fitness friday
Hit it like Rory? Probably not. But you can make a better golf swing with these gym moves
Watch a tour player like Rory McIlroy take the club back and you should clearly see that one of the things he does so well is move his upper body independently of the lower body—and vice versa. It’s crucial to many facets of the swing, notably being able to take the club back fully and put yourself in position to lead with the legs and hips as you start down into the ball.
Many average golfers, especially those 50 and older, lack the ability to let the upper body rotate over a stable lower body, says Lauren McMillin, a Golf Digest Certified Trainer. Instead, everything seems to either sway off the ball together in the backswing or the turn is limited mostly to the arms and club. The typical result is a weak slice or a pulled shot dead left as their swing path is forced into an out-to-in pattern in relation to the target line.
While trying to mimic a pro’s swing might seem unattainable, exercises that promote segmental rotation of the body and improve hip function can really boost your ability to hit the ball farther and straighter. Gym sessions that improve lower-body stability and upper-body mobility at the same time will certainly help, says McMillin, who trains golfers online and in Madison, Miss.
If you want to get rid of that pull or slice or just hit more shots flush, McMillin has assembled five simple exercises you can do virtually anywhere. Grab a golf club and find a cushioned floor and you're good to go. Watch her video below.
And click here if you're interested in knowing more about Golf Digest's Certified Fitness Trainer curriculum.