Fitness for Your Game

By Susan Hill

Is it difficult to rotate your body through the full range of motion in your golf swing? Do you stop short on your back swing? Lack of flexibility can adversely affect not only your golf game, but your health as well. Different muscles are called upon at different points in the golf swing. If you are not flexible you are more prone to injuries. Your body will try to overcompensate by engaging other joints and muscles that are not ready for the stress and strain of the movement.

Many golfers lack flexibility in the rotation of their spine and hips during their golf swing. They may overcompensate with their upper bodies as they become 'all arms' in their swing. If your golf pro has ever indicated to you that you are not using your mid section, this may be what they are referring to.

What flexibility exercises should you add to your fitness program? Before you start a flexibility program it is imperative to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses with regards to your current range of motion. Most athletic trainers, sports conditioning specialists, golf fitness trainers and physical therapists can take you through a battery of flexibility tests. They are trained to properly identify areas of restriction and potential for improvement.

The next step is to create your own stretching program that is geared towards your personal situation. It may mean that you spend more time stretching your right rotator cuff muscles as opposed to your left or spending more total time on your hips or hamstrings. Depending on your level of restrictions, you may need to stretch once a day, twice a day or twice a week.

Here's a great test to determine the range of motion in your shoulders. Can you touch your hands together from around your back? If not, you may have difficulty with achieving a consistent backswing position.