Golf remains one a popular American pastime with around 25 million participants each year. Many of these golfers strive for greater shot accuracy and driving distance in order to reduce their scores each round. Previous Physical Therapy research has shown greater driving distance in golfers after completing a Physical Therapy program consisting of hip and spine mobility, as well as, strength training for the lower quarter. Optimizing a golfer’s movement and golf swing also reduces their risk of pain during their round. A recent article analyzed the impact of a golf club warm up versus a dynamic warm up on driving distance and shot quality.
Photo Credit: International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. 2018.
Coughlan and colleagues studied male and female golfers before and after completing 3 different warm up conditions: no warm up, dynamic physical and club warm up, or a club warm up (IJSPT. 2018). The dynamic warm up consisted of 7 sport specific, short duration, whole body exercises designed to optimize mobility and muscle activation. In comparison, the golf club warm up consisted of warm up swings with different clubs through various ranges of the swing motion. The authors reported improved club head speed and shot quality after performing the dynamic and club warm up compared to the club warm up alone. Golfers are advised to work with their Physical Therapist on designing a golf specific dynamic warm up to optimize their golf play.
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