Alpha Golf

All golfers should do some basic stretches before teeing off. Here are 5 of my favorites that can all be done right on the course.

1. Back stretch

Keep your feet a little apart. Place your hands on a vertical club or the back of a chair. Grasp it with both hands so you have a firm grip. Keep your spine straight. Now move your body to the right and hold for 15 seconds. Repeat this process to the left.

2. Trunk rotation stretch

Stand straight with your arms at a 90 degree angle at your elbows. Place your feet slightly apart. First keep your back straight and bend forward. Hold for 15 seconds. Now get into a backswing position by bending to the side. This helps with upper body rotation so you can pivot better during your golf swing.

3. Shoulder muscle stretch

Stand straight with your feet apart and hold your right elbow with your left hand. Gently pull your right hand across your body in the left hand direction. Hold for 30 seconds. Repeat the process with your left hand. You can also try crossing your arms while holding a golf club. Remember to keep your feet together as shown in the picture.

4. Wrist stretch
Stretch out your right hand and turn your palm towards the ground. Keep the elbow absolutely straight. Now with your left hand hold the top of your fingers and gently draw the wrist up. You will easily feel the stretch in your right wrist. Repeat the process with your left hand wrist.

5. Calf stretch
You can either steady yourself by standing in front of a wall or just use a golf club for support. Keep your feet pointed in front and firmly placed on the ground. Place your left foot back with the heel on the ground as shown in the picture. Now bend your right knee till you can experience the stretch in your left leg. Repeat this process with the right leg.

With these stretches your body will be well prepared to take on the greens. It’s important to stretch before the round, while on the course and also after the round. Post-round exercise will prevent lactic acid build up in the lower lower back and hips.

Concentrate on your area of weakness to improve technique, consistency and strength. Flexibility is a key ingredient to your swing mechanics. What are some of your routine stretches and exercises for golf?

Your putter is the most used club in your bag. Each hole requires your putter at least once (and for most of us twice, if not more!). Let’s take a closer look at the variations and classifications available.

Based on shaft length:

If your aim is to produce quality puts then it’s important to get the right putter length for your height. The minimum length limit is set at 18 inches but the maximum length is your decision.

Standard length- This 33 to 36 inch putter lets your arms hang down and gives you that famous pendulum swing to get the ball rolling towards the cup.

Belly length- This 41-46 inch putter offers three points of contact. It allows you to anchor the putter against your body. Although this putter requires a little more practise, it is easier on the wrist.

Long putters - Ranging between 48 and 52 inches, the long putter is also called the broom-handle for obvious reasons! Normally used by experts, this putter requires a completely different kind of grip. It can be rested near the chin, chest or at the belly button.

Based on design:

Blade - this traditional design features a small head and a flat look and is suitable for most greens. These are ideal for golfers who have a straight putting stroke.

Peripheral weighted - this putter is not face balanced and thus is ideal for golfers with an in to out stroke. It offers more head than the standard blade putter and is used by both amateurs and experts alike.

Mallets - Bigger sized and heavier, the mallets are face balanced and offers a soft hit although the head is large. It helps reduce backspin and would be great for a straight through.

Based on putter faces:

Your putter face material would largely depend on the speed of the greens and the ball that you have selected.

Metal faced - Apart from traditional steel other materials like bronze, copper, brass, aluminium, titanium and zinc are also used. A metal face putter gives you noise feedback so you can actually hear the ‘connection’!

Insert faced - This variety of metal putters has a non-metal insert to ensure a smoother roll and a softer feel. It offers a wide area for pure strikes as weight is added to the toe and the heel.

Groove faced - Missed putts result when the ball skids, slides, hops or spins upon impact. This can be avoided when grooves are placed on the putter face. The ball is gripped by the groves and is lifted so it is ready to roll.

Other classifications:

Putters can also be classified on the bases of shafts and hosels. There are three main varieties- Heel shafted, centre shafted and offset. Further, your choice of putters can be based on the kind of grip that you desire. However, the primary consideration should be your level of comfort. So try a lot of putters, and choose the one that feels the best.

Happy Golfing