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The importance of the lower body - hips, thighs and calves - as an energy source in the golf swing has been examined in detail in most textbooks of golf lessons. But what good is a body honed to produce power if nagging injuries prevent the golfer from operating at his optimum? The following are 4 exercises to prevent golf injuries to these large muscles that help feed the power into the golf swing. We start with probably the most important area because it requires the most mobility, and where the most stress is experienced. With most people the hips give the first action to the ball, and if they are "locked", i.e., not loose and flexible, the swing is stiff and powerless. So, to get the hips flexible will be a key. You can prevent golf injuries in the lower body, here are 4 exercises to prevent these golf injuries before you hit the first ball. First, the hip and lower back stretch: 1. From the lunge position, drop the left knee to the ground. 2. Place your right elbow on the inside of the knee. 3. Twist your torso to the left. 4. Reach your left arm behind you until you feel your lower back stretch. 5. Hold for about 20 to 30 seconds, and then repeat on the other leg. Here is another great exercise for the hips: 1. From the lunge position, drop the left knee to the ground. 2. Raise your arms and hands over your head and look up, 3. Press the hips downward and forward toward the floor until you feel your torso and hip area stretch. 4. After holding this position for 20 to 30 seconds, release and repeat the procedure on the other leg. There are other great exercises to keep the hips and torso loose, but these two are among the best. The kneeling quadriceps stretch is another of 4 exercises to prevent golf injuries to the lower body: 1. Kneel with one knee on the ground, the other foot planted in front of you. 2. Reach back and firmly grasp the back foot. 3. Slowly lift the foot off the ground toward the buttock until you feel a stretch across the thigh. 4. Hold for about 20 to 30 seconds, and then repeat the procedure with the other leg Lastly, the following is a great exercise to prevent golf injuries in the calf area: 1. Stand about arm’s-length from a wall. 2. Lean forward, placing both hands on the wall about shoulder length apart. 3. Extend one leg behind you with the heel on the ground, the other foot closer to the wall. 4. Lean into the wall with your hips until you can feel the calf stretch in your extended leg. 5. Hold this for about 20 to 30 seconds and change sides. These are just a few ways golfers can prevent golf injuries to the lower body, and we hope they will assist you in preventing these nagging injuries. For more information on exercises to prevent golf injuries, click HERE, and please visit our website HERE for more talk about our favorite subject, golf. Jim O'Connell is a writer and avid golfer living in London.
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Exercises, Prevent, Golf, Injuries, Lower, Body,
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