GP Junior (Jul-Aug 19) Junior (July-Aug 19) | Page 28

FITNESS
1 STARTING POSITION
2 KEEP FEET APART AND KNEES APART
3 KEEP FEET TOGETHER AND KNEES APART
The
ATHLETIC GOLFER
4 KEEP FEET AND KNEES TOGETHER
5 KEEP FEET AND KNEES TOGETHER
GOLF IS A HIGHLY ATHLETIC SPORT
P
laying or practicing too much golf can
result in overuse injuries. Even if you
don’t play frequently, poor technique
can result in injury. If a player is lacking
either stability or mobility, his or her body
will compensate by trying to make up for
the defi ciencies. This may ultimately create
an ineffi cient golf swing that will lack power
and consistency, and potentially result in
injury.
The protocol for a wholesome
golf athletic body is Stability,
Mobility, Strength and Power
STABILITY : Martial arts and boxing
coaches have often used the adage, “You
can’t fi re a cannon from a canoe” to describe
the importance of a strong, stable core to
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GolfPlus Junior July-August 2019
provide the stability and leverage for their
athletes. Although this adage holds true for
most sports, it is especially essential for
golfers in their short game.
MOBILITY: Mobility is all about effi cient,
smooth, biomechanically correct athleticism
in motion for optimal performance.
The golf swing is a highly coordinated,
3-D movement pattern that requires a fl uid
range of motion, explosive triple extension
from the rear foot ankle, knees and hips
along with powerful trunk and hip rotation.
Any restrictions in mobility will result
in restricted, ineffi cient movement and
the stress of the swing being directed to
ligaments and joints rather than allowing
the golfer’s muscles handle all of the force
production and absorption.
STRENGTH : A proper strength foundation
built on a stable, mobile athletic base and then
progressed to maximize power production is
the ultimate option for the golfer.
POWER : Power development in the golf
swing equates to increased swing speed, ball
speed, and more carry on your shots. Power
effi ciency is affected by the mechanics of
the swing and by the physiological ability
of the golfer to produce force fl uidly and
explosively. Better golf swing mechanics
means a more powerful golf swing and a
stronger more powerful body means you
can produce more strength and power,
specifi cally in this case Rotary Power.