Stretching For Better Golf Needs To Be Rotational

Written by: Mike Pedersen | Monday, August 14th, 2006
Categories: Golf Fitness • Pro Tips
Tags: Golf Fitness • Golf Stretching

Mike Pedersen Stretching for better golf is now recognized as an important component for optimal golf performance. If you are not at least maintaining your golf specific range of motion, you will see a decline in driving distance, consistency and swing mechanics.

But stretching for better golf takes a different approach. One that takes a look at the biomechanics of the swing. The main movement in the golf swing is rotation. As golfers get older, this rotational component diminishes and performance goes with it.

With just a little effort, you will be amazed at the difference on the course. You will be making a full backswing with no tension, resulting in longer, straighter drives. Is that worth the time you’d be putting into it?

I would never discount the importance of stretching your hamstrings, or other areas that are not rotational, but the biggest bang for your buck will be rotational stretches by far.

The better you can rotate your upper body with minimal lower body activity, the longer your drives will be, and the more the will penetrate the elements like wind and even rain.

As you can see in the picture, I’m doing a backswing stretch with a wide stance. I have the wide stance for a reason. The wider the stance, the less the hips will rotate, forcing most of the emphasis on core rotational flexibility.