll replace swimming with golf (but currently I’m only swimming 4hrs a week anyway which is just one full round at most!)
Family situation luckily we have no dependents (for now!). I want to play full courses, I want to improve my handicap. I’m really bad trust me, I get stoked on bogeys and often wish I just had a double bogey! Pars are like 1:9 holes and birdies are even more rare. I just want to be able to play where I can hit the ball straight (not far!) and not have to go looking for balls every other hole.
