If you're having trouble with your backswing or find your power is decreasing, a good flexibility and core-strengthening program can improve your golf game—and keep you from getting injured.
Regain Flexibility
As we age, it's not uncommon to lose flexibility, particularly in the hips, spine, and shoulders. This decrease in flexibility can limit your backswing and/or follow-through, affecting the path of your swing and robbing you of power.
Attempting to execute a full golf swing with limited flexibility can also lead to injuries such as muscle strains. A good flexibility and mobility program should include the muscles of the hips, spine, and shoulders.
Strengthen Your Core
Strengthening is a key element in a golf fitness program. General strengthening exercises for the shoulders and legs are good for overall strength and conditioning, but when strengthening specifically with your golf game in mind, the core is the key.
Development of your “core” muscles (abdominals, back, and hip muscles) will allow you maintain the proper spine angle throughout your swing and generate the rotational forces that equate to power in your golf swing. As any golf pro will tell you, the power in your golf swing comes from your core, not your arms. Strengthening exercises for golf should always involve a controlled rotational component because the golf swing is a rotational movement pattern.
A good flexibility and core-strengthening program does not require a gym membership or fancy equipment. With some simple tools like resistance bands and an exercise ball, you have all you need to get your body in better shape for the golf course.