The one exercise that can reactivate your golf game
The one exercise that can reactivate your golf game
Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CGFI
The glutes are the king and queen of the golf swing. One movement that I always have my patients perform is the “Bridge”.
To do the bridge properly requires core stability, hip flexibility, and glute strength. All important parts of effective functional movement and something that can add stability in your golf swing.
It’s an easy exercise to do, but can be difficult to perform correctly. Start lying down on your back, bend your knees as much as you can bringing your heels of your feet close to your glutes. Extend your arms and place them on the ground, palms up. Now find your neutral spinal position by arching your back and then rounding your back. Your spinal neutral position is halfway between the two positions. Then engage your core abdominal muscles to maintain that neutral position. Finally, push through your heels to raise your hips up, keeping your back neutral. You don’t want to arch your back as you lift your hips up off the floor. You should be able to raise your hips high enough to maintain a straight line with your shoulders, hips, and knees.
You should feel this exercise working your core and your glutes. If you don’t then your glutes may not be strong enough or your hips may not be flexible enough to perform the exercise correctly. You may be performing this exercise by compensating in your legs or hamstrings.
If this is you, then your glutes and core are not working sufficiently to control the tremendous forces your body goes through during the golf swing. We can evaluate your and find out where your compensations are. The body is about movement, getting from point A to point B, not about muscles. So you may be moving through your golf swing or even your life without any issues, but that doesn’t mean that you’re doing it correctly or efficiently.
Here’s a video to help you get the movement correct:
Bridge – Palms up – Neutral pelvis
If you would like more information, please call Professional Physical Therapy and Training at 973-270-7417. Our offices are located within the YMCA locations in Madison and Summit, NJ. You do not need to be a member of the YMCA to visit with us.