Dynamic stretching involves controlled, movement-based exercises that mimic the motions of your golf swing. Think arm circles, hip rotations, leg swings, and band-assisted movements that increase blood flow, activate muscles, and elevate your body temperature.
Before a round, your goal isn’t to hold long stretches — it’s to get your muscles moving, increase joint mobility, and prepare your body for explosive, rotational movements. That’s why dynamic stretching is ideal before teeing off. It wakes up your body, primes your nervous system, and helps reduce injury risk by getting the right muscles firing in the right sequence.
The Cart Gym warm-up is built entirely around this approach, using portable resistance bands to help you stretch with movement and purpose, focusing on golf’s most important muscle groups.
Static Stretching: Save It for After
Static stretching, on the other hand, is what most people think of when they picture “traditional” stretching — holding a position for 20–30 seconds to lengthen a muscle. While it’s great for improving flexibility and releasing tight areas, it’s not what your body needs before performance.
Doing static stretches before a round can actually reduce power output and muscle responsiveness — not what you want before a powerful drive or full iron swing. Instead, save static stretching for after your round, when your goal is recovery, muscle lengthening, and injury prevention.
The Bottom Line
Use dynamic stretching before your round to move better, swing smoother, and feel more prepared. Use static stretching after your round to recover faster, stay loose, and avoid tightness the next day.
Knowing the difference — and using both the right way — is a small change that can make a big difference in your game.
