Golfers Should Beware of Beefing Up

By: Bob Boldt


Top-level golfers who bulk up their current body either with human-growth hormones or excessive weight training can say goodbye to their careers. In my research of professionals who beefed up their physiques with weight-gaining muscle-building techniques, legal or not, I've found their days of excellence have come to a hasty end.

There hasn't been one golf legend who even considered bulking up their bodies by abnormal weight-gaining measures because they knew they played the game by feel and, if they lost that crucial aspect, would be in the history books, and not for their immense skills.

Some of today's professionals have no idea how to play with feel, and probably understandably so. After all, if you can hit the ball 300-plus yards why try to finesse it? But what if your body is naturally slight and the only way to compete is to find a way to keep up with the bombers?

Of particular concern is Rory McIlroy's recent muscular physique. To me, this seems like a disturbing move for a player blessed with God-given skills and a natural flair for the game.

A more obvious example is Tiger Woods, who went from a lithe and flexible 155 pounds to 190-plus through weight training and, perhaps, other contributing factors. All you have to do is compare Woods' body style in his heydays to his current chiseled, V-shaped frame. Tiger, who hasn't won a major since the 2008 U.S. Open, should write a book for upcoming amateurs or professional golfers. It could have chapters discussing what not to do in many aspects of his career. Obviously, I'm not a Tiger fan.

There are two other professionals whose careers ended after excessive workouts and bulking up. Keith Clearwater was in my junior program at Boundary Oak Golf Course in Walnut Creek, Calif. He went on to become Rookie of the Year on the PGA Tour and won the Colonial with back-to-back 64s. Clearwater then acquired a Gold's Gym in Salt lake City, and began a serious weight-lifting regime, a move that basically ended his career.

Johnny Miller lived on the 10th hole at Silverado and decided to start chopping wood, which also contributed to the end of his playing days. I believe Johnny was the supplest player to ever play professional golf. His "reverse C" at impact looked like a contortionist in a circus act, but all that ended with his wood-chopping workouts.

Bob Boldt turned 77 in September 2014. Married for 31 years to Patricia, the father of two - including two sons, Rob and Jason, who are golf professionals and excellent players - played on the PGA and Champions tours for dozens of years, earning multiple victories in his amateur and professional careers.

Boldt, who attended Cal and became the Bears' men's golf coach, is a long-time native of Northern California and currently the director of golf at Vintners Golf Club in Yountville, where he is one of state's most recognized golf instructors. He received the Northern California PGA Section Junior Golf Leader Award in 1999.