Tuesday 22 August 2023

What Do The Core And The Golf Swing Have In Common Part Ii?

In part one of this article we discussed the core and its relation to the golf swing. A quick review of the information in article one will indicate a definitive connection between the “athletic movements” of a golf swing and the core section of the body. Prior to beginning this article let us take a brief moment to review the information provided in the first article on this topic.

A quick review will indicate that the core is an anatomical region of the body. This region of the body consists of all the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and neural structures, located from the hips to the lower chest. This comprises all of the structures of the hips, abdominals, low back, and obliques (side abdominals). In addition to describing the anatomical region of the core, part one of this article described the following: the relationship between the core and golf swing in the specific areas of range of motion, coordination, speed of motion, and balance. Part two of this article will discuss core flexibility, strength, endurance, and power. We will relate these three additional topics to the golf swing as we did in part one.


Recalling the first article, the range of motion is directly related to distance. The distance that a body moves in a specific amount of time when discussing biomechanics. Relating the range of motion to the golf swing indicates that the greater range of motion that the core mechanism of the body can move through, the greater amount of force can be created to deliver into the club head.

The second topic discussed in article one was the speed of motion. Remember, the speed of motion is directly related to the range of motion. Speed of motion is essentially adding a component of time to the range of motion. The faster that an object or the body can move through a specific range of motion, the greater amount of force can be created through this range of motion.

Thirdly, we introduced coordination. Coordination is the ability to time the movements of the body in the correct sequence to perform the activity desired. This requires the body to move through the required ranges of motion with the correct speed of motion.

The final topic discussed in section one of this article was balance. Balance is the ability of the body to maintain a center of gravity during a movement. Increased balance allows for greater accuracy with athletic activities. Moving forward into section two of this article, we build upon the information discussed in article one. Relevancy to the core and the golf swing is easily seen when connecting these topics (range of motion, speed of motion, coordination, and balance) to the athletic movement associated with the golf swing.

Flexibility

Flexibility is the range of motion around a joint and is influenced by skeletal structures, ligaments, muscle tissues, and joint capsule type. Range of motion is a result of the deformation of soft tissues (i.e. muscle tissue, ligaments, and tendons) surrounding a joint. Flexibility is essentially the ability of the neuromuscular to create a desired range of motion by the body. The golf swing requires the core, and the entire body, to move through a specified range of motion to create contact with the golf ball. Limitations in flexibility can create the inability of the body to move through the required ranges of motion at the correct speed to perform a golf swing. This will result in numerous problems as a result of poor mechanics in the swing. A direct connection exists between the range of motion, speed of motion, and flexibility. If flexibility is limited the result will be limitations in ranges of motion and speeds of motion.

Strength

Strength can be defined as the ability of the neuromuscular system (neural system, muscular system) to create and exert force. A lack of strength limits the ability of the body to create force for a given athletic movement. In relation to the golf swing, strength is a required component of the core. A large proportion of the force created in the golf swing is a result of the lower body and core musculature system. As a result, creating the force needed to develop club head speed is directly related to strength levels within these structures of the body. A lack of strength lessens to a degree the amount of force that can be created in the golf swing, thus reducing the amount of club head speed available to the golfer.

Endurance

Endurance is the ability of the neuromuscular structures (muscular system, neural system, ligaments, and tendons) to perform the same athletic movement repeatedly over a specific amount of time. The golf swing is a repetitive athletic movement requiring the neuromuscular system to perform the same neuromuscular activity over and over again for a given number of swings, times, etc. This requires the body to move through a specific range of motion, with the correct speed of motion, coordinating the movements in the correct sequence, with the required force outputs (i.e. strength), and correct levels of endurance. A lack of endurance in the neuromuscular system will limit the ability of the individual to perform the components required of the golf swing listed above.

Power

Power is the ability to create the greatest amount of force in a specified amount of time. Power is contingent upon the combination of strength and speed of motion. These two components working in conjunction create power. A decrease in strength or speed of motion limits the ability of power production by the neuromuscular system. The golf swing requires the body to produce power to deliver into the club head. The amount of time to perform this is limited and contained within the ranges of motion through which the body moves during the golf swing. The point to be made is that a direct connection exists for power production between the range of motion, speed of motion, and strength. These three components working together determine the power outputs created by the body during the golf swing.

Summary

This article discussed additional four components that are relevant to the core structure of the body and the golf swing. The key point to make between the topics discussed in this article and article number one is the connection between all of these components. Range of motion, speed of motion, balance, and coordination are contingent upon the points discussed in this article. The ability of the body to swing a golf club requires the ability of the body to have the required ranges of motion, speeds of motion, balance, and coordination to perform the swing. The development of flexibility, strength, endurance, and power within the body allows for these activities to occur. Thus all eight of these components (range of motion, speed of motion, balance, coordination, flexibility, strength, endurance, and power) are interconnected to perform a golf swing. The relationship between the core and these activities is as follows: the core region of the body is a main component of the golf swing. It is utilized greatly in all aspects of the golf swing from maintaining balance to creating power. The core can be considered to be the “engine” of the golf swing. Please visit our website at www.bioforcegolf.com to get more information.

