If you want to ruin a good round of golf -- or at best, get off to a poor start -- arrive late and start without stretching. (Courtesy PGA of America)

A limber body can lead to a better golf game

By Karl Fischer,
Contributor

Quick tip: Before teeing off, use your own developed stretching regimen. Oh, right, you don't have one!

Develop one. If you want to ruin a good round of golf -- or at best, get off to a poor start -- arrive late and start highway to fairway. We've all done it. We know the results.

Start by standing with chin tall. Let your arms hang from your shoulders. Raise your forearms with hands up in front of your shoulders, palms and thumbs facing forward. Cradle your 7 iron across your thumbs, qrip pointing to the pin, shaft parallel to your chest.

Now, turn your shoulder and body toward the brace foot until you feel some stretch in your tight hips. Then turn back toward the target foot fully -- belt buckle, chest and chin to the pin. This is finish.

Remember at this fully turned position your brace-foot heel will be released and turned pointing "down the line" behind you. Often golfers think they must keep both feet firmly on the ground at all times. No.

The right brace foot pushes your body -- including hands and the swinging club -- through the ball at impact point to the pin.

Feel the turn.

July 21, 2003

Karl Fischer has spent some 35-plus plus years teaching golf nationally and internationally earning the title of "IGAD-Doctorate," "CIMTP-Certified International Master Teaching Professional," "CMCB-Certified Master Club-Builder" and "CGC-Certified Golf Clinician." He has written six golf books, thousands of editorials, tips, "Bullet-Proof Drills" and much more. He can be reached at KF@555golf.com or by phone at (817) 673-8888.