Mike Barge is the longtime director of instruction at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska.

Tips from the Pros

Smart Moves: How to stretch effectively.

By Mike Barge | Photos by Peter Wong

Your golf swing is a direct result of your physical characteristics. When you have tightness or weakness in certain body parts, it affects your swing and prevents you from making your best possible motion.

Strengthening weak muscles and increasing range of motion in tight muscles will allow you to control your body better. This, in turn, will allow you to control the golf club and eventually the golf ball. Strong flexible muscles also give you your best chance of achieving your maximum clubhead speed, which can lead to more distance.

Try these golf-specific stretches before, during and after your next round to target areas you use to swing a golf club:

Photo A: Shoulder Stretch

A) Shoulder Stretch:
With your thumb down, grab the bar and gently pull away from the cart.

B) Hip Stretch:
Keep your back heel on the ground and your chest up.

C) Upper Back Stretch:
Can be done with thumbs up or down. Terrific for posture.

D) Quad Stretch:
Keep the knee under the hip and your chest up.

E) Lower Back Stretch:
This may be the best all-purpose stretch for golf.

Make sure you stretch both sides of your body and keep breathing while you stretch. If you don't use a golf cart while you play, any tee sign or fixed object will work as a prop.

Photo B: Hip Stretch		Photo C: Upper Back Stretch	Photo D: Quad Stretch	Photo E: Lower Back Stretch

Stretching Tip for Seniors

It's important not to overdo any one stretch before you play. Until your body warms up, you can injure yourself if you go too far with stretching movements. Swing a weighted club or two clubs together for a gentle warm-up. Stretch during the round to maintain your swing and after you play to help prevent injury. -M.B.

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