Do you have tight hamstrings?

Do you have tight hamstrings? You aren't alone. In fact, just a few years ago I could barely reach down and touch my knees! Sitting around in a cubicle, then the car, then watching TV definitely didn't help.

 

And my tight hamstrings effected my golf game, specifically my posture. If I were to take a look at my setup a couple years ago, you will notice that I was very much bent at the knees. This was because my hamstrings were too tight, and I could not actually lengthen them to get into a taller posture. It also prevents a player from being able to get the appropriate hip-hinge at address and maintain it throughout the swing.

 

 

This also plays a major factor in using ground force throughout the swing, and being able to get through the impact position in a strong post position.

 

If you can't touch your toes then this is a major indicator that you'll have some of the same issues in your golf posture and swing. But, we don't want to just try to touch our toes every day, as there are several better exercises to perform that will give us gradual stretching and allow the body to release much easier.

 

Some of my favorite hamstring stretches that I use myself and with clients are:

 

These exercises allow you to ease into a deeper stretch, without putting too much pressure on your body. I find myself using one or many of these stretches during my active warmup sessions before working out or even a range session.

 

Now, just stretching those hamstrings may not be everything you need to eliminate the tightness. Sometimes individuals may have a cause elsewhere in the body, including lower back or even the hip flexors. This is why I always recommend working with a professional to help you identify and apply the best movements for you and your specific situation.

 

If you are interested in working with me you can reach out via email, [email protected], or any of my social channels, @faustygolf. I'll be happy to chat about plans and a plan of action. I always recommend starting with a TPI Physical Screen. If you are interested in learning more, you can check out my blog article "Why you should start with a physical screening", where I detail why it's important and what it actually is.