Pilates for Your Golf Game

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Pilates for Your Golf Game

May 13, 2014 Dancers Shape

Spring is here and the golf season is upon us. Most of you know that Jennifer trains a variety of professional athletes at the studio (NFL players, Tri-Athletes, Olympic runner, competitive college swimmers) but did you know she also trains a professional golfer? Today she is sharing the benefits of Pilates along with a few exercises to help prepare you for your golf game. Book a private today to improve your golf game!

The golf swing requires power, agility and control. The golfer creates this powerful controlled swing with maximum upper body rotation against minimum lower body rotation. Golf pros refer to this coiled effect as the “X Factor”. A golf-specific Pilates program can help improve a golfer’s “X Factor” by strengthening the core and developing links to the periphery.

Golf stresses the body in unique ways that can lead to acute and chronic injuries of the back, shoulders, elbows, hands and wrists. Many professional golfers on the PGA Tour have been implementing Pilates conditioning programs to help improve their game and prevent injuries. However, in the recreational golf world, many players approach their golf game as their fitness routine which makes them more susceptible to injuries.

The goal of a golf-specific Pilates program is to help improve the relationship between the strength, coordination and flexibility of the body – enhancing your game while preventing common injuries affiliated with the sport.

It is important to note that there is a difference between classical Pilates, which is great for overall conditioning of the spine and joints, and golf-specific Pilates where the exercises mirror functional golf positions relating to various swing phases.

Here are a few important benefits golfers may see with incorporating golf specific Pilates exercises:

Flexibility combined with strength around the hip joints, spine, and shoulders which helps facilitate the transfer of load for a powerful controlled rotation during the swing.
Understanding and maintaining neutral spine when addressing the ball for the most powerful and shock absorption position for the spine – preventing injuries.
Synchronization of the core, periphery, and breath in order to improve rhythm that affects the golf swing.
Improved stability through the ankles and knees to produce power from the ground up supporting efficient biomechanics.
Improved symmetry in the body to counteract imbalances due to the nature of this one-sided sport – imperative for preventing injuries and nagging pain.

Check out this video demonstrating two simple exercises that can help increase spinal rotation and pelvic stability: