Enhancing Golf Performance
. This can be accomplished by years of practice, the right equipment, personal coaches and even more practice. But what if there was something that was preventing a golfer from performing optimally?
Research studies confirm the importance of postural balance on effective biomechanical results. That's right, good posture lets your muscles and joints work better. Think of it this way:
If you head is too far forward (your earlobe should be in line with the front of your shoulder) it will throw off your balance because more weight is in front of your body. This is usually accompanied by "rounded shoulders" where your chest muscles become tight and cause your shoulders to move forward, and your back muscles to become stretched and weakened. All this can cause your calf muscles to tighten up because they are trying to keep you from falling over.
What can this mean for your golf swing?
Imagine getting into your golf stance. Focus on what your calves and toes are doing. Are they working to keep your body from going forward? If that is happening, can you imagine how that is taking away from your swing and accuracy? As soon as you swing your body has to adjust so you can keep balanced. The problem is that many people with poor posture are used to this and don't even realize that it is occurring! Because many of us are used to it, it is hard to associate it with poor performance (or other problems like headaches, back pain, neck pain, etc.).
What about the case for the "stiff" neck, or the neck which has lost its full and normal range of motion?
Here's an exercise for you. Gently pull your shoulders back and turn your head to the left as far as comfortably possible. You should be able to see somewhat behind your shoulder (without cheating and moving your shoulders forward). Do the same thing on the right side. Is your range of motion even? Do you feel any neck pain or tightness? Normal active range of motion turning for your neck is 70-80 degrees. Anything less may suggest that you have a muscle or joint issue.
Now keep your head facing straight ahead and turn your torso so that your left shoulder is in line with your chin. Do the same thing for the right side. This is the same as the first exercise, but this one resembles more of a golfers swing. Can you see how an issue with your neck can affect your golf swing?
This usually translates into the ball not going as far, and also a less accurate shot due to your arms and elbows pulling more to compensate for the decrease in neck movement.
You can take the above example of decreased motion or pain in your neck and apply if to your low back! Get in your golf swing stance and pretend hitting a ball with your golf club. Hold your position after your follow-through and look at the position of your knees, hips, low back and torso. As you swing your chest is facing one direction, and when you are done hitting the ball did you notice that your chest was facing the opposite direction? This also contributes to distance and accuracy. This is why it is very important for your joints and spine to be working properly for maximum performance, not to mention decrease in injury rate!
All the personal coaching, practice, and expensive equipment in the world are not enough to compensate for these types of issues.
What can be done to fix it?
1. Improve/restore range of motion. This can be done with GENTLE and APPROPRIATE stretching exercises. Believe it or not, you can stretch the wrong way.
2. Improve function. This is accomplished by specific strengthening exercises that not only make your muscles stronger, but train them in the way needed for them to increase function and performance.
3. Get your joints moving better.
4. Stabilize your foundation. There may be an issue with the arches in your feet that is causing everything else to become imbalanced.
Some of this can be accomplished on your own, but the question you must ask yourself is "am I doing this right". There is a fine line between the right way - which will give you positive benefit, and the wrong way - which will do nothing but waste time, cause frustration or even worse injury or decreased performance. A chiropractor can help you with the 4 steps above. We are trained to increase joint mobility, improve your body's function, stabilize and balance your muscles and joints, improve range of motion and get your body working as efficiently and optimally as possible. Chiropractic care is very safe, effective and affordable, and the improvements are measurable.
If you would like a free assessment of the above 4 goals feel free to give our office a call. You may also visit our website for more information.
Enhancing Golf Performance
By: Antonio Marotta
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