Foot Power For Golf

FootPower for Golf





Although the ankle is the most injured body part of an athlete, very little is ever done to

strengthen the stabilizing muscles that prevent rolling in and out. Golfers are no

exception in neglecting ankle strengthening. They seldom sprain their ankle swinging the

golf club, but strength of ankle muscles is very significant to maintaining positions that

establish balance, and create a powerful and efficient golf swing.



During the backswing, the moment a golfer allows body weight to move outside the

neutral position of the ankle that was established at address a power leak is created. It

then becomes a challenge to transfer weight in the forward swing with any consistency.



Although this lateral displacement of weight often occurs as a compensatory move due to

hip inflexibility, it may be accentuated (or even caused) by weakness of the ankle

evertors (or muscles that tilt your ankle up on the little toe side).



The ankle position of the forward foot (closest to your target) is a major factor in

successful delivery of power at impact. At this moment of truth when tremendous force

is created from the feet upward your ankle should hold fast to its neutral position.

Strength of the ankle evertors becomes a major factor at this point as the body mass is

quickly rotating and moving toward the target.



If your weight has moved outside the power zone and your ankle has rolled to the

outside, you have once again created a power leak. The stronger and better trained your

ankles are:

The more power you can deliver at impact

The better your ability to maintain proper spine angles

You can more effectively resist compensatory moves in the swing

Perform this as an exercise and hitting drill. You will gain strength, improve footwork,

establish better golf balance and increase swing power as you move from the backswing,

into your forward swing, to impact and to the finish position.



The exercise---



Take your normal address position. Contract the outside muscles of each lower leg in

order to flare up the outside of each foot slightly. Strive to maintain this flared up

position with each foot as you hit a golf ball with a shortened half swing. As you move

toward impact the back foot ( R foot of right handed golfer ) will naturally move out of

the starting position as the heel leaves the ground to establish the normal follow through

position. Just beyond impact the forward foot (L foot of right handed golfer ) will flatten

but do not allow your weight to transfer to the outside of the foot. Your follow through is

shortened to parallel to the ground for this drill/exercise. Repeat with 10 to 20 swings or

until your leg muscles fatigue to the point of not being able to adequately hold your feet

in the proper flared positions.



Remember: During your swing keep proper spine angles, maintain a good solid position

of the back knee during your backswing, rotate your center of gravity within the balance

zone, and accelerate through impact just as you would in a normal swing.

About the author

To learn more about the GoLo GolFitness System and other original training drills or to

schedule your personal E-GoLo GolfBody Screensm go to www.gologolfitness.com



Article written by William H. Breland, PT, SCS, CGS. Mr. Breland is the only Board

Certified Sports Physical Therapist and touring Golf Professional in the United States.

He can be contacted at wbreland@brelandhealth.com or 866-840-GOLO.