do you stretch before you play?

[kpc2004]

i always stretch my arms a little and my back a little before a round, but today when i had a power drive off hole one, it felt like the tendons and muscles on the bottom of my forearm just above the wrist and below the elbow were on fire and they cramped for a minute or two. i think it was just because it was chilly out and i didnt stretch well. any thoughts?? and what kind of stretching do you guys do before a round?

[ERicJ]

Check this thread: http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showthread.php?t=762&highlight=stretch

[DannyM]

Definately stretch before...no matter what time of year!!!

[solomon.trenton]

i like to stretch by practice throwing a few times before i throw for real. this loosens up almost al of what i regularly use for muscle wise.

[thatguy]

Always! Stretching is a must before play, it reduces risk of injury and you play much better and get warmed up faster! I make sure to stretch my arms, pecs, and back before any long throws.

[_.-Dut-._]

Ive never stretched before play...not saying you shouldnt, but I never have.

[DWill]

Yes, I concentrate more on my arms, back and hips. Don't really stretch my legs, but I guess it couldn't hurt.

[D.W.G.]

I try, but I usually don't... By the time I start playing, I have walked 8-20 blocks, and just want to get started...

[dangitboy]

Stretch out for sure, hamstrings, groin, calfs, back, neck, shoulders and triceps. Not too much though you can overstretch.

Equally important, but often overlooked, is warming up. No, not emptying your bag on hole 1. I mean light cardiovascular warmup to get blood flowing to your muscles. Maybe just walk real fast through the first 3-4 holes.

After you have stretched and warmed up, I suggest using a small golf towel to warm up to a throwing motion. Do this by simply holding one end of the towel and then make your golf swing while holding on to the towel. The towel will create enough resistance to give you a warm up. Kinda like a baseball player's batting weight. Try it out! Hope this helps someone. ( I learned it from Ron Russell )

[magictenor1]

I don't normally stretch before playing. I stretch as a part of my normal workout at the gym. If I have been active already I don't usually feel the need.

[D.W.G.]

I used to go out with a gal that did massage, and she tells me that I should stretch AFTER I get done playing, as well as before...

[landon77]

i always stretch, otherwise i play poor and my muscles ache twice as much after playing.

[lewisville150]

I lways stretch before a round - hamstrings, quads (the muscles - not the straps), torso, shoulders especially.

[Woodpecker]

I'm an ol' fart, 58, with arthritic knees, elbows and shoulders. I can tell you from experience, the older you get, the more you had better stretch before playing.

I always go through a stretching routine on the first tee box. My friends call me Rice Krispies, a nickname which hasn't stuck yet (thank God), because when I stretch, it sounds like snap, crackle, pop.

I got to my first big tourney late. I had to sweet talk the young lady who was taking registation into letting me play. I went to my first hole and threw my drive without warming up. Felt like someone stuck a knife in my shoulder and ripped it all the way down my arm. Throwing with pulled muscles the rest of the tourney was no fun and my scorecard showed it.

You youngsters can get away without it but us ol' farts gotta do it!

Woodpecker

[soladeos]

pushin' 40. if i forget, i hurt the next day.

[Jimb]

i always stretch my arms a little and my back a little before a round, but today when i had a power drive off hole one, it felt like the tendons and muscles on the bottom of my forearm just above the wrist and below the elbow were on fire and they cramped for a minute or two. i think it was just because it was chilly out and i didnt stretch well. any thoughts?? and what kind of stretching do you guys do before a round?

I always stretch before and especially after a round. At the beginning of a round or practice session I do start out slowly without throwing at 100%. But I found that for my 41 year old body that stretching out afterwards is just as, if not more important, for me.

And as far as the cramp between the elbow and wrist... I HATE THAT!!!! Every once in a while that happens to me too. I don't have any idea why it happens as I haven't found a common denominator yet. I just know that it bites!!!

[ShaZaun]

I currently don't stretch but after reading these post I just might start......

[buzzinb]

I'm in the geezer club too. Light stretching before and after is crucial. Even after stretching I still have to build up gradually before I throw full force. When I'm playing solo, I will often play the first 4-6holes as a warm up and then go back and start my round.

[sidewinder22]

Stretch!!! I threw out my neck last week while practice driving after I did 18 holes. I even stretched before, but should have stretched my neck out. Stretching/warming up reduces your chance of injury a lot.

[Aaron D'Angelo]

I think it is very important to stretch out both before and after. I normally do a little before but tend to forget and not after the rounds are up. :(

[scarpfish]

I know DG is advertised as a low impact workout, but the truth is that you use a lot more of your body than you think you do. If I don't stretch before a round, the results show, particularly if its cold out.

[Jungle Tim]

stretching actually makes you play better/more consistantly.

If you are warmed up our muscles get tight (stretched) at the same point every time in your swing. If you are not warmed up and stretched, they will be tight earlier into the swing, hampering your movemement. This can cause pulled shots, grip lock, and early releases, as you get to grips with your early tightening muscles, they will loosen up (that hole 4 feeling) and you will again have a lack of predictability as to when your muscles tighten and relax.

so warm up and throw better.

[zoox]

no but i should dammit. my shoulder already pops when i rotate it. i just never remember to stretch.

[Fore]

When I was younger I hardly ever stretched. Now as I am getting older I focused more on it. I noticed that I didn't play as well afterwards. I stretch more now but I don't do a full routine before a round. I will do a light stretching to loosen up then either putt for awhile or toss a putter with a friend. After I get done with the round I stretch again and then hop in the shower.

[Cradical]

I personally never ever stretch before a round, but I suppose that's because I'm only 19. Although, on the flip side, I usually bike to the course when I play, or run there. Either way is a good way to get the blood flowing. Only problem is controlling your first drive.
Anyway, I think that I should start stretching, just because I've seen enough people throw out their arms on the first throw, and yes, even some 20 year olds have done this.

[Disc Dog]

i always stretch my arms a little and my back a little before a round, but today when i had a power drive off hole one, it felt like the tendons and muscles on the bottom of my forearm just above the wrist and below the elbow were on fire and they cramped for a minute or two. i think it was just because it was chilly out and i didn't stretch well. any thoughts?? and what kind of stretching do you guys do before a round?

I always do. Especially my shoulders and lower back. I used to be very flexible after years of sports activity. But age and several inactive years I really tightened up. I use it as the initial part of my pre-game warm-up. It does make a difference, even if it is only mental, because I feel more comfortable and relaxed after stretching.

[leppard]

I have to stretch. Basically I try to loosen up everything. And then throw several easy drives.

[Frank Delicious]

I stretch every day even if I am not playing disc. It is just a good idea.

[humchris85]

Every time. If I don't by the middle of the round I'll fell like s***. My game quickly goes down after that.

[culinarywiz]

Stretching is not optional. It's a must.

[nojjjj]

Ever see a lion limber up before it chases down a gazelle?

[Jimb]

Anyone should limber up before playing... but I'm 42 so I have to. If I don't, I get really sore. And I stretch more after I play than before. It really helps me out a lot.

[sloppydisc]

Strectching when cold is bad. Stretching when properly warmed up is real good.

[Jimb]

Strectching when cold is bad. Stretching when properly warmed up is real good.

:thmbup:

[JMONEY]

I stretch before playing a round it makes a world of difference especially at my age, unfortunately I didn't stretch the other day before I went outside to putt and came walking in through the door hunched over, I couldn't believe it!

[sloppydisc]

Take a cold piece of steak from the fridge and pull it from each end. That is your muscle fibers tearing. Stretching cold muscles is not good. Sweat first. Stretch after. Good.