Joint Mobility For Golf

Joint mobility is a very new concept inside the golfing world, and is normally mistaken with flexibility and stretching. There are more than a few elements stretching when it comes to certain joint mobility drills, but those tend to be side effects of the movements.

What is joint mobility?

Joint mobility is the pursuit of joint health through movement. As we get older the cartilage inside our joints start to degrade, as a result our ability to move them within a full range of motion and with ease decreases. Arthritis and joint degeneration are common side effects of lack of mobility. Your joints that allow movement are lined with cartilage. This cartilage is what protects the joints and allows shock absorption throughout the activity. Your body secretes a fluid called Synovial Fluid, think of it as WD40 for your knees. Synovial fluid carries oxygen and nutrients to the cartilage and lubricates the joint. These joints are called Synovial Joints.

As we grow older, our joints become a dumping ground for all sorts of toxins. This may easily create degenerative joint disease. The most efficient way to stay away from these complications, and develop better range of motion, to lessen risk of injury in your game is to do joint mobility drills. These drills will help stimulate the release of Synovial Fluid and keep the cartilage free of contaminates. Once doing joint mobility drills, you need to make use of your muscles. As soon as you make use of your muscles you enhance the amount of blood flow to them. Simply put, this increases the temperature and makes them more pliable and less prone to injury. It also energizes the nerves attached to the muscle, prepping them for movement.

Try using these following golf swing drills, focus on keeping the movements smooth and keeping a good erect posture.

Neck Rotations OSlowly turn your head to the left then the right OSlowly tuck your chin down then tilt you head up OSlowly tilt your head from side to side trying to touch your ear to your shoulder

Shoulder Circles OBegin the exercise by shrugging your shoulders up then back, down, forward then up, continue OMaking large circles then reverse the motion.

Hula Hoop OStance should be hip shoulder width apart OPlace your hands on your hips OBegin to rotate your hips in a circular fashion OBe sure to keep your shoulders stationary OKnees can be locked or unlocked

Spine Twisters OBegin with your feet shoulder width apart OStart to twist your torso to the right allowing your arms to swing loose and freely OTwist in the other direction, allowing your arms to bend naturally and tap your lower back