Roger Schiffman
Managing Editor
Golf Digest
Here's Ron: Slow play not only can ruin the rhythm of your golf swing and the momentum of a playing a few good holes, it also can be a detriment to your body.
The longer you remain in a resting state, patiently waiting for the group in front of you to clear, the colder and less responsive your muscles get. This is especially true on the back nine when you're already battling fatigue. We all know your mind can go to sleep when you have to wait a long time to hit a shot, but so can your body.
So what can you do to counter long waits? Just as it's smart to eat small snacks two or three times during a round, and just as it's also smart to apply sunscreen two or three times a round, you should prime your muscles whenever there's a long lull in the action.
That doesn't mean doing long-hold stretches while you're waiting. Instead, do several "active"
stretches such as toe touches (hamstrings), mid-back rotations (thoracic
spine), even deep squats (glutes) while holding a club overhead. If you
keep your muscles primed, they will fire when you need them to and keep
your golf swing smooth and controlled.
PGA Champion Keegan Bradley says his big problem is tightness in his hips. Slow play on the PGA Tour is an epidemic, so Bradley says he's constantly stretching his hips to make sure he can make a long and fluid golf swing throughout the round. To see him demonstrate a great mid-round hip stretch, click on the video below.
Ron Kaspriske
Fitness Editor
Golf Digest
PGA Champion Keegan Bradley says his big problem is tightness in his hips. Slow play on the PGA Tour is an epidemic, so Bradley says he's constantly stretching his hips to make sure he can make a long and fluid golf swing throughout the round. To see him demonstrate a great mid-round hip stretch, click on the video below.
Ron Kaspriske
Fitness Editor
Golf Digest
