The Importance of Stretching Before Going Out on the Golf Course

While golfing, you get a lot of use out of your back muscles and hamstrings. This means that if you don’t take care of them properly, they are susceptible to injuries that might not only hamper your golf game, but also your everyday life.

Whether you already suffer from lower back or hamstring pain or simply want to protect yourself against it affecting you in the future, there are some stretches you should add to your fitness program and your pre-golf routine to make sure you keep your body in good shape.

Here are some stretching guidelines to keep in mind before you hit a golf course in Cookeville, TN:

• Something to keep in mind: Always remember that stretching, like any other physical activity, has lots of rules to ensure you’re doing it properly. You might not think this, but stretching can actually be quite harmful or even dangerous if you do not do it properly. Therefore, it is important you follow all of the guidelines below to ensure proper stretching.
• Breathe: Never hold your breath while stretching—this can raise your blood pressure and tense up your body, which is the opposite of what you want while stretching. As you’re stretched out, breathing will allow oxygen to flow into your muscles, which over time trains them to feel more comfortable in that position.
• Know your limits: You should never push a stretch past the point of some mild discomfort. If you feel a sharp or sudden pain, pull back immediately—you’re trying to go too far. There should always be a little discomfort associated with stretching tight muscles, but you should not have to fight through pain.
• Keep a routine: Stretching for a little bit of time every day will help you to gradually and consistently build up your flexibility and range of motion. A little bit every day is much better than longer stretching sessions that occur more infrequently.
• Timing: Try to time yourself while you’re doing stretching exercises, and increase the amount of time you hold that stretch by just a few seconds every week. You can start small—say, 10 to 15 seconds—and keep growing by about five seconds per week until you’re able to hold the stretch for 30 seconds or longer. This will make a big difference in your flexibility in the long run.
• Dress for stretching: Always wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing when you’re stretching. It’s going to be hard to stretch out your body if your clothes are tight and restrict your range of motion. If you’re already preparing to go out golfing, this shouldn’t be a problem, as you are likely already wearing loose-fitting athletic apparel.

These are just a few tips to help you get the most out of your stretching regimen. For more information about the importance and benefits of stretching before you hit the golf course in Cookeville, TN, contact Southern Hills Golf & Country Club today and we’ll be happy to share more tips!

Categorised in: Golf

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