Get Golf Fit!
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- By Jane Kircaldie, PT, TPI Certified Golf Fitness Instructor,
Medical Professional 2, Fitness Professional 2
As I was playing golf at my local course earlier this month, my playing
partner began to complain of worsening back pain. As the round
progressed and we reached the 7th of the 9 hole event, her swing pattern
started to change, the ball traveled a shorter distance and her frustration
heightened.
When I questioned her as we rode in the cart, she told me she had suffered a strain after lifting a
heavy couch and had a history of a “herniated disc.” Therefore, she logically assumed the repetitive
rotation of the golf swing 7 holes deep into the round, was the reason her symptoms became more
severe. Reasonable, right? Alas, but as I quietly watched her play, it turned out her symptoms weren’t
a result of her swing at all…..but actually from her set up posture!
Seem a bit odd? When one has a lesson with their PGA teaching professional, the first piece analyzed
is the set up posture. Key elements such as the grip, stance, and ball position within that stance are
all critiqued. And, in addition, who hasn’t heard during a lesson that they need to stand in a more
“athletic posture” at address? Most of you are nodding yes as you read this article, but it begs the
question, what does “athletic posture” truly mean?
Athletic posture is not only defined by a slight bend in the knees and a hinge at the hips, but also by
the angle of the spine in relation to the pelvis. The picture below shows two common, but poor, set
up postures, which could not only elicit back pain, but result in a decrease in power as well. And who
wants to hit the ball shorter?
Take a look at the pictures above. The posture on the left is called “C” posture and the one on the
right, “S” posture. Now, why are they considered poor, inefficient set up postures?
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Connecticut State Golf Association