There are many ways to improve your golf swing...learn from a pro, practice, strength train, practice and...improve your posture.

For many reasons, many a golfer lacks the necessary ability to maintain good posture while driving their golf cart, let alone during their swing. The rolled forward, chin-poke or "hunching" posture seen in so many people today creates aberrant stress on the neck, shoulders and back. In this typical posture deep breathing is difficult, the rotator cuff muscles work inefficiently and all muscles are at a mechanical disadvantage.

Good Posture Equals More Power.

Being able to hold a stable posture or neutral spine allows you to:

Þ Maintain your spinal angle through the golf swing

Þ Have more efficient movement

Þ Decrease the risk of injury

Þ Improve muscle recruitment

Þ Produce more force (power) at ball strike

All this from standing straight, you ask? Essentially yes. Many of us don't realize how extremely important good posture is to effective and efficient movement, for all our daily activities. In fact, our muscles, especially those responsible for our core stability, all function best from a position of good posture or neutral spine.

Good posture is simply the ability to maintain the normal spinal curves. Further to this, dynamic postural stability is the concept of maintaining a desired alignment (such as the spinal angle) against external forces and loads (golf club, impact with ball) throughout an entire movement (the whole swing).

Normal Spinal Curves exist to increase the flexibility of movement, enhance shock-absorbing capacity, and ensure adequate stiffness and stability at each joint.

Þ Neck/Cervical spine = subtle inward curve

Þ Mid-back/Thoracic spine = subtle outward curve

Þ Low back/Lumbar spine= subtle inward curve

Þ Sacrum(Coccyx) = subtle outward angle

Improving Your Posture
 

The first step towards improving your posture is to first become aware of it. Poor posture doesn't happen overnight, it is a function of poor habits in all activities day in and day out.

To help increase your postural awareness there are simple exercises you can practice throughout your day, everyday.

These simple posture cues, if practiced daily, will not only help improve your posture to positively impact your golf swing but for all your activities be they work, home or play. However, practicing these cues are not enough. In order to have great dynamic postural stability you need to train the muscles that act as the support wires for the spine.

Article by Diana Rochon

The Fit Effect is ready to take your game to the next level.   Our golf clients are given a thorough assessment, nutritional guidance, and an individualized fitness program focused on building core strength, improving postural control, increasing flexibility and building overall strength -   All the components necessary to improve your game. 

To schedule an appointment, please contact Ray:

Ray Bessette, Master Personal Trainer, Houston, Texas
Graduate of the Professional Fitness Institute, NASM, ACE, NSCA Certified

Founder of The Fit Effect, LLC.

Phone:  832-755-1949        *       E-Mail:  Ray@TheFitEffect.Net         *          www.TheFitEffect.Net