By Struan H. Coleman, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine Specialist, Hospital for Special Surgery
Medical Director, Copper Fit
For many golfers, the goal is simple: play more golf, play with less pain, and continue enjoying the game for years to come. Yet as we age, maintaining an efficient golf swing becomes increasingly dependent on one critical factor—mobility.
As an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon, I frequently see golfers who believe they have lost distance, consistency, or power because of age. In reality, many of these changes are the result of declining mobility rather than declining strength.
WHY MOBILITY MATTERS IN THE GOLF SWING
A successful golf swing requires coordinated movement through the spine, hips, shoulders, elbows, and wrists. When mobility decreases in one area, the body often compensates elsewhere. These compensations can lead to swing faults, loss of power, and overuse injuries.
THE TWO AREAS MOST COMMONLY AFFECTED
The Lower Back
The golf swing generates substantial rotational force through the spine. If hip mobility is limited, excessive stress is often transferred to the lower back.
The Elbow
Golfers are prone to repetitive stress injuries around the elbow, including golfer's elbow and tennis elbow.
FIVE WAYS TO IMPROVE GOLF SWING MOBILITY
1. Warm up before every round.
2. Improve hip mobility.
3. Strengthen the core.
4. Maintain thoracic spine mobility.
5. Recover after play.
COPPER FIT GOLF MOBILITY ESSENTIALS
Copper Fit Rapid Relief Back
For golfers who experience occasional lower back discomfort or stiffness, the Copper Fit Rapid Relief Back provides targeted support that can help maintain comfort during practice sessions and rounds of golf.
Copper Fit ICE Elbow Sleeve
The repetitive nature of the golf swing can place considerable stress on the tendons surrounding the elbow. The Copper Fit ICE Elbow Sleeve combines compression and cooling comfort to help support the elbow during activity and recovery.
Best of all, Copper Fit ICE Elbow Sleeves are available at CVS locations nationwide, making them easy to purchase before a round, tournament, golf trip, or practice session.
A SIMPLE PRE-ROUND MOBILITY ROUTINE
• 10 bodyweight squats
• 10 hip circles per side
• 10 trunk rotations
• 10 arm circles forward and backward
• 30-second hamstring stretch per side
• 30-second hip flexor stretch per side
THE BOTTOM LINE
Golf is one of the few sports that can be enjoyed throughout life, but maintaining mobility becomes increasingly important as we age.
A combination of regular stretching, mobility training, core strengthening, and proper support can help golfers maintain performance while reducing the risk of injury.
For golfers looking to stay comfortable on the course, the combination of Copper Fit Rapid Relief Back support and the Copper Fit ICE Elbow Sleeve can help support two of the most commonly stressed areas in the golf swing.
Because when mobility improves, your golf game often improves right along with it.
