Yoga is an essential practice for many athletes and across sports, including golf. Some of the best golfers, including Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy have been known to practice yoga. The essential skills golfers require such as balance, strength and flexibility all can be conditioned and improved through practicing yoga. Not only does yoga help the physical aspect of your game, it can greatly improve your mental strength, whether it be staying calm after missing an easy putt, or decreasing nervousness before teeing off. Here are five ways that yoga can improve your golf game.
1: Increased mobility:
The transverse plane of motion is the plane of motion involved in twisting movements, such as a golf swing. Yoga has the ability to increase your mobility in this plane of motion. Yoga asanas in the transverse plane of motion increase core stability for a better swing, increases strength of rotating motions, as well as prevents injuries common in golfers such as knee, shoulder and back pain. The following are some asanas that increase mobility in the transverse plane that are beneficial for golfers:
- Table top twists
- Half splits
2: Better balance:
Balance is a crucial part of a golfer’s swing, to increase club control and ensure more accuracy as well as more power. Certain asanas can be practiced to improve your balance. Yoga poses that target balance can be applied to a golf swing, to ensure a swing with better technique, and hence a better shot. The following are some asanas that improve balance:
- Tree Pose
- Eagle Pose
- Chair Pose
- Warrior II Pose
- Corpse Pose
3: More flexibility:
Whilst golf may not look nor feel like a sport where one’s limbs must bend in all directions, the physical exertion of a golf swing requires flexibility in the hips and shoulders to create a harder, faster and stronger swing. Certain asanas that target the flexibility of the hips, shoulders and upper body aim to loosen these areas to allow for a larger range of motion on your swing. Here are some asanas that increase flexibility in the upper body:
- Twisted side angle
- Seated side bend
- Spinal twist
4: More strength:
A fundamental aspect in generating a perfect swing is to exert power into the shot. Strength throughout the body is optimal for a good shot in golf, such as a good base in the legs, and powerful shoulders to hit through the ball. Yoga asanas can help in the development of muscles required in a golf swing, as certain asanas rely on the yogi’s strength. Through the practice of these asanas, your strength can increase and therefore be applied to your game. The following are some asanas to increase strength:
- Locust pose
- Chaturanga
- Downward dog
- Upward dog
5: Improved mental strength:
Golf is an incredibly stressing sport mentally, where nervousness and frustration can easily throw you off your game. Whilst yoga promotes physical wellbeing, its practice can also help your mental strength and emotional management, especially in high pressure situations such as a tight game. Whether you are locked in a tight battle to win, or have just shanked a shot, relaxation and breathing techniques can be used to center yourself again, calm you down and rid you of any of the frustration or anxiety you may be feeling. The following techniques can be applied to your game to calm yourself:
- Bhastrika (Bellows Breath)
- Ujjayi Breathing
The above picture is of Tim and Louise Wilks. They are keen golfers and regular Yogis who have been attending the Hatha classes at Repose Yoga since 2016. With Covid restrictions lifted for golfers here in Victoria, Tim and Louise made the most of their first day playing golf. According to Louise, “So nice to be playing golf again. After Yoga yesterday, we both played well”
Whether you are a professional golfer or a person who plays as a hobby at the golfing clubs in Mount Waverley or the surrounding suburbs of Glen Waverley and Glen Iris, take advantage of our Zoom and in-person studio (soon) classes here at Repose Yoga in Mount Waverley. We teach and practice all the poses outlined above, so join our class to become a better golfer today. Click on the timetable for the range times and classes available for your practice.
Also read the blog >> Restore Mobility with Restorative Yoga Classes