For all the golfers out there, do you know why players with unorthodox swings such as Jim Furyk, Raymond Floyd or John Daly are successful in their golf careers? It is all about their kinematic sequence. Their kinematic sequences are very similar, which is why they are so successful in what they do.
TPI’s Philosophy of the Golf Swing:
“We don’t believe there is one way to swing a club; we believe there are an infinite number of ways to swing a club. But we do believe that there is one EFFICIENT way for everyone to swing a club and it is based on what they can physically do.”
There are amazing new technologies in golf that allow a golfers kinematic sequence to be assessed by 3-D motion analysis systems. These technologies can assess how a golfer generates speed and transfers that speed or energy throughout their bodies. Although there are an infinite number of ways to swing a golf club, there is one most efficient sequence of how a golfer transfers their speed to the club head, which is called the “kinematic sequence”.
All great ball strikers begin by generating speed from their lower body and transferring that speed through their torso into their arms and then into the club. The style that the golfer uses to complete this sequence is unique but the sequence should be the same for all golfers if they are swinging efficiently.
Three things can lead to efficiency breakdowns in your golf swing:
– Poor mechanics – Use video swing analysis to isolate mechanical breakdowns
– Poor conditioning – Isolate and improve any limitations in the body
– Poor equipment – Use club fitting to determine the best specifications for the player
How does a Physiotherapist fit into this process?
Poor conditioning is where a Physiotherapist is imperative in this process. If your Golf Pro or coach is trying to get you to swing in a more efficient way but you physically cannot get into the correct position then there may be a physical limitation that needs to be addressed. This is where a TPI certified Physiotherapist can help to determine if there are any physical limitations that may be affecting your golf swing. Once these limitations are identified then the Physiotherapist can liaise with the Golf Pro or coach to help improve your golf swing.
In addition, your Physio can highlight any potential risk factors for future injury associated with your golf swing. For example, one component we look at is an Overhead Deep Squat. Did you know that 99% of people that fail the Overhead Deep Squat will early extend in their golf swing? Early extension in a golf swing is one of the most common causes of lower back pain in a golfer!
So come and see Bonnie (TPI certified) at Bend + Mend in Sydney’s CBD for a Golf Physiotherapy Assessment and TPI Screening. Power is everything in golf and if there is a physical limitation stopping you from becoming a better golfer then let’s address it together!
