
Muscles Used in the Golf Swing
- External Abdominal Obliques. These muscles help rotate the torso. ...
- Gluteus Maximus. More commonly known as the buttocks, the gluteus maximus gives individuals the ability to rotate at the thighs as well as provide solid lower body support and stance ...
- Pectroalis Major. ...
- Latissimus Dorsi. ...
- Forearm. ...
- External Abdominal Obliques. These muscles help rotate the torso. ...
- Gluteus Maximus. ...
- Pectroalis Major. ...
- Latissimus Dorsi. ...
- Forearm.
How many muscles do you use in a golf swing?
The muscles of the forearm are vital to a golf swing because a proper grip on the club is what drives the ball in the right direction. The major forearm muscles used in a golf grip include the flexor digiorum superficialis, which are top-level muscles found in the forearm, as well as deeper muscles such as the flexor digitorum profundus and the ...
What are the key muscles in the golf swing?
- Back swing: ball address to top of back swing
- Forward swing: top of swing to club horizontal (early part of down swing)
- Acceleration: horizontal club to impact (late part of down swing)
- Early follow through: impact to horizontal club
- Late follow through: horizontal to completion of swing
What joints are used in a golf swing?
- Trapezius (extending up to your neck and into your upper back)
- Levator scapulae (at the back and side of the neck)
- Supraspinatus (connecting your arm and shoulder)
- Rhomboids (in the upper back)
- Erector spinae (running along the vertebral column)
- Adductor magnus (in the middle thigh)
- Semimembranosus (the middle muscles of the hamstrings)
What muscles do you use in golfing?
Muscles Used in Golf. The gluteus maximus was shown to be responsible for external and internal hip rotation on the backswing and downswing, as well as hip extension, which is what gets you into a proper balanced finish position.. Pectorals and latissimus muscles were shown to create strong shoulder adductors, which allow you to bring your arms across your body and raise them up in the air.

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).
What muscles are used to play golf?
PGA Coach Shares How to Optimize Your Golf Workouts His research indicated that the key lower body muscle group was the gluteus maximus–more famously known as your butt. Additionally, the most important upper body muscles were the pectoralis major (chest), latissimus dorsi (back), core and forearm muscles.
Do you use hamstrings in golf?
Hamstrings Provide Stability In golf, the hamstrings are utilized throughout the swing to keep the body stable as you turn through the stroke and power through the swing. When completing an athletic movement such as the golf swing there is always a chance you could pull or strain one of your hamstrings.
What muscles start the downswing?
They are called the adductors, and are not to be confused with the muscles on the outside of the thighs known as the abductors. The adductors are really the key muscles to control any type of lateral movement in the golf swing.
Which muscle group is most important in golf swing?
Let’s take a look at which muscle groups are most important in the golf swing according to Mytpi.com. The key lower body muscle is your gluteus maximus, aka, glute. The glutes have been demonstrated to be key in the hip rotation involved in the golf swing, as well as the extension of your hips in the follow through.
What muscles do golfers use?
Not surprisingly, one of the popular exercises among professional golfers is the dead lift, which incorporates the hamstrings, glutes and lower back. In the upper body, I was surprised to learn that the pectoralis major (pec muscle) ...
Why is it important to understand the biomechanics of golf swing?
This is why it is necessary to understand the biomechanics of the golf swing. Learning which are the key muscles used in the golf swing is part of that process.
What muscles do pushups work?
With that in mind, it’s time for you to start doing some pushups! Next up in the upper body are the lat muscles, aka, latissimus dorsi. These are the muscles in the upper back, out the sides, and under the shoulder. The best way to work these are pullups. Of course, most of us all understand that your core muscles are also important to ...
What muscles are used in golf swings?
The muscles of the forearm are vital to a golf swing because a proper grip on the club is what drives the ball in the right direction. The major forearm muscles used in a golf grip include the flexor digiorum superficialis, which are top-level muscles found in the forearm, as well as deeper muscles such as the flexor digitorum profundus and the flexor pollicis longus. Each of these muscles help provide a strong and secure grip on the golf club.
How does golf swing work?
A properly, or even improperly, performed golf swing works muscles in the upper and lower body. Golfers should know the basic muscle groups engaged when playing golf and, most importantly, which muscles are used to create the perfect swing. Your golf game will improve, you'll burn calories and learn which muscles to focus on during regular exercise.
