Tyler Ferrell is the only person in the world named to Golf Digest's list of Best Young Teachers in America AND its list of Best Golf Fitness Professionals in America.

Improve Your Golf Swing with Proper Breathing Techniques

After this video, you'll be able to:

  • Understand how proper breathing can reduce tension in your muscles.
  • Learn to maintain a relaxed diaphragm for improved swing mobility.
  • Recognize the link between your breathing and lower back health during swings.

Learn how to breathe effectively during your golf swing to enhance performance and reduce tension. Discover the importance of exhaling throughout your swing for better body mechanics and improved consistency.

Video Transcript
WEBVTT

1
00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.160
This video is breathing during the golf swing.

2
00:00:04.160 --> 00:00:08.670
So this is a little risky to implement in your game because it makes you aware

3
00:00:08.670 --> 00:00:09.200
of something

4
00:00:09.200 --> 00:00:11.360
that you were not once aware of.

5
00:00:11.360 --> 00:00:16.000
So if you're not curious about kind of the ideal breathing pattern, then turn

6
00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:16.480
this video

7
00:00:16.480 --> 00:00:19.680
off now and go work on some release technique.

8
00:00:19.680 --> 00:00:23.980
But if you are curious, it can be powerful especially if you have any neck

9
00:00:23.980 --> 00:00:25.200
shoulder issues

10
00:00:25.200 --> 00:00:29.960
or if you have any low back issues that you may be protecting.

11
00:00:29.960 --> 00:00:33.690
If that's the case and you want to explore how you should breathe in the golf

12
00:00:33.690 --> 00:00:34.480
swing,

13
00:00:34.480 --> 00:00:38.860
the simple answer is you should be exhaling during the entire golf swing.

14
00:00:38.860 --> 00:00:43.500
So you may hear when I'm demonstrating some of these videos or when I'm doing a

15
00:00:43.500 --> 00:00:43.880
demo

16
00:00:43.880 --> 00:00:53.010
swing at the end, you'll typically hear one of the last things that I do is exh

17
00:00:53.010 --> 00:00:53.360
ale and

18
00:00:53.360 --> 00:00:57.440
basically keep that exhale going all the way down through impact.

19
00:00:57.440 --> 00:01:01.460
What that does is if you hold your breath, it tends to contract or tighten your

20
00:01:01.460 --> 00:01:02.120
diaphragm

21
00:01:02.120 --> 00:01:04.960
and your diaphragm connects to the inside edge of all your ribs.

22
00:01:04.960 --> 00:01:10.630
So when you tighten your diaphragm and contract your and tighten your ribs, it

23
00:01:10.630 --> 00:01:11.880
basically turns

24
00:01:11.880 --> 00:01:15.720
this whole segment here into a block where it moves as one.

25
00:01:15.720 --> 00:01:20.000
If you're exhaling and this area is relaxed, it allows you to build up tension

26
00:01:20.000 --> 00:01:20.880
better because

27
00:01:20.880 --> 00:01:23.400
the ribs are able to fully move.

28
00:01:23.400 --> 00:01:28.740
So it supports using some of your other core muscles, not just your diaphragm.

29
00:01:28.740 --> 00:01:33.820
One of the biggest areas that takes a beating for most golfers is the lower

30
00:01:33.820 --> 00:01:34.480
back.

31
00:01:34.480 --> 00:01:38.780
And part of the reason is if the ribs don't really rotate and the hips don't

32
00:01:38.780 --> 00:01:40.320
really rotate,

33
00:01:40.320 --> 00:01:45.920
then when you try and turn, you'll basically over rotate in the lower back.

34
00:01:45.920 --> 00:01:50.730
Well, if you hold your breath, that limits your ribs ability to rotate and puts

35
00:01:50.730 --> 00:01:51.760
more stress

36
00:01:51.760 --> 00:01:55.200
or more potential problems in your lower back.

