Study Shows Improvement Over Time with Golf-Specific Exercises Prior to Swing

After completing a study with 20 golfers to determine the effects of a golf-specific warm up on club head speed, golfers are seeing an exciting difference. It seems that, with a brief warm up routine, golfers were able to increase their club head speeds by an average of 24%, as opposed to a control group, which saw virtually no change over the testing period.

The objective of the study was to prove that golfers could increase their club head speed by performing a solid warm-up routine prior to beginning their round. In order to test the theory, 10 golfers on a control team were matched with 10 golfers on a test team. Each golfer was matched for age within 2 years and handicap within 1 stroke. The golfers were initially tested with 10 golf strokes to determine their club head speed in a controlled laboratory setting.

During the first week, the test group performed this warm up exercise routine first, followed by their 10 strokes, whereas the control group simply completed their strokes. The golfers continued this routine for five times a week for five weeks. Upon completion of the study, it was found that the group of golfers performing a warm up routine had increased their club head speed by a mean, or average, of 7-10 meters per second, or about 24%.

What is the significance of this finding? Based on this study, science has begun to prove that golf requires athletic endurance and, when the proper muscles that are used to control swing and grip are warmed up before exertion, golfers have an improved game.

Here is an example of a pre-round stretch you can use to warm up your back, hip and shoulder muscles.

Source:
British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2004 Dec; 38(6):762-5. Fradkin AJ, Sherman CA, Finch CF.

Susan Hill is a CHEK golf biomechanic, sports nutritionist and fitness trainer. For more information on her golf specific programs, visit http://www.fitnessforgolf.com.