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Featured Golf Article
You will find a lot of easy tips and techniques in this eBook to quickly transform your golf game and add 20 yards to your drive!
Posture, Posture, Posture
By: John Hinds, PT
�Stand up straight�, �Sit up straight�. How many times did you hear that growing up? Good posture is important for many reasons, not the least of which is confidence and self-esteem. Although most parents probably didn�t have golf in mind, proper posture also aligns the body in a way that promotes the most efficient movement patterns with the least amount of stress. Our body�s framework, the skeleton, and the muscles that control movement are engineered to work most efficiently when aligned correctly.
Take the spine as an example. When looking at it from a side view there are 3 �natural� curves, one each in the neck (cervical), mid back (thoracic) and low back (lumbar) areas. These curves are there for a reason. It is in this �posture� that the spine, the ligaments and the muscles supporting it, are best able to absorb and distribute force and provide stability and strength. When flexing, extending, twisting, side bending or any combination of those (as in the golf swing), you want to maintain a posture that will optimize efficient movement patterns and performance as much as possible. The more we deviate from the ideal posture, the more other areas have to compensate and inconsistency, fatigue and injury will eventually result.
Golf includes both �static� and �dynamic postures�. We are static at address but dynamic throughout the backswing, downswing and follow-through. Your posture at address dictates how efficiently you will move throughout the rest of the swing, from your ankles, knees and hips to the trunk, shoulders and head. Good posture at address, and the ability to maintain* proper posture throughout the swing, promotes efficient movement and allows for a more reliable axis of rotation throughout the golf swing which then permits more precise coordination of the legs and arms with our core; compensations that result in mis-hits are minimized and a more reliable and powerful swing realized. For instance, if your back is rounded and your shoulders forward, your spinal and shoulder rotation will be limited and power compromised.
Proper posture must also be practiced during your workouts and daily activities. For most golf specific exercises, it�s not about how much weight you can lift but about the quality of the movement; focus on your posture, technique, balance and coordination when performing a movement. During all exercises, especially with a sport specific movement pattern, it is important to establish proper posture prior to and maintain it during the exercise. A quick checklist prior to each exercise might include, �posture, engage, perform�.
a. Posture includes keeping your shoulders back, chest out, getting into position to perform the exercise and whenever possible complete the exercise in your golf stance or address posture.
b. Engage your abdominals/trunk muscles in a neutral spine posture prior to and during the exercise. This can be accomplished by pulling your belly button in towards your spine and making a hard �s� sound so that all abs and some back muscles engage. This acts to stabilize your spine and promote more efficient movement.
c. Perform the movement.
So if you want a more reliable golf swing and more consistent scoring, posture is a fundamental that cannot be overlooked. Proper posture at address sets the tone for the rest of the swing and promotes a more efficient, consistent golf swing. The ability to maintain your posture throughout the swing is one of the keys to a more consistent and repeatable swing. Optimal flexibility and strength enable you to get into and maintain your posture throughout the swing and serve as the building blocks for stability, balance, coordination and power. Not everybody is going to have �perfect� posture, but the closer you are the less you will compensate and the less likely an injury will occur.
*Before you send constructive criticism, I realize that posture at impact, with regards to shoulder tilt, hips and spine angle will be different from your set up posture, but on the whole, �posture� at the ankles, knees, hips and spine need to be maintained for consistent, reliable contact.
John Hinds is a golfer and licensed Physical Therapist specializing in Orthopedic and Sports Rehabilitation, Conditioning and Injury Prevention. He is the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Men�s Golf Team at El Camino College and currently owns and operates JMHinds Physical Therapy in El Segundo, California (www.golfconditioningpt.com).
More Thoughts On Golf
The Grain affects the roll! Grain is mostly seen on the fringe of the green. Putts with grain roll faster and farther, against the grain slower and not so far. Check from both sides of your ball as well as behind the ball when lining up. The appearance of the grass shows the grain. If it looks shiny the grain is away from you. If dull, the grain is towards you.
...World Golf
Handle Leads Hands
The body should continue to move the arms through impact and into the finish. Don't allow the clubhead to pass the handle of the club until well past impact.
...Golf Tips magazine
The off-season is also a good time to renew your equipment, in particular your clubs. If you start practicing with your new clubs during winter you have more time to get used to them, rather than having to struggle in spring when the 'serious' golf season starts again. Another reason to stock up during winter is that prices are usually at their lowest, with many merchants offering off-season and (post-)holiday specials.
...PGA Tour
If the shoulders are in a closed position (facing to the right of the target) the clubhead travel will be inside-to-outside of the target line. With the shoulders parallel to the target line at impact, the clubhead travel will be inside-to-direct. This shoulder motion allows the clubhead to travel to the target, not away from the target as in the other positions.Remember the shoulders must remain passive, and are a follower in your swing, not a leader.
...Tom's golf tips
More Golf News
Tour Report - Mercedes Championships
Mon, 09 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT
Vijay Singh fired a tournament best 7-under par 66 to force a playoff at the season-opening Mercedes Championships where Titleist was the most played golf ball.
Total Body Training with PGA Tour Player Troy Matteson on the Next ''Golf Fitness Academy Presented by Titleist''
Mon, 14 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT
Learn exercises to target the chest, core and legs and improve strength and stability in the golf swing.
BBC coverage
Sat, 12 Apr 2008 18:02:04 GMT
When you can watch golf on BBC television during 2007
golf accessories | golf tips | golf club
You will find a lot of easy tips and techniques in this eBook to quickly transform your golf game and add 20 yards to your drive!
