Core And The Golf Swing

What Do the Core and the Golf Swing
have in Common?


The concept of core training is a buzz word in todays fitness and training community. It
has also become a prevalent idea in the game of golf. In regards to golf it has been noted
by many individuals that the core area of the body is where the power comes from in
your swing, and in order to make a full turn you need flexibility in the core. This article
will discuss the function of the core in relation to human movement and the golf swing.

We will discuss categorically the functions of the core and how improvements in these
areas can assist in the improvement of your golf swing. Before we begin discussing the
functions of the core, let us define it. The core can be defined as an anatomical area of
the body. The core is includes all the muscles from below the chest to the hips.
Separated out into body parts the core includes all muscles of: the hips (glutes,
hamstrings, glutes), abdominals, obliques (side abdominals), and low back. These
muscles groups essentially comprise the core region and are involved in the majority of
movement elicited by the core.

Now that we have a brief understanding of what exactly the core refers to in terms of a
reference point, let us begin to discuss the pertinent connections between the core and
the golf swing. We will be discussing the following topics in relation to the golf swing:
1) range of motion, 2) speed of motion, 3) balance, and 4) coordination. All four of these
categories are related to the core of your body and have a direct effect on your golf
swing. We will first begin by discussing range of motion and move forward from that
point.

Range of Motion

Most of us have probably heard of this term before and may have some type of definition
for it. Let us first define range of motion. Range of motion is essentially a distance that
the body or body part moves during an activity. For example, walking down the street
requires all segments of the body to move through a certain range of motion. In addition
to the entire body, specific body parts move through a specified range of motion. The
knee for instance, when you are walking, moves in a linear range of motion to create
movement in the legs.

The golf swing is similar to walking when discussing range of motion. The entire body
must move through a specified distance to perform the golf swing correctly. The core as
a segment of the body also has to move through a specified distance to perform the golf
swing correctly. Relating the core and the golf swing range of motion is very important.
It is the primary body segment that allows for the rotation of the body to occur. The back
swing, down swing, and follow through require an extensive range of motion to be
provided by the core. If limitations exist in terms the distance that the core can move
through, then limitations will occur in the golf swing. On the flip side, a greater range of
motion (distance that the body segment moves through) generates greater amounts of
power. This gets into what can be termed as the X factor in the back swing. The more
turn (range of motion of the core) you can get in the golf swing, the greater ability the
body has to generate more power.

Range of motion is quite a relevant topic when reviewing the golf swing. It becomes
quite apparent that a connection exists between the range of motion available to the core
and what the end results are in the swing. A brief synopsis would indicate that a greater
range of motion in the core results in a more powerful swing, and less range of motion
decreases power in the golf swing.

Speed of Motion

Connected to range of motion is the speed of that range. Speed of motion is essentially
adding a time component to range of motion. It is connected to the speed at which an
object would move.

If you have a large range of motion created by the body over a short period of time, the
speed of the motion is fast and power production is high. On the other hand if you
decrease the range of motion the body moves through with the golf swing and slow the
movement down, power production will be less.

The core is again at the center of this discussion pertaining to the golf swing. At this
point, we know that a large range of motion creates a greater X factor in the golf swing.
This will ultimately result in greater power output. Add into the equation a high speed of
motion, and the power component of the swing becomes greater. The point to be made is
that range of motion and speed are interconnected in relation to the golf swing. The core
is connected to these two entities in that it is the segment of the body that creates the
greatest range of motion in the swing.

Balance

Balance is a key component of the golf swing that we hear about quite often. Balance can
be defined as the amount of stability within the body during a movement. The greatest
amount of balance by the body can be achieved if it maintains a center of gravity around
the middle line of support. If you have ever taken a golf lesson you know what the above
sentence is talking about. The body including the core must rotate around a center axis in
the body. If rotation is moved to far away from this center axis, balance in the golf swing
will be lost. As a result of weight shifts in the golf swing, the axis which the body rotates
around does move, but movement by certain body segments beyond a certain point
reduces stability.

Research indicates that accuracy and consistency is connected to stability in the golf
swing. In addition, EMG studies indicate that the core is involved to a high extent in the
stabilization of the body in any human movement, including the golf swing. We could
probably make the connection that the core is a relevant body part in the ability to
maintain balance in the golf swing.

Coordination

The final point of this discussion of the core and the golf swing is coordination.
Coordination is essentially the ability of the body to activate body parts in a sequential
order to create a desired movement. Go back to the walking example, and the body must
coordinate all parts of the body to create this movement. The golf swing is essentially
the same. The body must fire the muscles of the body in a certain order with the correct
timing to create the movement of the golf swing. The core is actively involved in the
coordination of the golf swing, as is the rest of the body. The two points to focus upon in
terms of coordination are: 1) timing and 2) sequence. Both of these terms are essential
for a mechanically efficient golf swing. The sequence in which muscles are fired in the
golf swing require a certain timing for an efficient swing to occur.

About the Author
Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today.
He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. He has
made many of his golf tips, golf instruction and golf swing improvement techniques
available to amateur golfers on the website www.bioforcegolf.com. To contact Sean,
you can email him at support@bioforcegolf.com.

About the Author
Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today.
He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. He has
made many of his golf tips, golf instruction and golf swing improvement techniques
available to amateur golfers on the website www.bioforcegolf.com. To contact Sean,
you can email him at support@bioforcegolf.com.