Is More Flexibility Better?
For many amateur golfers, improving flexibility and range of motion could create opportunities to improve their swing. But, as with most things in golf, it isn’t quite that simple.
More flexibility isn’t necessarily better. There is probably a “sweet spot” for each golfer, depending on their swing, physical capabilities and how much of their available range of motion they actually use.
For example, if you are looking to make a bigger backswing, improving your range of motion around the hips, trunk and shoulders could potentially allow you to make a longer backswing.
A longer swing could give you the opportunity to generate more clubhead speed. It could also give you more options if you are working on changing your swing, simply because you have access to movements and positions that you didn’t previously have.
But just because you improve your flexibility doesn’t mean that it will automatically show up in your golf swing. Golfers use varying amounts of their available range of motion. You might have plenty of hip or trunk rotation available when you are standing still, but only use a portion of it when you actually swing a golf club.
This is one reason why simply stretching more isn’t necessarily the answer. If you gain range of motion, you also need the strength and control to use that range effectively. This is where the concept of mobility becomes important.
Mobility is essentially having usable range of motion, not just being able to get into a position, but being able to control that position and produce force from it.
You might also have heard that being more flexible can reduce your risk of golf-related injuries. The research doesn’t really support the idea that simply having greater flexibility automatically reduces injury risk. However, I think there is more nuance to this.
If you use a large proportion of your available range of motion during your swing, you may place different demands on your body compared with someone who uses relatively little of their available range.
Likewise, if you have plenty of flexibility but lack the strength and control to safely move at the end of that range, simply gaining more flexibility may not be particularly useful and could create another problem.
For many amateur golfers, improving mobility around the hips, thoracic spine and shoulders can create more options. It may allow you to make a bigger backswing, change your movement pattern, access different positions and potentially create more clubhead speed.
It’s similar to having a bigger toolbox. Having more tools doesn’t mean you have to use all of them. But having access to more options gives you a greater opportunity to find the right movement that works best for you.
That’s why I think flexibility and mobility can be valuable for all golfers, not because more is always better, but because having the right amount of usable range of motion can give you more options.
This is why I have a whole playlist on Youtube with many videos aimed at improving flexibility and mobility for golfers, which doesn't just include stretches, but strengthening exercises too.
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