Why Stretching Matters
The golf swing is a powerful athletic movement, and proper flexibility is essential to performing it well. Golf is a game of distance and precision—covering great ground in as few strokes as possible—and developing clubhead speed appropriate to your fitness level is key to both performance and enjoyment.
You may have heard, “Stop trying to kill the ball!” But distance and straightness are not opposites. When your swing is simple, centered, and built around a stable spine, you can swing harder and hit the ball straighter. Greater consistency in spine angle leads directly to more consistent ball flight.
The first step is flexibility. Poor flexibility is the leading cause of swing faults, as the body is forced to compensate for a limited range of motion. These compensations eventually become bad habits.
Stretch Smart, Stretch Often
Perform the following stretches daily for lasting improvement. A few minutes each day is far more effective than long, infrequent sessions. Customize the routine to your body, focus on tight areas, and perform all stretches gently and under control.
Frequency—not intensity—is what improves flexibility.
Back Stretch
This is a tour favorite. You've seen the tour pros do this before every round. In the past with a driver or umbrella. The Stretching Pole is perfect for this stretch because it can be extended out much further resulting in a more effortless and effective stretch. Don't skip this one! Be sure to drop your head down between your arms.
Neck Stretch
As you do this stretch also move your hip toward the pole for added stretch. Once again don't over do it. Stretching the neck is mainly for injury prevention and should be done every day but especially before practicing or playing.
Shoulder Stretches
While doing these stretches use the other hand to pull back on the pole as illustrated below. Or instead pull your arm back further with your other hand. Again this all depends upon your level of flexibility. Be sure to do BOTH SIDES. Proper flexibility of the lower shoulder through impact is very important for club head speed!
Back Angle Stretch
So many high handicapper (and some low ones too!) continually struggle with proper back angle both on the backswing and through impact. Let's face it, it's much more comfortable to stand up than bend over, especially if you're turning at the same time! As you do this stretch really try to feel it on your sides especially. You are not only stretching muscles but your back fascia. Nothing lets you know how well someone can play more than the position of their shoulders both at the top of the swing and at impact.
Full Swing Stretch
Now let's put it all together! Center the pole between the feet so the finishing stretch is just as effective as the back swing stretch. People mistakenly think that the Stretching Pole is primarily for the backswing. But if you don't have the proper flexibility on that bottom shoulder through impact then you will tighten up through impact and lose a lot of clubhead speed. So be sure to stretch both sides. Also notice how Jim is sitting down and hanging from the pole on the third frame, getting that extra little stretch. It's not shown here but you can do that for the finish as well. Good luck and have fun with your new Golf Stretching Pole!
Did you know the Golf Stretching Pole complies with all USGA rules and may be kept in the bag and used during a round of golf? Don't hold up play but do the full swing stretches real quick before every tee shot followed by two aggressive practice swings. This will ensure your muscles are wide awake with every drive!