Benefits of Golf Stretching – Limber Up And Lower Your Scores

With the benefits of golf stretching including longer shots, fewer injuries, and greater consistency, it’s amazing to see so many golfers start banging balls without first doing a single stretch!

For beginning golfers especially, the thought of stretching before practicing or play can seem strange. After all, golf isn’t exactly an endurance sport now is it?

The reason golf stretches are so important lies in the fact that the golf swing is an entirely foreign set of motions than what the body is used to. Need proof? Do you remember the last time you hit a large bucket of balls? Didn't you awake the next morning with strange aches and pains?

During the golf swing, the tension exerted on your muscles, tendons and ligaments is incredible - especially at the top of the backswing and the top of your follow through. Stretching exercises help to reduce this tension by making your muscles more limber.

Arm stretches, primarily shoulder stretches and wrist stretches, are important primarily to improve your range of motion and reduce the risk of injury. Shoulder muscles are prone to damage due to tension. Without proper stretching, the tiny and complex wrist muscles and joints can be injured over time by hitting ball after ball.

Back stretches are important because they help to provide power in your swing. With the ability to turn your back more freely, you’ll be able to incorporate your back muscles more into your overall swing. Upper back stretches help stabilize your swing. Lower back stretches help reduce injury and improve your range of turning motion.

While neck stretches aren’t so integral to your swing, they can really help to relieve tension. Try a few of these neck stretches before your next round – they really help take away the opening drive jitters!

Leg stretches are also a very important part of your stretching regimen. If you typically walk the course, stretch your legs before, during and after your round to help avoid leg cramps. The calf muscles can really provide a lot of power in your follow-through. Calf stretches help keep your lower legs limber. In addition, hip stretches really help you limber up and will also help you to prevent hip injury.

Golf stretches should be an integral part of your pre and post game (and practice) routine. A lack of stretching is a key factor in what causes muscle cramps. In addition to feeling better and more limber during and after your rounds, you’ll really start to notice an improvement in your swing.

Golf stretching and other golf tips here.