3 Golfer's Elbow Stretches

The sport of golf is all about having a smooth, fluid swing in order to properly strike the ball. There are so many factors in play when it comes to perfecting that swing, including tranquility of the mind and flexible body motions. If all those ingredients aren’t there, you’re likely going to hook or slice the ball right into the rough – or worse, you’re in for a nature walk. Of course, there is one thing you can do to make sure your body is adapted to the nature of the sport: stretch like there is no tomorrow!

There is one medical condition, known as golfers elbow (medial epicondylitis), that can significantly impact your swing, especially without doing any sort of stretching. If the condition persists, it can cause severe pain and even numbness in areas such as your elbow, forearm, and wrist. Many golfers have witnessed the end of their careers due to golfers' elbows. Here are three golfers' elbow stretches that will help you stay in the game and improve your scorecard.

Finger Stretch

By far the easiest to do with persistence, the finger stretch is the first in a series of medical epicondylitis stretches that will loosen those muscles and tendons between your hands and your biceps. Simply hold out your dominant hand first, angle your palm upward, grab all your fingers in your dominant hand with your resting hand, then pull down and hold. Repeat the process with your opposite arm.

Wrist Supination and Pronation

Although this particular stretch may sound rather complicated, don’t let words like supination and pronation scare you off. Supination is simply the outward twisting motion of your wrist, whereas pronation refers to the inward motion. With this in mind, wrist supination and pronation stretching is done by gently holding the center of your club with both hands together (knuckles pointing up). You will rotate the club outward first, using both hands, then you will switch to inward movement. Maintaining the steady rotation of the club with those arm muscles will provide a soft workout that can really improve blood flow.

Wrist Flexors

Wrist flexors are the last in a series of stretches that can keep your golfers elbow under control. This involves the basic compression and extension of your arm muscles from your elbow down. All you need to do is sit in a chair with an armrest, position each arm at a 90-degree angle, then pump your fist and pull it up while keeping your elbow grounded to the armrest – as if you are doing a bicep curl with a dumbbell.

Performing these golfers' elbow stretches as often as possible will not only help you maintain your precious swing, but will also make life outside of the links so much easier because you’ll have less pain to deal with on a daily basis. Why suffer as a result of a lifestyle you won’t consider giving up in a million years? Instead, focus on these three golfers' elbow stretches!