37
00:01:55.200 --> 00:02:02.000
So by exhaling, it'll allow you to distribute the rotation load more evenly.

38
00:02:02.000 --> 00:02:06.250
It might not feel quite as powerful, but ultimately it will help with tension

39
00:02:06.250 --> 00:02:06.720
in your

40
00:02:06.720 --> 00:02:10.920
shoulders neck jaw and tension in your lower back.

41
00:02:10.920 --> 00:02:15.450
So when I was growing up, one of the jokes you would say during match play is,

42
00:02:15.450 --> 00:02:16.200
you know,

43
00:02:16.200 --> 00:02:19.160
if there was this one kid who was always trying to get in your head and he

44
00:02:19.160 --> 00:02:20.480
would ask everybody,

45
00:02:20.480 --> 00:02:23.160
"Hey, do you breathe in or do you breathe out when you swing?

46
00:02:23.160 --> 00:02:26.040
Do you swing with your left hand or do you swing more with your right hand?"

47
00:02:26.040 --> 00:02:28.850
Just trying to make you aware of things that you didn't know you were doing to

48
00:02:28.850 --> 00:02:29.320
try to mess

49
00:02:29.320 --> 00:02:30.320
you up.

50
00:02:30.320 --> 00:02:36.080
Well, if you do struggle with either neck or lower back issues, possibly even

51
00:02:36.080 --> 00:02:36.880
shoulder

52
00:02:36.880 --> 00:02:44.330
issues, then focusing on breathing at the start of your swing or even before as

53
00:02:44.330 --> 00:02:45.480
a trigger,

54
00:02:45.480 --> 00:02:50.040
so getting a nice exhale, and then keep exhaling.

55
00:02:50.040 --> 00:02:55.880
As long as you are exhaling during transition, you should be fine.

56
00:02:55.880 --> 00:03:00.090
But I find that it's really hard for golfers to start that exhale during

57
00:03:00.090 --> 00:03:01.120
transition.

58
00:03:01.120 --> 00:03:06.790
So I found it more useful or easier to just start the exhale before you take

59
00:03:06.790 --> 00:03:07.520
the club

60
00:03:07.520 --> 00:03:11.800
back and keep it going all the way through to finish.

61
00:03:11.800 --> 00:03:16.820
If you try it, it should help with becoming more of a relaxed trigger, but you

62
00:03:16.820 --> 00:03:17.400
do want

63
00:03:17.400 --> 00:03:21.440
to monitor on video to make sure that it doesn't turn into any type of sloppy

64
00:03:21.440 --> 00:03:22.360
sway slide because

65
00:03:22.360 --> 00:03:24.360
I have seen that happen in the past.

66
00:03:24.360 --> 00:03:27.460
So if you're wondering about the ideal breathing pattern, take a look at the di

67
00:03:27.460 --> 00:03:28.120
aphragm and the

68
00:03:28.120 --> 00:03:34.560
core in order to properly engage the core and to relax the diaphragm.

69
00:03:34.560 --> 00:03:41.160
You want to exhale during the entire swing, that helps to produce more range of

70
00:03:41.160 --> 00:03:41.800
motion

71
00:03:41.800 --> 00:03:46.120
in the rib cage and definitely creates more of an even distribution, so it's

72
00:03:46.120 --> 00:03:46.720
going to

73
00:03:46.720 --> 00:03:49.680
be less stressful on your lower back or neck.

74
00:03:49.680 --> 00:04:00.400
So now I'll exaggerate my breathing, I'm going to take a breath in, get set up.

75
00:04:00.400 --> 00:04:05.330
And by exhaling the whole downswing, it creates less tension in my shoulders

76
00:04:05.330 --> 00:04:06.360
and frees me up

77
00:04:06.360 --> 00:04:08.200
to make a good athletic move through the ball.

Have questions?

Ask Mulligan for help
Related topics
This video hasn't been assigned to any topics yet. Browse all topics in the sidebar.
Tyler Ferrell is the only person in the world named to Golf Digest's list of Best Young Teachers in America AND its list of Best Golf Fitness Professionals in America.

