What Should I Know About Biomechanics of the Golf Swing?

If you've read some of my articles in the past, we focused a lot on training the body to help you provide more power, consistency and accuracy to your golf swing.

Today, we are going to get a little more scientific. So hang with me.

I am going to explain the biomechanics of golf. Biomechanics is the study of human movement.

Using this definition in golf, it is essentially studying how the body moves when swinging a golf club. Biomechanics is the study what the skeleton, muscles, and nerves of the body do when hitting a golf ball. There are actually folks out there that make a living studying these movements, they are called Biomechanists'. And the great thing about golf is that there have been a ton of scientific studies on the golf swing. In addition, this research has allowed biomechanists to create a model of the "optimal" swing in the sport of golf.

All of this research has been beneficial to the golf industry. It has provided club manufacturers, swing coaches, trainers, and players with an abundant amount of knowledge to improve the game in many areas.

Biomechanics of the Golf Swing Stage by Stage

Most biomechanists break the golf swing down into phases.

We will talk about the swing into the following phases: 1) address, 2) back swing, 3) transition, 4) down swing, 4) contact, 5) follow through, 6) finish. I will also relate what the body does during each of these phases, which muscles are active, and any additional information applicable to biomechanical study of the golf swing.

The golf swing begins in the address stage. The address stage is the position that the golfer places their body in to begin the swing. According to Glenn Fleisig MD, the address position is a functional body position which includes the proper grip and body position. A balanced, "athletic" address position, which is consistent swing to swing, will provide the golfer with the correct starting position for the swing. Inconsistency in either how the body is set up or with the grip leads to inconsistency on shot to shot. The body in terms of muscle activity is fairly low at address. The muscles of the body are supporting the body in a specific anatomical position and preparing it to swing a club.

The back swing (take away) is when the body begins to move the club. The back swing is the portion of the swing that places the body in the correct position to begin the downswing. During the entire back swing the body begins the recruitment of energy that will be transitioned at the top of the back swing towards the ball. Key points from a biomechanical analysis of the back swing are: as the club moves backwards shear force is applied to anterior portion of the right foot, at the same time a posterior shear force is applied to the left foot (Fleisig, Biomechanics of Golf). This is the beginning of torque development in the body that will be transitioned into the club head at impact. Rotation of the knees, hips, spine, and shoulders continues during the back swing creating additional torque to be translated into the club head in later stages of the swing. The important point to remember in the back swing is that the entire rotation of these body parts occurs around an imaginary axis of the body. EMG activity is moderate during this stage of the swing as a result that the body during this portion of the swing is essentially creating/storing energy that will be released towards the end of the swing.

The completion of the back swing is what is termed the "transition" stage of the swing. The transition point of the swing is where the body finishes its backward movement and begins the forward movement of the swing. The best reference point of when the transition stage of the swing begins is when weight shift onto the inside of the right foot (right-handed golfer) is completed and movement back towards the left foot begins. The transition in terms of a time frame is very short and is completed when weight transfer begins to move forward, and the club completes its movement backwards. Research states that the transition of the swing is where additional elastic energy is stored within the body. This is a result of the lower body moving forward and the upper body still "coiling" backward. Studies show that at the completion of the transition (top of the back swing) the hips are closed to approximately 45 degrees and the shoulders are closed to about 100 degrees (Fleisig, Biomechanics of Golf).

After completion of the transition, the down swing into impact begins. Weight shift continues during the down swing. The generation of torque is created in the lower body and then transitioned up through the body into the club and eventually the club head. According to Fleisig, the majority of torque in the swing is generated by the lower body muscle groups of the glutes, hamstrings, quads, and core region (low back, abdominals, obliques). The torque created in the lower body creates acceleration in the upper body as energy is transferred into the club head. EMG studies indicate that there is moderate activity of the pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, and rotator cuff muscles (Geisler, Kinesiology of the Full Golf Swing) during the downswing. The downswing is complete at the point in which impact occurs with the golf ball.

Impact with the ball occurs for approximately half a milli-second (Fleisig, Biomechanics of Golf). The purpose of impact is to hit the ball in the correct direction with the chosen amount of force by the golfer. At impact the weight transfer is complete. Shear force from both feet are towards the intended target. Research indicates that at impact the left foot (right-handed golfer) is supporting 80% to 95% of the golfer's weight (Fleisig, Biomechanics of Golf). Impact again occurs for a very short amount of time (.0005 seconds). Impact is the point at which the potential energy created by the body during the back swing, transition, and down swing is transferred into the club and club head. The potential energy created by the body is then transferred into kinetic energy as club head comes into contact with the ball.

After contact, the impact stage of the swing is complete and the follow through stage begins. The follow through is essentially the deceleration of the body after contact with the ball has been made. This is completed through the body rotating to a completion point where the club head is behind the golfer. Deceleration by the body occurs as a result of the absorption of energy back up through the kinetic chain of the body. Follow through is where the body slows itself back down and dissipates all the kinetic energy create by it, which was not delivered into the ball.

Summary

As you can see, the golf swing is directly connected to the body. And it is the body that generates, directs, and delivers energy to the golf ball. Limitations in the body in terms of flexibility, muscular strength, endurance, or power can create limitations in the swing from a biomechanical perspective. In addition, mechanical inefficiencies in the swing itself limit the potential and kinetic energy outputs of the body. For more information on how to improve your golf game please visit our website www.bioforcegolf.com.

