Golf: Play It Safe With These Tips
May 23, 2021
I guarantee most of the golfers that are playing in the PGA championships have a team of professionals looking after them. Although this is not a realistic expectation for amateur golfers, there is a way that you can benefit from some of the same preparation and conditioning that they incorporate into their routines.
Golf is one of very few sports where you are exerting maximum effort dozens and dozens of times over the course of approximately four hours. For this reason, it is very important that you prepare your body before hitting the course.
For those of you (like me) who haven’t played your first game yet this season, now is the time to start getting your body ready to handle some of the physical challenges that golf can bring. For those lucky enough to have played already, it’s not too late to adapt the following tips to reduce your risk of injury:
- Incorporate the pre-game, mobility exercises demonstrated in my Facebook video. The idea of warming up for any sport is nothing new and can greatly reduce the chance of injury.
- Hit a few balls, gently at first, and then ramp up the swing velocity and intensity. This will reduce the risk of injury at the beginning of your game and the season.
- If you are planning to walk the course and this is a lot more “steps” than you would take in a normal day, gradually increase your walking capacity before game day to ensure your body is prepared for the additional physical stress.
- And if you are really passionate about the game, you should find a health professional who is familiar with the kinetics of golf. Early detection of weak spots in your body can give you the opportunity to strengthen them. This not only minimizes the risk of compensatory reactions elsewhere in the body, but can also help you avoid season-ending injuries.
I hope that these tips set you up for a successful golf season! As always, if you have any questions or concerns about this topic or any of my previous topics, I am here to help and can be reached via email at jason@drjasonplotsky.com