This article was published in partnership with GolfForever.
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2020 was the year of distance on Tour. With Bryson DeChambeau leading the charge, 350-yard drives became status quo and driving greens became somewhat routine. Underneath that distance, however, is DeChambeau’s commitment to being able to move his joints through their entire ranges of motion.
This commitment to mobility is the main reason he’s been able to overwhelm courses with mind-boggling drives.
Whether you’re looking to add distance this season like DeChambeau, or simply want to perform better on the course, mobility is the key to achieving your goal.
If you think I’m bluffing, just ask GolfForever founders Dr. Jeremy James and British Open champion Justin Leonard why golfers sign up for the digital fitness app’s program.
In a survey conducted of it’s members, GolfForever found that 52% of respondents said improving their flexibility and mobility was their main goal.
Smart.
This back-saving technique is the best way to pick your ball out of the hole
That’s because our golf swings are dictated by our physical abilities, so poor flexibility and mobility limits how well you’re able to move through the golf swing. If you can’t get into good positions, your swing will suffer.
You can fix this by working on increasing the range of motion in joints that are critical to your swing like the shoulders, thoracic spine, hips and ankles.
If you’re not sure where to start in terms of improving your mobility, our readers can take advantage of an exclusive deal and get $51 off a one-year subscription to GolfForever’s fitness program to help you get in golf shape in time for the start of the season.
12-month GolfForever subscription
For a small taste of what GolfForever offers, try the short flexibility routine below.
A foolproof flexibility routine
Upper Back Rotation: As Dr. James explains, this is such an important exercise to improve your range of motion in your backswing and prevent injury. Start in a kneeling position and place one hand on the ground in front of you, keeping your butt as close to your heels as possible. Place your opposite hand on the back of your head. Starting at the bottom, rotate your elbow away from you, following it with your eyes. This will help open up your thoracic spine. Perform three to five reps on each side.
T Step Lunge: The T-step lunge challenges your balance and range of motion in your hips. Standing tall with your arms bent and your core activated, take a small step into the “T-position” and squat down. Push off of the same leg you stepped out with to return to the start position. This will help you develop explosive hip drive, which is crucial to a powerful golf swing.
Club Rotations: Club rotations are a part of GolfForever’s fundamentals, which are designed to improve your mobility, flexibility, balance and core strength. Grab a golf club and grip it so you have one hand on either end of the club. Pivot your hips and rotate your arms around your body, increasing the range of motion as you get comfortable with the movement. Make sure you are not twisting your lower back as you do this.
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