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.

---

Perform Better Golf With These Fitness Tips

Everyone wants to be able to perform better golf, and... Read More

Play Better Golf Through Exercise

Play better golf. Isn't that what every golfer thinks about... Read More

Training For Golf Combines Technical, Physical, Mechanical and Tactical

When most golfers think of the elements of the game... Read More

Exercises to Prevent Common Golf Injuries

To those who don't play, golf seems like a low... Read More

Increasing Flexibility, Not Stretching, is the Fastest Way to a Better Golf Swing

It is a simple question yet one that is not... Read More

Golf Training Equipment Can Give You A Competitive Edge

Whether you are just beginning to enjoy the game of... Read More

Golfer? Back Exercise Can Eliminate Back Pain

'Golfer' back exercise is a key part of any golf-specific... Read More

Guide To Buy Used Golf Clubs For Beginner Golfer

If you are just starting out to play golf, you... Read More

The Real Secrets Of Golf

Secrets of golf! Most golfers will do absolutely anything to... Read More

Golf Holiday - Plan Your Holiday Golf or Your Ireland Golf Vacation

Try Ireland for a golf holiday full of emerald green... Read More

Big Trouble

I have chosen four of what I feel are the... Read More

Golf Exercises - Improving Fitness for Power and Consistency

Perhaps one of the biggest changes in the golf world... Read More

Golf Industry Insights

The time and effort for due diligence prior to the... Read More

Golf Stance And Its Physical Requirements

Golf stance is one of the most ignored terms and... Read More

What Causes Golf Back Pain?

Why it that back pain is such a common complaint... Read More

Golf Swing Mechanics Can Be Improved Very Quickly

If you're like most golfers, you're always trying to duplicate... Read More

The Jet-Lagged Golf Swing

The golf travel industry is huge. Destination resorts such as... Read More

Mental Toughness Training for Golfers: How to Conquer Pre-Game Jitters

The first tee shot can often make or break a... Read More

Prepare for the Worst and Play Your Best

It's one thing to get mad when you miss a... Read More

My Golf Disaster

Although I was never picked for sports teams as a... Read More

Sciatica Exercises Alleviate Discomfort For Golfers

If you are fortunate enough to have never experienced sciatica,... Read More

Preparing Your Body For Golf While You Travel

We all know the temptations of traveling? grabbing a slice... Read More

Choosing the Right Golf Balls

You've watched Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson on television ?... Read More

What Hinders You From Hitting Long Drives Will Shock You

Hitting long golf drives is the desire of every golfer... Read More

Making Your Program Golf Specific

"Golf-Specific" means different things to different people. One of the... Read More

Golf Humor Poetry:- Ode to the Fanatical Golfer (Part One)

He wanted golf to be experienced by all, And hoped... Read More

Do You Understand Golf Club Swing Weight

Golf club swing weight. Have you heard that term before?A... Read More

Mental Toughness for Golfers: Avoiding Comfort Zones in Golf

A comfort zone becomes a problem whenever a player is... Read More

Women Golfers Set New Standards For The LPGA

It used to be unusual to turn on the television... Read More

Golf! How To Power That Drive Away

Anyone who tells you, that he or she would not... Read More

The Power of A Golf Training Club

Some golfer's idea of a golf training club is using... Read More

Finish Your Round of Golf with Birdies

All the major tournaments, especially the U.S. Open and the... Read More

Golf Exercise Tip ? How To Warm Up

A useful golf exercise tip to take into consideration is... Read More