Author: Susan Hill
Article source: http://www.interestingread.com/. Used with author's permission.
Many professional golf instructors refer to golf posture as "spine angle." If you've taken lessons or have spent much time learning proper technique to improve your game, you have most likely heard the phrase many times. Good posture for the golf swing can greatly influence your ability to produce power. Without stability of your posture, a powerful and effective golf swing is very difficult and can result in injury and strains.
Good functional posture improves your swing and lets you transfer more force in your ball strike. Body structure and posture are unique traits, but an improper golf swing can cause certain muscle imbalances. These imbalances might not be obvious until they cause a disruptive physical problem.
The body slowly adapts to poor posture, and some body parts, like the neck, shoulders, back, and hips, may be overused to balance for loss of motion in other areas of the body. By performing a few simple exercises regularly, however, you can improve and maintain good posture and thus improve your swinging power.
The goal of exercise for posture is to improve both static and dynamic balance to develop functional stability during the swing. The postural muscles are located throughout the body. The primary role of these muscles is to hold the skeletal system and joint structures in proper alignment so the larger and stronger muscles can produce the desired body movements while keeping good balance.
Some common problems that are affected by posture are:
o Difficulty keeping your eye on the ball during your swing.
o Difficulty to transfer force from the lower body to the upper body.
o Compromised swing patterns.
o Poor club head speed and club control.
By performing a golf fitness routine on a regular basis, you will increase overall muscle strength, balance, and flexibility. All of these contribute to your ability to maintain an effective golf posture for a powerful golf swing no matter what the lie.
Commit yourself to proper preparation through strength and flexibility exercises designed to address current muscle imbalances and you'll unleash a whole new level of play. Susan Hill is a nationally recognized golf fitness trainer and Chek golf biomechanic. She is a writer for Golf Illustrated, Travel Golf, and Resort Golf among others. Her work has been featured in Self magazine and on ESPN. For more information on golf specific programs, visit http://www.fitnessforgolf.com.
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