Static Stretching Before You Play Could Make You Worse

Many people mistakenly think static stretching is a warm-up.  Fitness experts now agree that static stretching before exercise or sport is not just counter-productive, but potentially harmful. Traditional stretches, like when people bend over to touch their toes or stretch their legs on a fence, often cause the muscles to tighten rather than relax — exactly the opposite of what is needed for physical activity. I cringe when I see golfers put a club behind their shoulders blades and start twisting back and forth. You may feel like you are doing something to stretch your body, but it has no real benefit. Fitness experts say it is like extending a rubber band to its limit. When people stretch to the maximum, they are more likely to pull a muscle.

You should warm up muscles and joints before you stretch. You actually need to warm up before you warm up.  All this week I will be presenting ways to Actively Warm Up before you play and practice.

To increase your blood flow, which brings needed oxygen to muscles and joints, you can jog in place, do jumping jacks or take a brisk walk. I like to swing one or two clubs gently back and forth, gradually increasing the pace. For younger players, the ideal is to break a sweat; for older golfers, it’s to become slightly winded.

Gently swing a club or two back and forth to warm up muscles before your stretch