Showing posts with label Exercises. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Exercises. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Golf Swing Flexibility Exercises That Will Add Distance Quickly

Golf swing flexibility exercises that are the most effective are not what you read in all the "so-called" fitness for golf books. I make this bold statement because I bought every golf fitness book and was so disappointed I wrote my own Ultimate Golf Fitness Manual.

What I didn't see in most of these books was dynamic (movement) stretches, especially for core flexibility. The golf swing is a rotation, therefore it only makes sense to incorporate as many core rotational movements, stretches and exercises into your routine as possible.

This is more prevalent in the senior golfer. He/she has lost a large amount of core rotation and in return massive yards off the tee. That's the biggest complaint I hear among senior golfers is their lack of distance off the tee.

But, what's frustrating for me is that same golfer will buy more equipment, take more lessons and hit more balls and not see improvement. This is because the "root cause" has still not been approached.

Until you fix the "machine", you will not see improvement. Your body's physical capabilities dictate your golf swing efficiency and power. Until you realize this and make the commitment to improve this, you'll continue to be a very frustrated golfer.

The great thing about golf swing flexibility exercises are they don't require any equipment and can be done anywhere. In your office...at your home...even on the golf course. There is no reason (excuse) not to participate in a golf swing flexibility exercise program.

If time is a valuable commodity you don't have a lot of, then doing just 3-4 rotational stretches daily and you'll see a huge difference in your power and distance.

There is only an "upside" to doing it.

How about adding 30 yards to your drives? No more back pain? Feeling like your 20 years younger and playing like it too?

I could go on and on about the benefits, but you've got to believe it and do it.

Just remember the golf swing is a rotational movement, so you should train your body from a rotational strength and flexibility standpoint. Taking this concise and yet effective approach will give you the quickest results from your golf swing flexibility exercises.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Golf Fitness Stretching and Exercises to Improve Your Golf Swing

Golf fitness stretching and corollary golf exercises are an easy way to improve your golf swing. The utilization of golf exercises within a golf fitness program can enhance many aspects of the golf swing and your golf game.The amateur golfer can improve their ability to execute the golf swing, complete a full shoulder turn, generate more clubhead speed, and hit more accurate shots with improved flexibility. The process an amateur golfer can improve their flexibility is through golf stretches.

Before providing information on what are the best stretches for golfer let us define flexibility. Flexibility refers to range of motion. It is defined as the optimal extensibility of all soft tissues in the body (Michael Clark, Director, National Academy of Sports Medicine). The biomechanics of the swing require the golfer to swing the club on the correct plane. In order for the biomechanics of the swing to be executed correctly every muscle, ligament, and tendon in the body must allow for optimal joint range of motion.

Increased flexibility is the benefit of stretching. These benefits occur through the elongation (i.e. stretching) of soft tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments). Typically certain muscles in your body are in a shortened position (i.e. "tight"), causing restrictions in the golf swing. Golf stretches (i.e. elongating) these muscles alleviates these muscles alleviates these restrictions allowing for the ranges of motion required of the golf swing to develop.

Because the golf swing requires a large range of motion from multiple joints (ankle, hip, thoracic spine, and shoulder), I suggest performing a series of flexibility exercises for the entire body. Many golfers will find "tightness" in the hamstrings, hips, lower, and upper back causing restrictions in their joint range of motions as well as golf swing. This may require additional golf stretches to assist in the restrictions caused by these muscles.

Guidelines to golf stretches are quite simple. A comprehensive series of stretches for golf should be completed a minimum of four times per week. If an individual desires these exercises can be performed daily. In addition to performing golf stretches multiple times per week each exercise should be take each target muscle passively to the point of "tension" and holding the stretch for 30 seconds. Do not attempt to "bounce" or "push" the stretch for this can result in injury. Pay strict attention to technique with each of your stretches. It also recommended to perform a warm-up prior to your golf stretches to get more out of each exercise. The following are the stretches I often recommend to the amateur player; Rotators, 90/90 Hamstrings, Cats Down, Cats Up, Piriformis, Kneeling Hip Flexor, Openers, Standing Calf, and Standing Quadriceps.

Remember how golf fitness stretches and other types of golf exercises can improve many aspects of your golf swing. The placement of golf fitness stretches in a golf training program is one step to improvement in your golf swing. Keep in mind what is required from the body in regards to the golf swing, and that one of these requirements is drawing the club through a long range of motion. If your body lacks the flexibility to perform this requirement of the golf swing, the ability to execute and efficient golf swing will be compromised.