BY GEOFF GREIG

1. WARM UP FIRST AND STRETCH WHEN YOU ARE DONE
Flexible muscles are much less injury prone than cold, tight muscles. Thirty seconds for each of the major muscle groups (neck, shoulders, back, hips and legs) before and after each session will save your body and help your swing.

2. LOOSEN UP YOUR GRIP PRESSURE
The tighter we hold on to the club the more strain we put on the muscles involved in the golf swing. Imagine driving a car holding on to the steering wheel as tight as possible. Fatigue and muscle strain would be your constant companion. Soft hands mean more clubhead speed and less wasted energy.

3. SWING THE CLUB OPPOSITE HANDED
Repeated swings right handed or left handed only, will cause an imbalance of the muscles in the body. For a healthy neck and back it is important to maintain symmetry of the muscles surrounding the spine. The goal is to make the same amount of opposite handed practice swings as regular swings.

4. SWITCH SHOULDERS WHEN YOU CARRY YOUR BAG
Even light golf bags can strain your neck or shoulder muscles if you carry them on the same side all the time. Try alternating shoulders each hole or each time you pick up the bag. If that seems like too much to remember you may want to purchase a double shoulder bag strap.

5. DEVELOP GOOD GOLF POSTURE
Proper posture not only helps us avoid injury, it can help us to swing the club more efficiently. Use a full length mirror to reinforce the correct amount of flex in the knees and hips and to picture an erect spine from the hips to he ears. Keep the weight centered between the ball of the foot and the heel. Stay tuned to this column, we will be bringing you pictures of correct posture and much more.

Stay healthy and have fun! See you next time..