Golf fitness is becoming more popular and for good reason. It can benefit your golf game to work on your fitness, doing golf specific exercises, and building muscle.
In this guide we will share various bicep exercises to focus on that help golfers overall performance. We also dive into what the bicep muscle is and different ways the biceps are used during the golf swing.
Best Bicep Exercises for Golfers
While bicep strength is not as directly critical to golf performance as other muscle groups like the core, back, and legs, having strong biceps can contribute to overall upper body strength and stability.
Here are some effective bicep exercises that you can include in your workout routine to support your golf game:
- Dumbbell Bicep Curls:
- Hold a dumbbell in each hand, arms fully extended by your sides and palms facing forward.
- Slowly curl the weights upward while keeping your upper arms stationary. Contract your biceps as you lift.
- Pause at the top of the movement and then lower the weights back down with control.
- Perform 3 sets of 10-12 reps.
- Barbell Bicep Curls:
- Hold a barbell with an underhand grip, hands shoulder-width apart.
- Keep your upper arms close to your sides and curl the barbell upward, contracting your biceps.
- Lower the barbell back down in a controlled manner.
- Perform 3 sets of 8-10 reps.
- Hammer Curls:
- Hold a dumbbell in each hand with your palms facing your torso.
- Keep your upper arms stationary and curl the dumbbells upward, maintaining the neutral grip (palms facing each other).
- Lower the dumbbells back down.
- Perform 3 sets of 10-12 reps.
- Preacher Curls:
- Use a preacher curl bench or an incline bench to support your arms.
- Curl the dumbbell or barbell upward while your arms are positioned on the bench, focusing on the contraction of the biceps.
- Slowly lower the weight back down.
- Perform 3 sets of 8-10 reps.
- Cable Bicep Curls:
- Attach a straight bar attachment to a cable machine. Stand facing the machine.
- Hold the bar with an underhand grip and curl it upward while keeping your elbows close to your sides.
- Lower the bar back down with control.
- Perform 3 sets of 10-12 reps.
Remember that while bicep strength can complement your golf performance, focusing on overall functional fitness, core strength, and exercises that target larger muscle groups such as the back, legs, and core will have a more significant impact on your golf swing.
A well-rounded exercise routine that targets multiple muscle groups will help you maintain balance, generate power, and enhance your golf performance.
What Are the Bicep Muscles?
The bicep muscles, often simply referred to as the “biceps,” are a pair of muscles located on the front side of the upper arm. They are easily recognizable and are commonly associated with flexing and bending motions of the elbow. The biceps play a role in various everyday activities and are important for movements involving the forearm and upper arm.
The biceps consist of two primary muscle heads:
- Long Head: The long head of the biceps brachii originates from the supraglenoid tubercle, a bony prominence located above the shoulder joint within the shoulder socket (glenoid cavity). This head travels down the arm and is responsible for the bulk of the bicep’s appearance.
- Short Head: The short head of the biceps brachii originates from the coracoid process of the scapula (shoulder blade), which is a hook-like structure located at the front of the shoulder. It lies alongside the long head.
The biceps muscles are connected to the forearm bones (radius and ulna) via a tendon known as the bicep tendon. This tendon crosses the elbow joint and attaches to the forearm bones, allowing the biceps to flex the elbow and rotate the forearm.
Functions of the Biceps Muscles:
The primary function of the biceps is to flex the elbow joint, bringing the forearm toward the upper arm. Additionally, the biceps are involved in supination, a movement that turns the palm of the hand from a downward-facing position to an upward-facing position. This motion occurs when you rotate your forearm to turn your palm up.
While the biceps are not directly responsible for generating power in the golf swing, they do contribute to overall upper body strength and can play a role in stabilizing the arms during the swing. Having strong biceps can support your ability to control the golf club and maintain posture during the various phases of the swing.
It’s important to note that while bicep exercises can be beneficial for your overall upper body strength, they are just one component of a comprehensive workout routine. For golf-specific training, focusing on core stability, back strength, leg strength, and flexibility will likely have a more significant impact on your golf performance.
How Are Biceps Used in the Golf Swing?
While the biceps are not the primary muscles driving power in the golf swing, they play a supporting role in stabilizing and controlling the golf club throughout the swing. The golf swing is a complex movement that involves the coordinated action of various muscle groups, including the core, back, legs, and shoulders. Here’s how the biceps are used in different phases of the golf swing:
Setup and Address: During the setup phase, the biceps are engaged to maintain a firm grip on the golf club. While they are not actively generating power at this stage, they help ensure a secure hold on the club, which is essential for control and accuracy during the swing.
Takeaway and Backswing: As you initiate the takeaway and begin your backswing, the biceps play a role in maintaining tension in your arms and wrists. This tension helps keep the club on the correct swing path and prevents any excessive wrist movement that could lead to inconsistency. The biceps also contribute to the overall stability of the upper body as you rotate your shoulders and hips.
Transition and Downswing: During the transition from the backswing to the downswing, the biceps work in conjunction with the rest of the upper body muscles to create a smooth and controlled shift of momentum. While the major power generation comes from the lower body and core, the biceps help maintain the club’s position and prevent any premature release of the clubhead.
Impact and Follow-Through: At impact, the biceps play a role in maintaining the angle between the lead arm and the clubshaft. This angle is critical for generating speed and power in the swing. The biceps contribute to the control of the clubhead as it strikes the ball, ensuring a solid and accurate impact.
Finish: In the follow-through phase, the biceps help guide the club to a balanced finish position. While they are not actively generating power at this point, they assist in controlling the club’s path and preventing any abrupt or uncontrolled movements.
Overall, the biceps contribute to the stability and control of the golf club throughout the swing. While they are not the primary muscles responsible for generating power, having well-conditioned biceps can aid in maintaining posture, controlling the club, and producing a consistent and accurate swing. It’s important to remember that a well-rounded approach to golf-specific training, including exercises for the core, back, legs, and flexibility, will have the greatest impact on your golf performance.