Where do you feel "inflexible"?

[GpGolfFitness]

Quick question for all the golfers who don't quite feel 100% mobile on the course...

Where do you feel "inflexible"?

As a golf-fitness professional, I am always trying to get feed-back from different golfers on what is bothering them the most. This way, I can design and develop the best possible exercise programs for you.

Today, as I asked earlier, I am curious to where most golfers feel tight and inflexible.  Is it your back, hips, neck, hamstrings, etc.???

Personally, my hips are sometimes tight at the beginning of a round, so I don't get full rotation.  A couple quick dynamic movements and I am all ready to go.

So thanks for the input! It will be incredibly valuable as I begin designing my flexibility program!

-Grant Pettegrew BS CSCS
golfconditioningnow.com

[BigAl5150]

Would also have to say the hips are where I feel the least flexibility. You mentioned some dynamic movements to get yours ready to go. Care to share?

Thanks,

Alan

[CuppedTin]

Hamstrings all the way... If you want to improve your game immediately then stretch your hamstrings until you can stand flat footed and touch the floor.

[GpGolfFitness]

Absolutely,

Hip swings both lateral and back/forth... This takes 2 min and can be done at the first tee box. I never go a round without doing them.

[saevel25]

i can never get the insane turn a pro gets, were they can get there hands high above there head. My hands are never that high, but i use alot of body torque to get distance. If i had to give a spot, its my hamstrings

[Paradox]

chest/shoulder area sometimes feels tight for me.

[Aquaguru]

Weird to see that nobody has said 'back'.  My T-spine has been a major focal point the last couple of years.  A couple of manipulations/joint mobs followed by some strength and range of motion exercises has been extremely beneficial.

I would venture out and say that 90% of golfers are hypomobile in the T-spine.  Which leads to a decreased shoulder/hip turn and power production through the swing.

[Kieran123]

My back is bad. I can't move that thing much. That's what happens when you have a desk job eh

[inthehole]

I'd say shoulders - can't get the club back like I want to - my swing looks like about a 3/4 swing, but I have a hard enough time controlling that, so I'm not that worried.    Also, CAN NOT keep my left arm straight at the elbow during the backswing.    Can't do it - not flexible enough.    Wish I started playing 20 years ago - this 46 year old desk jockey body is taking a beating learning to play golf, but I'm loving it...

[Bo the Golfer]

Hamstrings, hips, and upper back. Any help for these?

[eedsmx691]

my neck, back, and knees. I have Ankylosing Spondylitis (rheumatoid arthritis of the spine) and my spine is becoming very stiff. I do about 30 minutes of stretching every morning, and again in the evenings. Ian Woosnam has the same thing. Playing seems to help, but it takes a few holes before I can make a full turn, but my neck only has limited range. When I make a full swing, my head stays down, but the ball isnt in my view for a split second.

[lumpuckeroo]

  Kieran123 said:

Originally Posted by Kieran123

My back is bad. I can't move that thing much. That's what happens when you have a desk job eh

Same for me, and to make matters worse, this winter I installed 1000 sq ft of hardwood floors in my house.  That is a lot of time on my hands and knees and bent over.  If I can play 2 ro 3 times a week my back will loosen up and I can get a better turn, but if I don't get out for a week or more I seem to lose ground.

[TN94z]

For sure my hamstrings.  It's sad, but I can't come close to touching my toes.  Also, my shoulders on the turn.  They seem tight

[chaptowngolfteam]

Posterior lower extremity is all extremely tight (gastroc/soleus, hamstrings, glutes, hip ext. rotators) which is not currently doing wonders for my low back. I know that I should stretch, but almost being a certified athletic trainer, I find it is easier to help somebody else fix their pains than it is to fix your own pains.

[bunkerputt]

Follow through and finish.  I've had to work at it otherwise my mind decels so I don't hit my range of motion too quickly.  I've basically spent way too much time working on my backswing.

[boogielicious]

I would second the shoulders and more specifically the arms.  I get past 90 degrees with my shoulder turn, but my left arm won't go very high.  It is as if the scapula and shoulder muscles are tight.  I stretch a lot and have been following a program.  My lower back and hips have gotten more flexible, but my shoulders haven't.

[Aquaguru]

  chaptowngolfteam said:

Originally Posted by chaptowngolfteam

Posterior lower extremity is all extremely tight (gastroc/soleus, hamstrings, glutes, hip ext. rotators) which is not currently doing wonders for my low back. I know that I should stretch, but almost being a certified athletic trainer, I find it is easier to help somebody else fix their pains than it is to fix your own pains.

I'm in my senior year of AT as well. Try stretching the hip flexors as well, if those are tight it will cause your pelvis to rotate anteriorly putting more stress on the low back.

[chaptowngolfteam]

Yea, I know how to get rid of the pain, it is just getting myself to do it. It is kind of like asking an athlete to use the cold whirlpool because it will be beneficial for them, but you know that if you were in their shoes, there is a less than 1% chance that you would get into that whirlpool.