He has made many of his golf tips, golf instruction, and golf swing improvement techniques available to amateur golfers on the website https://www.golflounge.de/de/golf-trophy/. Check out Hamburg Eventlocation

Tuesday 8 August 2023

Rotation, Rotation, And More Rotation In Your Golf Swing

In real estate, it’s location, location, and location.

In golf, it’s all about rotation. More power requires better rotation. To keep your body healthier, it’s about better rotation. For consistency, you’d better be able to rotate.

The body rotates around a spine angle that should be fixed or stable, keeping your club on the proper swing path. Are you able to do this with your swing?

This may be the idea that separates the high handicapper and low handicapper: the ability to rotate your body, keeping the club on a consistent swing plane.

Admittedly, some of the pros like Jim Furyk make some interesting movements in the swing, but if you dissect it a little further, you will notice they keep the club in a certain slot on the backswing and on the downswing. Every tour player is able to rotate around a fixed or stable spine angle, make a linear weight transfer, and successfully hit the golf ball.

This is the goal of the golf swing: keep the golf club in a slot, essentially dissecting the shoulder on the back swing and following through.

How many of us do that?

Fewer than we would probably like to admit. So how do we rotate the body and keep the club in this slot? The answer is probably not the one we would like to hear. It requires developing a “feel” for the golf swing and knowing what the body is doing at every step of the golf swing.

Essentially, you must develop a feel for both the club and your body. Some of us are better at it than others. At this point, it is ingrained into the body and you will know when the swing is off and what to correct. Keep in mind, we are not going to make a perfect swing every time, but that is our goal.

How do we go about keeping the swing on the correct plane and developing a “feel?”

I know of two possibilities. One of the answers is probably quite obvious.

The first answer to this question has to do with your golf swing mechanics. Yes, probably not a surprise to many of you.

The golf swing is an intricate, biomechanical movement requiring you to perform a large number of movements with the correct timing and no room for error.

Understanding the correct biomechanical sequence of the golf swing and the ability to execute it take great instruction, a good amount of practice, patience, and time.

The body can learn either the correct or incorrect way to swing a golf club. As a result, it is imperative to receive quality instruction on the proper way to swing a club.

Secondly, the mind and body learn new movements through repetition. The only way to learn the correct golf swing is through consistent practice. Practice ingrains into your brain, nerves, and muscles how to properly execute the movements of the golf swing, the correct sequence of the golf swing, and the correct timing of the golf swing.

Finally, learning the golf swing correctly takes time. It is not an overnight process but requires consistent time spent practicing and playing. Don’t let anyone fool you that there is a quick-fix patch that will drop your handicap by 25 strokes while you’re sleeping.

Over a certain time period, the body will learn the swing. It’s different for each of us. Once the body learns the swing, the “feel” begins to develop. Once you get that feel, you will begin to know exactly where your clubhead is at all times during the golf swing.

I can’t feel a thing!

Most of us understand that the golf swing is a rotational movement and requires learning the proper biomechanics of the golf swing. However, the second part of the answer of developing “feel” may be less understood.

Now think about this for a second. What if your body is not able to rotate around a fixed spine angle? If you can’t rotate, it will be very, and I mean very, hard to keep your club in a slot.

I see it all the time with amateurs. They want to develop a good swing desperately but are unable to do so because of a weak, inflexible, and powerless body.

If you are inflexible in the hips, how are you going to rotate in a manner that places the club in the correct slot for the downswing? It’s not going to happen!

If you have poor balance, how are you going to develop a “feel” in the golf swing? You’re not!

It comes down to this notion about the golf swing.

Your body is performing the mechanics of the golf swing. In order to do this properly, your body must have certain levels of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power.

The only, and I mean only, way to develop a good swing and “feel” within your swing requires a body that can support your swing.

The swing is a very complex movement requiring a synergy between your body and the mechanics of the swing. If you attempt to develop a swing without a body to support it, you are on your way to a very frustrating experience, and lowering your handicap will be a trying time.

I would strongly suggest implementing a program that develops your swing mechanics in conjunction with your body. The exercises in Your Body & Your Swing will take your body to where it needs to be.

If you are looking for help learning the correct golf swing mechanics, take a look at our golf swing instructional videos. Putting both the body and the swing together will give you the results you’re looking for. About The Author: Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2005 PGA & 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. He has made many of his golf tips, golf instruction, and city golf Hamburg swing improvement techniques available to amateur golfers on the 

website https://www.golflounge.de/de/golf-trophy/