Is Your Golf Swing Missing This?

Hey Golfers...everybody wants to hit the ball farther, but one area golfers forget to work on is BALANCE! If we don't have balance, we're not going to have an effective swing to bomb those drives down the fairway!

One very effective exercise to do on a regular basis is the bird-dog. Let the eye rolls begin... It's quite interesting though, when people try this exercise they tip over! Yes, tip over because this is harder than it looks.

As people age, we lose our balance. The bird-dog exercise is going to help to balance and strengthen your backside (your posterior chain). When do we need a strong posterior chain? When we address the ball and when we want to stop pesky swing flaws.

If you are someone who raises up on your backswing, your posterior chain is weak and you want it to be strong so you can maintain your swing and not have loss of posture. Add this bad boy into your workout routine.

Here's bird-dog:

How to:

1. Get on all 4's with your hips over your knees and shoulders over your hands.
2. Draw your abs in while you extend opposite arm and opposite leg.
3. Make sure to hold your extensions out there for a couple of seconds.
4. You can repeat all reps on one side or alternate sides.
5. Perform 10-12 reps on each side; 2-3 sets.
6. TO MAKE THIS EXERCISE HARDER: When you are bringing your knee and arm back down, bring your knee and elbow underneath so they are touching (or almost touching). You'll work your abs even harder. Don't let your knee touch the ground. Do all reps on 1 side and repeat all reps on the other side.

Don't underestimate this exercise. If you have low-back pain, this is a great exercise to help strengthen your low-back and posterior.

TIPS:

• Make sure your really reach in both directions. Straighten out your arms and legs as you extend.
• Focus on drawing your abs in (suck in your gut) while you are doing this exercise.
• Keep breathing. Exhale as you extend and really reach.

Can't get on your knees? Here's a modification!

For More Tailored Golf Fitness Exercises and Comprehensive Programs

Visit us at JT Fitness and Golf. Discover our "Fit 'FORE' Golf in 30 Days" program, featuring 30 days of follow-along strength videos, a mobility exercise manual, foam rolling exercises manual, and a fitness assessment for golf.

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At JT Fitness and Golf, we're here to help you enhance your game and achieve new fitness levels. Check out the 90 Day Golf Fitness Challenge! Weekly workouts provided, fitness assessment, and monthly coaching calls.

Let us know how we can assist you in your journey to better golf fitness!

Hit 'em far and straight!

Janis Thornton

[email protected]