Stretching is a valuable exercise for anyone, especially, golfers.  Some golfers can continue to play all year long; whereas some golfers must put their golf games “on hold” until the temperature warms up.  Stretching should be done daily to keep your body limber.  Always check with your doctor to make sure you are fit to stretch.

This exercise is from Scott Fedisin, golf fitness specialist at the Sea Island Golf Learning Center in Georgia; article taken from linksmagazine.com, fall, 2011:  “Hip and Glute Stretch.  To improve your glute strength and flexibility, lie on your back and pull your right knee across your left leg with your left hand.  It’s okay to bend the left knee, but keep your right arm, elbow, and shoulder on the ground; reverse and repeat.

The Top 3 Golf Stretches
Stretching is one of the most under-utilized techniques for improving athletic performance, preventing sports injury and properly rehabilitating sprain and strain injury. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that something as simple as stretching won’t be effective. Below are 3 very beneficial stretches for golf; obviously there are a lot more, but these are a great place to start. Please make special note of the instructions beside each stretch.

	Reaching Lateral Side Stretch: Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, then slowly bend to the side and reach over the top of your head with your hand. Do not bend forward.
	Reaching-down Triceps Stretch: Reach behind your head with both hands and your elbow pointing up. Then reach down your back with your hands.
	Bent Arm Shoulder Stretch: Stand upright and place one arm across your body. Bend your arm at 90 degrees and pull your elbow towards your body.

Golf Stretching

“There are several different exercises used to stretch the shoulders. This is a great stretch golfers can use to open up the shoulders and improve range of motion in the shoulder joint. It is a great stretch for any athlete whose sport focuses on the upper body, arms and shoulders, but golfers should consider this a core stretch before and after every tee shot.

Shoulder Stretch for Golfers

• Begin standing up straight with shoulders relaxed and back.
• Hold your golf club in front of you with one hand gripping each end of the club in an overhand grip.
• Lift the club forward and up over you head with elbows straight.
• Slowly stretch your shoulders and move your hands back as far as possible until you feel tension across the front of your shoulders.
• Hold for 10 to 20 seconds and release.
• Repeat 2 to 3 times.
• To increase the stretch you can grip the club with hands closer together or continue to move your hands farther and gain a larger range of motion.
• Be careful not to go beyond your limits. Increase your range of motion slowly.”

Playing golf on an empty stomach is not a good idea.  Golfers may sometimes be rushed to get to the course to tee off, forgetting something very important; eating healthy food.  To have the energy, concentration and stamina that golf demands, a healthy snack or meal is very important.

Always have a great breakfast before hitting the links.

A good breakfast before teeing off could be bananas, apples, grain cereal, honey, peanut butter, wheat germ, bagel and plenty of liquids, preferably water.  Leaving out the sugar is a benefit to keep the energy up, as sugar will make you feel weak eventually.

I would love to hear what you enjoy eating before your round.

Click on the picture for a fitness tip from WebMC

Mayo Clinic is helping golfers. It is very beneficial for a golfer to do some stretches before a round of golf. Being flexible is a great key for success on the golf course. Not heeding to a stretch routine could possibly cause injury to you. Try these exercises and hopefully, they will improve you golf experience. Please click on the picture to see the exercises.

Did you know that playing golf could help you live longer? It’s true.
In a study conducted by the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and
Science in Sports showed that people that play golf enjoy an increase
in life expectancy.  Read more by clicking on the picture…..

Biomechanic Study of Pro/Duffer Golf Swings Reveals the Aches and Pains That May Follow Poor Golf Technique.  Click on the picture for the article from WebMD.

It might be time to rethink the term “golf widow.” A Swedish study found that men and women aged 40 to 79 who regularly play golf have a 40% lower incidence of mortality than those who don’t. In fact, teeing off can add about five years to your life.   Read more by clicking on the picture.

“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:”  Read the article by clicking on the picture.

“Lose the tummy and tighten your golf game with these easy workouts” …read more by clicking on the picture.

“Athletes and golfers alike have always known that carbohydrates are essential to producing energy.  In the late 90’s our society was overtaken by the low carb diet trend, causing athletes of every sport to scratch their heads and wonder if maybe they too were eating too many carbs.”  Click on the picture to read the article.

“Core strength and conditioning are the buzzwords in the golf and fitness industry. Golfers all over the world are trying to find ways to strengthen this area. One great way is by using the stability ball.”  Read more from about.com/golf by clicking on the picture

“Walnuts are the richest known food source of melatonin, a hormone with powerful antioxidant properties to fight disease.”  Read more; just click on the bowl of nuts…..

“A good golf swing requires good posture, strength and flexibility. Here are a few exercises that will help women of all abilities hit the ball farther……”  Read more from Golf Digest Woman.

“3 Warm-Ups Before that BIG Corporate Golf Outing” from golffitnessmagazine.com.  “Try this warm up routine the next time you play in an outing. It is a great way to stretch your entire body to help you play your best and help you avoid injury”….read more

A good night’s sleep could improve your golf game.  Here is an article from Web MD.

A quick at home workout for golfers.