



Golfers need to be flexible. It’s a must! Learning easy tips on how to become more flexible for golf is a shortcut to a better, more consistent golf swing.
I don’t want you to think of stretching as grueling, hard or time-consuming. All it takes is a couple of focused and targeted stretches a day to see amazing results. Just envision making a slightly bigger backswing. Do you think that would give you a few more yards? I know it would!
Simple and easy tips to maximize your results for better flexibility
1. Always Warm Up First. Never stretch a cold muscle! You are setting yourself up for an injury. Your warm up can be going up and down your stairs a couple of times; jogging in place for 3 minutes; getting on a stationary bike or elliptical machine for 5-10 minutes if you have one; or using one of those rebounder (mini-tramps) for 5 minutes. Anything to increase blood flow in the muscles you plan on stretching.
2. Do It After Your Shower First Thing. I do this one a lot. You have just taken a warm shower and your muscles are feeling great. This is a perfect time to stretch them. Throw on some athletic shorts and a comfortable t-shirt and do your stretches. Don’t even think about it. Just do them!
3. Do Each Stretch Three Times. The reason for this is to ease into the stretch you are doing. The first go-round don’t take it very far. The second one take it a little farther. The third one push it to slight discomfort. This is a very effective way to avoid injury and increase your range of motion through repetition.
4. Hold It For Only 15 seconds. This one has drawn some controversy. Golfers read they should hold the stretch for 30 seconds to all the way up to 90 seconds. That’s crazy. You’re not a lifelong contortionist. Here’s the deal. Hold it for 15 seconds; only rest long enough to catch your breath and go right into the 2nd go-round. Minimal rest - just keep moving.
5. Do It Daily. With the type of golf stretching routine I’m talking about, all you need is 7 minutes each day and you’ll be extremely happy with your golf improvement. That is why I put together my stretches for golfers dvd. To make it quick, easy and results-oriented! Nobody wants to spend an hour stretching their muscles. I personally don’t find that appealing
.
6. BREATH! This is a critical tip. Don’t hold your breath when you’re in the stretch position. Let your breath out and you’ll find that your muscle releases and goes even farther. So many golfers strain with they stretch because they are holding their breath. Always remember to blow out on exertion. That goes for strength training too!
7. No Pain. You should never feel pain when you do your flexibility routine. Not even a little bit! There is a difference between pain and discomfort. You only want to feel a slight discomfort when you’re stretching. Pain now means injury after your body has cooled down.
8. Link Your Mind To Your Muscle. I really like this tip. Really focus on the muscle your stretching. Pay attention to how it feels, if it’s releasing properly or if it’s tightening up on you. Linking your mind to the muscle will enhance your results tremendously!
9. Use A Stretching Aid. This can make the difference between a so-so flexibility routine and a great one. For example, use a towel under your foot when you’re doing a lying hamstring stretch. This will enable you to take the stretch even further for increased range of motion. You can also you a rope or stretch chord for maximum results.
There you have it! 9 simple and easy tips on how to become more flexible in golf!
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What do you think?
December 4th, 2007 at 11:52 am
Hi Mike,
Always great to get some simple and easy to follows advice from you. I don’t need all the technical details, just the information that you always seem to provide.
I have a problem with flexibility in my lower body. My upper body is rather loose strangely enough. Do you have any stretches to increase flexibility in the ankle?
Kind Regards,
Graeme.
December 4th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Graeme,
Keep reading this blog
!
Mike
December 4th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
“Use A Stretching Aid.” “Do It After Your Shower First Thing” “Do It Daily”
Mike what are trying to promote
How about “Stretch after each set of Exercise”
December 4th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
Hmmm???? I guess we could have been talking about something else
. Definitely stretch after each exercise set.
Mike
December 4th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
best regards,
Celso Palma
December 4th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
Thank you very much Celso
!
December 5th, 2007 at 11:13 am
December 5th, 2007 at 11:28 am
Don,
Nothing is in stone
. I can’t get enough golfers to exercise OR stretch
, so I’m trying to make it easy on them. The video is perfect for golfers who have it. For those who don’t and are not stretching, 15 seconds is better than nothing.
Mike