GOLF PERFORMANCE (TPI FOCUSED)

Have you ever wondered how someone such as Jim Furyk won the U.S. Open with that golf swing? Or have you wondered how players such as Raymond Floyd or John Daly, or Matt Wolff have had such successful careers with such unorthodox golf swings? Fortunately, with the aid of 3D motion capture systems, researchers have been able to identify the true measurement of a good golf swing. The answer is not in how close your swing resembles Rory Mcllroy or Jason Day on a video camera, the answer is in the efficiency of your swing compared to the best players in the world. In other words, there are a lot of ugly golf swings on the PGA TOUR but they all seem to get the job done. The question you should be asking yourself is “How can I make my golf swing get the job done?"

Using data collected from 3D motion analysis systems, we can look at how golfers generate speed and transfer the speed or energy throughout their bodies. We have found the most efficient sequence of how they transfer this speed to the club head. We call this the “kinematic sequence.” The amazing thing is that all great ball strikers have a remarkably similar kinematic sequence of generating speed and transferring speed throughout their bodies. That means if you compare Ernie El’s kinematic sequence to Jim Furyk’s kinematic sequence, it’s hard to show a difference. That is a bold statement since there is such an obvious difference on 2D video. All great ball strikers begin by generating speed from their lower body and transferring that speed through their torso, then into their arms, and then into the club. But what swing style they use to complete this sequence is completely unique to each player.

"The body works in an alternating pattern of stable segments connected by mobile joints.  If this pattern is altered- dysfunction and compensation WILL occur." - TPIs Mike Boyle and Gray Cook

NORMAL PATTERN

Foot                                                 Stable

Ankle                                               Mobile

Knee                                                Stable

Hip                                                   Mobile

Pelvis/Sacrum/Lumbar Spine     Stable

Thoracic Spine                               Mobile

Scapulo-Thoracic                           Stable

Gleno-humeral/Shoulder            Mobile

Elbow                                               Stable

Wrist                                                Mobile

Cervical Spine                                 Stable

You can see how this observation of an alternating pattern of mobility and stability can help describe how injuries occur. If you take the lower back as an example, you will often find that the hip joints and thoracic spine are limited in mobility.  Unfortunately, limited thoracic spine and hip mobility are two of the most common findings in male golfers. This is a big reason why lower back injuries are so common in golf.

What can alter a normal pattern?

1. Traumas - Accidents, Posture, Repetitive Injuries.

2. Thoughts - Stress, Anxiety, Mental Collapse.

3. Toxins - What You Eat, What You Breathe, What You Drink.

4. Technique - Poor Learned Skills, Muscle Patterns