Your neck, shoulders, back, hips, knees, ankles, and all soft tissue in between are involved in the golf swing and need to move freely to reduce compensatory movements. Optimal flexibility makes it easier to maintain our posture and our axis of rotation to keep the club on the proper path for square contact.
Full Answer
How important is flexibility in the golf swing?
As a result, we as golfers understand the importance of flexibility for golf. Where we commonly get off track relative to swing flexibility is what muscles require flexibility to execute a proficient golf swing. Not every muscle in the body needs to be flexible to execute a proficient swing.
How do physical limitations affect a golf swing?
If the golfer is lacking in either the joint mobility or muscular flexibility needed to draw the club on the intended swing path, we will most likely see some sort of compensation to offset these physical limitations affecting the swing.
Can stretching help your golf swing?
If you weren’t blessed with freakish flexibility or happen to be a weekend warrior who sits from 9-5 every day, you probably could use a stretching routine to help you improve your flexibility both before a round, and on a regular basis. Enter StretchIt, an app designed to help you improve your flexibility, which in turn will help your golf swing.
What muscles are used in the golf swing?
An oversimplification of this exercise science principle states the golf swing requires joint mobility in the ankles, hips, thoracic spine (area of spine between shoulder blades), shoulders, and wrists. In order for the aforementioned joints to be mobile, the muscles surrounding each of these joints must be extensible.
How much does flexibility help golf?
A powerful swing is a byproduct of flexibility. Flexibility allows for full range of motion, which allows you to reach maximum potential in strength. Practice these exercises three to five days a week. You'll improve your flexibility and should be a better golfer before the end of this season.
Does flexibility increase golf swing speed?
These studies do indicate balance and flexibility have increased golf swing performance, but each study used has different measures to achieve results on flexibility and balance.
How important is flexibility in the golf swing?
Flexibility is important in the golf swing to allow the golfer to achieve the correct technical positions to improve performance as well as reduce the risk of injury. Adequate flexibility will also allow the golfer to sequence their swing correctly to improve consistency and power.
Does flexibility help in golf?
Golf stretches for your core A fluid golf swing relies on strong, flexible core muscles. This move stretches these muscles so you can turn with ease. It mimics a backswing and follow-through.
What muscles are used most in a golf swing?
The most active muscle during the forward swing phase in the lower body are the upper and lower gluteus maximus (100% MMT and 98% MM) on the right side along with the biceps femoris (78% MMT). On the left side, the most active muscles are the vastus lateralis (88% MMT) and the adductor magnus (63% MMT).
How do I get more flexibility in my golf swing?
These 5 simple stretches will improve your flexibility and help your golf swingTwisting Stretch. Start with your legs wider than your hips. ... Hip Press. Tight hamstrings tend to put a lot of pressure on your lower back. ... Scarecrow Twists. ... Standing Side Stretch. ... Shoulder Flossing.
What is golf flexibility?
In the most basic of terms, a flexibility program for golf must create extensibility in the musculature surrounding the ankles, hips, thoracic spine, shoulders, and wrists. The hips tend to be a troublesome area for many golfers as it pertains to joint mobility.
Are calves important for golf?
Calf muscles (aka gastrocnemius and soleus muscles), combined with other muscles of the leg, "help you to keep a solid base during the swing, and also are responsible for generating some power through impact, adding swing speed," states Paul Myers in his swingmangolf.com article.
Should you hit golf balls every day?
Many golfers believe that hitting balls every day will improve their golf game. The absolute truth is that it won't, not unless you're doing it correctly and that your hitting sessions have a purpose. 2 How Many Golf Balls Do Pros Hit Every Day. 3 If You Want to Play Better, Then Practise How You Play.
How do I make my hips more flexible for golf?
2:568:41Golf Swing Hip Turn & Hip Tightness - 3 Flexibility Exercises for HomeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd all these going to do is bring his pelvis forward hold that right and I want him to breathingMoreAnd all these going to do is bring his pelvis forward hold that right and I want him to breathing for twenty or thirty seconds.
What muscle group is used in golf swings?
in the Golf Swing. The group of muscles referred to as the “hamstrings” consist of four large muscles on the back of each upper leg.
Why do my hips extend so early in golf?
In addition to finding difficulty with set up posture, dynamic posture will be affected when the hips extend too early in the golf swing (early extension) as a result of the hamstrings not wanting to be stretched when the hips begin rotating in transition. This early extension of the hips toward the golf ball will affect the path ...
Why are my hamstrings tight?
When the hip flexors become tight and the glutes are weak (lower crossed syndrome) the anterior tilt of the pelvis will result in the hamstrings being chronically tight since they are always in a lengthened state.
Can you hinge your hips from your hamstrings?
This can be a very powerful motion when done properly, however when the hamstrings are tight it will be difficult to hinge properly from your hip, a motion we need the ability to do to achieve proper set up posture in the golf swing.
