Bad Posture Ruins Good Swings
- Date: 2006-12-04 - Word Count: 470
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It's true. I see this happening all the time with golfers of just about all levels.
Of course you want to feel relaxed of the golf ball as you set up to it… but not so relaxed that you're all hunched over approaching a fetal position!
You want to be relaxed, but you want to be firm enough to support a position of good posture that will create a proper spine angle at address and throughout your golf swing.
Let's start from the feet up as we breakdown the individual components of a good golf swing posture.
The Feet: I like to have people's foot positioning to be just slightly 'duck footed'. With each of your fee pointed in slight outward position, your hips will be able to rotate more comfortably on the backswing promoting a good turn and by the same token, you hips will able to rotate and clear easier as you come through the shot.
The Stance: The longer the club the wider the stance - about shoulder width for the driver - coming closer together as the clubs shorten.
The Weight Distribution: I like to couch much of my instruction based on neutral positioning. As golfers we are always making adjustments here and there, but you need to know where a 'neutral point' is that you can always find your way back to if needed. Distribute your weight evenly with it resting slightly on the insteps of each foot.
Legs: Knees should be slightly flexed in order to maintain your balance throughout your golf swing. Not enough flex results in greater spine angle (in order to sole the club) which in turn results in too steep of a swing angle. Too much flex results in too little of a spine angle and consequently a flat swing.
Hips & Back: Bend from hips. Don't curl with your abdominals. Bending from hips keeps your back flat and at the correct angle. This creates a consistent axis that your swing will revolve around.
Shoulders: Your right shoulder will be slightly lower than the left because your right hand is lower on the grip. As such your spine will tilt slightly to the right… but keep your back flat.
Head: An extension of the line established by proper back and spine alignment. Don't tuck your chin. Among other things tucking your chin will get it in the way of your shoulder turn and either cause a loss of power or a movement of your head as your left shoulder tries to turn through.
When you begin learning this posture for the first time or re-addressing your posture after perhaps developing some bad habits, it will feel a bit unnatural. Be patient, and persistent, allow your muscles some time to acclimate and strengthen.
Posture is extremely important to the success and consistency of your golf shots.
Don't build your swing on a house of cards.
Of course you want to feel relaxed of the golf ball as you set up to it… but not so relaxed that you're all hunched over approaching a fetal position!
You want to be relaxed, but you want to be firm enough to support a position of good posture that will create a proper spine angle at address and throughout your golf swing.
Let's start from the feet up as we breakdown the individual components of a good golf swing posture.
The Feet: I like to have people's foot positioning to be just slightly 'duck footed'. With each of your fee pointed in slight outward position, your hips will be able to rotate more comfortably on the backswing promoting a good turn and by the same token, you hips will able to rotate and clear easier as you come through the shot.
The Stance: The longer the club the wider the stance - about shoulder width for the driver - coming closer together as the clubs shorten.
The Weight Distribution: I like to couch much of my instruction based on neutral positioning. As golfers we are always making adjustments here and there, but you need to know where a 'neutral point' is that you can always find your way back to if needed. Distribute your weight evenly with it resting slightly on the insteps of each foot.
Legs: Knees should be slightly flexed in order to maintain your balance throughout your golf swing. Not enough flex results in greater spine angle (in order to sole the club) which in turn results in too steep of a swing angle. Too much flex results in too little of a spine angle and consequently a flat swing.
Hips & Back: Bend from hips. Don't curl with your abdominals. Bending from hips keeps your back flat and at the correct angle. This creates a consistent axis that your swing will revolve around.
Shoulders: Your right shoulder will be slightly lower than the left because your right hand is lower on the grip. As such your spine will tilt slightly to the right… but keep your back flat.
Head: An extension of the line established by proper back and spine alignment. Don't tuck your chin. Among other things tucking your chin will get it in the way of your shoulder turn and either cause a loss of power or a movement of your head as your left shoulder tries to turn through.
When you begin learning this posture for the first time or re-addressing your posture after perhaps developing some bad habits, it will feel a bit unnatural. Be patient, and persistent, allow your muscles some time to acclimate and strengthen.
Posture is extremely important to the success and consistency of your golf shots.
Don't build your swing on a house of cards.
Related Tags: golf, golf instruction, golf tips
Jeff O`Brien’s teaching experience offers insightful golf swing basics to get your golf game on track. Be sure to visit www.golf-ology.com for golf lessons, great prices on golf clubs, & much more
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