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Are planks good for golfers?

Author

Sarah Smith

Published Jan 12, 2026

I feel the most beneficial exercise for you to do would be planks. This exercise is designed to establish core stability. It also works a number of other key areas including; glutes, hips, hip flexors, lower back, shoulders, and upper body, which all relate to the golf swing.

What sport is planks good for?

Many professional sports teams, like hockey and football, use the plank as part of their exercise routine because it's so effective at improving strength in a wide area of muscles in the human body.

Are sit ups good for golf?

Just about every golf fitness resource recommends staying away from sit-ups and/or crunches. A golfer needs to protect their spine from unnecessary flexion, and crunches can often increase back pain.

What are the best muscles to work for golf?

PGA Coach Shares How to Optimize Your Golf Workouts

His research indicated that the key lower body muscle group was the gluteus maximus–more famously known as your butt. Additionally, the most important upper body muscles were the pectoralis major (chest), latissimus dorsi (back), core and forearm muscles.

Is the plank pointless?

Fitness experts claim that staying at the top of a push-up builds core, strengthens back muscles, tones the arms and teaches endurance. But one sports scientist suggests that holding the position for any longer than 10 second intervals is pointless.

17 related questions found

Why you should not do planks?

Like many other exercises, if overdone or executed incorrectly, planking could put your health in danger. An article published in The Daily Mail discussed that planking could cause an inflammation to the cartilage that connects a rib to a breastbone, known as costochondritis.

Can you get abs with planks only?

Planks are a decent exercise for your abs, but more importantly, they work all the muscles in your core. They should definitely be part of your routine, but it's unlikely that standard planks alone will get you a six-pack or even a significant amount of muscle hypertrophy.

Are push-ups good for golf?

For golfers, the true benefits of push-ups are that they strengthen the pectoral (chest) muscles and improve stability of soft tissue in the shoulders. The rotator cuff muscles and deltoids play a key role in controlling the positions of the club as you swing, but also in safely stopping the club.

Will squats help golf?

Squats are a great exercise that work different areas of the body, particularly the trunk in keeping an upright position using the back extensors, and also the big powerful muscles of the quads and the gluts, which are really important in the golf swing.

How do I increase my stamina for golf?

CARDIO: Endurance and cardio-specific exercises such as cycling, walking, swimming or running, for about thirty minutes per day should be added to your training regimen. If you are older, just get out and move your legs, take a brisk walk, stay active and you will be able to translate that energy to the golf course.

What exercises help your golf swing?

Here are five at-home exercises to improve your golf game

  • Split Squat: This is a lower-body exercise that works on mobility, stability and strength. ...
  • Deadbug: Deadbugs are a great exercise for strengthening your core. ...
  • Push-ups: ...
  • Pelvic Rotation: ...
  • Full Body Turn:

How do I increase my golf swing speed?

Four ways to boost your swing speed—without sacrificing accuracy

  1. GET THE TOE OF THE CLUBHEAD TO THE BALL FIRST.
  2. MAKE YOUR DRIVES SIZZLE WITH THIS MID-PRACTICE DRILL.
  3. RELAX THE LEAD ARM FOR A TENSION-FREE BACKSWING.

What muscles increase golf swing speed?

The back, neck, shoulder, core and hip muscles are all pivotal in creating a powerful golf swing.

Is a 2 minute plank good?

Stuart McGill (PhD), who is a world-renowned spine biomechanics specialist and is considered a leading authority on core development, says that two minutes is a good goal to shoot for in the standard abdominal plank on your elbows (1).

What happens if you plank everyday for a month?

"A strong core is vital for injury prevention and will massively improve your workouts and ability to move more, too. "Planking is also great for arm, neck, and shoulder strength, as you need to hold your bodyweight.

How long should I hold a plank?

How long should you hold a plank? The world record for holding a plank is more than four hours, but thankfully, you don't need to devote that much time. Most experts suggest anywhere from 10 up to 30 seconds is plenty. “Focus on doing multiple sets of smaller amounts of time,” says L'Italien.

Do golfers lift weights?

When you look at two of the top golf athletes of the past two generations in Tiger Woods and McIlroy, you can quickly see that what they're doing is strength training, lifting heavy weights for a low amount of reps.

Are Strong calves good for golf?

Calf muscles (aka gastrocnemius and soleus muscles), combined with other muscles of the leg, "help you to keep a solid base during the swing, and also are responsible for generating some power through impact, adding swing speed," states Paul Myers in his swingmangolf.com article.

Is playing golf considered exercise?

Health benefits of golf

If you walk 18 holes three to five times a week, you'll get an optimal amount of endurance exercise for your heart. If you pull your clubs or carry them, you'll burn even more calories each round and benefit even more. Playing golf regularly can help you: stay fit.

How far should you hit a 7 iron?

A standard amateur golfer can hit a 7 iron from 128 yards to 158 yards. The lower range will be for women and senior golfers. To hit the ball over 150 yards in total distance with a 7 iron club, an amateur golfer will have to have a good swing and be physically fit.

Should you stretch before golf?

Golf stretches can help prepare you for a day on the course. These golf stretches may help promote a fluid, full golf swing, which can improve your performance. Before you start your golf stretches, you may want to warm up with five to 10 minutes of light activity, such as walking around the practice tee.

Is yoga good for golfers?

If you have problems keeping your balance, yoga practice will provide for a better center of gravity, which is ideal for improving your golf swing. The breathing exercises that go along with yoga can improve your concentration and focus on the game.

Is it better to do a plank on hands or elbows?

Bottom line: A forearm plank will help you target those abs more effectively, but a standard straight-arm plank is better for total-body conditioning. For best overall results, switch it up frequently and add in some dynamic plank movements, as well.

Are planks or sit ups better?

Sit-ups once ruled as the way to tighter abs and a slimmer waistline, while "planks" were merely flooring. Now plank exercises, in which you assume a position and hold it, are the gold standard for working your core, while classic sit-ups and crunches have fallen out of favor.

How often should you do planks?

Plank two to four times a week. Increase your time in increments of five to 10 seconds. Once you can hold your position for more than a minute, progress to a new movement, like reaching overhead while planking.