If you are looking to improve your golf game by getting your body in better shape, Golf Digest’s Chief Fitness Advisor Ben Shear has provided a series of simple exercises to enhance your mobility, stability, strength, and power. In this article, we will walk you through six exercises that will help you get started on your journey to improve your golf swing.
The first exercise is shoulder wall slides, which focus on improving mobility in the shoulder blades. By keeping your back, shoulders, head, and arms against a wall, you can slide your arms up as high as you can while maintaining contact with the surface. This exercise helps improve the shoulder mobility needed for a proper golf swing.
Next, Shear recommends a side-lying rotation exercise to improve the mobility necessary to coil and initiate the downswing. By keeping your legs bent to 90 degrees and rotating them in opposite directions, you can work on improving your rotational mobility.
The third exercise focuses on trunk, thigh, and hip mobility. By lying on your side and rotating your torso away from your top leg while pulling it toward your butt, you can improve your overall mobility in these areas. This exercise will help you improve your range of motion, which is essential for a proper golf swing.
Moving on to stability exercises, Shear recommends a kneeling medicine ball twist. By kneeling on one leg and rotating the medicine ball across your body above the opposite shoulder, you can improve your balance, core strength, and cross-body coordination needed for a successful golf swing.
Another stability exercise featured in this article is the side plank with hip raise. By supporting yourself on your shoulder and upper arm while lifting your pelvis as high as you can, you can strengthen your oblique muscles necessary for proper side-bending and torso rotation in the golf swing.
Lastly, Shear recommends a physio ball exercise to improve core stability and control. By holding a physio ball with your arms and legs and alternating lowering one arm behind your head while straightening and lowering the opposite leg, you can work on controlling your faster swings and improving your overall stability.
In conclusion, these exercises are a great starting point for those looking to get in better “golf shape” and improve their golf swing. By focusing on mobility, stability, strength, and power, you can work towards a more efficient and effective golf game. Remember to incorporate these exercises into your routine a few times a week to see the best results.
