As the golf season approaches you can begin preparing by starting an exercise routine.

Between now and Master's Sunday, if you spent 30 minutes a day, three days a week, exercising, you can begin training your body and getting back into "golf shape.". (NOTE: Before you begin any exercise program, consult your doctor.)

Here are the tips:

- Maintain or work toward increased flexibility, especially with muscles you use in your golf swing.

- Begin a program of cardiovascular fitness. Brisk walking, riding a stationary bike, or swimming in an indoor pool are great forms of training. Try to sustain a slightly elevated heart rate for at least 20 minutes, three times a week.

- Increase abdominal strength to support a straight spine at address. Simple abdominal crunches are great for building your core body strength. ' Keep the weight off. Make this a season that is "waistline friendly."

- Catch up on reading about the mental golf game. Often we become too focused on the physical aspect of the game and ignore the mental side.

- Use the off-season to refine, focus and develop visualization and practice techniques. Although the weather may be bad on the outside, you can still practice your golf swing even it it's just chipping - and putting stroke inside the comfort of your home. If you have an indoor golf facility nearby, that's another great way to continue working on the fundamentals of your game.