| Professional golfers know how important golf | | | | for stretching hamstrings and spine. |
| stretching exercises are to improving their game. A | | | | The Saw: Find a bench. Sit with your legs extended in |
| fitness routine gaining popularity within the professional | | | | front of you, just wider than hips width apart. Arms are |
| sport of golf; Pilate's now can help the average golfer | | | | lifted shoulder height to the side. Inhale and twist your |
| improve their handicap simply by doing some gentle | | | | body to the right keeping your bottom squarely on the |
| lower back stretches. | | | | bench. |
| Pilate's emphasizes building strength, flexibility, posture, | | | | Exhale and round forward reaching the back of your |
| balance, and coordination. These are all strengths that | | | | left hand past the pinky toe of your right foot. Inhale |
| any golfer requires in order to increase his level of | | | | rollback up, exhale and return center. Repeat to the left |
| golfing success, plus Pilate's golf stretching exercises | | | | and then repeat three more sets. Warms up |
| add energy and stamina. Stretching exercises are the | | | | hamstrings and spinal rotation. |
| key. | | | | Mermaid Stretch: Find a bench and sit on the front |
| Injuries are part of the game and a professional golfer | | | | edge with your feet firmly on the ground and hips |
| needs to be physically fit to keep up with the | | | | width apart. Inhale raise your right arm straight up to |
| competition. Most golfers at one time or another | | | | the sky, exhale and bend to the left, reaching out of |
| experience lower back pain and stiffness due to the | | | | the fingertips. Inhale to stay, exhale return to center. |
| amount of force they need to make a full swing with | | | | Make sure to keep your bottom squarely on the chair |
| their club. Golf stretching exercises are the key to | | | | and your spine upright. Repeat both sides three times |
| avoiding lower back pain injuries especially if you are a | | | | through. Stretches the sides of your waist and ribcage. |
| weekend golfer and may be a little de-conditioned. | | | | Golf Swing Stretch: Stand with your feet in a wide |
| Next time you tee up to play golf, Pilate's simple golf | | | | stance. Lean forward and with straight arms place |
| stretching exercises may be the answer. Take 10 | | | | your hands together in a prayer position, fingertips |
| minutes before that practice swing. These stretches | | | | facing the ground. Inhale to swing the arms up and to |
| work the hamstrings, spine rotation, waist, ribcage and | | | | the right as if you were going to hit the ball, exhale and |
| legs and are all good lower back stretches as well. | | | | swing them all the way up and to the left. Keep your |
| Try these Free Golf Stretching Exercises | | | | gaze down at the imaginary golf ball and keep your |
| Wall Roll Down: Stand with your lower back firmly | | | | feet planted. Repeat three times starting with the inhale |
| against a wall, your feet a foot away from the wall, | | | | to the right, and three times starting with the inhale to |
| knees slightly bent. Inhale to prepare, exhale to drop | | | | the left. Warms up spinal rotation and legs. |
| your chin towards your chest and roll your spine off | | | | Club Rotation: Stand with your golf club resting over |
| the wall one vertebrae at a time until your arms and | | | | across the back of your shoulders and your hands |
| head are hanging down over your hips and you have | | | | holding either end. Repeat the Golf Swing Stretch listed |
| reached a point of resistance. | | | | above. |
| Inhale to stay, exhale to roll back up the wall making | | | | So next weekend when you're out on the course |
| sure each part of your spine makes contact with the | | | | playing you're 18 holes of golf, Pilate's golf stretching |
| wall. Use your abdominals! Repeat three times. Good | | | | exercises just might be the perfect match play. |