What muscles help rotate the torso?
External Abdominal Obli ques. These muscles help rotate the torso. The back is the driving force behind a golf swing, which incorporates the muscles that help you keep the ball on the fairway or onto the green.
What is the muscle that rotates at the thighs?
More commonly known as the buttocks, the gluteus maximus gives individuals the ability to rotate at the thighs as well as provide solid lower body support and stance with slightly bent knees during a golf swing.
Where are the obliques located in golf swing?
One of most important muscles for your golf swing is the external abdominal obliques, located along the side of the torso, covering the sides of the ribs from under the arm to the crest of the hip.
Which muscle is used to rotate the shoulder?
The pectoralis major, or chest muscle, extends from the sternum to the shoulder joint on each side of the chest and helps the shoulder flex and the arm extend. This muscle is vital for rotation and a smooth, effective golf swing.
What muscles are involved in the spine?
The three major muscles worked in the spine are the rotatores, the external abdominal obliques and the multifidus, according to Dr. Larry Van Such of Secrets of Speed and Quickness Training at Athletic Quickness.
How many muscles are involved in the forward swing?
There you have it — twenty-two muscles that are primarily involved in the forward swing and need to be conditioned to increase your golf swing speed. If you want to increase your clubhead speed and start hitting longer drives, then you will need to speed up the contraction rate within these muscles. And, the golf exercises in the DRIVE LONGER ...
What muscles are activated during the downswing?
The muscles activated during the downswing are the primary movers of the wrists or wrist flexors and extensors. (Note that for the right handed golfer, the right wrist flexors and left wrist extensors are activated.)
How effective are golf swing exercises?
These golf swing exercises are totally effective at targeting the precise muscles used in the golf swing and making them stronger and faster. You can do these revolutionary golf exercises at home without any special ...
What is the forward swing in golf?
It stretches your muscles and readies them for release during the forward swing. The forward swing or “release” part of the golf swing is when 100% of your speed and power is generated. This is what will determine your shot distance.
Do you know the muscles of golf?
You may not know the muscles’ names; but, you can begin to appreciate how perfectly the human body was designed. And , if you really apply yourself and do the proper research, it isn’t long before you arrive at an entire list of muscles that need the proper training and conditioning that go into the perfection of a skill, such as the golf swing.
What muscles are used in golf swings?
The primary muscles in the upper body that are used when performing a golf swing are the shoulders and back muscles. As with all muscles involved in the swing, it is important for the upper-body muscles to be both fit and flexible.
Which muscles are used to support the body during the backswing?
Lower Body. The primary lower-body muscles that are used to support the body throughout both the backswing and the down swing are the quadriceps muscles, which are responsible for providing balance and stability throughout the swing.
Why is flexibility important in golf?
Strength in the upper body allows the golfer to maintain control over the club as he winds it back, while flexibility allows for a deeper backswing without losing control of the club , which can occur when a golfer over swings.
What is the importance of core in golf?
Core. Flexibility is essential in any golfer's core, even more so than in the upper- and lower-body muscles that contribute to the swing. An inflexible core will prevent a golfer from getting the proper turn in her swing, and can lead to a golfer being unable to bring the club back far enough to develop the proper momentum for striking the ball.
How to stretch quads?
A simple quad stretch is performed by grabbing the foot of the leg being stretched, and pulling the foot up toward the golfer's rear until a stretching is felt in the muscle. Build up quad strength by performing squats, a simple exercise that doesn't require any equipment. Step forward with one foot, lower the body until ...
Is golf considered a recreational sport?
Overview. As a recreational sport, golf was often looked at as a sport in which an individual did not need to be in top physical shape to excel.
What muscles help the golfer swing?
The quadriceps help the golfer power through the ball and through the turn of the hips. Strengthening these muscles will help to give the golfer a stronger, more controlled golf swing. At the same time it is important to keep the legs flexible so that proper posture may be maintained throughout the swing.
How many yards does a golfer hit?
Many golfers don't know how many golf pros hit the ball 320 yards so effortlessly. They may not be as strong as NFL athletes but they utilize and strengthen the specific muscles that are essential to a powerful golf swing. The average golfer would not know what muscles are used and how they aid the golf swing.
