Keeping Busy During the Golf Off-Season

Rocky and the assistant golf pros at Mill Run
know what it takes to train like a champion

The 2012 golf season is nearly ready for hibernation, but the golf team at Mill Run Golf Club certainly isn't! Matt and Cameron are preparing to begin their off-season training schedule that includes hundreds of chin-ups, thousands of crunches and regular 6 a.m. jogging.

While we can't all train like Matt and Cam, there are a variety of ways you can improve the physical aspect of your golf game over the winter!

Firstly, rest is good. If you've been golfing multiple times a week all summer long, taking a few weeks off to rest is a valuable practice for both mind and body. After a nice break, take an hour to incorporate some golf-specific stretches or exercises into your workout routine; if you don't have a regular routine, don't worry! There are lots of simple stretches you can do from home that require no equipment at all.

The golf swing requires balance, flexibility, mobility and strength all coming together in a fluid, controlled motion. Understanding what muscles contribute the most to these different factors can help to highlight which areas to focus on when it comes to training.

The back, shoulders and hips are areas where improved flexibility will really help your game. Incorporate stretches that involve controlled twisting and resistance in the aforementioned areas. Doorway stretches are a great example of a simple technique to increase range of motion and strengthen your rotator cuff (shoulder).

Doorway Stretching

For more examples to build a small workout routine, visit the "Golf" section of the Livestrong website. They have plenty of resources!
http://www.livestrong.com/golf-exercises/