References
1. Fleisig, Glenn MS: "The Biomechanics of Golf"
2. Geisler, Paul MA: "The Kinesiology of the Full Golf Swing"

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. He has made many of his golf tips, golf instruction and golf swing improvement techniques available to amateur golfers on the website http://www.bioforcegolf.com

---

More Muscles Than You Think Are Used In the Golf Swing

While most golfers are aware of the fact that the muscles in the lower part of the body are used in the golf swing, many are not aware of just how important these... Read More

The Basic Golf Swing Is Pure Physics

If you've been on a golf course and have tried to use all your strength in the basic golf swing so that you hit the ball as far as possible, then you will... Read More

Golf Weight Training Is The Answer To Longer Drives

It is no secret that most of the male and female tour players who want to play their best golf, do golf weight training exercises. But it's not the kind of grueling, sweating... Read More

Increase your Flexibility with These 3 Key Golf Stretches

Why is it a golfer rarely asks for a full 20 minute extensive warm up routine prior to golf, but rather those two or three key stretches guaranteed to yield the best results... Read More

Course Management Strategies for Junior Golfers

Many junior golfers are still in the process of developing all of the fundamentals of their game. One of the challenges faced is how to measure the progress of a player in these... Read More

Golf Swing Improvement The Fast Way

Golf swing improvement is a never ending goal for every golfer wanting to play better golf.This is hardly surprising because the golf swing is such a critical area of the game and is... Read More

Quickly Improve Your Golf Swing

Do you need some golf swing tips? If you could use a few golf swing tips you have come to the right place.Golf swing tips will help you with confidence as well as... Read More

Golf Industry Insights

The time and effort for due diligence prior to the launch of Prescription Putting has provided a number of insights to the golf industry. The following are some of the things that we... Read More

Are Golf Conditioning Routines Really Necessary

Many golfers around the world still do not understand why experts these days insist on golf conditioning routines when the game has been played for decades without the need for any sort of... Read More

Basic Golf Etiquette

Many golfers take to the sport without the basic understanding of how the game should be played. Of course, we all know that the game requires a tee, a ball, and clubs, but... Read More

Golf Strength Training Exercise Is Not Body Building

Despite many reassurances, some amateur golfers still dread golf strength training exercises.The problem would appear to be the presence of equipment like dumb bells in this sort of strength training. Not everybody is... Read More

How To Use Exercise For Golf To Strengthen Your Swing

Using exercise for golf to strengthen your swing could be one of the wisest decisions you've ever make in regards to improving power and distance.Have you tried those gimmicky training aids in hopes... Read More

Why A Consistent Professional Golf Swing Is So Elusive

It is the dream and deep desire of every golfer to be able to consistently execute a professional golf swing every time they play almost at will.Indeed many spend a lot of time... Read More

Focus Your Focus - How to Ward Off Distraction During Your Golf Swing

There is a great possibility to lose your mind when playing golf simply due to the constant shifting of focus. I think the brain doesn't like to change focus. It wants to stay... Read More

What You Should Know About Plyometrics And How It Will Help You Get Longer Drives

One of the main problems for golfers is power. Yep, good old power. It seems simple enough but power can be elusive to most golfers. How could this be? simply everyone is unique... Read More

Using A Golf Swing Trainer May Surprise You

Many amateur golfers start out playing golf for fun. Most would like to keep it that way and that is precisely the reason why the mention of a golf swing trainer, however much... Read More

Three Tips To Help You Benefit From Golf Video Instruction

Golf video instruction can be a powerful tool in helping any golfer improve their handicap. Yet many golfers do not fully benefit from them.The reason is that their approach is wrong and they... Read More

Top of the Mountain: The Masters, Augusta, GA

If you're a stockbroker, the center of the world is New York. If you are a commodities trader, it's Chicago.But if you're a golfer, the center of the world is?a little further south."You... Read More

Beginners Guide to Buying a Set of Golf Clubs

You walk in to a golf store and there are hundreds of woods, irons, wedges and putters to choose from along with clothing, balls and all kinds of accessories. When just starting out... Read More

10 Ways to Increase Your Energy Instantly with a Golf Performance Diet

A golf conditioning program should always be accompanied by a solid golf nutrition plan. In essence, what you eat determines how you play. So, which foods produce champions and which foods hinder play?... Read More

What A Good Golf Workout Program Should Have

Golf workout program?with the exploding number of so-called golf experts these days it becomes very confusing and it is easy for a golfer to be misled and end up in a program that... Read More

Basics Of Golf Swing Instruction - Go With Exercises

Golf swing instruction starts with an understanding of the different segments of the golf swing. Understanding the golf swing segments will give anybody a firm foundation to learn all the tricks of the... Read More

How Better Course Management Can Lower Your Golf Score

Whether you are just starting to learn golf, or you have been golfing for many years and you're just looking to refine your game, this will provide a good direction of focus for... Read More

Golf Fore Success

Golf has a crazy way of telling who we truly are as a person. Many people judge us by the way we play the game. Everyone has a favorite quote they live by,... Read More

Myrtle Beach Golf - Quality and Quantity

Myrtle Beach is the best of both worlds for every golfer, QUALITY and QUANTITY. The Grand Strand has over 120 courses designed by the best in the game: Dye, Jones, Nicklaus, Palmer, and... Read More

Do You Fear Golf Weight Training Programs

In a sport that hardly has any controversies; few issues have come as close to being controversial as golf weight training programs have. More so with amateur and non-professional golfers.And yet if you... Read More

Improve Your Golf Game Using the Unlimited Power of Your Imagination

Today, it seems, that many people are all too familiar with what they can't do. We need to spend more time and thought on what we CAN do. Many of us cannot afford... Read More

Making Your Program Golf Specific

"Golf-Specific" means different things to different people. One of the things I have learned from my education and experience in working with elite trainers and golfers is that in order to improve someone's... Read More

Junior Golf Is Becoming More Competitive?Why?

How do you get the edge when you're playing junior golf? To keep up with the top junior golfer's means getting stronger both physically and mentally; and almost perfecting your golf swing. That's... Read More