What you don’t know about your What you don’t know about your body and the golf swingbody and the golf swing

Dr. Kevin ChristieDr. Kevin Christie

Titleist Performance Institute Medical Pro 3Titleist Performance Institute Medical Pro 3Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)Chiropractic PhysicianChiropractic PhysicianHealth-Fit Golf Systems- DeveloperHealth-Fit Golf Systems- Developer

““Golf Fitness Essentials for Trainers”Golf Fitness Essentials for Trainers”

Back 9 Tour Services- Back 9 Tour Services- Performance/Medical SpecialistPerformance/Medical Specialist

Nova Southeastern University Adjunct Professor Nova Southeastern University Adjunct Professor (Exercise Physiology)(Exercise Physiology)Perfect Competition Medical StaffPerfect Competition Medical StaffActive Release Technique/Biomechanics CertifiedActive Release Technique/Biomechanics Certified

Topics of this WorkshopTopics of this Workshop

Components of Golf FitnessComponents of Golf FitnessMobility & Stability for GolfMobility & Stability for GolfPelvic, Neck, Shoulder, Wrist, Pelvic, Neck, Shoulder, Wrist, Foot/Ankle Requirements of the golf Foot/Ankle Requirements of the golf swing. swing. Basic Swing MechanicsBasic Swing Mechanics1-Swing Plane vs. 2-Swing Plane1-Swing Plane vs. 2-Swing PlaneSwing Faults caused by Physical Swing Faults caused by Physical LimitationsLimitationsCardio for Golf?Cardio for Golf?Causes of Golf-related injuriesCauses of Golf-related injuriesTreatment Options for Golf InjuriesTreatment Options for Golf InjuriesCase StudyCase Study

Golf Fitness IntroductionGolf Fitness Introduction

Golf fitness is the design of a Golf fitness is the design of a strength & conditioning program to strength & conditioning program to increase performance and decrease increase performance and decrease over-use injuries. The program over-use injuries. The program design is based of biomechanical design is based of biomechanical and/or video assessment of the and/or video assessment of the golfer golfer

A golf fitness program should first A golf fitness program should first build the golfer’s base fitness or build the golfer’s base fitness or “corrective” phase, then build power “corrective” phase, then build power upon that foundationupon that foundation

The 5-Components of Golf FitnessThe 5-Components of Golf Fitness

Postural Control-Postural Control- Address posture and golf swingAddress posture and golf swing

Balance & Coordination-Balance & Coordination- Effective weight transferEffective weight transfer

Muscular Strength, Power and EnduranceMuscular Strength, Power and Endurance Golf-specific musculatureGolf-specific musculature

Flexibility/MobilityFlexibility/Mobility Mobility = JointsMobility = Joints Flexibility= Muscle, lig, tendonsFlexibility= Muscle, lig, tendons

Stability-Stability- Hip, shoulder, coreHip, shoulder, core

Biomechanics & Exercise PhysiologyBiomechanics & Exercise PhysiologyJoint BiomechanicsJoint Biomechanics

Alternating Pattern of Stability and MobilityAlternating Pattern of Stability and Mobility

Foot Foot StabilityStabilityAnkle Ankle MobilityMobilityKnee Knee StabilityStabilityHip Hip MobilityMobilityLumbar Spine Lumbar Spine StabilityStabilityThoracic Spine Thoracic Spine MobilityMobilityScapulo-thoracic Scapulo-thoracic StabilityStabilityCervical Spine Cervical Spine MobilityMobilityGleno-Humeral Joint Gleno-Humeral Joint MobilityMobilityElbow Elbow StabilityStabilityWrist Wrist MobilityMobility

Cervical RotationCervical Rotation

Cervical Rotation is needed for consistent ball strikingCervical Rotation is needed for consistent ball striking

At least 75° is needed to maintain head positionAt least 75° is needed to maintain head position

Cervical Rotation TestCervical Rotation Test

Spinal ROM?Spinal ROM?

Shoulder/Rotator cuffShoulder/Rotator cuff

Rotator Cuff – Rotator Cuff – Dynamic StabilityDynamic Stability

Three Levels of StabilizationThree Levels of Stabilization Scapula (Shoulder Blade)Scapula (Shoulder Blade) Rotator CuffRotator Cuff Ligaments/LabrumLigaments/Labrum

Trail ShoulderTrail Shoulder Front Rotator CuffFront Rotator Cuff- accelerate- accelerate Rear Rotator Cuff- DecelerateRear Rotator Cuff- Decelerate

Lead ShoulderLead Shoulder

Shoulder/Rotator CuffShoulder/Rotator Cuff

Lead Shoulder Rotator Cuff Lead Shoulder Rotator Cuff TightnessTightness

Restricted BackswingRestricted BackswingDecreased Width of BackswingDecreased Width of Backswing

Decreased Lead arm power Decreased Lead arm power during downswingduring downswing

Wrist/ForearmWrist/Forearm

Flexion/ExtensionFlexion/Extension

Pronation/SupinationPronation/Supination

Radial/Ulnar DeviationRadial/Ulnar Deviation

Wrist Requirement of the Golf SwingWrist Requirement of the Golf Swing

Wrist Movement requirements in the golf swingWrist Movement requirements in the golf swing Top of BackswingTop of Backswing

