Golf is a very physical sport. Although people complain that it doesn’t look like it, the physical demands of the sport are very high. Moreover, it requires a professional golfer to pay a lot of focus on it to improve their overall game. One such golfer, who is transforming his game by paying more attention to it physically, is the North Carolina resident Akshay Bhatia.

Akshay Bhatia has had a vibrant start to the 2025 PGA Tour season. In ten competitions so far, Bhatia has made the cut at eight, while also finishing an impressive top 10 at three events, including a third-placed finish at the PLAYERS Championship. Bhatia’s game has improved for the better, and apparently, the secret to that is no secret at all. Just better strength and conditioning.

Speaking on the live show of GOLF’s Subpar, Bhatia outlined his goals regarding his game. He has been paying more focus on keeping his body in prime condition as he embarks upon the long stretch of golf on the PGA Tour. “I started working with Xander’s [Schauffele] strength coach this year, and I have seen what Xander has done with his body. I don’t want to be the skinny guy anymore. I’ve really enjoyed working on my body and becoming more and more of a professional athlete.” He explained.

Chris Como, Xander Schauffele’s swing coach, had previously mentioned the incredible work David Saundberg, Schauffele’s trainer, has done. “He’s [Schauffele] gotten some incredible (clubhead) speed with his trainer, David Sundberg, just really getting his body in top top shape in the gym,” Como stated. It is under a similar regimen that Bhatia is keen on improving. Bhatia had previously worked with George Gankas, with whom he became a celebrity on social media channels. He also has Chase Duncan, his longtime swing coach, to guide him.

Despite the hours and rest period, fatigue is something that can easily creep into a golfer’s mind and body. Having to play week in and week out on large courses without golf carts involves a lot of walking in tough conditions. And that is not including the golfing part of it.

Something as simple as a putt requires steady balance, hand-eye coordination, and swing control, all of which require regular training. A drive requires one to be able to utilize the force produced by the body in the best possible way as well. In short, a golfer should be taking care of his body aptly. That is a lesson that Akshay Bhatia has learned during his time on the PGA Tour.

“Now that I’ve played a longer schedule, I’ve realized what it takes week in and week out. When you get to weeks like the Tour Championship or the Ryder Cup, you need to feel fresh. You can’t be drained going into that week.” The two-time PGA Tour winner stated.

On the podcast, Bhatia also opened up about TGL and how he would like to take part in it if his schedule allows for it.

Akshay Bhatia opens up about TGL

The TGL, envisioned by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, has given fans a different kind of golfing experience. The state-of-the-art simulator at the SoFi center in Florida has given avid golf lovers a chance to catch action from one spot rather than moving around constantly. Bhatia is also seemingly on board with the concept, expressing delight at seeing golf through a different lens.

“I thought it was really enjoyable. It is pretty interesting how developed golf is getting. I have never been to the arena, but I have heard nothing but great things of the green moving, the locker room, and the gym.” The 2024 Valero Texas Open winner stated.

TGL also offers viewers in-depth access to the thought process that happens behind professional golf, with all players mic’d up and their reactions transparently available for everyone to decipher. “I just see some of the personalities truly come out of some players, and it is really cool for people to see,” he explained.

He also believes that the low-pressure environment is a true test of one’s character on the course. “Out there, you can kind of let it loose. I have enjoyed it. I would love to do it. I just need to figure out schedule-wise. I feel like I would unleash the beast out there.”

Do you think we will see Bhatia unleash the ‘beast’ next year as part of the technology-driven league’s expansion plans?