How to improve your golf swing.

If you’re noticing that your golf swing is out of whack or you’re losing power in your drives then keep reading!

The golf swing is a complex movement that requires a large range of motion throughout your entire body in order to generate the force required to hit the ball a long way. This movement comes from your ankles, knees, hips, shoulders and spine. All of these body parts work together and form what we call the “kinetic chain”.

They say a chain is only as strong as its weakest link… Our kinetic chain is much the same - it only takes a minor deficit in one part of your body to throw your whole kinetic chain out of whack and affect your swing.

Some common culprits that can limit your golf swing are listed below;

Hip Mobility

Our hips generate a large amount of force during a golf swing. In order to generate sufficient force to hit a long drive, our hips need to be able to move through their full range of motion to achieve a full back swing and a full follow-through after hitting the ball. This hip rotation is also required for correct weight transfer throughout your swing.

A common problem physio’s see (particularly in men) is tightness through the glutes and groin, which can limit the hips range of motion and affect your swing.

Thoracic (A.K.A upper back) Mobility 

The upper back is often a neglected area for most people, particularly desk workers that spend long periods of time sitting in front of a computer. 

Thoracic mobility is crucial in a golf swing to be able to achieve a full back swing while still keeping your head still and eyes on the ball. We need to be able to twist and arch our upper back without our head and neck moving - which requires a lot of mobility.

Shoulder Mobility

Our shoulders also require sufficient rotational mobility to achieve full back swing and follow through. 

A common complaint is tightness in the pec muscles (chest muscles) that can limit our shoulders ability to fully rotate and lead to discomfort at the end stage of a back swing or follow-through.

Why does this matter?

There is a large amount of rotational force that is generated when you hit a ball 150+ metres. If your mobility is limited in one of the above areas, then this force needs to be transferred to another part of the body to compensate. Often it’s the lower back that takes on this additional force, which can overload your low back and lead to lower back pain and injury.

If you’re experiencing any discomfort while playing golf, or if you’re noticing reduced power or altered rhythm with your swing, then book in to see one of our physiotherapists for a full functional assessment. We can uncover the cause and provide exercises and management strategies to resolve your issue.

Call us today on 8682 6665 or book online by clicking the 'book now' button below.