Most golfers know that if your address posture is poor then there is a strong possibility that your golf swing will have some flaws. In fact, most golf pros rate posture at address as one of the most important elements of a good golf swing.

Consequently, it is important to be aware of the physical tools needed to achieve a good posture.

Many golfers that we work with have tight hamstrings. The hamstrings are the muscles behind the thighs that start from the hips and attach down below the knees.

The primary function of the hamstrings is to bend the knee during activities like walking and running, but they also control how much your pelvis and spine can bend forward during the address position.

The Swing & Body Connection - Golf Tips Magazine — C-Posture

If the hamstrings are too tight, you will not be able to bend forward enough from the hips. This can cause you to address the ball with your spine overly rounded (C-Posture).

Therefore, if you know you have tight hamstrings, try the following hamstring stretch so you can achieve the ideal posture at address and minimize many of the full swing flaws that might be influenced by your current posture.

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.

Come In and See Us

Want to take your golf to the next level? Our FitGolf® Trainers are experts at working one-on-one with you to tailor a training program to meet the specific needs of your body and help you achieve the results you are hoping to see in your golf.

Want More Resources?

Looking for more exercise resources, blog posts or monthly golf-specific exercise content sent straight to your inbox?

Is Your Posture Hamstrung

Most every golfer knows that if your address posture is poor then there is a strong possibility that your golf swing will have some flaws as well. In fact, most golf pros rate posture at address as one of the most important elements of a good golf swing. Consequently, it is very important to be aware of the physical characteristics required to achieve a good golf posture at address.

One of the big muscles of the body that becomes tight in most golfers are the hamstrings. They are the muscles behind the thighs that start from the hips and attach down below the knees.The primary purpose for the hamstrings is to bend the knees during activities like walking and running but they also have a function of controlling how much your pelvis and spine can bend forward during the address position. If the hamstrings are too tight, you will not be able to bend forward enough from the hips. This can then either cause you to address the ball with your knees too straight (see picture #1) or your spine overly rounded (see picture #2).

If you know you have tight hamstrings or if you know your posture at address looks like one of the examples above, try the following hamstring stretch so you can achieve the ideal posture at address (see picture#3) and minimize many of the full swing flaws that might be influenced by your current posture.

Hamstring Stretch

To begin the hamstring stretch, find a corner of a wall in your home where you can lay down and place your right foot up against the wall and your left leg flat on the floor (see picture #4). Position yourself appropriately before beginning the stretch by placing a small towel roll under your lower back for support and choose a distance from the wall that will not create an excessive, painful amount of stretch to the back of your leg when you reach your leg up the wall.

Begin the stretch by gently contracting your lower abdominal muscles to flatten your lower back into the towel roll, gently squeeze your right thigh muscle to comfortably straighten your right knee and bend your right ankle down toward you so you feel a gentle stretch in your right calf. If your are properly positioned away from the wall, this stretch will create a comfortable pulling, stretching sensation to the back of your knee, upper and lower leg in the hamstring and calf muscles. If you feel too much stretch, move farther from the wall and try again. If you don’t feel enough stretch then move closer. When you have found the right distance from the wall then hold the stretch position for 3-5 minutes or until a complete release of the stretch feeling has been accomplished. Then switch legs and repeat the stretch.

You can advance the stretch when you are ready by gradually moving closer to the wall and sliding your leg farther up the wall. Try this exercise at least 3 days per week for 2-3 weeks and you should begin to notice a big difference in your ability to achieve good posture and enjoy the results of a much better swing.

Come In and See Us

Want More Resources?

Looking for more exercise resources, blog posts or monthly golf-specific exercise content sent straight to your inbox?

Is Your Posture Hamstrung?

Come In and See Us

Want More Resources?

1 Comment