Warm-up on the golf course

We all know that a good warm up is a vital part of any activity, but how many of us actually do it when the activity in question is golf? Not many is the answer! A recent Australian survey of over 1000 golfers found that almost 50% of golfers performed NO warm-up prior to teeing off, while only 3% performed an adequate warm-up. So if you are one of the 97% who don't warm-up properly, what should you be doing?

One problem is that most golf courses have no real place to prepare. Experts therefore recommend that you try to walk or ride a stationary bike for 10-15 minutes before you head out to the course. If that's not possible then at least walk around briskly for ten minutes when you arrive, to get the blood pumping.

Once you have done that you need to stretch key areas - for golf that includes your legs, hips, low back, shoulders, and the muscles around your elbow and forearms. If you're unsure how to do this, ask a trainer or refer to a good stretching manual.

Finally, you should perform a series of golf swings with a progressive increase in both the range of motion and the speed of the swing. If you intend to practice some shots, practice your putting first, while you are cold, then progress to driving just before starting your game.

A routine like this will not only improve your performance, it will also reduce the risk of injury.