| The singlemost important golf fitness factor for | | | | golfer) along with a couple of club stretches to do |
| your golf performance is flexibility. The less golf | | | | just before tee-off & between holes if necessary. |
| fitness stretching exercises you do, the less | | | | 5) It must be realistic & easy to do for golfers at |
| flexibility you have, the worse your game. It's | | | | any fitness level with no equipment except for a |
| that simple. Ignorance of the proper golf | | | | stretching floor mat (and an exercise ball for |
| stretches and lack of flexibility are responsible for | | | | certain stretches). |
| keeping the games of many players from ever | | | | 6) It should be thorough - addressing the head |
| reaching their full potential - on all levels. | | | | and neck all, the way down to the feet. |
| No equipment breakthroughs, no magical flying | | | | Remember, the golf swing is a full body |
| golf balls, no $300 lessons and no 'electrically | | | | movement. |
| charged' bracelets will ever take the place of | | | | 7) It should feel good - especially afterward. This |
| what a proper golf fitness stretching exercise | | | | type of stretch routine should make you feel as if |
| program can do for your game. | | | | your posture is immediately better & you should |
| With the right golf stretching exercises, the easier | | | | feel stronger - just because your body moves so |
| and further your body can turn, the better, more | | | | much easier & more fluidly. You should almost |
| powerful, your swing is. Period. | | | | feel like you could rip the cover off a ball if you |
| Moving the club head over a greater distance | | | | were to hit one right after your golf fitness |
| allows for the generation of more club head | | | | stretch routine. |
| speed, hence more distance on the ball - WITH | | | | 8) It should cause some of your golf buddies to |
| LESS EFFORT. | | | | become 'hateful enemies'. Once you start bombing |
| So, What Does The Ideal Golf Stretching Exercise | | | | your drives & ripping your iron shots 'the boys' |
| Program Consist Of? | | | | are not going to be very happy with your |
| 1) It must include several key compound | | | | new-found golf fitness abilities - they will be 'green' |
| stretches - stretches that elongate several joint | | | | with envy. |
| areas at the same time - mimicking natural | | | | 9) Multi-plane, rotational floor stretches are a |
| movement patterns. Allowing the golfer to be | | | | must. Glute, piriformis & IT band stretches are a |
| more accurate through enhanced fitness flexibility, | | | | must. Heel (Achilles) and calve stretches are a |
| body awareness & control. | | | | must. Hip flexor, quad, and groin (adductor) |
| 2) It must include a series of single or double joint | | | | stretches are a must and have to be included in |
| golf stretching exercises. The effects of these | | | | any golf fitness flexibility program. |
| stretches increase exponentially when the specific | | | | 10) Neck, trapezius & shoulder girdle stretches |
| body movement requires several of these joints | | | | must be included. Chest, arm, abdominal and |
| to move in coordination with each other (ie - the | | | | oblique stretching exercises must be included. |
| golf swing). | | | | Upper, middle & lower back stretches must be |
| 3) It must follow a symetrical protocol - the true | | | | included. |
| key to maintaining optimal muscle/tendon/joint | | | | 11) A complete golf flexibility exercise session |
| balance on both sides of the body. This allows for | | | | should take you no longer than 45 minutes on a |
| enhanced golf swing power without a large | | | | long program and no longer than 14 minutes on a |
| increase in swing effort. And this is also very | | | | 'quick golf stretch'. |
| important to chronic and acute injury prevention - | | | | The starting point of your optimum golf fitness |
| and hence fitness and playing longevity. | | | | exercise program should place priority on the |
| 4) It must offer several golf fitness program | | | | flexibility component. A carefully crafted stretching |
| variations. A long version for regular training days | | | | program, consisting of the right golf exercises, |
| and a short version for Pre-Round Stretching. A | | | | should be the foundation for which the rest of |
| few variations with the large exercise ball should | | | | your golf performance conditioning program is built |
| also be included (extremely important for the | | | | upon. |