7 Reasons to warm up before you play golf

Be honest: Do you warm up before you play golf?

If you're anything like me, the answer is probably not a lot. A quick coffee and a couple of swings in the net is about as much as you'll see me do. 

But just like any other sport, warming up before you play golf is really important.

Here's why. 

Why you should warm up before you play golf

Have you ever jumped out of bed too quickly and felt like your arms and legs aren’t yours?

If your body isn’t ready, it won’t work properly.

And the same is true when you play golf. Your body – and your brain – needs to be warmed up and ready to go before you can play well.

But we’re not just talking about hitting a few balls on the range. A good round of golf starts with a good warm up, and that includes a consistent routine of stretches and exercises too.

Golf is an explosive movement, which results in a lot of force travelling through your body in a very short period of time. A bit like sprinting.

But would you see an athlete hop out of the car, grab a coffee and hit the track? No. They’d warm up – jog, run and stretch – to prepare their body and protect it from injury.

So, what are the main benefits of warming up before your game?

1. Lower your risk of injury
2. Control your swing
3. Improve stability and power
4. Hit the ball harder without overstretching your swing
5. Improve clubhead speed and carry distance
6. Keep your swing on plane (or as close to it as possible!)
7. Improve the role of the pelvis throughout your swing

Warm up to play your best golf

The message is simple: warm up before your game to play your best golf – and keep playing it, injury-free.

So the next time you head to the golf course, give yourself just 30 minutes to warm up.

And if you’re not sure how to stretch properly before your round, you’ll find plenty of ideas and inspiration in Get Fit For Golf. 

What’s your secret to getting your game off to a better start? We want to hear from you. Email [email protected]