- share:
Bookmark on Delicious- Digg this
- Recommend on Facebook
- Share on Orkut
- Share on Reddit
- Share with Stumblers
- Tweet this
- Tell a friend
Stretching is one of the easiest and fastest ways to improve your golf swing and game. Not only will stretching improve your flexibility to increase your range of motion in your muscles and joints, to help you make a better shoulder and hip turn, but stretching on a daily basis can help you improve your balance, prevent injuries, increase your circulation and improve muscles coordination.
As the golf season progresses, the repetitive nature of the golf swing may cause lower back pain, if you do not take the time stretch on a daily basis. Many lower back issues come from tight hamstrings. If your hamstrings are tight and inflexible, you may have to make compensations in your swing especially at the moment of impact, lifting up out of your posture as you strike the ball. Here is an excellent hamstring stretch that will also loosen your lower back and torso.
Hamstring/Torso Stretch:
(Warm up your body first by walking around and pumping your arms to get blood and oxygen to muscles. Do not stretch ‘cold’ muscles or you can risk injury.)
1. Sit on the floor with your legs outstretched in front of you. Open your legs as wide as you comfortably can (if your knees start to bend, move them closer together).
2. Sit tall and stretch your arms out to your side to form the letter “T” with your palms facing the floor.
3. Drop your right hand and place your palm on your floor as you raise your left arm over your head and lean towards your right side.
4. Hold position for 10-12 seconds. Return to start position.
5. Repeat exercise on the other side. Do two to three repetitions on both sides.
This exercise will help you loosen your hamstrings, lower back and torso.
Do you a have a golf specific fitness question or comment? Send your questions and comments to karen@golffitness-magazine.com