Golf Fitness 101: What is the difference between flexibility and mobility?

Learn how stretching and improving active movement come together to impact your physical health and golf game.

Flexibility and mobility are not the same thing. Most people understand that flexibility is the degree to which a muscle can be passively moved through a range of motion—like when stretching. Mobility, on the other hand, is not as commonly understood—despite being more important for your general health and your golf game.

Mobility is the degree to which you can actively move a joint through its range of motion—like during a golf swing. Mobility in the feet, hips, upper back, and shoulders is crucial for a great golf swing. But many people mistakenly rely on stretching to try to increase and maintain mobility, and that alone won’t do it.

To achieve—and maintain—maximum mobility, you need to put your body through a routine that creates an active range of motion. The GOLFFOREVER Mobility and Flexibility Daily Routine combines the most efficient and effective movements in a simple 15-minute exercise routine you can do virtually anywhere. Yes, we’re saying you can maximize your mobility in just 15 minutes a day!

Remember that stretching alone will not improve your flexibility or mobility. Muscles around a joint need to be strong and balanced enough to support the joint while you move to allow it to safely and painlessly move through its full range of motion. If the muscles aren’t strong enough or if they are imbalanced, limited range of motion and/or pain will occur.

By following the proper strength training routines as outlined, for example, you can begin improving both your flexibility AND mobility in the right way. The result will be major improvements in your ability to move more freely and generate more power in your swing.

Key Takeaways:

• Flexibility and mobility are not the same thing.
• For golf and for health, mobility is more important.
• Flexibility = the degree to which a muscle can be passively moved through a range of motion.
• Mobility = the degree to which you can actively move a joint through its range of motion.
• Mobility and flexibility cannot be achieved by just stretching.

Want to learn more? Visit GOLFFOREVER.COM to build flexibility, mobility, strength and more confidence in your game than ever before.

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All GOLFFOREVER content and exercises are presented with the expressed understanding that you should visit a doctor to determine the cause of any pain you may be feeling and in some rare cases that can include cancer, fractures, infection and more. It should also be understood that you are strongly advised to first receive clearance from a physician before following any exercises or advice presented on this site, and that Morning Read and its partner, GOLFFOREVER, are not liable for any injuries that may occur.