Right WristRight Wrist Extension/Supination/Radial DeviationExtension/Supination/Radial Deviation

Left WristLeft Wrist Flexion/Pronation/Radial DeviationFlexion/Pronation/Radial Deviation

Downswing to ImpactDownswing to ImpactRight WristRight Wrist

Flexion/Pronation/Ulnar DeviationFlexion/Pronation/Ulnar DeviationLeft WristLeft Wrist

Extension/Supination/Ulnar DeviationExtension/Supination/Ulnar Deviation

Pelvic DynamicsPelvic DynamicsPelvic RotationPelvic Rotation

Address- squared to 2° OpenAddress- squared to 2° Open Backswing-38°-48° (X-Factor)Backswing-38°-48° (X-Factor) Impact- 40°Impact- 40°

Physical Test- Pelvic Rotation TestPhysical Test- Pelvic Rotation Test

Pelvic TiltingPelvic Tilting Address- 15-25° Anterior/ForwardAddress- 15-25° Anterior/Forward Backswing- Tilts Backward a few deg.Backswing- Tilts Backward a few deg. Impact- Tilts posteriorly 12°Impact- Tilts posteriorly 12°

Develops Speed- Abdominal ActivationDevelops Speed- Abdominal ActivationPhysical Test- Pelvic Tilt TestPhysical Test- Pelvic Tilt Test

Pelvic Side BendPelvic Side Bend Address- Level or 2° High on LeftAddress- Level or 2° High on Left Backswing- 10° high on RightBackswing- 10° high on Right Impact- 10° high on Left (Weight Shift)Impact- 10° high on Left (Weight Shift)

Be aware of High Right hip at address Be aware of High Right hip at address (Sway)(Sway)

COUPLED MOTIONSCOUPLED MOTIONS

Pelvic DynamicsPelvic Dynamics

Kinematic Sequence- “MRI of the Golf Swing”Kinematic Sequence- “MRI of the Golf Swing”

Pelvis-Torso-Arms-ClubPelvis-Torso-Arms-Club

Increases Power in the golf swing- Like a “Whip”Increases Power in the golf swing- Like a “Whip”

Foot & AnkleFoot & Ankle

DorsiflexionDorsiflexion Half-Kneeling TestHalf-Kneeling Test Early Extension/Loss of Early Extension/Loss of

PosturePosture

Inversion/EversionInversion/Eversion SwaySway

Pronation/SupinationPronation/Supination i.e. i.e. Flat Feet/High ArchesFlat Feet/High Arches

1-Plane vs. 2-Plane Swing1-Plane vs. 2-Plane Swing

1- Plane Swing1- Plane Swing Lead Arm Parallel to Shoulder PlaneLead Arm Parallel to Shoulder Plane Requires more torso rotation Requires more torso rotation Hips must not turn too fast Hips must not turn too fast (downswing)(downswing)

More forward bend at addressMore forward bend at address Requires increase in core powerRequires increase in core power

2- Plane Swing2- Plane Swing Lead arm more vertical than Lead arm more vertical than

Shoulder PlaneShoulder Plane Timing and Tempo Driven SwingTiming and Tempo Driven Swing More weight shift and Bigger Swing More weight shift and Bigger Swing

Arc (More potential for power)Arc (More potential for power) Slight lateral shift towards target at Slight lateral shift towards target at

start of downswingstart of downswing

Swing Faults related to Physical LimitationsSwing Faults related to Physical Limitations

Swing Faults and Physical LimitationsSwing Faults and Physical Limitations

C-PostureC-Posture Upper Crossed SyndromeUpper Crossed Syndrome Limited Thoracic Spine ExtensionLimited Thoracic Spine Extension Lack of Proper Scapular mechanicsLack of Proper Scapular mechanics Clubs too shortClubs too short Improper hip hinge mechanicsImproper hip hinge mechanics

Over-use InjuryOver-use Injury

Biomechanics & Exercise PhysiologyBiomechanics & Exercise PhysiologyTonic vs. Phasic MusculatureTonic vs. Phasic Musculature

Upper Crossed SyndromeUpper Crossed Syndrome

Swing Faults and Physical LimitationsSwing Faults and Physical Limitations

S-PostureS-Posture Lower Crossed SyndromeLower Crossed Syndrome Lack of posterior pelvic tiltLack of posterior pelvic tilt Lack of proper hip hinge mechanicsLack of proper hip hinge mechanics Improper postural queuingImproper postural queuing

Over-use InjuryOver-use Injury

Biomechanics & Exercise PhysiologyBiomechanics & Exercise PhysiologyTonic vs. Phasic MusculatureTonic vs. Phasic Musculature

