Increase your driving distance from your 40s. Why rubbing the side of your neck before strength training can dramatically deepen your backswing

1. "Slow movement" is not due to age

When I interact with many golfers at my conditioning salon, NoName Nakameguro, I come across the same concerns. They say things like, "My body has become stiffer than before, and my backswing has become shallower," or "I try to force the swing, which causes my axis to wobble and hurts my back."

Many people try their best to stretch their backs and start muscle training in an effort to regain their distance. However, in many cases, they are actually stepping on the accelerator while applying the "brake to turn." Did you know that the true identity of that brake is actually in the "neck"?

2. Why does the neck stop the rotation of the swing?

You may be wondering, "What does the neck have to do with swing rotation?" However, when you look at it anatomically, there is a very deep connection.

There are muscles on the sides of our neck, such as the scalene muscles, which also play a role in "breathing" by lifting the ribs. When we develop "rounded shoulders" or "straight neck" due to desk work or using a smartphone, these muscles become constantly tense and stiff.

When the sides of the neck become stiff, the movement of the rib cage (around the ribs) is locked in tandem. Even if you try to rotate your chest during the backswing, if your ribs don't move, your spine (thoracic vertebrae) won't be able to rotate either. In other words, golfers with stiff necks are swinging in a structurally "unable to rotate" state.

3. "Neck and shoulder reset" exercise to release the brakes in 10 seconds

Before you start working out, take the brakes off—a quick exercise you can do right on the driving range or in the teeing area of the course.

• Step 1: Gently rub the sides of your neck. Gently rub the thick muscle line that runs from under your ear to your collarbone with your fingertips about 10 times. You don't need to press hard. Stimulating the skin just enough will release muscle tension.

• Step 2: Lower your shoulders and take a deep breath. Take a deep breath through your nose and exhale completely through your mouth. Be conscious of not raising your shoulders. As you exhale, feel your ribs drop straight down.

• Step 3: Check the range of motion. Just by doing this, the "stiffness" that occurs when you tilt your neck left and right or twist your body should disappear.

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4. Dramatic changes at a salon in Nakameguro

A client in his 50s who came to see us the other day was losing distance due to a typical "neck lock." He was concerned about a shallow backswing and was trying to force the ball up using only his arms, which was causing a decrease in his contact rate.

During the session, we performed conditioning to loosen his neck and rib cage, and he was surprised that his top position immediately rose by more than 20cm , saying, "I realized how much strain I had been putting on myself up until then." As a result, his head speed increased, and his distance increased by nearly 20 yards.

5. Summary: A "golf body" that will last you a lifetime

Instead of "training because the ball isn't turning," you should "remove the cause (brake) of the ball not turning." This is the secret to smartly improving your golf game as an adult golfer.

At NoName Nakameguro, we provide specialized conditioning to maximize the performance of golfers and athletes. Before focusing on swing technique, why not optimize your "tool called your body"?

We look forward to seeing you in Nakameguro.