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SWING INTO SHAPE
Robert Mottram, PT, ATC
- February 16, 2000
It’s interesting
how professional golfers are introduced to new aspects of the game,
and how they start trends that the golfing public seem to follow.
From equipment to clothing and instruction to sports psychology,
golf pros make handsome endorsements leading the way.
Lately, and most interestingly, it’s exercise and fitness.
All the pro tours
have mobile gyms where players spend time stretching and
strengthening. The
physical component, the most misunderstood and neglected, is being
discovered and addressed more and more by professional and
accomplished players. In
fact, most of the top money winners, on both the regular and senior
pro tours take advantage of their traveling fitness center.
And several of the premiere players are traveling with their
own personal trainers.
To improve one’s
golf swing requires devotion to all aspects of the game...
mechanical, mental and physical.
Swing mechanics is the first and probably the most important
component for building a sound and repeatable swing.
The mental, or psychological factor of golf helps the player
concentrate and make proper choices while navigating the challenges
of the course. And then
there’s the physical factor. But
just how “physical” does the golfer need to be?
It’s a difficult question to answer, and also measure. For years you’ve seen professional and accomplished golfers
in all different shapes, sizes and levels of fitness.
The golf swing
requires precise timing, involving speed, positioning, and mental
concentration, which, unfortunately, seem to change daily.
And although there are many different ways to swing a club,
there are similarities that every swing possesses.
We know that to get in, or close to, an ideal posture through
out the swing requires some athletic talent and ability.
And to make these agile and quick moves calls for one to be
flexible, strong and fit. If
a player is not physically prepared, occasionally, improper swing
techniques, and even some conventional instructional methods, can
hamper ones ability to swing properly, limit their success, and
potentially cause injuries.
The importance of
proper physical capabilities is evident after years of analysis of
professional golfers and how they compare to their amateur
counterparts. Comprehensive
high speed film and EMG kinesiological research at Centinela’s
Biomechanics Laboratory in Los Angeles, have shown that golf professionals developed and trained their
bodies to work efficiently and effectively, producing better
results. Amateurs, on
the other hand, are erratic and unpredictable with their swing
movements. These
predicted and confirmed findings appear to be from lack of proper
early swing development and consistent correct practice.
However, additional physical testing of amateur golfers,
noted that they had insufficient muscle strength and joint range of
motion compared to their professional counterpart.
For example, limitations in neck and trunk rotation and trunk
lateral bending appeared most significant.
It was concluded
that the player who is able to make the required moves during the
golf swing, with the greatest of ease and consistency, should better
their chances for a successful performance, and healthy experience.
Golf for many years
was considered just a leisure time activity that did not require
strong physical attributes to perform well.
Most felt that to perform better, the golfer need only spend
more time on the practice range.
Well today’s professional golfer, and many serious
amateurs, are addressing their fitness level and are spending some
of that time and effort exercising their golfing movements and body.
As in most
sports, speed, strength and endurance are required, or at least
recommended for the athlete to perform well.
From auto racing to horseback riding, from mountain climbing
to swimming, better conditioned athletes are competing
longer and performing at higher levels.
Now it’s golf's turn.
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