STRETCH WITH A PURPOSE
For stretching to be beneficial to your game, you should simulate the golf swing as much as possible. Most teaching professionals cringe when they see golfers put a club behind their shoulders blades and start twisting back and forth. This may feel good, but it has no real benefit. Here’s a stretch to help improve your extension on the backswing and follow-through:
Step 1:
Take your normal golf stance and hold the club horizontally in front of you with your left palm facing down on the grip end, and your right palm facing up near the clubhead. Turn back as if you were making a golf swing. Be conscious that you are in a golf posture: Stay bent over and watch an imaginary ball on the ground. Extend your arms and hold this position for 30 seconds. You should feel a nice stretch in your shoulders and back.
stretching with a purpose
Step 2:
Slowly follow-through to the finish and feel your right forearm rotate over the left forearm (see photo below). Yes, this is how you should release the club through impact. Most high-handicappers never let the left arm fold down-resulting in a slice. Hold the finish for 30 seconds, and imagine the ball flying straight down the fairway as you feel the stretch in your mid-section. Do this exercise before you practice or play.
Stretches During Play
We all know the importance of pre-round stretching, but did you know that you should also take the time to stretch during the round as well? Stretching while you play can help prevent you from tightening up during the round and keep you loose and supple, restore your spine angle, prevent injury and help you swing more freely.
See your doctor before beginning any new fitness program, especially if you have back pain.
Shoulder and Neck Alignment Stretch
Stand straight with feet shoulder width apart. Hold a club across your thighs with your arms hanging down in front of you. Pull your shoulders back and hold position for 10 to 15 seconds. Repeat stretch throughout the round.
back stretches
Mid-Back Stretch
Stand straight with feet should width apart. Place one hand behind your head and the other hand on your lower back. Press your hands into your head and back elongating your spine. Hold this position for 10-15 seconds. Reverse your hand position and hold stretch again for 10-15 seconds. Repeat stretch throughout the round.
mid-back stretch
Low-Back Stretch
Stand straight with feet shoulder width apart. Place your hands on either side of your lower back with palms facing your back. Slowly bend back as far as you can pressing your elbows towards each other. Hold position for 10-15 seconds. Repeat stretch throughout the round.
low-back stretch
Back Release
Stand straight with feet shoulder width apart. Using a club for balance, extend your arms out in front of you. Slowly bend from your waist as you drop your head between your arms. Hold position for 10-15 seconds. Repeat stretch throughout the round.
Rebuild Your Body and Improve Your Game
If you are looking for a way to improve your golf game, you may want to try a new healthcare system called Body Talk. Body Talk helps golfers by getting all the systems of their body to synchronize. Originally developed by Australian doctor John Veltheim, Body Talk helps the body rid itself of chronic health disorders, mental and emotional obstacles, and has been assisting many professional athletes with all aspects of their games.
This system allows the body to release self sabotaging belief systems and emotions as well as enabling all parts of the body to communicate with each other. This re-balancing helps each player to integrate all aspects of their game and improve performance on all levels.
Body Talk works on the premise that the body works as a symphony. Much like the parts of the body, if any instruments of a symphony are “out of tune,” or under communicating, performance is compromised, and all you are left with is noise. All of the systems and parts of the body need to be synchronized and communicating efficiently to perform well and be at optimum health.
If the body is not balanced, this may lead to poor body awareness and inefficient movement, as well as destructive and emotional patterns. By using biofeedback testing, Body Talk determines what lines of communication within a golfer’s body are underperforming and need to be enhanced. Utilizing the philosophies of western and Chinese medicine, quantum mechanics, and yoga and vedic philosophies, Body Talk determines what the body’s priorities are to achieve maximum performance.
The concept of priorities is what makes Body Talk unique. If you are slicing, or “choking” when the time comes to make the big shot, that is a symptom of some underlying issue. Instead of trying to find the “problem,” Body Talk establishes what the priorities are that need to be addressed to resolve the issue.
This may involve synchronizing parts of the brain, nervous system patterns, flexibility and strength patterns, or a belief system such as “I don’t deserve to win.” No matter the issue, Body Talk always seems to help resolve it, often quickly and dramatically.
“Body Talk has helped me play pain free for the first time in years” says Matt Seppanen, a professional golfer. “I have had hip pain for a few years and it always inhibited my play after walking a few holes. After a few Body Talk sessions, my body awareness was so much better that my body just seems to sort itself out. I am also amazed at how clear and focused my mind is while I am competing. All of the little things that used to bother me are gone and my focus is incredible.”
Many PGA and LPGA golfers have used the Body Talk system to help them improve their games, recovery and focus.
