Golf - Body Conditioning
If golf is your game, do you find that one side of your body is a bit more buff than the other? Do people sometimes call you Barney Schwarzenegger? Then perhaps some special strengthening exercises will toughen up the Fife in you!
A few tips to help you condition for the game just in time for spring!
Golfing uses a myriad of muscles and is one of the best sports around as far as fitness is concerned. It works best if you don't use the golf cart, but even if you do, all that moving, swinging, and putting provides you with a fantastic workout!
But some golfers think twice before attempting a game of golf during the bitter months of winter. If you're waiting on the starting line for warmer temperatures before getting back into the swing, you can begin strengthening your body now in preparation for your game.
Warming Up
Golf places main emphasis on your back, shoulders, arms, hands and legs. To prevent injury, always do warm-up exercises. Warming up before play will also help you accomplish a stellar game!
The shoulders and arms can be warmed by stretching out your arms in T-fashion, then by bending the elbows towards your chest, ending up with your hands touching your chest. An effective set is 25 repetitions.
A lower back and hip warm up is to begin by rotating your hips in a circular motion, keeping hands on hips. An effective set is 25 repetitions clockwise, then counter clockwise.
The legs, back, and shoulders can be warmed by bending and touching the lower area of your right leg with your left hand, then repeat by touching your left leg with your right hand. Again, about 25 repetitions should do.
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 Incorporate some simple stretching exercises into your warm up routine. Consider Yoga classes for the 'optimum' stretch.
Attempt a few practice swings before your game.
Tip - Wringing a towel and holding the tension for about ten seconds can promote a stronger, firmer grip on the club.
Shoulders - If you are an avid golfer, you know that golfing can really create stress on the shoulders. Overexertion, failure to properly warm up, the heat factor – these all play their part in aggravating the shoulders. However, if you experience shoulder stiffness, or pain with your swing, or an unstable shoulder, make an appointment with your physician as soon as possible.
Stiffness can be caused by Osteoarthritis (frozen shoulder), or could be related to the muscles surrounding the rotator cuff. Pain with your golf swing could be caused by biomechanics, tendonitis, bursitis, impingement, or rotator cuff strain. Weak rotator cuff muscles can also contribute to an unstable shoulder.
Modern medicine has developed a way to correct a 'sick' shoulder with a minimum of 'down time' from your game. Surgery isn't what it used to be.
As for golf, it's about as good as you can get for staying in the swing of life!
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