Here is a quick test one can do at home to
answer that question. Sit on the edge of
a hard chair and slouch, like “C” posture
depicted above left. Cross your hands
over your shoulders and rotate as you
would for your backswing. Can’t turn too
far, correct? And no rotation = no power
or distance. Next, hyperextend your back
sticking your chest and stomach out and
turn. You can almost feel those vertebrae
compressing and grinding. A low back
injury waiting to happen. Now, sit straight
but relaxed, still with your arms crossed
and touching your shoulders, and repeat
for a third turn. Notice how much further
you can rotate? And, once again, the key
bullet points here are 1) rotation = power,
and 2) proper posture = decreased risk
of injury
C-Posture
S-Posture
Next, how does one determine if they
have “C” or “S” posture? The best way is
to stand in front of the mirror sideways, or have a pro or friend take a photo from the side or “down the line.”
Now, be honest with yourself! Do you truly look like one of the above photos? Keep in mind, it doesn’t need to
be severe to be impactful on your swing or cause injury. Even if you only have rounding at the mid back and
not the low back, you are robbing yourself of distance. And conversely, if your buttocks are sticking out and
your belt buckle is aiming to the ground, you are primed for injury. Now, how can these be corrected?
For many, it is difficult to achieve an “athletic” set up
posture because the pelvis may not be able to move
independently of the spine. They cannot “arch the back”
or “flatten the back”.
The exercise video to the right is a simple corrective
exercise. If 10 repetitions are performed daily for
two weeks, the mobility of the pelvis and its ability to
separate from the spine will improve, and you will start
to automatically adjust to “athletic” or “neutral” set up
posture. You will turn on a coordination switch in your
brain that may have been turned off for quite some time!
The ball will then travel further, your pain will subside,
and you will play healthy golf for years to come.
And my golf partner? Her address posture was a severe
“C”, opening up that spine to allow that disc to move
freely and cause pain. Yet, she had no idea as this
posture seemed normal to her! Once I showed her a
more “athletic” posture, she was able to finish the last 3
holes without pain. Yet, of course, this PT and certified
golf fitness instructor, gave her above exercise and many
more to do at home as any good fitness instructor would
do!