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By Dan Goldstein, PT, O/SCS, ATC, GFS –
In the last article I discussed warm-up exercises to help prevent injuries during golf and tennis. In addition to treating injuries I have been very involved with appropriate conditioning and exercise progressions to keep my clients on the course. You may have seen spots on the Golf Channel from the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) discussing physical conditioning to improve golf performance and help reduce the risk of injury. I have been very active with TPI whose program is based on results they have seen from their golf professionals. I incorporate this training with recommended exercise changes based on the individual capabilities of my clients.
In all sports and normal daily functional activities controlling balance is critical. When most people think of being “out of balance” they note instability of their feet. By medical definition, balance is the ability to “control your center-of-gravity over your base-of-support.” In other words, the ability to control your core (think of hips, pelvis, low back and abdominal region) over your supportive legs and feet. Therefore, balance training and improved golf performance requires improved movement of the core IF you understand what should be felt in the feet.
Golf shoes are designed with the sole being flatter than usual shoes with spikes all the way down the soles to encourage maximal control of your feet against the ground. Jack Grout, PGA professional, who worked with Jack Nicklaus, emphasized that the golf swing takes place between the arches of the feet! Raymond Floyd, PGA Champion, stated in a recent Golf Channel interview, that if during the swing your weight goes to your toes it is “death.” Raymond was known for a preshot routine that included setting feet solidly into the ground—get all the spikes, especially the ones under the arch, into the ground before your swing. Swinging in balance will help provide more power and allow your joints to move easily—especially if you did a pre-round warm-up routine.
To help my clients learn the ‘feel’ of balanced motion and to test golfers to ensure appropriate control of their body motion, over their stable legs/feet I incorporate the Dynamic Balance System-DBS (www.sportsbalance.com). This is a computerized force platform which provides computer feedback to help train appropriate movement. This technology is used at the PGA Center for Golf Performance and Learning, PGA TOUR Academies, etc. Note the example below which shows how the golf professional moves their body between the arches of their feet as opposed to the amateur whose weight moves significantly toward their toes requiring balance compensations which adversely effect power, stability, and can put increased stress on his joints and muscles.
Charlie Cowan, PGA Professional, Deerfield Beach, FL
Properly fit clubs and a balanced motion can produce excellent performance. We use the DBS daily to detect compensations to a truly balanced swing. With the Dynamic Balance System we get to the bottom line quicker, cleaner, and more consistently!
AOSPT
(561) 371 – 6021
1896 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd, Suite B
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
www.dangoldsteinpt.com
