As simple as it may look from the outside, golf is actually a very complex sport. The movements require strength, flexibility, and precision.
Golfers commit to long hours on the course and driving range to perfect their swing and sharpen their game. However, it’s common for golfers to experience aches, pains, and stiffness that not only effects the quality of their game but also the longevity.
All the golfers I know, want to continue playing for decades more. It’s an outlet for stress, the opportunity for community, and mini get away from real life. So how do we ensure that pain doesn’t limit movement that affects your ability to play golf in the future. . . and even improve your game TODAY?
Here are some powerful strategies that will help you hit your golf ball farther, straighter, consistently and with decreased risk of injury.
1. Warm up Properly
If you fail to warm up properly, you are setting yourself up to fail. Ideally, warm up for 15 minutes beginning with stretching, then hitting with a wedge using a smooth slow swing. Work your way up to longer clubs ending with the driver. Don’t hit every club in the bag, but also don’t just work with one during warm up.
2. Stretch Daily
A regular stretching program can improve the range of motion of your swing by up to 17 percent. The wide, fluid movement that results will help you avoid injury and relieve chronic joint pain.
3. Strengthen Appropriately
The most important muscles to strengthen to improve your golf game are those in your back – the same ones most likely to be injured. As we age our spine loses strength, flexibility, and resilience. A good exercise program will maintain the quality of your swing and prevent injury.
4. Fit Clubs Precisely
It’s helpful to see a professional club fitter as they will fully understand your individual needs. Every golfer is DIFFERENT in terms of size, age, gender and there lies the problem with mass produced golf equipment, as it is designed for a “standard” golfer
5. Practice Wisely
A lot of players go to the driving range and hit balls, but not many go with a plan. You must work on the specific positions and movements you need to improve. This is how you ingrain that movement in your swing. You can more closely simulate different shots on the golf course by changing clubs every few swings and changing your target.
Bonus Tip: Get Physical Therapy!
Getting to see a hands-on specialist physical therapist means you’re going to get very fast access to care that will relax tight aching muscles, loosen stiff painful joints, and help you strengthen your body so that you can go back to playing the game you love.
At Peak Potential, our therapists specialize in functional movement screening that focuses on isolating the movement problems and faulty patterns in your body that affect your game. Our orthopedic manual physical therapists will set up a treatment plan unique to your needs and based on the unique physical demands of golf.
These are all things that you can do TODAY to improve your golf game with a decreased risk of injury. There’s obviously so much you can do too, and I could go much more in-depth on exercises, programs, and drills. But, if you apply these fundamentals to your game with discipline they will make a huge difference to the quality and longevity of your golf game.
If these tips aren’t enough to get you performing at your best, discuss your specific needs and concerns with a physical therapist today by clicking the link below. A simple 20-minute call with a specialist could enhance your golf game and help you prevent injury.
