Golf is a popular sport that requires flexibility, mobility, and even balance.
As we age, our bodies experience natural changes in joint mobility and muscle elasticity, which can impact our golf game - but they don't have to if they do the right things!
Golf stretches can help senior golfers maintain mobility and flexibility, and reduce stiffness so getting older doesn't mean you have to suffer from pain, and play less golf than you'd like.
In this blog, you can discover the best golf stretches for 45+ year old golfers who want to improve their game, while reducing those annoying stiffness and nagging pains when you're on the course.
Common Mobility Issues for Recreational Golfers
Before we dive into the best golf stretches, it's essential to understand the mobility issues that recreational golfers commonly face. These are more common as we age, but not exclusive to those over 45.
Reduced Range Of Motion
The ability to rotate your hips, shoulders, and torso is critical for a smooth golf swing.
Aging can lead to a decrease in mobility, which can affect your swing meaning you aren't able to drive as far off the tee and lose your accuracy when trying to pitch onto the green.
A limited range of motion can also increase your risk of injury meaning you're completely out of action, and not able to play at all.
Decreased flexibility
Tight muscles can lead to decreased mobility and a lack of flexibility, thus affecting the golf game.
If you're tight, this can make it harder to be explosive when striking the ball and reduce your distance off the tee.
Best Golf Stretches for Senior Golfers
So now we know the cost of poor mobility and flexibility to your golf game, here are 4 of the best golf stretches that senior golfers can do to fix the problem. These golf stretches should target the typical muscles that create issues for golfers by wrecking their game, and leading to pain.
Seated Hip Stretch
This stretch helps improve hip mobility, which is essential for maintaining balance and generating power during the golf swing.
- Sit on a chair, couch, or bench with your feet flat on the floor.
- Cross your right ankle over your left knee.
- Place your left hand on your right knee and grasp your right ankle with your right hand.
- Gently press your right knee down with your left hand while pulling your right ankle towards you with your right hand.
- Hold for 10-15 seconds.
- Repeat on the other side.
Standing Shoulder Stretch
This stretch helps improve shoulder mobility, which is critical for achieving a full backswing.
- Stand upright with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Extend your right arm forward at shoulder height.
- Bend your right elbow and bring your right hand behind your head.
- Use your left hand to gently press your right elbow towards your left shoulder until you feel a stretch.
- Hold for 10-15 seconds.
- Repeat on the other side.
Lunge and Twist
This stretch helps to improve spine mobility, which is essential for generating power during the golf swing.
- Start in a lunge position with your left foot forward and your right foot back.
- Place your left hand on your left knee.
- Rotate your torso to the left, placing your right hand on your left thigh.
- Hold for a few seconds, then return to the starting position.
- Repeat on the other side.
Hamstring Stretch
This stretch helps to improve flexibility in the hamstrings, which can reduce the risk of lower back pain and improve balance during the golf swing.
- Sit on the floor with your legs extended in front of you.
- Reach towards your toes with your hands, gently pulling yourself forward.
- Keep your back straight and avoid rounding your spine.
- Hold for 10-15 seconds.
What To Do Next
These 4 golf stretches can help senior golfers maintain flexibility and mobility, and reduce stiffness while playing golf.
These stretches are simple, effective, and can be done at home before you head to the course, or just before you step onto the course.
So if you love golf, but are finding it harder and harder to play 18 holes without pain, stiffness, or poor performance, don't chalk this up to your age and accept it.
Try these stretches, and if you have any challenges, or it doesn't improve things for you, reach out to our team.
We regularly work with people in their retirement who are strong, fit and mobile, living very active lives filled with activities that they love.
Their secret?
It's not luck or genetics.
It's that they've got the personalized advice they needed to identify exactly what's happening in their body, the root cause of their muscle tightness, joint stiffness, and pain, and work on their tailored treatment plans from our expert physical therapy team.
If you want to play more golf, reduce your handicap, and enjoy the game you love without pain, stiffness, or tension, find out how we can help you with a Free Golf Movement Screening.
This is a completely free appointment with an expert in physical therapy who will listen to your story, hear your golf goals, and help you understand the fastest, natural ways to improve your mobility and flexibility as well as address any niggling injuries.
We have four clinics in the area (Cary, Montclair, Morrisville, and Woodcliff Lake), but demand is extremely high right now, so contact us on 201-746-9966 to arrange your Free Golf Movement Screening today.
Want More Free Expert Advice So You Can Enjoy An Active Life Without Pain?
Read our blog - Don’t Give Up If You’re Aching After Your First Game, Or After Getting Back Into The Gym
Read our blog - 3 Reasons Why You’re Still Having Knee Pain And Can’t Run, Bike, Or Squat!
Follow us on our social media - Facebook, Instagram, YouTube