By David Clay Director of Instruction, Houston National Golf Academy

Unless I have seen a student before for a lesson, I normally have to ask that they do some stretching. Both of the exercises I am giving you here are similar; one with a golf club and one without.

Start without the golf club for the first exercise. A golfer has to be able to turn the left shoulder past the ball on the backswing. At the same time, I want the right knee to remain bent. In front of a mirror, stand at your address position. Put your left hand on your right shoulder, and right hand on your left shoulder. Then with your right knee bent (hands still on shoulders), turn your upper body so that your back is facing the target. Make sure your right knee remains bent. This will help you stretch the tendons in your left shoulder. Now, reverse the drill.

Start with 10 repetitions and increase the number over a week until you can stretch both directions without hurting.

The second drill is to stand in front of a mirror starting in the address position. Weave a club through an arm, across your back, and through the other arm. As you turn your shoulders to the right (left for left-handers), make sure the same knee remains bent until you have a full shoulder turn and feel fully loaded. For your downswing, unwind your body starting with your left heel returning to the ground, followed by your left knee, then left hip, left arm, and then the club. Unwind the torque you have gained in your backswing keeping wound up as long as you can ending facing your target. Make sure the bigger muscles control the smaller muscles.

You want to repeat this exercise 10 times as well.
Be sure to warm up your muscles before you stretch.

Good Golfing,
David Clay