By: Tony Lake, PGA Pro
Stretching is a very important part of golf too not only prevents injuries but also to improve the power exerted in golf. Golf is a power sport, which means the greater the amount of strength or power you can exert with the golf club to the ball, the greater the velocity the ball will travel with or farther you can hit the ball. Power= the amount of strength you can exert over a great range of motion divided by time. What this means is if you can take the strength you already have and use it through a greater range of motion, this will allow you to achieve a greater power potential. Most golfers, who are known as "long ball hitters", are able to achieve greater motion on their back swing and range of motion in the hips on the torso region to achieve greater power on the active swing motion. So flexibility is an intregral part of golf. Increasing your flexibility will also help to prevent injury on the deceleration phase of the swing as well. If the muscles are more flexible, when the shoulders, arms and torso have to decelerate the swing, there will be decreased chance of injury.
Key Health Benefits of Stretching & Increased Flexibility
- REDUCE TENSION IN MUSCLES & HELPS MUSCLES RELAX. Many studies have shown that increased flexibility can significantly reduce aches throughout the body - an issue that is significantly on the rise with today's sedentary lifestyles!
- IMPROVE FLOW OF OXYGEN AND INTAKE OF ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS. Stretching allows the muscles to relax. Muscles that are instead always tense tend to cut off their own circulation, which can result in lack of oxygen and nutrients.
- HELP REDUCE AND MANAGE STRESS. With flexibility comes a significant reduction in the "tension" in your body - you will feel significantly less stressed, which is essential as stress is a leading contributor to chronic diseases.
- IMPROVE YOUR POSTURE. Stretching your lower back, shoulders and chest properly helps to align your back and improve your posture - with the prevalence of jobs confining people to desks or standing and leaning much of the day, this is also crucial.
- PROVIDE BETTER BLOOD CIRCULATION. The act of stretching increases blood supply to muscles and joints, improving blood circulation throughout the entire body
- SLOW THE DEGENERATION OF YOUR JOINTS: Stretching helps to increase your range of motion and may slow the degeneration of joints.
- HELP TO ELIMINATE OR AVOID LOW BACK PAIN: Flexibility in the hips, hamstrings, and pelvic muscles helps to remove stress from your spine that causes the lower back pain.
- HELP TO ELIMINATE PAINS FROM STRESS ON MUSCLES. Stretching makes muscles flexible and loose, reducing the shortening and tightening effect from working your muscles hard … and the associated aches and pains from it!
- IMPROVE CLARITY AND FOCUS. For many of the reasons noted above, such as improved blood and oxygen circulation and reduced body tension, you will experience greater mental clarity and focus with stretching.
10. MAY REDUCE YOUR RISK OF INJURY. Flexible muscles are not as likely to become injured from extended movements. As noted in the article "The Ten Incredible Benefits of Stretching," studies conflict on whether stretching before exercise is truly beneficial, but most fitness and sports organizations recommend pre- and post-exercise stretching
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