Lower Crossed SyndromeLower Crossed Syndrome

Swing Faults and Physical LimitationsSwing Faults and Physical Limitations

SwaySway Weak Glute Medius- Trail LegWeak Glute Medius- Trail Leg Decreased hip internal rotation Decreased hip internal rotation

of the trail legof the trail leg Inability to separate the upper Inability to separate the upper

body from the lower bodybody from the lower body

Swing Faults and Physical LimitationsSwing Faults and Physical Limitations

SlideSlide Improper internal Improper internal

rotation of the lead legrotation of the lead leg Inability to separate the Inability to separate the

upper body from the upper body from the lower bodylower body

Weak Gluteus Medius in Weak Gluteus Medius in the lead legthe lead leg

Swing Faults and Physical LimitationsSwing Faults and Physical Limitations

Hanging BackHanging Back Lack of proper internal rotation Lack of proper internal rotation

of the lead hipof the lead hip Inability to separate the lower Inability to separate the lower

body from the upper bodybody from the upper body Inability to properly transfer the Inability to properly transfer the

weight from the trail leg to the weight from the trail leg to the lead leg. (lack of balance or lead leg. (lack of balance or glute strength)glute strength)

Swing Faults and Physical LimitationsSwing Faults and Physical Limitations

Early ExtensionEarly Extension Lack of proper ankle Lack of proper ankle

dorsiflexiondorsiflexion Improper Core StabilityImproper Core Stability Improper Glute Improper Glute

activation/strengthactivation/strength Tight hip flexors or quadsTight hip flexors or quads Lack of lead leg internal rotationLack of lead leg internal rotation Inability to separate the upper Inability to separate the upper

and lower body.and lower body.

Swing Faults and Physical LimitationsSwing Faults and Physical Limitations

Loss of PostureLoss of Posture Improper mobility in the Improper mobility in the

ankles, hips, thoracic ankles, hips, thoracic spine, and shoulderspine, and shoulder

Weak core stabilityWeak core stability Weak Gluteus MaximusWeak Gluteus Maximus Lack of spinal ROMLack of spinal ROM Hamstring TightnessHamstring Tightness Tight Lats and/or ChestTight Lats and/or Chest

Swing Faults and Physical LimitationsSwing Faults and Physical Limitations

Short/Flat backswingShort/Flat backswing Tight lats and chestTight lats and chest Lack of shoulder ext. rotLack of shoulder ext. rot Lack of thoracic spine extLack of thoracic spine ext Inability to separate the Inability to separate the

upper and lower bodyupper and lower body

Swing Faults and Physical LimitationsSwing Faults and Physical Limitations

Chicken Winging & Flying ElbowChicken Winging & Flying Elbow Chicken WingChicken Wing

Proper lead arm shoulder Ext. RotProper lead arm shoulder Ext. Rot

Lead arm weaknessLead arm weakness

Over-the-top swing path forces CWOver-the-top swing path forces CW

Over-use InjuryOver-use Injury Flying ElbowFlying Elbow

Lack of trail arm shoulder Ext. RotLack of trail arm shoulder Ext. Rot

C-Posture at addressC-Posture at address

Tight chest and shouldersTight chest and shoulders

Lack of thoracic extensionLack of thoracic extension

Swing Faults and Physical LimitationsSwing Faults and Physical Limitations

Reverse Spine AngleReverse Spine Angle Inability to separate the upper Inability to separate the upper

body from the lower body body from the lower body (golfer tilts the spine laterally (golfer tilts the spine laterally to compensate)to compensate)

Decreased trail hip internal Decreased trail hip internal rotationrotation

Lack of Core StabilityLack of Core Stability S-Posture S-Posture

Over-use InjuryOver-use Injury

Cardiovascular ConditioningCardiovascular Conditioning

Cardiovascular endurance vs. Muscular Cardiovascular endurance vs. Muscular EnduranceEndurance

Which is more important for golf?Which is more important for golf?

Frequent 1-10 min rest intervals Frequent 1-10 min rest intervals prevents reaching aerobic oxidationprevents reaching aerobic oxidation

Cardiovascular conditioning can be Cardiovascular conditioning can be part of a golf fitness program, but is part of a golf fitness program, but is not necessarily required. not necessarily required.

Maximal Heart Rate: (220-age) or (217-Maximal Heart Rate: (220-age) or (217-(0.85 x Age)(0.85 x Age)

70-85% MHR for cardiovascular training70-85% MHR for cardiovascular training

Prevention of Golf-Related InjuriesPrevention of Golf-Related InjuriesCumulative Injury CycleCumulative Injury Cycle

Treatment OptionsTreatment Options

What happens if you suffer a golf related What happens if you suffer a golf related injury?injury? Injury Assessment with Video AnalysisInjury Assessment with Video Analysis Corrective ExercisesCorrective Exercises Chiropractic TherapyChiropractic Therapy Active Release Technique- Active Release Technique- www.activerelease.comwww.activerelease.com

Graston Technique-Graston Technique- www.Grastontechnique.comwww.Grastontechnique.com

Performance CarePerformance Care

Future Golf LecturesFuture Golf Lectures

Nutrition for GolfNutrition for Golf

Treatment of Golf InjuriesTreatment of Golf Injuries

Force Plate Analysis Force Plate Analysis

Flexibility for Golf Flexibility for Golf (Hands-on Workshop)(Hands-on Workshop)

Any other Suggestions??Any other Suggestions??

Case StudyCase Study

Rory SabbatiniRory Sabbatini