Biomechanics, A Key To Better Golf
Unlocking The Body Can Improve Your Golf Game and Lower Scores
More than 50% of all golfers will suffer from golf injury. Golf biomechanics is the way to ease pain and correct the golf swing. Biomechanics is the study of the interaction of muscles, skeleton and nerves when striking the ball. Chiropractor Dr. Sean Starr of Victoria BC explained that, of the three main components of the golf game, namely equipment, knowledge and body, the flexibility of the body underpins everything. "If you have the best clubs and can't swing properly, then it will still be a bad shot." (interview, June 25/08)
Golf Doctors:
For those who have spent money and time on new clubs and golf instruction, it is not easy to accept that the body is the root of all frustration on the course. The game that humbles and occasionally humiliates now points at the one in the mirror as the culprit of inconsistency. Dr. Sean Starr, who is one of only two Golf Injury Doctors in Canada at http://www.activehealthclinic.ca/, made himself his first patient.
Starr, received his Golf Doctor Certificate from the Blanchard Golf Academy in 2008. He studied under Jeff Blanchard himself who is both a chiropractor and golf pro. Blanchard started golf at age 33 and turned pro at 43 so he brings credibility to biomechanics. At www.golfinjurydoctors.com/, golfers can find legitimate golf doctors who can examine the golf swing, prescribe an exercise regime to “correct instead of compensate”, provide a nutrition program, and also arrange for on-course practice.
Results:
Dr. Starr has already reduced his golf score by four strokes in one month and is pain free. He followed a 30/30 regimen: 30 reps with the swing light trainer daily for 30 days plus stretching and strengthening exercises to re-train the body, according to Blanchard’s Better Golf Improvement approach. An amateur may know how to play and have the best clubs but may not be able to execute his shots consistently. The biomechanics of the golf swing show three important features:
· proper posture, usng the 'plane line' or the ideal path of movement for the forward arm and the club shaft.
· correct set-up of feet and arms, for example the back foot must be at 90° to the target for an efficient pivot.
· and a “swing light trainer” to focus on the plane line which will show if the swing is too flat or too steep
It is not a quick fix because the patient has to commit to working on the plan, sometimes up to an hour a day, all of which will improve flexibility, strength and stability resulting in better golf.
Golf is like a finely tuned car that needs to run on all cylinders. When it doesn’t, it needs a mechanic; indeed a biomechanic.
