You can train for anything. If you have a goal, you can build a program.
The real question is not if you can prepare for sport but HOW you should prepare.
Specific or non-specific: How, what, when, why
Let’s break it down.
Sport Specific Preparation
I prefer to think about this concept from a ‘preparation’ standpoint, instead of isolating only ‘training’ - It makes more sense to me, because it is an all encompassing term.
Training is sprinting, lifting weights, jumping etc..
Preparation is all components of sport:
Technical
Tactical
Physical
Mental
Every sport requires a combination of the components listed above and in some cases physical attributes can allow you to overcome a lack technical and tactical skill - Golf is not one of those sports.
I believe that physical performance should support the technical and tactical components of the sport, and what you need may be determined by how you play - If you are a wide receiver on a spread offense, you will need a higher level of conditioning compared to a wide receiver on a team that runs the triple option.
Sport Specific Training
The art of mimicking the physical demands of your sport, through intensity, volume, intent, and movement patterns.
First you must determine which physical qualities are required to be successful.
Golf requires speed but not the ability to sprint fast.
Golf requires aerobic capacity but not the same as a distance runner.
There are different levels and components of each physical quality that you must identify.
Example - Golf
So what does a golfer need?
I am going to assume you posses basic technical golf skills - driving, chipping, putting etc… Without this, it doesn’t matter if you are at peak physical performance.
Let’s look at the drive. A golfer needs to increase club head speed to drive the ball further. Here’s what you need: