Improving your golf game through muscle tone and fitness doesn’t mean you have to be a member of a health club.

With just a little creativity and a few minutes a day, you can have a very positive impact on your game with some simple golf exercises.

Here is a quick and easy stretching exercise for your lower back, gluteus area (butt), and hamstrings.

The best part of this stretch is that you can do it while seated right there in front of your computer or your TV.

While seated in your chair with your knees about shoulder width apart, take on foot and pull it back toward you until slightly underneath you or until you bump up against your chair.

Next move your other leg out away from your body in the opposite direction until you have about a 10 degree or so flex in your knee. You don’t need to lock your leg all the way out. Now, with your extended leg, make sure only your heel is on the floor and your toes are pointing upward.

Now with your one hand on each side of your extended leg, slide your hands down toward your extended leg’s ankle.

As you gently descend toward your ankle (remember to keep only your heel on the floor and your toes pointed upward) you should feel the stretching taking place along the back side of your body.

Go slowly. Don’t bounce. Once you get to a point where you can feel the stretch and you aren’t struggling to hold your position, stop there and hold the stretch for about 5 to 8 seconds. Straighten back up for a couple of seconds then repeat this action. Do about 3 sets each for each leg.

This is an excellent golf exercise for the middle part of the body and is especially helpful for those of us that prefer to walk. Many times the act of walking around the golf course will cause the muscles in the lower back to begin to tighten.

This stretching exercise will help alleviate problems with the lower back by increasing the length of these muscles. Increasing the length of these muscles, your back will naturally stay flatter (no reverse ‘c’ or sway back posture) and a lot more pain free.

There are numerous quick easy golf exercises that you can do just about anywhere and anytime. If you do just a little bit of exercise each and everyday you will soon be feeling and seeing the results of your stretching.

As always, if you have any concerns or questions, consult with your physician before exercising.

Play Good Golf!

Jeff O'Brien