Hello again from Classic Swing Golf School! We all know that body mechanics are extremely important so take this tip from Ted:
Improving a student's golf game is often a three-fold process for a teacher that focuses on the mind, body, and mechanics. This month, I will address the body. The first four months of 2011 I broke down the mechanics without a club and discussed the role of the pivot. Next month, I will concentrate on the mental part of this wonderful game. As I begin to describe this month's exercises, it must be noted that these stretches can be done while moving or stationary. Moving stretches (example: lunging while twisting) take into account balance, focus, and concentration. Stationary stretches involve moving into a position and holding this position which takes strength. For some readers, the following exercises may need to be done under the supervision or with the permission of a medical professional.
The torso is the area of the body from the hips to the shoulders. The torso plays a key role for generating power in the golf swing. The stretch shown in Picture # 1 (Half-Kneeling Long Turns) is a great exercise for improving and correcting torso rotation. Begin this exercise by getting into a half-kneeling position with the down knee on a comfortable cushion or folded towel. Next, hold each end of a golf club and move it overhead while keeping your posture as tall as possible. Once you are in this position, try to rotate the torso as far as possible to both the right and the left without moving the lower body. For thoracic mobility (stretching out the back), keep the arms extended while turning. Switch your down leg and repeat.
Another major area of focus in relation to power in the golf swing is the glutes. The important major muscles that surround the glutes are the quadriceps and hamstrings. For strength and flexibility to these key areas that surround the pelvis, use the stretch shown in Picture # 2 (Torso Turns with a Lunge). It is a simple lunge complimented with a twist. Once again, keep the arms fully extended for thoracic mobility, but in this exercise, keep your arms in front of your chest. The leg you lunge with is the side you rotate your chest over. Ten repetitions over each leg provide a good cardio workout as well.
Finally, I would like to focus on the core. Pelvic rotation is a stabilizer in the golf swing as the body moves the club into impact. For pelvic rotation improvement, try the Stork Turns shown in Picture # 3. To begin this exercise, stand on one leg and cross your arms over your chest. Hook one foot behind the knee of the down leg for support. Try to rotate the hips and shoulders back and forth for up to 25 seconds without losing your balance. Change your down leg and repeat. If you do not feel a burn in your belly, you are probably not performing this stretch correctly. No pain, no gain!
It is important to notice that in the Half-Kneeling Long Turns, we stretched the upper body but resisted with the lower body. During the Torso Turns with a Lunge, we mobilized both the upper and lower body and implemented some cardio. In the Stork Turns, we again moved both the lower body and the upper body. Hopefully one of these stretches, if not all three, will help your game. Next month, we will concentrate on mental aspects.
On another note, we have recently received some new summer apparel and have added it to our website. Please visit our Pro Shop page at https://classicswing.com/newcart to see the new items as well as some great deals on selected winter apparel in the clearance section. Also, if you would like to purchase my DVD, "From Putt to Drive," a teaching aid you used in school, or golf clubs, you can do that from this secure page as well.