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You better get hip flexibility that is. I was reading a great article by Chris Ownbey over at http://www.bettergolfwithfitness.com.

You could say that every golf swing has a different tempo, path, plane and angle. Chris talks about the biggest problem that keeps most golfers from achieving the power and distance they want is because of a lack of internal and external hip rotation. The key to distance in golf is generated by early hip rotation.

So now the question is, how do your hips work in the golf swing?
Chris says “For a right handed golfer the right hip needs to be able to rotate properly from take away to the top of the back swing in order to make a proper weight shift to the right side and to get behind the ball. Often times a golfer will compensate by lifting up during the backswing (loss of posture) and then chop down on the downswing.
At impact, and to the follow through position of the golf swing the right handed golfer needs a proper amount of hip rotation in the left hip in order to post or finish properly, if rotation is limited we will often times see a “slide” toward the ball. Both of these swing faults are the effect of the physical limitations which cause the inconsistent shots, and loss of distance.”

Chris provides us with some examples of golf-specific exercises to improve hip flexibility, and add distance to your game.

Seated 90/90

Great stretch which for the hips, lower back, hamstrings, thighs–you’ll find in doing this stretch that it will help wherever you are tightest.

Sit as pictured above with 90 degree angles to hips, knees, and feet, so back calf is parallel to front foot, and front calf is parallel to back thigh and foot (hence the name “90-90″, right angles everywhere.) Two directions of stretch will be out over the front knee (hold for 10 seconds) and then to the side . Then switch to the other leg and repeat. Make sure, however, that instead of rounding over the knee or foot, you press your chest forward and buttocks away, to maximize the stretch for hips and legs rather than lower back.

I can tell you now that I am not as quite as flexible as Chris but I have begun to do these stretches and I do expect to have better hip rotation for the upcoming golf season in a few months. I can’t wait.

Leave a comment below and let me know what you think about these golf exercises.

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