Today’s blog is inspired by my training as a Titleist Performance Institute Golf Fitness Instructor as well as Certified Medical Practitioner Level 2. I’ve had the pleasure of learning from some of the most knowledgeable and inspiring golf leaders in the country and at this point, the world. I wanted to start with the basics of how our bodies function in relation to golf, but this doesn’t just pertain to golf. This knowledge is so important for anyone interested in learning how our bodies are designed to work and prevent injury.
The Body Swing Connection: the body is the most important tool you own in golf and any sport. Believe me, the most expensive golf clubs will not help, if you cannot swing properly. Tiger Woods should come to mind, when we think about the growth of the game of golf and fitness. He has proved that golf fitness is integral in improving your golf game. The days of the John Daly’s are over…I absolutely love John Daly, but he certainly didn’t take golf conditioning seriously in his prime. Look at all the young players on tour these days…Players are getting fitter and fitter and the results are showing.
You must understand how the body works. This is my attempt at simplifying. The body needs 2 things to function properly. Mobility and Stability
1. Mobility: a combination of normal joint range of motion and proper muscular flexibility
2. Stability: the ability to remain unchanged or aligned in the presence of change or outside forces. Stability is the combination of 3 things: 1. Balance 2. Strength 3. Muscular Endurance
The body works in an alternating pattern of stability and mobility in your joints. If this pattern is altered-DYSFUNCTION AND COMPENSATION will occur.
Normal Pattern:
Foot: Stable Ankle: Mobile Knee: Stable Hip: Mobile Pelvis/Sacrum/Lumbar Spine: Stable Thoracic Spine: Mobile Scapulo-Thoracic: Stable Glenohumeral/Shoulder: Mobile Elbow: Stable Wrist: Mobile Cervical Spine: Stable
If these patterns are altered….something bad will happen..poor performance, injury, etc.
The Process is Simple
Lose ankle mobility and develop knee pain Lose hip mobility and develop low back pain Lose thoracic mobility and develop neck and shoulder pain, or low back pain Looking at the body on a joint-by-joint basis beginning with the ankle makes a lot of sense.
If you’re a golfer or any athlete and trying to improve your performance, you must see a professional that can identify your physical limitations and provide exercises to alter the patterns. There are many TPI-certified golf fitness professionals around the world ready to help.
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