5 Best Golf Exercises to Elevate Your Game

While golf may seem like an easy sport requiring little to no exercise, that completely changed since Tiger Woods began playing. He worked out regularly, making exercise routines a norm amongst golf players of all skill levels. But what are the best golf exercises to elevate your game?

Keep reading to learn what they are and how they make a difference when you play golf!  

Cat & Cow

Stretching your lower back and hips is essential for playing golf, and the Cat & Camel is perfect for doing that. 

To perform this exercise, follow the below steps:

1. Get down on your hands and knees with palms flat (shoulder-width apart) and knees hip-width apart.

2. Inhale and arch your back, head facing downwards.

3. Exhale and drop your back, head facing upwards.

You should try to hold each position for 5 seconds and complete ten reps. 

Hip Drops

Hip rotation is important for a strong golf game, so doing hip drops before a round can be an excellent exercise. 

To perform this exercise, follow the below steps:

1. With your legs spread apart while sitting on the ground, place your feet flat while keeping your knees up.

2. Place your hands flat on the floor.

3. Rotate your knees, one at a time, towards the floor as far as is comfortable.

Complete as many reps as possible, allowing your hips to get a good stretch. 

Push-Ups

Push-ups are a common exercise that anyone working out often does, but it is also an excellent exercise for golfers. 

To perform this exercise, follow the below steps:

1. Get down on your hands and knees, with your hands slightly wider than your shoulders.

2. Straighten your legs and arms so your weight is placed on your hands and toes.

3. Lower yourself until your chest nearly hits the ground or as far as is comfortable.

4. Raise yourself back up to the beginning position. 

Start with as many reps as is comfortable, and then increase the number to whatever goal you would like to set. 

Pelvic Tilt

Playing golf and swinging your club puts stress and pressure on your pelvic and lower back muscles. This stress increases when golfers are unable to tilt their pelvis.  It also causes a loss of power transfer from the lower body to the upper. 

To perform this exercise, follow the below steps:

1. Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.

2. Placing your hands above your head, tighten your butt, thighs, and abs. 

3. Press your back against the floor. 

You should do ten reps and then increase the number over time as is comfortable. 

Single Leg Bridges

Your glutes are king for your swing.  This is a basic strengthening and activation exercise for them. 
To perform this exercise, follow the below steps:

1. Lying flat, place your feet flat on the floor while keeping your knees bent. 

2. Lift your hips and butt while keeping your upper back on the floor.

3. Hold this position for several seconds before returning your butt and hips to the ground.

Try to do three sets of ten, so long as it is comfortable for you to do so. 

Exercising before golfing is essential as it strengthens and stretches the muscles you use, improving and elevating your golf game. If you are ready to begin your golf exercise journey, schedule an appointment online or call us at 513-207-6933 at our Cincinnati studio.