These preventative steps incorporate a series of golf fitness flexibility and strength exercises. The goal of these exercises is to create the supportive base in terms of flexibility and strength within the musculature of the lower back to support the golf swing.

First and foremost the process by which the lower back becomes injured from golf is quite simple. Each swing of the club requires the golfer to draw the club through a large range of motion, maintain a set spine angle, and generate power. In order to complete these physical tasks correctly a specific level of flexibility and strength is required of the lower back. If the golfer lacks the required flexibility or strength to execute these physical actions the lower back will be stressed more than necessary. This will lead to fatigue and possible injury to the lower back.

Secondly, the golf swing is a repetitive athletic action. The swing is executed over and over again utilizing the same muscles. Over time these muscles become fatigued. Once muscles are fatigued, they can easily become injured. This statement holds true for the lower back as well as all the other muscles of the body incorporated with the swing. To counteract fatigued in the lower back created by the golf swing, it is necessary for one to develop the strength and endurance parameters of these muscles. This result again can be accomplished by the completion of golf specific strength exercises.

Now that we understand the processes by which the lower back becomes injured from the golf swing, we can begin to develop an injury preventative program. As stated previously such a program would incorporate a series of golf specific flexibility and strength exercises.

The flexibility exercises focus on developing the required ranges of motion in the lower back to execute the golf swing efficiently. Exercises I often utilize for this goal are cats, openers, rotators, and windmills. All of these exercises create extensibility in the muscles of the lower back, and if performed consistently will assist in the prevention of injury.

The strength exercises of such a program look to develop strength and endurance in the muscles of the lower back to execute the golf swing over and over again. Prone holds, bent knee back holds, alternating arm and leg extensions, and hip circles are common exercises I implement into this phase of a program.

Remember, the lower back is placed under large amounts of stress each and every swing. To counteract the possibility of injury from the golf swing, we can incorporate a series of golf specific flexibility and strength exercises. These exercises will develop the ranges of motion required for the golf swing, develop the strength necessary to execute the swing, and finally create endurance within these muscles.

By: Sean Cochran
Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly working with professional golfers, most notable PGA and Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. To learn more about Sean Cochran and his golf fitness exercises and training programs go to http://www.seancochran.com

If you're really looking for more consistancy in your golf swing then stretching exercises that are "golf specific" will help your shoulders a lot! These types of fitness stretch exercises are designed to specifically help your back and rotator cuff area.

By stretching these muscle groups on a regular basis you can make big strides in improving your swing.Some of the most common injuries to golfer's occur because of a lack of flexibility in their back. This usually affects the area of the rotator cuff. Injury prevention is another reason why it's so important for you to start some type of golf specific exercise routine right away, if you don't already have one.

Have you ever stood in front of a full length mirror and watched yourself going through your swing motion? It may sound a bit silly, but by going through the motion slowly you can actually feel the muscles that you use while performing this movement. When you get to the top of your rotation try going just a bit further and holding it for ten seconds. Don't hurt yourself or bounce, but hold it just enough to feel a slight discomfort.

Once you've done this on one side, switch sides and do it again. Do both sides twice the same way. You should notice that it's a little bit easier the second time. You should also be able to go a little bit further now that you've warmed up your muscles a bit.

Next, try stretching directly overhead. Get all the way up on the tips of your toes and reach for the sky, holding it for a few seconds. When you come down go ahead and spread your feet more than shoulder width apart and simply bend over and "hang there" loosely.

Do NOT bounce as you could possibly tear a muscle. All that you want to do is hang there and breath deeply while counting to ten by one thousands. One thousand one, one thousand two, ect. Do this a second time. Reach for the sky as far as you can, hold it for a few seconds and relax.

Spread your feet again and bend over forward and hang there while counting. You can go farther the second time, can't you? Now try it with your feet together. This is a bit more rough if you're just starting out, but remember not to bounce, but to just hang there, count to ten and repeat. If you continue this regularly there will come a point in the near future where you'll be able to easily touch your toes without bending your knees. Can you imagine the flexibilty that you'll have when you've achieved this?

Once you've done this you'll feel like a million bucks. I've had some days where my spine will just pop right back into place. It's simply a wonderful feeling and will help your golf swing a lot. If you do this on a regular basis, you'll soon see a marked improvement in your game.

There are many different exercises that are specifically for golf fitness that you might find helpful. I recommend that you either invest in a good book on golf fitness, get with a fitness coach that specializes in golf fitness or, if you have the time and the money, do both.

By: Joe Stewart
Joe Stewart is a sports fanatic that writes articles on different topics that interest him. Would you like to get a 30 minute consultation with one of the countries best known trainers for golf improvement exercises if he was willing to skip his $150.00 an hour fee? You can get more Golf tips by going to http://www.GolfFitnessTips.net or by simply clicking on Exercises Golf Illustrations.

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