I’m sure most of you have seen foam rollers at your gym, or you may even own one yourself. a foam roller is a tool for Self-Administered Myofascial Release. This is a fancy term for self muscle massage. Foam rolling is a common practice amongst high-level athletes, fitness and health professionals and ordinary fitness enthusiasts. Foam rolling may aid in relaxing tight muscles and increasing joint range of motion.
Will Foam Rolling Help Improve Mobility in Golf?
Research on the effectiveness of foam rolling is still limited. However, there are a few studies that suggest that foam rolling combined with stretching is more effective in improving range of motion than stretching alone.
One study examined the effectiveness of rolling the calf muscles prior to stretching to improve ankle mobility (Read why ankle mobility is important for golfers). The results showed a 9.1% increase in ankle range of motion by combining foam rolling and stretching, compared to just a 6.2% increase with stretching alone.
A different study shows similar results pertaining to the hamstrings (read why hamstring flexibility is important to golfers). The subjects who foam rolled their hamstrings prior to stretching saw greater increases in mobility compared to the subjects who only stretched.
Without a doubt, more research needs to be done to prove the effectiveness of foam rolling. However, by combining both the research available and anecdotal evidence, it appears that foam rolling is worth your time if you need to be a more flexible golfer!
When Should a Foam Roller be Used?
In a stretching routine, foam rolling should be performed right before stretching. You’ll want to spend at least 30 seconds foam rolling the muscle you’ll be stretching. See the videos below to learn foam rolling techniques to help improve your rotation in the golf swing:
If you have any questions about foam rolling, you can contact me directly at [email protected], or leave a comment in the section below!
If you try these exercises and you find them to be too challenging or uncomfortable, do not continue until you have consulted with your physician. All exercises for golf should be customized to your needs after a proper evaluation.