Improve Your Golf Swing with Proper Breathing Techniques

After this video, you'll be able to:

  • Understand how proper breathing can reduce tension in your muscles.
  • Learn to maintain a relaxed diaphragm for improved swing mobility.
  • Recognize the link between your breathing and lower back health during swings.

Learn how to breathe effectively during your golf swing to enhance performance and reduce tension. Discover the importance of exhaling throughout your swing for better body mechanics and improved consistency.

Video Transcript
WEBVTT

1
00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.160
This video is breathing during the golf swing.

2
00:00:04.160 --> 00:00:08.670
So this is a little risky to implement in your game because it makes you aware

3
00:00:08.670 --> 00:00:09.200
of something

4
00:00:09.200 --> 00:00:11.360
that you were not once aware of.

5
00:00:11.360 --> 00:00:16.000
So if you're not curious about kind of the ideal breathing pattern, then turn

6
00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:16.480
this video

7
00:00:16.480 --> 00:00:19.680
off now and go work on some release technique.

8
00:00:19.680 --> 00:00:23.980
But if you are curious, it can be powerful especially if you have any neck

9
00:00:23.980 --> 00:00:25.200
shoulder issues

10
00:00:25.200 --> 00:00:29.960
or if you have any low back issues that you may be protecting.

11
00:00:29.960 --> 00:00:33.690
If that's the case and you want to explore how you should breathe in the golf

12
00:00:33.690 --> 00:00:34.480
swing,

13
00:00:34.480 --> 00:00:38.860
the simple answer is you should be exhaling during the entire golf swing.

14
00:00:38.860 --> 00:00:43.500
So you may hear when I'm demonstrating some of these videos or when I'm doing a

15
00:00:43.500 --> 00:00:43.880
demo

16
00:00:43.880 --> 00:00:53.010
swing at the end, you'll typically hear one of the last things that I do is exh

17
00:00:53.010 --> 00:00:53.360
ale and

18
00:00:53.360 --> 00:00:57.440
basically keep that exhale going all the way down through impact.

19
00:00:57.440 --> 00:01:01.460
What that does is if you hold your breath, it tends to contract or tighten your

20
00:01:01.460 --> 00:01:02.120
diaphragm

21
00:01:02.120 --> 00:01:04.960
and your diaphragm connects to the inside edge of all your ribs.

22
00:01:04.960 --> 00:01:10.630
So when you tighten your diaphragm and contract your and tighten your ribs, it

23
00:01:10.630 --> 00:01:11.880
basically turns

24
00:01:11.880 --> 00:01:15.720
this whole segment here into a block where it moves as one.

25
00:01:15.720 --> 00:01:20.000
If you're exhaling and this area is relaxed, it allows you to build up tension

26
00:01:20.000 --> 00:01:20.880
better because

27
00:01:20.880 --> 00:01:23.400
the ribs are able to fully move.

28
00:01:23.400 --> 00:01:28.740
So it supports using some of your other core muscles, not just your diaphragm.

29
00:01:28.740 --> 00:01:33.820
One of the biggest areas that takes a beating for most golfers is the lower

30
00:01:33.820 --> 00:01:34.480
back.

31
00:01:34.480 --> 00:01:38.780
And part of the reason is if the ribs don't really rotate and the hips don't

32
00:01:38.780 --> 00:01:40.320
really rotate,

33
00:01:40.320 --> 00:01:45.920
then when you try and turn, you'll basically over rotate in the lower back.

34
00:01:45.920 --> 00:01:50.730
Well, if you hold your breath, that limits your ribs ability to rotate and puts

35
00:01:50.730 --> 00:01:51.760
more stress

36
00:01:51.760 --> 00:01:55.200
or more potential problems in your lower back.

37
00:01:55.200 --> 00:02:02.000
So by exhaling, it'll allow you to distribute the rotation load more evenly.

