What Muscles Are Involved in a Golf Swing?

The core muscles are essential to any athletic movement, including the golf swing. The core is the base of the golf swing because it stabilizes the entire body throughout the swing. It is important to have a strong and flexible core to complete a full turn back and into the ball. Strengthening the core can be done with simple back and abdominal exercises.

The upper back muscles are important because they control the back swing and follow through of the club. Having a tight upper back can lead to a a shorter, less uniform back swing and the inability to follow through the ball. Proper stretching will help to avoid this problem and give the golfer faster swing speed due to the longer back swing that he or she is able to achieve.

The shoulders are an important muscle in the golf swing because they create the speed of the club through the ball while keeping the swing under control. It is important to have strong rotator cuffs and muscles surrounding the entire shoulder, because keeping the club under control throughout the swing is vital to solid play. The shoulders are what turn the club back and through the ball.

The legs are vital to a good golf swing because they keep the solid posture of the golfer intact throughout the swing. The hamstrings help create the base of the golfer and hold him or her in place. The quadriceps help the golfer power through the ball and through the turn of the hips. Strengthening these muscles will help to give the golfer a stronger, more controlled golf swing. At the same time it is important to keep the legs flexible so that proper posture may be maintained throughout the swing.

Forearms, wrist and tricep strength is essential to the power of a golfer's swing at impact. Without strong forearms and triceps a golfer cannot keep his or her wrist flat through impact and won't be able to release the club properly through the impact zone. Having strong forearms and triceps will also give the golfer the ability to power through rough and bad lies, because it will power through the ball with much more force. Developing a strength and stretching routine for both of these muscle groups will increase strength and power through the golf swing. All these muscle groups discussed are extremely important and are vital to a powerful and functional swing.