Golf and Yoga

GolfSpy_APH · February 17

So I am new to yoga... my wife and I tried to make it a routine but kids decided to make that tricky. I am interested in getting into it a doing some at home programs, but am curious for those who do it already. Does it help with your daily routine or anything? Does it have a positive effect on your golf?

Let me know!

Dead Solid Bogey · February 17

Not yoga, but I have used mainly at work a very, very basic form of Tai Chi for nearly 40 years. Though it might be hard to tell by looking at me, I firmly believe it has helped in flexibility and agility throughout the years. Bonus gift, it has helped my frame of mind as to not actually commit any violence towards co-workers or subordinates.

taylorjonasher · February 17

I love doing yoga (I am going to get in 30 minutes of it today). I think it helps with the golf swing as core strength, flexibility, body awareness, and balance are transferable skills. I have not done a full "flow", but I watch Yoga with Adriene on YT. She's easy to follow (and look at), and has something like 600 videos to pick from. I typically stick to the spine and hip mobility sessions, which have many to choose from. https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene The biggest challenge for me is trying to do it without my kids interrupting.

BStheTech · February 17

Before I retired my employer brought in a therapeutic yoga instructor weekly. She was amazing and I found it helped with core strength and flexibility if followed at home. This was before I was golfing but I don’t see how it wouldn’t be beneficial, especially as you age.

Josh Parker · February 17

1 hour ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

So I am new to yoga... my wife and I tried to make it a routine but kids decided to make that tricky. I am interested in getting into it a doing some at home programs, but am curious for those who do it already. Does it help with your daily routine or anything? Does it have a positive effect on your golf?

Let me know!

I will say 110% yes to all questions!

I have a bad lower back that can get tight quick and have been doing stretching and yoga for a while now and it has made a world of difference. Has helped with rotation in my swing and just overall made me feel better. I don't wake up hurting like I have for years.

alfriday101 · February 17

I start most days with a 10 minute yoga session that also includes the McGill 3. I highly recommend it to all golfers. I'm 65 and I am more flexible (and less injury prone) now than in my 30s. It definitely helps with golf--a stronger core, bigger turn and a lot less soreness after a round.

I also will do longer sessions a couple of times a week to work on specific areas of tightness.

The past year I have been doing parts of my yoga routine on a vibration plate. It ups the stretching/strengthening to 11. The vibration plate especially helps hit hard to stretch areas like the psoas and illiacis, and for me, the upper back (between the shoulder blades).

GaryF · February 17

I have lower back issues (spondylolithesis at l4/l5, stenosis, and other bulging discs) and several years ago took a series of classes called yoga for golfers. I also do workouts to strengthen the core and hamstrings among other things and maintain flexibility.

I do 15-20 minutes of yoga before going to range or play a round. They are easy and effective. I often spread the yoga exercises over the course of 30-40 minutes while doing other things to get ready. It absolutely helps. By the time I get to the range, I have full flexibility, so I can focus on each warmup shot. Most of my friends do zero exercise before getting to the range. I don’t say anything, but sometimes it’s laughable. There are many forms of exercise and stretching, but yoga works for me.

Parshooter36 · February 17

I do DDPY. Any old WCW wrestling fan will remember Diamond Dallas Page. After he retired from wresting he started a yoga program that I've been doing off and on for a few years now. I mainly started doing it because of my lower back, so every morning I do stretches from his program that focus on the lower back. I made it through the whole golf season last year without my back going out, so I am a believer.

cksurfdude · February 18

5 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Does it help with your daily routine or anything? Does it have a positive effect on your golf?

Yes, and absolutely unquestionably yes!

Like others I've suffered from various back issues over the years and adding yoga to my other stretching and exercising (along with chiro and acupuncture) has really helped.

Years ago I'd bought an illustrated guide book to yoga but only really looked into it more recently. I started with the most basic flow and since have added in a few more moves targeting back and hips (that have been recommended by my PT or Chiro or I've seen in a golf mag or website, etc.)

Also the article by the golfer formerly known as jnoble has some great mobility exercises that complement yoga.

The important thing, imho, is to.. (1) get started with a short, basic routine and (2) do it regularly. You WILL see the benefits!!

WaffleHouseTour · February 18

Like all the above - love yoga and find it to be very beneficial. I specifically took it up to help w mobility and flexibility in my golf game. But today I’d keep doing it even if I was told I could never golf again. Good for the body and mind.

one suggestion - while I know there are a million videos on line, find a class and instructor. A good one will give you subtle cues in class that make all the difference. And don’t worry if you feel like you don’t know what you are doing, or can’t get into a pose. A) no one cares, B) everyone was there once.

Depending on where you live, you can often find classes on the MindBody or Momence apps. Look for a beginner class but don’t be afraid to jump into an intermediate flow.

my personal favorite is Astanga (half primary series) it’s the same flow every time. Very meditative because you know where you are going. Builds core strength and some heat. I also love a hot class, but I know that’s not for everyone. I also like a good yin class in the evening.

ZackS · February 19

I can’t say I do yoga but there are some yoga moves I do as a stretching routine. Which I really need to do more of. I have always taken flexibility for granted having it pretty naturally but have been realizing how much I am loosing now. Been trying to do it more but haven’t made it a routine yet. But I think yoga is great for golf as it mixes stretching and stability strengthening.

russtopherb · February 19

I do 10-15 mins of yoga every morning. It started to help my back feel better but I can say with absolute confidence it’s helped strengthen my core and made me more flexible overall when it comes to golf. I highly recommend it.

Wayne Kivi · February 19

I have numerous back issues with strenuous, protruding discs, and spondilitis. My back was tightening up so badly that I almost had to give up the game in spite of my daily stretching routines. I started taking a Liposomal Tumereric (Synchro) daily which has really quieted down the inflammation and got me back on the course. I'm 83 y/o and shot my age last week. I'm now in a golf performance program with an emphasis on avoiding injuries sponsored by my local healthcare group and TPI. I'm also curious about the benefits of Yoga.

trike11 · February 21

I do yoga once or twice a week, a full class at a local studio. It's a game changer in my opinion.

tony@CIC · February 21

I believe yoga has a big impact on mobility and flexibility. While I've attended a couple of classes, I found it's easier to do the various exercises at home, especially since I need to do them after a workout or 18 holes. I do the stretching exercises found in "Yoga For Golfers - Katherine Roberts" dvd series. She is also on youtube, however, it's just easier for me to scroll the DVD.