We are pleased to announce that Sean Cochran, a nationally renowned golf fitness instructor and the personal golf fitness trainer to 2005 PGA Champion Phil Mickelson, has joined PGA.com as a fitness advisor. Cochran, who also has served as strength and conditioning coach for the Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres major league baseball teams, will write a weekly fitness blog that will appear exclusively on PGA.com. He'll update it a couple of times a week, telling you about how to achieve better fitness, life on the road -- and in the gym -- with Lefty, plus answer your questions about fitness and how it can help you play better golf. More of Cochran's articles and his acclaimed fitness aids are available at his web site, www.bioforcegolf.com.
Two Types of Balance are Key to Your Golf Swing
With the U.S. Open in the rear view mirror, attention turned to the Booz Allen Classic outside of Washington, D.C. this past week, and rumblings about the British Open were starting to make their way to the media. The Tiger vs. Phil debate is appearing to be a mainstay as the third major of the year approaches. We are in San Diego for the next couple of weeks beginning preparation for the British Open at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club.
Last week, balance was introduced as a key component to improving your golf swing. It is easily understood after comprehending the definition of balance. Balance is NOT a component of your swing, but rather your body. Your body is responsible for balance in your golf swing, not the other way around. Think of Arnie's swing for a moment, his body has extraordinary balancing capacities to execute his swing.
Understanding of this point creates awareness of the fact that improving the balance capacities within your body can improve your golf swing. This is simply accomplished through the implementation of balance training within a comprehensive golf fitness program.
Now the interesting point in relation to balance, balance training and the golf swing is within the mechanics of the golf swing. The golf swing is both a static (stationary) and dynamic (movement) athletic activity. During the phases of the golf swing beginning at address through the finish position. The body is both stationary (i.e. static) and in motion (i.e. dynamic). As a result, to improve the balance capacities within your body, it is necessary to implement both static and dynamic balance exercises.
Through research, empirical evidence, and hands-on experience I have found the best approach to the implementation of balance exercises is to start with static exercises. These types of exercises develop greater efficiency within your muscles and nerves to maintain a specific posture.
For example, when you find yourself with a side-hill lie or uphill bunker shot, it is required you set your spine angle in a specific position. Improving your static balance capacities will allow for the set-up and execution of such shots to be much easier.
A great static balance exercise for golf is the single leg hold. Begin by taking your address position (no club needed) for a normal short iron shot. From this position slowly lift your right foot off the ground, attempting to maintain your spine angle. Lift the right foot off the ground 3-4 inches. Hold this position for 30 seconds. Return your right foot to the ground. Repeat the exercise by lifting the left foot off the ground (maintaining your spine angle) and hold for 30 seconds.
Keep in mind it is your body executing the mechanics of your swing. Balance is a major component of an efficient golf swing, and it is your body regulating balance within the swing. Improve your balance capacities and improvement in your golf swing will result.
Previous blog entries:
06/20/06 Balance in Your Golf Swing Leads to More Power
06/13/06 Getting Yourself Ready for a Round of Golf
06/06/06 Joint Range of Motion and a Fluid Golf Swing
05/29/06 Flexibility Exercises to Help with Those Tight Muscles
05/23/06 Guidelines for Your Golf Flexibility Program
05/16/06 Assess Your Flexibility First
05/09/06 Better Golf Exercises to Improve Your Swing
05/02/06 Developing a Repeatable Golf Swing and Your Body
04/26/06 Increasing the Clubhead Speed in Your Golf Swing
04/18/06 How To Prepare for Your Round
04/17/06 Swing Faults are Not Really Swing Faults
03/27/06 You can improve balance in your swing
03/24/06 Improve Your Flexibility and See Results in Your Swing
03/20/06 Your Body is the Foundation of Improving Your Golf Swing
