Warming up vs. stretching: What's the difference and how can it help your golf game?

Writer: RACHEL BLEIER | Outlet: Golf

Original Post: https://golf.com/instruction/fitness/warm-up-vs-stretching-difference-help-golf-game/

 

You don’t have to get in a full workout like some of the pros, but getting a proper warmup is crucial to playing well on the course. That’s because stretching a cold muscle can result in pulling or straining it, which is the opposite of how you should be feeling before a round of golf. 

 

So what’s the difference between warming up and stretching?

 

The goal of warming up is to elevate your heart rate and get your blood flowing, which increases your body’s core temperature whereas stretching is used to loosen your muscles and increase your range of motion. 

 

Warming up properly before you stretch or swing a club is pretty easy. You can do something as simple as making a few slow-motion golf swings, taking a brisk walk, or doing a few squats and lunges — anything that gets your heart rate up and your body moving through a complete range of motion.