38
00:02:02.000 --> 00:02:06.250
It might not feel quite as powerful, but ultimately it will help with tension

39
00:02:06.250 --> 00:02:06.720
in your

40
00:02:06.720 --> 00:02:10.920
shoulders neck jaw and tension in your lower back.

41
00:02:10.920 --> 00:02:15.450
So when I was growing up, one of the jokes you would say during match play is,

42
00:02:15.450 --> 00:02:16.200
you know,

43
00:02:16.200 --> 00:02:19.160
if there was this one kid who was always trying to get in your head and he

44
00:02:19.160 --> 00:02:20.480
would ask everybody,

45
00:02:20.480 --> 00:02:23.160
"Hey, do you breathe in or do you breathe out when you swing?

46
00:02:23.160 --> 00:02:26.040
Do you swing with your left hand or do you swing more with your right hand?"

47
00:02:26.040 --> 00:02:28.850
Just trying to make you aware of things that you didn't know you were doing to

48
00:02:28.850 --> 00:02:29.320
try to mess

49
00:02:29.320 --> 00:02:30.320
you up.

50
00:02:30.320 --> 00:02:36.080
Well, if you do struggle with either neck or lower back issues, possibly even

51
00:02:36.080 --> 00:02:36.880
shoulder

52
00:02:36.880 --> 00:02:44.330
issues, then focusing on breathing at the start of your swing or even before as

53
00:02:44.330 --> 00:02:45.480
a trigger,

54
00:02:45.480 --> 00:02:50.040
so getting a nice exhale, and then keep exhaling.

55
00:02:50.040 --> 00:02:55.880
As long as you are exhaling during transition, you should be fine.

56
00:02:55.880 --> 00:03:00.090
But I find that it's really hard for golfers to start that exhale during

57
00:03:00.090 --> 00:03:01.120
transition.

58
00:03:01.120 --> 00:03:06.790
So I found it more useful or easier to just start the exhale before you take

59
00:03:06.790 --> 00:03:07.520
the club

60
00:03:07.520 --> 00:03:11.800
back and keep it going all the way through to finish.

61
00:03:11.800 --> 00:03:16.820
If you try it, it should help with becoming more of a relaxed trigger, but you

62
00:03:16.820 --> 00:03:17.400
do want

63
00:03:17.400 --> 00:03:21.440
to monitor on video to make sure that it doesn't turn into any type of sloppy

64
00:03:21.440 --> 00:03:22.360
sway slide because

65
00:03:22.360 --> 00:03:24.360
I have seen that happen in the past.

66
00:03:24.360 --> 00:03:27.460
So if you're wondering about the ideal breathing pattern, take a look at the di

67
00:03:27.460 --> 00:03:28.120
aphragm and the

68
00:03:28.120 --> 00:03:34.560
core in order to properly engage the core and to relax the diaphragm.

69
00:03:34.560 --> 00:03:41.160
You want to exhale during the entire swing, that helps to produce more range of

70
00:03:41.160 --> 00:03:41.800
motion

71
00:03:41.800 --> 00:03:46.120
in the rib cage and definitely creates more of an even distribution, so it's

72
00:03:46.120 --> 00:03:46.720
going to

73
00:03:46.720 --> 00:03:49.680
be less stressful on your lower back or neck.

74
00:03:49.680 --> 00:04:00.400
So now I'll exaggerate my breathing, I'm going to take a breath in, get set up.

75
00:04:00.400 --> 00:04:05.330
And by exhaling the whole downswing, it creates less tension in my shoulders

76
00:04:05.330 --> 00:04:06.360
and frees me up

77
00:04:06.360 --> 00:04:08.200
to make a good athletic move through the ball.

Have questions about this video?

Ask Mulligan for personalized guidance on technique, drills, or how to apply what you've learned.

Ask Mulligan
Related topics
This video hasn't been assigned to any topics yet. Browse all topics in the sidebar.
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