Shorten that swing!

It’s getting close to golf season again, and do yourself a favor this year: Reduce your risk of injury without sacrificing your score.

There are a lot of ‘quick fixes’ to a better round of golf, but what really produces that powerful and accurate golf swing we all strive for? One of the biggest myths involves the notion that club head speed at ball impact is a result of a bigger backswing. Many instructors recommend that golfers keep their pelvis as stationary as possible while the spine is maximally rotated. This technique is popular because it is believed that by increasing the twist in the back, the golfer will use the bigger muscles in the back and create a “sling-shot” effect during the downswing that results in more power.

In reality, creating a powerful golf swing involves the creation of elastic energy. Briefly stated, elastic energy is created by imparting a short, quick stretch on the muscles involved in performing a particular movement. In the case of the golf swing the real power muscles are the shoulder (rotator cuff, lats, pectorals) and arm (biceps, triceps, forearm) muscles. To effectively pre-stretch these muscles, no spinal rotation is needed.

Many of the aches and pains related to the golf swing can be reduced or eliminated with a shorter backswing! Furthermore, the shorter backswing won’t damage your score because:

1. A short swing with less spinal rotation increases the golfer’s control of the golf club and club head throughout the swing, which means better control of the golf ball.

2. Research has demonstrated that short backswings achieved the same clubhead speed at ball impact as long backswings.

3. A short backswing will decrease the twisting stress in the lumbar spine, decreasing the strain on the muscles and joints.

How much should you shorten it? There’s a unique answer for every golfer that depends on one’s overall flexibility, the degree of spinal curvature one have, and the overall condition of the muscles and joints.

By making your swing work with the normal biomechanics of your body, you can score better and play longer. I’ve seen it work time and time again, and it will for you, too!