Irons are the real MVPs of your bag. You hit them everywhere—off the tee, on approach shots, and all the tricky lies in between. More importantly, they can bail you out when your driver’s shaky or your putter’s cold.
But you don’t need us to tell you why irons matter—you already know that. You’re here because every third iron shot barely gets off the ground. And no, it’s not just because “you didn’t get under it.”
Forget private lessons, shiny new clubs, or a hardcore weightlifting routine. The real key to hitting your irons pure is much simpler: flexibility.
Get more mobile, and you’ll unlock more power, faster clubhead speed, and a smoother swing. We’re not saying your shots will look like Scottie Scheffler’s—but they’ll be a hell of a lot better than they are now.
Why Does Flexibility Matter?
Think of a muscle as a rubber band. The more you stretch it, the more energy it releases when it snaps. That’s exactly how your backswing works: it's a rotational stretch that fuels your core to contract and create power and distance..
So, how can you gain more turn? To train the rubber band effect in your backswing, you’ll need more than a few arm and hip circles. Instead, focus on engaging your entire body—muscles, bones, and joints—through dynamic, multi-directional stretches. This can include using body weight or an external load, like resistance tubing, to strengthen within your available range of motion.
Fortunately, that’s easier than it sounds. A few simple movements can have you feeling loose on the course—and confident your iron shots will land where they’re supposed to. Here’s what to do.
The following exercises use the GolfForever Resistance Tubing & Handles included with the GolfForever Swing Trainer, the most versatile golf training tool ever created and the featured piece of equipment in the GolfForever App.
1. Resisted Thread the Needle
Resisted Thread the Needle targets your mid-back and shoulder, helping to stretch and strengthen these areas. This can enhance flexibility, improving your backswing and follow-through.
- 1 set; 10 reps per side
2. Half Kneeling Single Arm Press with Rotation
The Half Kneeling Single Arm Press focuses on core strength and flexibility plus stretches the hips for even more turn.
- 1 set; 10 reps per side
3. Split Stance Loaded Rotational Press
The Split Stance Rotational Press will not only challenge upper body flexibility, but it will also challenge lower body stability which is essential to creating width in your swing.
- 1 set; 10 reps per side
Master Your Irons, Transform Your Game with GolfForever
We all want to be better all-around golfers—but you’ve got to pick your battles. For most, the fastest way to lower scores is more consistent iron play. Even if your driver’s slicing and your putts won’t fall, steady iron play will keep you from tearing up that scorecard.
Flexibility training might not be flashy, but it’s exactly what you need. Want more distance? A smoother, more consistent shot? A stronger, more flexible backswing is your answer.
With the GolfForever App and Swing Trainer, you’ll get a personal flexibility assessment, a custom training plan, and the tools to make it happen. It’s pain relief, injury prevention, and game improvement rolled into one—and that’s why thousands of golfers trust it.
Get started with GolfForever for all the insights and exercises you need to strike those irons pure.