The Shape Of Things To Come

"I became a much better golfer because of it," he says. "I hit the ball farther with less effort, and because I needed less effort, my swing was more stable and repeatable. I'm a believer in the swing being controlled by the big muscles, so the stronger I get—as long as I maintain my flexibility—the better I'll be."

Glasson also disputes the concept of hammerhands—a loss of touch that some believe can result from lifting heavy weights. "Besides, if my mechanics are good, I don't really need touch," he says. "When it's 40 degrees out, no one has touch, and I know when you're choking your guts out on the last few holes, you don't have touch. That's when you're only as good as your mechanics."

Glasson is a natural mesomorph who puts on muscle easily. If his still troublesome knees could handle it, he would get even bigger. He experimented with creatine, a nutritional supplement that helps build muscle, and gained bulk, but the added pounds caused him more problems than they were worth. "As long as you remain flexible, you can't get too big or bulky," Glasson says. "I think Keith is probably right on the line. He's probably the only pro who knows where the line is."

For now, golf is still taking its first baby steps in the world of muscle and fitness. "There hasn't been enough research done to prove that working out helps you shoot lower scores," Faxon says. "I think it helps most in mood and attitude. Working out has helped me hit the ball straighter, which has always been my weakness, but my scores haven't gone down. In fact, I've been in much worse shape and played a lot better."

Even Watson says as much. "There are still a lot of things we don't know, and probably things we will never know," he says, "but being in shape helps a player carry himself with pride and confidence, and that's worth something."