Every year on the PGA tour, it seems, a new up-and-coming golfer is hitting the ball 10 yards longer than last year’s best golfer. This is no accident. Golf strength and conditioning specialists are constantly coming up with better ways to train golfers and improve their overall power.

That’s why, when you go to a driving range anywhere in America, you’ll usually hear banter along the lines of, “I crushed my drive” or “I played OK, but on the 13th hole I hit a drive over 300 yards!” Everyone wants to hit the long ball and increase their driving distance.

Here are four exercises that, if done consistently, will add distance to your drives and all of your shots. Performing them two to three days per week will quickly yield results. Putting in the work and focusing on your core musculature and breathing during these exercises will add strength and power to your golf game. Check out the video player above for a demonstration of each exercise.

RELATED: 3 Exercises for a Smoother Golf Swing

1. Elevated Glute Bridge

Benefits: A more challenging version of the Glute Bridge, to strengthen your glutes. Developing these muscles is critical for golfers because that’s where most of your swing power comes from.

How-to:

• Lie on your back with your heels on a bench or step.
• Point your toes toward the ceiling.
• Squeeze your glutes and raise your back off of the ground until only your head and the tops of your shoulders are on the ground.
• Extend your arms with your palms down.

Sets/Reps: 4×12

2. Side Plank with Cable Row

Benefits: Increases core and back strength, the foundation for a strong drive. Also teaches your core to stabilize when you move your upper body, a critical skill for maintaining a precise swing.

How-to:

• Lie on your side facing a cable machine.
• Grab a handle at an appropriate weight and rise up into a side plank.
• Perform cable rows while staying in a full side plank position.

Sets/Reps: 3×12

3. Stability Ball Dumbbell Twist

Benefits: By performing a twist on a physioball, you improve rotational strength and control—keys for preventing lower back injuries.

How-to:

• Lie with your back on a stability ball and hold a dumbbell in both hands with your arms extended.
• Slowly twist to one side while balancing on the ball.
• Squeeze your abdominal muscles.

Sets/Reps: 3×20 each side

4. Power Kneeling Cable Twist

Benefits: Adds core power to help you whip the club through the ball.

How-to:

• Facing a cable machine, kneel down with either leg forward.
• Grab the cable machine handle with both hands.
• Choose a lighter weight than you would use for a slow repetition.
• Quickly twist to the side of your lead leg. So, right knee forward, twist toward the right. The quick movement makes it more of a power movement, mimicking the golf swing.
• Repeat with your other leg forward.

Sets/Reps: 4×14 each side

Check out PGA golfer Stewart Cink’s golf core workout.

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