Have you been playing golf for many years and are
starting to notice that your body does not bounce back from aches and pains the
way it used to? One of the most
attractive things about golf is that it is played long into the aging years of
life. However, there may come a time when you start
to notice slight changes in your golf swing and do not feel as smooth as you
once did.
As a physical therapist, Fellow of Applied
Functional Science and Certified Nike Golf Specialist, I am trained to evaluate
the entire body as it relates to the golf swing. Addressing the entire body and treating
various ailments has given me the opportunity to provide comprehensive
treatment, as well as allows patients timely recovery and improved
performance. For example, in my practice
I often treat golfers who have been diagnosed with arthritis and pain is frequently
manifested in the back, knees and shoulders.
My approach always includes evaluating movement mechanics in search of
the source of pain instead of simply blaming arthritis for pain and suggesting
that these athletes to give up golf. It
is imperative to address movement patterns that may be increasing stress to
certain areas of the body and allow the athlete to play to the best of their
ability for many years.
One major contributor to the breakdown of golf swing
mechanics is the hips. In the evaluation
of the entire golf swing, one can appreciate the power and motion that is
required to come from the hips in order for the rest of the swing to be
successful. Over time, we lose motion in
our hips due to poor postures or prolonged sitting. This limits the ability of the hips to move
around the rest of the body and decreases the power of the hip muscles to
explode through the swing.
Now, let’s examine the golf swing. Moving from the address position to the
backswing, the body transitions to a more upright posture as the club comes up
and around the body. Ideally, there is
also significant rotation occurring at the hips that is transferred through the
spine and shoulders to allow the club to get over the shoulders. If the hips do not allow for optimal
rotation, the body will compensate and try to gain increased rotation from
other areas in order to get a full backswing.
Try to execute your swing without allowing your hips to rotate, keeping
them fixed. Is it difficult to take your
club into a full backswing position? You
might even experience discomfort in your back, shoulders or knees. This is because other body parts have to over-compensate to provide enough
rotation to execute the backswing. Now take
your club through the downswing into your follow through position. Do you feel like you were able to generate as
much power as normal? Perhaps it took a
lot more effort to generate the same amount of power. Did you feel more stress on your shoulders,
back or somewhere else? You might be
able to get away with this once, or even several times in a row. However, imagine playing that way an entire
round, several times a month. This results in the back, shoulders and knees
being over-worked repetitively which will eventually cause breakdown and
potential joint pain, muscle strain, or other injuries; not to mention
inefficiency. Upon completion of the
above exercise, does it make sense to blame our “bad” back, knees or shoulders
for hurting? It seems that there is
another culprit to be blamed for these pains.
The lack of hip motion is the true contributor to the pain. It is imperative that the true source of the
breakdown of swing mechanics is addressed in order to make lasting changes in
swing efficiency and the treatment of golf-related injuries.
It is appropriate to appreciate the movement of the
hips as large contributors to creating power in the golf swing. Optimal loading during the golf swing occurs
when the hips move and function effectively in all three planes of motion. I encourage you, if you are being treated for
any golf ailment or injury, to inquire to your provider if your hips are
functioning as they should be to maximize your swing, and if they are being
addressed in relationship to your pain.
Your hips are a key factor to a successful golf
swing. Make sure they are being unlocked
in order to unleash the power and capability of your golf swing for years to
come.
Tracy Hill, PT, DPT, CSCS, FAFS
Nike Golf Performance
Specialist
Spooner Physical Therapy
Ahwatukee
16611 S. 40th St., Suite
130
Phoenix, AZ 85048
(480)706-1199
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