In this article we will discuss why it is beneficial to warm up before playing golf and include some simple warm up exercises that can be included in any golf related warm up….
The main aim of warming up before golf is to elevate the heart rate and get the blood flowing around the body in preparation for exercise. This then increases the body’s core temperature and aids in warming up the muscles to prepare them for physical exertion in golf.
Warming up properly before stretching or swinging a club is easy to do. It can be as simple as making a few slow-motion golf swings or doing a few squats and lunges – anything that elevates heart rate and gets the body moving through a complete range of motion.
Here are some easy-to-follow exercises to help in warming up:
Body Weight Squats:
Stand tall with feet shoulder-width apart, hold a golf club overhead with arms extended, try not to let the club drop throughout the exercise. Lower the hips to a seated position and keep the upper body tall with the arms extended on the way down. Push off from the ground and return from starting position keeping posture straight. Repeat 10x.
Toe Touches:
In the standing position, reach overhead and extend the spine through the mid-back. Then from the hips, bend forward and try to touch the toes. Try to maintain a good posture throughout and concentrate on not ‘rounding’ off the back. Repeat 10x.
Reverse Lunge with Overhead Reach:
Start in the standing position, place right foot back into a reverse lunge. Raise the right arm overhead and rotate the torso towards the left leg. A stretch should be felt through the right hip and oblique muscle. When rotating, reach the left hand back almost like it’s trying to touch the right heel. After reaching overhead, return to the start position and repeat. Then switch legs, repeat 10x each leg.