Why is the core important in golf?
The core is the base of the golf swing because it stabilizes the entire body throughout the swing. It is important to have a strong and flexible core to complete a full turn back and into the ball. Strengthening the core can be done with simple back and abdominal exercises.
Which muscle is the most active in golf?
Early Follow Through - In the phase of the golf swing, the pectoralis major muscles are the most active on both sides. The second most active muscles are the subscapularis on the right and infraspinatus muscles on the left (the subscapularis and infraspinatus are both rotator cuff muscles).
Which muscle is most active during back swing?
Back Swing - During this phase the most active muscles in the upper body are the upper trapezius and middle trapezius on the right side. On the left side, the most active muscles were the subscapularis and the serratus anterior.
Which muscle is firing on the right side of the golf club?
The gluteus medius and obliques are still firing on the right, along with the the outer quads and hamstrings on the left. Late Follow Through - As the club decelerates, the right subscapularis is the most active followed by the both the upper and lower serratus.
Which muscle is most active on the right side of the body?
In the right leg, the hamstrings are very active and on the left side, the erector spinae (back extensors) and abdominal obliques are contracting the most. Forward Swing - The pectoralis major is the main muscle at use on the right side here, followed by the serratus anterior.
What are the phases of a golf swing?
For proper understanding, the swing will be broken into specific phases: back swing, forward swing, acceleration, early follow through and late follow through.
Which muscle is most active in the lower extremity?
In the lower extremity, the right gluteus maximus is the most active followed by the hamstings. On the left side, the vastus lateralis (part of the quads) and the inner thigh are used to most. Acceleration - The pectoralis major muscle is the most active on both sides during this phase.
What is the back swing?
The back swing is ball address to top of back swing. Forward swing is the top of swing to club horizontal (early part of down swing). Acceleration is horizontal club to impact (late part of down swing). Early follow through is impact to horizontal club.
The importance of the Golf Core Muscles
The easiest way of conveying the importance of the core muscles is to look at what would happen during the swing if the core and stomach muscles were weaker than they should be. On the backswing, as the upper body turns, it is the core muscles that resist and create torque.
Golf Core Muscles on the Downswing
If a golfer can swing slowly enough on the backswing it is much easier to contain the stress and have resistance at the top of the backswing. However, strong stomach muscles are even more important on the downswing as their ability to brace against the unwinding body allows centrifugal force to promote a natural free release of the club.
How to Train the Core Muscles
Even the simplest type of twisting exercise helps build strong core muscles.
What muscle group does golf swing work?
General Info. The golf swing is a full-body movement, a golf study by Dr. Sergio Marta from the University Of Lisbon research indicated the main low body muscle group worked was the gluteus maximum (your butt), with the main upper body muscles being the pectoralis major (chest ), latissimus dorsi (back), ...
Which muscle is the most active in golf?
The obliques muscles are active to provide a solid base in the rotation to hit the golf ball. On the right side, the obliques are the most active muscles and assist with the rotation of the torso to hit the ball from the backswing position. (Journal Of British Sports Medicine)
What muscles do big hitters use?
Big hitters have strong lats which are muscles that run from the shoulder blades to the tips, you use the lats to create a fast clubhead speed needed for a big drive.
How to do a squat jump in golf?
Sit back like you were in a chair but make sure your knees stay behind your toes. Squeeze your butt at the top for proper hip extension. Repeat for 4 sets x 12 (or less depending on how you feel) Master the basic squat body mechanics , before you move to the more difficult but also beneficial for golf the squat jump.
How many muscles are in the forearm?
Working out your forearms doesn’t have to take a long time as the forearms are made up of 20 different muscles, see the above video of an intense yet effective forearm workout that will make your clubhead straight that will improve every aspect of your golf game.
How to do pushups right?
How To Perform The Pushup (The Right Way) The RIGHT Way To Do Push-Ups (PERFECT FORM) Take a kneeling position with your hands against your side and bring your hands into a tee position then bring the hands in front of you and retract straight back (squeeze your back) this is your pushup starting position.
What muscle is the chest?
3.Pectorals (Chest Muscle) Your pectorals together with the lats were shown in the golf study by Dr. Sergio Marta to create strong shoulder abductors, which allow you to bring your arms across the body and raise them in the air, key in the highest portion of the golf swing.
