“But I can’t get my back to the target; I’m just not flexible enough!”You may have said or heard it on the golf range. This is a common belief that many golfers have, particularly those over 50. It can be difficult to get your hips around in time for full back swing. Is it possible?
Yes, there are many cases where we experience limitations in passive movement or flexibility. This can often be at multiple joints of our bodies. It is something that we all see, but what is the real cause of our limitation? Sometimes it’s not. Although most people struggle to get their body in the correct position for everyday activities or golf, it is not because they are weak or cannot move in that way. It is often that our bodies aren’t strong enough or don’t know the proper way to get to that place.
A physical therapist who has worked extensively with golfers as well as other athletes, in many areas of competition, is what I am familiar with. Many people complain they don’t have the flexibility to complete certain tasks. I also work with them. We often find out that these people aren’t as rigid as they think. We can often physically get the client/patient into the preferred position or guide them through the movement they wish to attain, in many cases without any restriction. They may not be strong enough or able to reach the desired position on their own, or they don’t know how to do it correctly. You may also have previous injuries that caused you to modify your movement. Even though they are now healed, it is possible for them to continue compensating. It becomes more about strengthening the person and creating a better movement pattern than simply stretching.
Are you saying stretching will not help the person get their goal? Of course not. In fact, that would be absurd. However, I want to make it clear that stretching one muscle or movement direction is not sufficient. For optimal results we must use flexibility, strengthening techniques, and correct movement patterns. The following is something I heard many times: “if I were just 10 years younger and more flexible, I would be able to swing a club like that,”Oder “I just need to get stretched so I can turn more.”In fact, almost everyone can achieve the age of 65, regardless their age. “back to the target”When they are taught how to balance and what muscles to use to swing, it is easy to position themselves. Their ability to get there is what is important, and not their bodies.
Let’s consider a scenario that all of us have been in. Our mothers have always told us to get up and straighten our shoulders. What did we do then? Then, we would get up and adjust. After that, we’d go back to the poor position as our lives continued. What is the reason for this? Are we not being flexible enough? It was not. Yes. It was not possible for the muscles to maintain that position over long periods of time. You have probably ever tried sitting in perfect posture 5 minutes on a chair. While it may seem impossible to do, this is possible with some practice. It becomes much easier to practice this skill on a consistent basis. Similar results can be expected for your golf swing. While stretching may increase the muscle length, it doesn’t necessarily mean they will be able swing and move like Tiger. You need to instill the right sequence of movements in your child and strengthen them so that they can achieve this position by themselves.
You don’t have to blame your age or lack of mobility for not being able to do it. You may just need some help finding the best way to do it. There is nothing stopping you once you have done that!