Golfers - you know that a good swing is more than just technique - it requires flexibility, strength, mobility, and power. However if you’re spending most of your day sitting at a desk, you quickly find that your body feels stiff and out of sync when it’s time to hit the course. Fortunately, there’s a simple yet incredibly effective solution to this common problem.
Walking.
Now I know you wanted something much more complicated, a stretch that looks like the golf swing, something you’d probably do once just and never again.
It doesn’t have to be that complicated.
The Power of Walking for Golfers Who Sit All Day
1. Combat the Effects of Prolonged Sitting
Sitting for long periods can lead to a host of physical issues, from tight hip flexors and hamstrings to a stiff lower back. This stiffness can impact your golf swing, reducing your range of motion and causing discomfort during your round. Walking is a fantastic way to counteract these effects. When you walk, you engage your leg muscles, stretch your hip flexors, and promote the release of tension in your lower back.
2. Boost Flexibility and Range of Motion
One of the key components of a great golf swing is mobility. As you walk, your body moves through a natural range of motion that helps loosen tight muscles and improve your flexibility. This increased range of motion can translate into a smoother, more efficient swing on the golf course.
3. Improve Posture and Balance
Good posture and balance are crucial for a consistent golf swing. Sitting for long periods can lead to poor posture and weakened core muscles. Walking encourages better posture by promoting natural alignment of the spine and strengthening the muscles that support good posture. It also helps improve balance by engaging your core and stabilizing your lower body, which can lead to more stability in your golf stance and swing.
4. Enhance Mental Focus
Golf is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. Taking a walk can clear your mind, reduce stress, and improve concentration. Walking can help you reset and approach your game with a refreshed mindset, which is crucial for maintaining focus during your round.
5. Boost Overall Physical Fitness
Walking is a low-impact exercise that promotes cardiovascular health and overall fitness. Regular walking can help you stay in shape and build endurance, which is beneficial not only for your golf game but for your overall well-being. Even when riding a cart we take thousands of steps in single round, there’s not more “Golf Specific” exercise than walking, it is what we will spend most of the round doing.
Get to Steppin’
Incorporating walking into your daily routine is a simple yet effective way to prepare your body for golf. By addressing the physical impacts of sitting, enhancing your flexibility, and improving your mental focus, walking can be the perfect complement to your golf practice.
Instead of searching for the best exercise for sitting, just do the opposite - walk.
