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Balance
Another Key To A Successful Swing
In previous segments
in relation to golf fitness and the golf swing,
we've discussed the important of flexibility, the
need for flexibility within the golf swing and the
benefits flexibility training can provide for your
overall golf game. We now switch gears to what I
consider the most misunderstood but the greatest
beneficial side of golf fitness training in relation
to improving your golf fitness and golf game --
balance.
We know in order for
the body to execute a golf swing correctly we must
move the club on the proper swing path. Developing
better balance within your body and golf swing is
one way we can improve the development of a
repeatable swing and a consistent swing path.
We hear about balance
all the time from swing coaches, the media and TV
commentators in reference to a player having great
balance and a balanced finishing position. What we
forget is that balance is not only a component of
our swing mechanics, but in addition, is a component
of your body. Improving the physical components of
balance and stabilization in the body will
undoubtedly improve your golf swing.
To understand the
relation of balance in the golf swing, we must first
understand the definition of balance. In scientific
terms, balance is the ability of your neuromuscular
system (nerves and muscles) to maintain proper
alignment and center of gravity during any
biomechanical movement. In terms we can actually
understand, balance is the ability of the body to
maintain control of itself during any physical
activity. In relation to the golf swing, it 's the
ability of the body to maintain proper postural
alignment and center of gravity during all phases of
the swing.
Throughout the entire
sequence of movements contained in the golf swing,
it's necessary to maintain proper posture of the
spine, perform rotational and linear movements
simultaneously and execute each biomechanical
movement in correct sequence and correct timing.
To perform this
properly, you must be able to maintain balance of
your body as a unit and control every body part.
Improving our balance capacity physically will allow
your body to maintain the proper anatomical
positions required by golf swing. This will then
take less effort to control your body amounting to
greater efficiency in your swing and greater
clubhead speed.
In previous articles,
we have discussed balance training and benefits of
balance training. A nice balance exercise specific
to golf to get you going on the right path to
improving balance in the golf swing is the single
leg cone reach. Performing exercises such as this
and other balance exercises will improve your
balance within your golf swing.
Next week, we'll
delve further into concept of balance training and
provide more golf -- specific balance exercises to
improve golf game.
Sean Cochran
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