"How You can Improve Your Golf Drive by 20 yards through Stretching."

“If you look at some of the players on tour who can really bomb it--guys like Hank Kuehne and Charles Howell--they’re not the most physically intimidating athletes. But they all are very flexible players who can generate tremendous club-head speed while swinging in balance. That’s also one of the keys to my power. I’m convinced that if you increase your flexibility, you’ll add power to your swing.” --Tiger Woods

This quote by Tiger Woods is supported by the laws of basic physics, that is that power = force (strength) x distance (flexibility) / time (greater club-head speed).

Thus, a golfer who is able to generate more force during their swing, through a greater range of motion in a shorter amount of time, will be the most powerful, and will achieve the greatest distance off the tee, or for a given shot, assuming that the mechanics of the swing and shot are sound.

Here are a few great stretches for golfers:

Spine Rotors



Purpose: To increase the rotation and coil of the body about the spine.

Instructions: Standing tall with good posture and with feet shoulder width apart and hands on the hips, rotate your body as far as you can to one side. Look behind you to add to the stretch. Repeat to the other side.

Advanced: Try this movement with your golf club across your shoulders. Another extension is to perform this movement while sitting on a Swiss ball.

Lying-Down Trunk Rotation Stretch



Purpose: To increase the rotation and coil of the body about the spine. Also, to increase mobility between the shoulders and hips.

Instructions: Lying down with both arms extended to either side, bring your knees up to 90 degrees. Keep your lower legs parallel to the floor

Single Leg Downward Dog



Purpose: To stretch the hamstrings, calves, and lower back.

Instructions: Lean forwards and place your hands on the ground as indicated in the diagram. Slowly try to create an “upside down V” with your arms, and back in a straight line up to your hips and your legs also straight in line to your hips. You can bend one knee to isolate the muscles in the opposite leg.

Upward Dog



Purpose: To stretch the lower back and hip flexor muscles. This is an excellent rehabilitation exercise for people with lower back pain.

Instructions: Lying face-down on a mat, place your hands directly beneath your shoulders. While keeping your hips on the ground, slowly push your upper body up as far as possible. If you feel any pain in your lower back do not continue with this stretch.

Dr. Bryan Dingsor is the owner of Watertown Chiropractic P.C. in Watertown, SD.  He specializes in the treatment of many musculoskeletal conditions and weight loss.  For an appointment, please call 605-882-2304 Today.