| Golf fitness exercises can be very beneficial as | | | | Lets take the 5 minutes we have and get the |
| part of your warm up before a round of golf. | | | | body warmed-up and ready to swing a golf club. |
| Especially on those days when you are tight on | | | | How can we do this? Simply by putting together |
| time. If you rushing to get to the golf course for | | | | a series of golf stretches to "loosen" you up. Golf |
| your weekly round of golf, or struggling to | | | | flexibility exercises will loosen the muscles and |
| warm-up for your round of golf when you only | | | | joints of your body. Preparing them to swing a |
| have 5 minutes to spare. The implementation of | | | | golf club. They are simple to perform and can get |
| some golf fitness stretches could be just what | | | | your body and mind more ready to play than just |
| you need before heading to the first tee. | | | | a few practice swings with the driver. This will |
| It is well known that in every professional sport | | | | take a couple of minutes to perform, but it will |
| athletes perform a series of flexibility exercises | | | | help you get the body ready to swing the golf |
| and drills to prepare them to play a game. The | | | | club. |
| game of golf is no different. Unseen to the | | | | Once we have got the body "loosened up" lets |
| general public, many PGA Tour players perform a | | | | get the mind in the correct space. I have seen all |
| series of golf flexibility exercises to prepare them | | | | too often the tempo of a swing is way out of |
| to play golf. It is done prior to hitting the driving | | | | whack when a golfer lacks the time to properly |
| range or putting green. It is a process of getting | | | | warm-up. Attempt to relax, take a few deep |
| the muscles and joints of body ready to swing a | | | | breaths, and get the body to slow down a little. |
| golf club. Most every golfer on the planet | | | | This should definitely help create some better |
| understands the benefit of a warm-up program | | | | tempo in your swing from the start. |
| to get the body ready to play golf or any sport | | | | Also, take your time. Once it is your turn to hit, |
| for that matter. Unfortunately for us the time | | | | take a little extra time. Take a few extra practice |
| required to perform a comprehensive golf | | | | swings, relax, find your tempo, and match your |
| warm-up program with golf flexibility exercises is | | | | first swing to the tempo of your practice swing. |
| not reasonable. Not reasonable because of time | | | | This is a tip I learned from Dean Reinmuth (top |
| restrictions on our busy lives. | | | | 50 Golf Digest teaching pros). |
| For example, we set our tee time for Friday at | | | | If you are not comfortable over the ball, step |
| 1:30. Our plan when we leave the house in the | | | | away, take a series of practice swings until you |
| morning is "I will get to course at 1:00, hit a few | | | | find the "right" swing and then perform that same |
| putts, chip for 10 minutes, head to the range, and | | | | swing over the golf ball. It has done wonders for |
| be at the first tee with a few minutes to spare". | | | | my game. |
| Unfortunately, our plans sometimes do not play | | | | I would also suggest continuing to take extra time |
| out as we intended. | | | | on every shot until you feel comfortable and |
| We get stuck with a client on the phone, a | | | | have found your swing. This might not occur until |
| conference call runs long, we get stuck in traffic. | | | | the second or third hole, but it is okay. It allows |
| Whatever the case may be we are caught | | | | you to relax, make a good swing, and make a |
| rushing to the golf course, getting to the course | | | | good shot. |
| with 10 minutes to spare, jump out of the car, | | | | Finally, when you are rushed I think course |
| tying our golf shoes, get to the first tee with 5 | | | | management can really help. Think about it for a |
| minutes to spare, haven't hit a shot or putted....Do | | | | moment. Why not on the first tee pull out |
| I need to go on? | | | | 3-wood instead of driver, even if it is a par five. |
| Probably not. | | | | Hit a nice shot into the fairway, lay-up, and play |
| It is a situation that happens to us all, and I as am | | | | for par? Again, starting off with par or even |
| guilty of it as you. However as strong as I | | | | bogey is a lot better than a double or triple, both |
| suggest performing a good warm-up, and putting | | | | for your scorecard and mental frame of mind. |
| yourself in the correct frame of mind for the | | | | So if you are rushing to the first tee to get your |
| round, life at times just does not allow us to do it. | | | | golf game going let's review the protocol. First and |
| What are we to do in such situations? | | | | foremost lets be smart and utilize the time we |
| I first off would suggest not utilizing the "grip and | | | | have at hand. Lets take the 5 minutes we have |
| rip it" motto if you get to the first tee without | | | | to warm-up the body for the golf swing. We will |
| warming-up. I have seen this (myself included) | | | | do this through the implementation of a series of |
| lead to a myriad of problems from the get go. | | | | golf flexibility exercises. These golf exercises will |
| I can remember a few years ago I took this | | | | get your muscles and joints ready to swing a golf |
| approach and I think made a triple bogey on the | | | | club. Once the body is ready the next step is |
| first hole. My drive went left into the rough, | | | | taking your time. Take a few extra practice |
| second shot to the right, approach shot over the | | | | swings with the golf club. This will allow you to find |
| green into the bunker, bunker shot rolled 20 feet | | | | the tempo of your golf swing. Finally lets be |
| past the hole. Need I go on? | | | | smart with our course management skills. Think |
| Let's just say I learned my lesson. First and | | | | about what is the best golf shot to make and |
| foremost if you are caught in this type of | | | | play within ourselves until our body and mind is |
| situation lets not panic. Let's put a plan together | | | | ready to go. |
| to start the round out on the right foot and keep | | | | As stated previously, golf fitness exercises are an |
| you in a positive frame of mind. | | | | integral part of a warm up session for golf. Even |
| My first suggestion is not to rush and attempt to | | | | if you are tight on time, a few minutes spent on |
| hit 3 putts, pull out driver take a few hacks, and | | | | a series of golf fitness stretches and golf |
| then tee it up. | | | | exercises can greatly benefit your round of golf. |