Why do women play better in golf?
Because of this increased flexibility, women can get into better positions in the golf swing, and they don’t struggle as much as men with getting enough shoulder turn, hip turn and separation in their swings.
How does Blackburn explain the golf swing?
Blackburn explained that while women have more flexibility, they need to make sure they build strength to stabilize themselves in the golf swing. Without strength and stability, it’s very hard to control your body through golf swing, and you’ll wind up looking like “an octopus falling out of a tree.”
Video 1: Secrets to Golf Swing Flexibility
Unlike most exercise and fitness programs that don’t improve your flexibility… “Roger Fredericks Secrets to Golf Swing Flexibility” will improve your flexibility, creating a more fluid and powerful golf swing, GUARANTEED.
Video 2: Secrets to a Powerful Golf Swing
This simple to use strengthening program will teach you how to achieve a stronger body and produce a more powerful golf swing, at any age. A stronger body, combined with ample flexibility, will result in more distance and consistency in your game.
Video 3: Secrets to a Fundamental Golf Swing
In this program, Roger explains the TRUE physiological fundamentals of the golf swing, and WHY there is no one right method to swinging a golf club.
Bonus: Exercise Guide
Never forget an exercise again. Store this guide in your golf bag and always have a handy reference at your finger tips.
How to improve golf swing flexibility?
These 5 simple stretches will improve your flexibility and help your golf swing. Roll up to the course just before your tee time. Hit some golf balls. Play 18 holes. Perplexed by why you feel tight during and after your round.
How to stretch your spine when swinging a golf club?
Look around the corner to intensify the stretch. With an inhale, return to center. Repeat on the other side. Continue this twisting action six times on each side, breathing through it. Twisting action is great for the spine and will prepare your body to swing a golf club. StretchIt.
How to get a golf ball to work?
Step your right foot forward in a short lunge position with both heels on the ground. Place your hands on your hips or hold onto your golf club with one hand to help with balance. Tuck your pelvis in. Engage your left glute and feel the stretch in your left hip flexor and quad. Inhale.
How to stretch your hips when playing golf?
Standing up straight, plant your golf club into the ground with your right hand. Cross your left leg over the right and reach your left arm up and over toward the club. Then, open your chest and look at the sky. Allow your hips to go slightly to the left and feel the stretch in the left side of your body.
What is a twist stretch?
This twist stretch is great for loosening up your hamstrings and lower back. StretchIt. 2. Hip Press. Tight hamstrings tend to put a lot of pressure on your lower back. This stretch will loosen up the hips and hamstrings — releasing this pressure, alleviating back pain and increasing the range of motion in your legs.
How to stretch your lower back?
3. Scarecrow Twists. Start with your feet slightly wider than your shoulders. Place your golf club behind your neck and onto your shoulders with both arms over the golf club in a scarecrow position. Bend your knees slightly and inhale.
How to stretch your hamstrings?
Inhale. With an exhale, bend your back leg and extend your front leg into a hamstring stretch. Lower your torso while keeping the back straight. Think of arching your lower back to intensify the stretch. With an inhale return to your lunge and repeat. Continue this action six times, breathing through it.
Why is a balanced swing important?
A balanced swing allows you to have better control of the club and deliver it squarely to the ball, ensuring accuracy. Generating the clubhead speed necessary to maximize power also requires good balance.
Why is balance important in golf?
The Benefits of Balance. Golfers strive for distance and accuracy on longer shots and for pinpoint control on approach shots to the green. Without good balance, you cannot achieve any of these objectives on a consistent basis. A balanced swing allows you to have better control of the club and deliver it squarely to the ball, ensuring accuracy.
How does Jack Nicklaus balance his swing?
Before starting the swing, Jack Nicklaus inclines his right knee slightly toward the target, which helps him keep his weight on the inside of his right foot as he makes a powerful turn on his backswing. He keeps the knee slightly flexed, allowing him to maintain his balance throughout the swing.
What does it mean to maintain balance in golf?
By Brian Hill. Maintaining balance is a key to consistent shotmaking. When you see a golfer maintain good balance throughout his swing, it looks solid, as though all the moving parts -- legs, hands, arms and torso -- are working in harmony. The swing also looks graceful as though hitting the shot is not hard work.
How to know if you are hitting the ball farther?
In the quest for hitting the ball farther, you might have a tendency to overswing -- taking the club back so far that you are unable to maintain control . One indication of this is the left arm bending at the top of the swing. The arms and shoulders should work as a team during the swing.
How to balance a tee shot?
Balance on Tee Shots. To create the foundation for a powerful swing with your driver, it all starts with your stance. Your heels should be slightly wider than your shoulders. Narrow stances with woods result in a loss of balance during the swing and shots that are off target.