Posture, Posture, Posture
By: John Hinds, PT
�Stand up straight�, �Sit up straight�. How many times did you hear that growing up? Good posture is important for many reasons, not the least of which is confidence and self-esteem. Although most parents probably didn�t have golf in mind, proper posture also aligns the body in a way that promotes the most efficient movement patterns with the least amount of stress. Our body�s framework, the skeleton, and the muscles that control movement are engineered to work most efficiently when aligned correctly.
Take the spine as an example. When looking at it from a side view there are 3 �natural� curves, one each in the neck (cervical), mid back (thoracic) and low back (lumbar) areas. These curves are there for a reason. It is in this �posture� that the spine, the ligaments and the muscles supporting it, are best able to absorb and distribute force and provide stability and strength. When flexing, extending, twisting, side bending or any combination of those (as in the golf swing), you want to maintain a posture that will optimize efficient movement patterns and performance as much as possible. The more we deviate from the ideal posture, the more other areas have to compensate and inconsistency, fatigue and injury will eventually result.
Golf includes both �static� and �dynamic postures�. We are static at address but dynamic throughout the backswing, downswing and follow-through. Your posture at address dictates how efficiently you will move throughout the rest of the swing, from your ankles, knees and hips to the trunk, shoulders and head. Good posture at address, and the ability to maintain* proper posture throughout the swing, promotes efficient movement and allows for a more reliable axis of rotation throughout the golf swing which then permits more precise coordination of the legs and arms with our core; compensations that result in mis-hits are minimized and a more reliable and powerful swing realized. For instance, if your back is rounded and your shoulders forward, your spinal and shoulder rotation will be limited and power compromised.
Proper posture must also be practiced during your workouts and daily activities. For most golf specific exercises, it�s not about how much weight you can lift but about the quality of the movement; focus on your posture, technique, balance and coordination when performing a movement. During all exercises, especially with a sport specific movement pattern, it is important to establish proper posture prior to and maintain it during the exercise. A quick checklist prior to each exercise might include, �posture, engage, perform�.
a. Posture includes keeping your shoulders back, chest out, getting into position to perform the exercise and whenever possible complete the exercise in your golf stance or address posture.
b. Engage your abdominals/trunk muscles in a neutral spine posture prior to and during the exercise. This can be accomplished by pulling your belly button in towards your spine and making a hard �s� sound so that all abs and some back muscles engage. This acts to stabilize your spine and promote more efficient movement.
c. Perform the movement.
So if you want a more reliable golf swing and more consistent scoring, posture is a fundamental that cannot be overlooked. Proper posture at address sets the tone for the rest of the swing and promotes a more efficient, consistent golf swing. The ability to maintain your posture throughout the swing is one of the keys to a more consistent and repeatable swing. Optimal flexibility and strength enable you to get into and maintain your posture throughout the swing and serve as the building blocks for stability, balance, coordination and power. Not everybody is going to have �perfect� posture, but the closer you are the less you will compensate and the less likely an injury will occur.
*Before you send constructive criticism, I realize that posture at impact, with regards to shoulder tilt, hips and spine angle will be different from your set up posture, but on the whole, �posture� at the ankles, knees, hips and spine need to be maintained for consistent, reliable contact.
John Hinds is a golfer and licensed Physical Therapist specializing in Orthopedic and Sports Rehabilitation, Conditioning and Injury Prevention. He is the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Men�s Golf Team at El Camino College and currently owns and operates JMHinds Physical Therapy in El Segundo, California (www.golfconditioningpt.com).
More Thoughts On Golf
The Grain affects the roll! Grain is mostly seen on the fringe of the green. Putts with grain roll faster and farther, against the grain slower and not so far. Check from both sides of your ball as well as behind the ball when lining up. The appearance of the grass shows the grain. If it looks shiny the grain is away from you. If dull, the grain is towards you.
...World Golf
Handle Leads Hands
The body should continue to move the arms through impact and into the finish. Don't allow the clubhead to pass the handle of the club until well past impact.
...Golf Tips magazine
The off-season is also a good time to renew your equipment, in particular your clubs. If you start practicing with your new clubs during winter you have more time to get used to them, rather than having to struggle in spring when the 'serious' golf season starts again. Another reason to stock up during winter is that prices are usually at their lowest, with many merchants offering off-season and (post-)holiday specials.
...PGA Tour
If the shoulders are in a closed position (facing to the right of the target) the clubhead travel will be inside-to-outside of the target line. With the shoulders parallel to the target line at impact, the clubhead travel will be inside-to-direct. This shoulder motion allows the clubhead to travel to the target, not away from the target as in the other positions.Remember the shoulders must remain passive, and are a follower in your swing, not a leader.
...Tom's golf tips
More Golf News
Tour Report - Mercedes Championships
Mon, 09 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT
Vijay Singh fired a tournament best 7-under par 66 to force a playoff at the season-opening Mercedes Championships where Titleist was the most played golf ball.
Total Body Training with PGA Tour Player Troy Matteson on the Next ''Golf Fitness Academy Presented by Titleist''
Mon, 14 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT
Learn exercises to target the chest, core and legs and improve strength and stability in the golf swing.
BBC coverage
Sat, 12 Apr 2008 18:02:04 GMT
When you can watch golf on BBC television during 2007
golf accessories | golf tips | golf club
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