longer drives and iron shots: do plank exercises for core strength

Core strength and stability exercises can improve your golf fitness and reduce the risk of injury. Your core muscles are the centre and foundation of your golf swing and getting a stronger core increases your power and adds distance to your long shots. It also helps you become more stable in your short game so you are more precise and controlled when pitching and chipping onto the green.

I have never thought of myself as a person with a weak core. but when i first started doing planks (which is a very  basic core strenghtening exercise) i really struggled and could hardly hold my bum up. On saturday, it was my first time doing a 7 minute plank and i was quite amazed that i could actually survive the entire 7 minutes without giving up. it wasn't easy but i definitely performed much better than i would have done 6 months ago.

wanna drive longer off the tee? wanna hit longer with your irons?

then try doing planks at least 3 times a week. you should see improvements within a month. you'll feel stronger when you set up to the ball and the backswing becomes more controlled.

if you've never done a plank before, this is how you start

full plank looks like this

1. Balance on your elbows and toes, while keeping your body in a straight line.
-focus on those core muscles (around the tummy area) to make sure you lift your bum up.
**don't arch your back

you can do it sideways to a mirror to check

2.hold for 30seconds
3.repeat 2-3 times

4.slowly build up your strength till you can hold for 1 minute or even 1.5 minutes

if you have difficulty doing the full plank, start out with the half plank instead where you balance on your elbows and knees while keeping your back in a straight line.

you may need to find the right weight distribution so you feel the strain in your core area instead of in your shoulders. i tend to lean forward to balance myself on my shoulders, but that is incorrect, if you are doing that, you might want to try shifting your weight more onto your toes.

a more advanced plank is the side plank

side plank looks like this

1.Lie on your side with elbow and toes on the ground

2.lift yourself up to form a plank with body in a straight line

-make sure your hips are not resting on the ground. 

3.hold for 30 seconds 

check out http://www.ab-core-and-stomach-exercises.com/isometric-exercises-for-stomach.html">ab core and stomach exercises for better images 

don't  miss out on the opportunity to impress your playing partners with your improved drives and iron shots. Read this http://www.nashuaplainfield.k12.ia.us/highschool/ath/golf/prac/fitness/core_flex.pdf">article for more exercises on improving core strength and flexibilitydocument