Flexibility update
 

Vik,

I've been working on my flexibilty steadily now for 3 months. When I started I measured how far away from the floor my hands were while bending over with feet shoulder width and legs straight.

Believe it or not, I was 17inches from the floor when I started. I'm sure that's the worst case you've ever heard of! :D

I have reduced that to 13 inches. It still feels like I'm a mile from the floor but I'll take the 4 inch improvement.

I am working mostly hamstrings and I guess I need to add in some other muscles that might be limiting my progress. I think my calves are definitely a culprit.

- Trig

Gray Cook
 

Trig,

I would most certainly check out what Gray Cook has to say about correcting this movement pattern in his book Athletic Body In Balance. His website is functionalmovement.com. He will actually be coming out with a functional movement screen specifically for golfers soon. If you can personal message me in 3 months after beginning the program he lays out I would be very suprised if you aren't touching the floor. If you have back problems though, this may be counterproductive according to back expert Stuart McGill, backfitpro.com.

I do have back issues. Specifically bluging/herniated disk in the L3/L4 region. So I purposely limit movements that "open up" the lower back. My stretching does not include bending over and trying to touch the floor....although I'm using that movement as a test measure. All of my hamstring stretching is done sitting on the floor and bending at the hips only, keeping my lower back flat. I use a fitness ball to prop up against while I do this. I can raise the ball off the ground a bit and press my back into it against the couch...then gradually slide my butt closer and closer to the ball and even under it a bit.

I'm by no means an expert, but this does sound better than doing forward bend stretches. As far as McGill is concerned it is likely he would highly recommend stability training. His books are quite amazing.

Matt

How my back got better
 

Due to my back issues I was almost going to quit playing golf in August. Today I'm 99% pain-free by:

1. Getting some good back-work done by a guy who does "qigong anma", which is a traditional Chinese energetic massage technigue.

2. Doing extensive core stengthening three times per week using a fitness ball.

3. Stretching - mainly hip flexors and hamstrings, but I also do overall stuff.

4. Practicing Thai Chi regularly. This is basically slow-motion kung-fu and if done properly is a hell of a work out. It stengthens core muscles and adds flexibility and improves balance. There is also a meditative benefit.

Fantastic, excellent to hear!

Matt