Are you achy and sore after you play golf? You’re not alone! Our game is physically demanding and requires recovery time. Traditionally, we believed resting would do the trick. Unfortunately, it’s not enough.
Effective stretches – along with replenishing your body with water and good food – can speed up recovery and allow you to play more golf. Using a more active recovery approach with breathing and stretching movements provides a better chance of undoing the harsh effects of golf.
Stretching and contracting along key “lines” through the body, along with deep breathing, releases tension and creates a better flow of oxygen, hormones and nutrients.
In this month’s video, you’ll learn how to perform an active stretch that opens up your front diagonal line, which goes from one arm across the front of the body to the opposite hip down to the foot. The stretch is called “Bretzel 1.” It opens up the front of the shoulder, spine and the front of the opposite hip across the knee. When you add slow, deep breathing and contractions, then you can deepen the stretch to increase more range of motion.
Grab a pad, block or pillow and a towel or stretching strap. Remember to be patient and focus on your breathing as you do the stretch. The goal is not to achieve a certain position, but instead to feel the stretch across the front, diagonal line of your body. This stretch will be achieved at different angles for each person depending on their flexibility.
Bretzel 1 Stretch
Because this stretch is across a long diagonal line, you’ll discover your tight areas and thus where you need more work. Since golf is a one-sided sport, you’ll likely notice some differences from one side to the other. This awareness helps target areas of greater need. Using Bretzel 1 and other recovery movements may help you snap back more quickly. You might be able to play more rounds, even on back-to-back days.
For more effective post-golf stretches, click here.
Pam Owens is the Director of Fitness for Royal Oaks Country Club in Houston and the owner of Pam Owens Fitness. A two-time Golf Digest Top 50 Fitness Professional, Pam helps golfers all over the world get lean, bendy and powerful with online or in person coaching. For more post-golf recovery stretches, click here.