How To Create Better Shoulder Stability For Golf


Shoulder stability is essential to packing a powerful golf swing. Without stability, flexibility and strength in your shoulders your swing is not going to be as efficient or effective as it could be. In fact, you can wind up with shoulder injuries that not only hurt your swing, but literally hurt your shoulders.

There are a number of things that can contribute to rotator cuff (the muscles in your shoulders that allow for circular motion) problems, but Brian Schiff, a licensed physical therapist specializing in sports medicine, sees three main contributors: poor posture, flexibility issues, and a decreased level of muscular strength and endurance. "People just aren't conditioned to do the things that we want to go out and do on a regular basis," Brian says. "And, with a sport like golf, it's such a repetitive action. A person that doesn't do any physical activity, and then goes out and plays a few rounds in the spring, they're very vulnerable to certain flare-ups and injuries."

You can combat this issue by incorporating shoulder exercises into your fitness routine. By working your shoulders off the course, they will provide you with the stability and flexibility you need to improve your swing.

One exercise you can try to improve your shoulder stability is to lie on the floor on your stomach. Pull your shoulder blades back and extend your arms to the side with your thumbs pointing up and towards the ceiling. Continue retracting (pulling back) your shoulder blades until your upper body is lifted up and a "T" is formed with your extended arms. Perform this shoulder lift several times.

A similar exercise to improve shoulder stability can be performed with a Swiss ball. Lie facedown over the top of the ball with your abs in the middle of the ball. Your chest should be off the ball and your feet are on the toes. Lift your arms above your head with your hands clinched and thumbs up. Extend your arms up and out as far as you can comfortably (forming a "Y" at the top). Perform this exercise several times.

These shoulder exercises will improve stability and, in turn, your swing.

Susan Hill is a nationally recognized golf fitness trainer, CHEK golf biomechanic and sports nutrition specialist. For more information on golf specific nutrition, exercises or stretches, visit http://www.fitnessforgolf.com.







Related News



A Golfing Patriot -- Your Wednesday Golf Links - Roughing It

A Golfing Patriot -- Your Wednesday Golf Links
Roughing It, FL -2 hours ago
We lead off our Wednesday Golf Links by calling attention to a worthy cause. Dan Rooney, an F-16 fighter pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard and a PGA ...
Josh Robbins | Golf ConfidentialOrlando Sentinel
all 5 news articles

Golf tourney underway in Whitefish - KPAX-TV

Golf tourney underway in Whitefish
KPAX-TV, MT -3 hours ago
The hot weather turned to rain for the kickoff of the 21 st annual Montana State Mid-Am Golf Tournament in Whitefish. Play began on Tuesday at the Whitefish ...
Dunn grabs lead at Mid-AmBillings Gazette
Missoula's Dunn sets Mid-Am paceThe Missoulian
all 5 news articles

GOLFAX, LTD. & US GOLF COMPANY Division Acquires CLASSIC GREENS ... - Emediawire (press release)

GOLFAX, LTD. & US GOLF COMPANY Division Acquires CLASSIC GREENS ...
Emediawire (press release), WA -3 hours ago
US Golf Company - On December 15, 2007, GOLFAX, LTD., a former golf scorecard printing and faxing company originally started in 1985, changed management and ...

The FedEx Cup playoffs make the post-major golf season more ... - ESPN

New York Daily News

The FedEx Cup playoffs make the post-major golf season more ...
ESPN -23 hours ago
The FedEx Cup and its playoff events might be flawed in some ways, but it is a far better alternative than what golf fans were stuck with in previous years ...
Turner Sports and the PGA TOUR Debut PGA TOUR Shot TrackerBusiness Wire (press release)
What they said: Padraig HarringtonPGA Tour
Contenders See an Opening as the FedEx Cup Playoffs BeginNew York Times
Sports Network - The News-Press
all 114 news articles

Golf | Craig Stadler, 4 others withdraw from Boeing Classic - Seattle Times

Golf | Craig Stadler, 4 others withdraw from Boeing Classic
Seattle Times, United States -11 hours ago
A delegation of 13 Champions Tour golfers visited the American Lake Veterans Golf Course Tuesday in Lakewood on the grounds of the VA hospital. ...
Curtis Strange, big name in Boeing Classic, revisitedSeattle Post Intelligencer
all 4 news articles

Weekly This week's golf tournaments - The Canadian Press

New York Times

Weekly This week's golf tournaments
The Canadian Press -Aug 19, 2008
Course: Kennemer Golf and Country Club (6626 yards, par 70). Purse: $2.65 million. Winner's share: $441900. Last year: England's Ross Fisher won his first ...
As playoffs are set to begin, no consensus on Barclays winner - GolfESPN
The Barclays Golf Thursday’s First Round Tee Times and GroupingsGolfing News
Players Learning Ridgewood FairwaysNational Post
Naples Daily News - Sports Network
all 43 news articles

Couple build golf course to occupy vandal youths - Telegraph.co.uk

Couple build golf course to occupy vandal youths
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom -2 hours ago
So, when the farm came up for sale, the Flints decided to buy it and turn the 20 acres of land into a nine-hole pitch and putt golf course. ...

Golf-Harrington finds confidence elusive despite major wins - Reuters.uk

TVNZ

Golf-Harrington finds confidence elusive despite major wins
Reuters.uk, UK -20 hours ago
"Generally, when I play my best golf I stand over every shot worrying about where I'm going to miss it. "I'd love to be able to be the guy who doesn't see ...
Padraig Harrington a major champ and motivational speakerThe Canadian Press
Harrington might be over 'fear of failure'Post-Bulletin
PGA Tour Playoffs for the FedExCup begin this week at The BarclaysPGA.com
Golfbidder Limited - NJ.com
all 52 news articles

Els backs golf's Olympic bid - Sky News

Golf365.co.za

Els backs golf's Olympic bid
Sky News, UK -21 hours ago
I really hope I'm still around if and when golf is introduced. I know some critics say that the Olympic Games are for amateurs and that golf shouldn't be ...
BBC Sport blog editorBBC Sport
Olympics-New sports pledge star attractions for spot in GamesReuters.uk
all 18 news articles

Flint Junior Golf Association trophy holds history for Hull family - The Flint Journal - MLive.com

The Flint Journal - MLive.com

Flint Junior Golf Association trophy holds history for Hull family
The Flint Journal - MLive.com, MI -1 hour ago
by Bill Marshall | The Flint Journal Stuart Bauer | The Flint JournalLogan Hull (left) and brother Hunter Hull won the Flint Junior Golf Association 5-hole ...
Golf shorts: tournaments and upcoming eventsThe Flint Journal - MLive.com
all 2 news articles