Golf and Hip Mobility – Why You Need Both to Improve Your Game
Golf is a sport that requires a great deal of skill and precision. In order to hit the ball consistently and accurately, golfers need to have a good understanding of their own swing as well as the mechanics of the game. One often-overlooked aspect of golfing success is hip mobility. Having mobile hips gives you the ability to make a bigger turn, which in turn can help you generate more power and distance on your shots.
There are a few things golfers can do to improve their hip mobility. First, it’s important to maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight can lead to tightness in the hips and hamstrings, which can make it difficult to achieve the necessary range of motion. Second, regular stretching and mobility work, done consistently, can help keep the muscles around the hips loose and pliable. Finally, incorporating exercises that focus on hip mobility into your workout routine will help ensure that your hips are always ready for action on the course.
The following article will provide more detail on why hip mobility is so important for golfers as well as some tips on how to improve it.
Much like other sports, golf requires a good amount of athleticism and coordination. In order for golfers to be successful, they need to have a good understanding of their own swing as well as the mechanics of the game. Often, the most overlooked aspect of golfing success is hip mobility. Many times, people spend way too much money on private lessons to get in an ideal posture or position, however don’t have the physical ability, including lacking range of motion and motor control, to properly get and maintain this position. Given that golf is primarily an outdoor activity, weather conditions can also play a factor in how much power and distance you generate on your shots. Having mobile hips gives you the ability to make a bigger turn, which in turn can help offset any loss in power due to less-than-ideal conditions. In other words, having mobile hips can be the difference between hitting your target or spraying your shots all over the place.
While there are many things that go into being a successful golfer, increasing your hip mobility should be at the top of your list if you’re looking to take your game to the next level. Not only will it help you hit the ball further and with more accuracy, but it will also help you ward off any potential injuries that could occur down the line. So, what are you waiting for? Start working on those hips today!
A common misconception that many people have is that static stretching alone is all that is needed to improve hip mobility. The most important part of a balanced mobility routine includes STRENGTHENING in end-range and potentially vulnerable positions. Not only are these end range positions common causes for injury in all athletic maneuvers, it also activates and sensitizes the proprioceptors inside the joint capsule which will improve usable and long-standing range of motion gains. This will directly relate to more pliability, body control, and ease of motion to stave off injuries now and in the future.
In conclusion, we see that improving our hip mobility is key for any athlete looking wanting to succeed in their given sport—golf included! Not only does increasing our hip mobility lead directly to better golf performance, but it also helps to prevent injury in other areas such as knees and lower back. So, if you’re serious about taking your game to the next level, make sure you’re incorporating exercises that focus on improving your hip mobility into your workout routine today! These exercises can easily be adapted 5-10 minutes at the end of your normal workout routines to promote the best results.
90/90 position:
- Get into 90/90 position above, keeping sternum up and back straight, hinge forward until stretch is felt on right hip. Hold 45 seconds.
- Now, push Right foot down into floor (USING your right hip muscles) gradually increasing tension for 12-15 seconds.
- Relax, take up new tension and hinge further to new stretching point and hold for 45 seconds
- Now, push Right knee down into floor gradually increasing tension for 12-15 seconds.
Relax, go into deep stretching position AND reach left arm up and across towards 2 o’clock to get a little spinal rotation. Hold 45 seconds.
Now, in that same 90/90 position, keep LEFT foot on ground and slowly bring left knee up towards ceiling engaging all muscles in left hip. Repeat 2 sets of 10 times.
Next, continuing in 90/90 position, Lift left foot up towards ceiling while trying to maintain trunk and back as straight as possible. If possible, keep right hand on right knee while doing this. Repeat 2 sets of 10 reps.
Connect with Shawn if you have any questions about this hip mobility exercise or would like a consultation regarding golf performance training to improve your game.