Golf Fitness

As we have seen in previous sections good posture is essential for improving and maintaining consistency of our golf swing. The use of golf fitness and conditioning exercises is one approach that can improve the physical restrictions that affect posture.

Probably the most common restriction that we encounter while trying to maintain good posture is the upper back. With the majority of golfers, especially senior players, the rounded upper back is prominent at address and throughout the golf swing. This will reduce the body's ability to make a full rotation on the back swing and prevent a proper axis of rotation being maintained. This usually results in less swing power being generated, causing miss-hit and offline shots and reduced yardage. Simple drills and exercises can greatly lessen the restriction by loosening the muscles in the back of the shoulders and your upper back, thus improving ball striking. GolfGym Golf swing training aids provide added resistance and strength training to the exact muscles used in the golf swing.

If you struggle to maintain correct golf posture and stability, your current strength and flexibility are creating physical limitations in the way you swing the golf club. The Ultimate Golf Fitness Manual can help transform your body and golf swing with just a few simple golf stretches, exercises and tips.

Another problem area for the golfer is the lower back, which can receive a tremendous amount of stress when implementing the golf swing. For golfers who may be in less than 100% condition physically, the lower back can become strained very quickly. Lower back strengthening exercises are designed to reduce the possibility of injury and, at the same time, allow the body to execute the swing more efficiently. Properly devised golf fitness exercise programs as outlined in The Ultimate Golf Fitness Manual can also help to strengthen the back and the abdominal muscles which help to stabilise your torso during the golf swing.

Restricted trunk rotation is the most common problem for golfers who are prone to back pain. The more flexible you are, the more you can rely on your hips and trunk to rotate when you swing. Good golf shots require good hip and trunk rotation to provide power. If the trunk doesn’t rotate properly, the arms and back will have to do more work usually resulting in back strains.

Strong abdominal muscles are as important as strong back muscles in the prevention of back problems. An exercise program which has been well designed, will also help improve flexibility to further decrease the chance of injuring the back.

Always make sure that stretching exercises are performed before any practice sessions and when playing a round of golf try to take frequent practice swings to keep the muscles warm and flexible. When teeing the ball, replacing divots etc., and always try to bend the knees when leaning to touch the ground.

It is always better to walk the course if possible. Golf carts may sound a good idea but jarring from travelling in a golf cart can make back pain worse and can let body cool down and tighten up between holes. If carrying clubs, a golf bag with twin back straps distributes the weight better than a bag with a single strap carried over the shoulder.

Wrist pain is a common problem associated with playing or practicing golf and can often prevent the golfer from playing the game for several months. Long periods practicing on rubber or other artificial mats, usually found at driving ranges, will make the problem worse, so this is to be avoided. If possible, always practice on grass to reduce the chance of straining the wrists.


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