Golf: Hip Stretches You Aren't Doing
Rotation, power, and efficiency all starts with how your body moves. And correct me if I’m wrong, but the hips have a critical role in that. With that in mind, you should be giving them a lot of love. Yes, your basic toe touch and torso rotation is okay, but is it really helping you or do you still always feel tight in the beginning of your round?
What if I told you I had the secret to unlocking “loose” hips.
Well, you are reading the right blog.
I am going to lay out a series of stretches that will undoubtedly get your hips feeling good. There is a catch though - effort and consistency. You need to stretch with intent and perform them daily. Stretching is not something you just do once in a while to improve flexibility. Let’s face it, you're getting older and stiffer. Swinging a club will not get any easier for you. So please make sure you are trying just as much as that 5 foot putt you'll probably miss.
The best part about these is that you can do them right at the course and it will only take you maybe 5 minutes. So, there is zero excuse!
Anyways, let’s get to the secret sauce…
Hip CARs
I may be on a 8 year streak of doing these every day. Extremely simple and gets my hips feeling good. Usually it takes me a few reps to see an improvement in range of motion, but after I feel like I can drop into a split - total joke please do not attempt!
Not only does it stretch your hips in a global fashion, but it warms them up as well.
I like to do these over an object to ensure I push the range of motion. It could be a bench or your golf bag - just don’t knock them over!
I recommend 3 sets of 5 reps each side.
Oscillating Cossack Squat
Groin is a big area of need for most. Be careful not to push this stretch beyond your boundaries. Take it slow and feel a deep stretch along the inside of your thighs. The wider you go, the more strenuous it will be.
I recommend 3 sets of 5 reps each side.
Airplanes
Maybe the strangest exercise you will do, but I promise your hips will thank me after. Similar to the “Hip CARs,” airplanes do a great job mobilizing the entire hip. You may feel things you've never felt before…
People may look at you crooked, but their hips won't be as loose as yours!
I recommend 3 sets of 5 reps each side.
As I said in the beginning, effort and consistency are extremely important in order to see progress. Have a routine and be religious with it. If it's not working, try something else or seek help. I'm always here to answer any questions you may have!