The pre-game warm-up is key to your golf game. Think of glass for a moment. If you try to bend cold glass it breaks. Warm it up and it will mold into perfect form. Now take the idea of warm glass and apply it to your shoulders and neck.

Before you step up to tee off, make sure your shoulders and neck are warm and open. Follow these simple instructions.


Inhale and extend your left arm straight up. Bend your left elbow and with your right hand, gently start to slide your left hand down the middle of your back. Take five deep full breaths into your left tricep and left shoulder. If you would like to take the stretch one step further, grab your right arm with your left hand and extend your right arm out to the right.
If it is too much of a stretch, make sure you listen to your body and back off out of the stretch. Take five deep breaths here, then release. Feel how much more space you have opened in your left shoulder. Now try the other side.

Inhale, extend your right arm straight up and bend your right elbow. Gently press your right elbow down with your left hand. Take five deep breaths here. Again, if you would like to intensify the stretch, grab your left arm with your right hand and extend your left arm out to the side. Take another five deep breaths into your shoulder, then release. Feel the opening in your shoulders.

Then, release your neck by gently dropping your chin to your chest. Inhale; roll your right ear to your right shoulder. Exhale; drop your head back and feel your throat open. Inhale; roll your left ear to your left shoulder. Then, release your chin back to your chest. Try this neck roll moving in a circular motion to the left linking your breath with your movements. Gently lift your head to neutral and take a long, deep breath in, then out.

Do these opening stretches anytime throughout your golf game or your day. Your shoulders and neck are open and free. Now step up to the tee, take a deep breath, and drive that ball down the fairway.

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