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Shoulder stability is essential to packing a
powerful golf swing. Without stability,
flexibility and strength in your shoulders
your swing is not going to be as efficient or
effective as it could be. In fact, you can
wind up with shoulder injuries that not only
hurt your swing, but literally hurt your
shoulders.
There are a number of things that can
contribute to rotator cuff (the muscles in
your shoulders that allow for circular motion)
problems, but Brian Schiff, a licensed
physical therapist specializing in sports
medicine, sees three main contributors: poor
posture, flexibility issues, and a decreased
level of muscular strength and
endurance. “People just aren’t conditioned to
do the things that we want to go out and do on
a regular basis,” Brian says. “And, with a
sport like golf, it’s such a repetitive
action. A person that doesn’t do any physical
activity, and then goes out and plays a few
rounds in the spring, they’re very vulnerable
to certain flare-ups and injuries.” While this
scenario may apply to more recreational
golfers, what about athletic junior golfers
and the repetitive stress placed on their
shoulders week after week of competitive play?
You can combat this issue by incorporating
shoulder exercises into your fitness routine.
By working your shoulders off the course, they
will provide you with the stability and
flexibility you need to improve your
swing.
 One exercise you can try to improve
your shoulder stability is to lie on the floor
on your stomach. Pull your shoulder blades
back and extend your arms to the side with
your thumbs pointing up and towards the
ceiling. Continue retracting (pulling back)
your shoulder blades until your upper body is
lifted up and a “T” is formed with your
extended arms. Perform this shoulder lift
several times.
A similar exercise to improve shoulder
stability can be performed with a Swiss ball.
Lie facedown over the top of the ball with
your abs in the middle of the ball. Your chest
should be off the ball and your feet are on
the toes. Lift your arms above your head with
your hands clinched and thumbs up. Extend your
arms up and out as far as you can comfortably
(forming a “Y” at the top). Perform this
exercise several times.
These shoulder exercises will improve
stability and, in turn, your swing.
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