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

---

Finish Your Round of Golf with Birdies

All the major tournaments, especially the U.S. Open and the... Read More

Simple Golf Warm Up Exercise

Golf warm up you say? Aren't you supposed to rush... Read More

Top 14 Tips for Selecting A Golf School

With the increase in number of schools for learning Golf,... Read More

All Time Greatest Club Breaking Events in History? and the Winner is?..

Two both famous and infamous golfers known for their tempers... Read More

4 Essential Elements of Golf Fitness

Are you ready to take your golf game to a... Read More

The Most Underrated Golfer in History... Buffalo Bill! Huh??

Buffalo Bill was introduced to golf by his father at... Read More

Ice Golf - Could You Stay Cool When The Heat Is On?

Ice Golf - only the coolest need apply!Want to try... Read More

Preparing Your Body For Golf While You Travel

We all know the temptations of traveling? grabbing a slice... Read More

How To Properly Check The Club Heads Of Second Swing Used Golf Club

Interested in Second Swing used golf club? No surprise there.... Read More

What Should Be Your Golf Training Priority?

This is a question that is often asked for the... Read More

Understanding The Rotary Nature Of A Golf Swing

A careful and close study of the golf swing will... Read More

Dramatic Effect Of A Stretching Exercise For Golf

A stretching exercise for golf is capable of revolutionizing the... Read More

Play Better Longer: Reducing Golf Related Injury

On the surface golf may look to be a slow... Read More

What A Good Golf Workout Program Should Have

Golf workout program?with the exploding number of so-called golf experts... Read More

How A Golf Exercise DVD Can Save You Time And Improve Your Game

Using a golf exercise dvd is a great alternative to... Read More

Golf Vacation Schools ? Choose the Perfect Golf School Vacation for Your Game

Golf Schools, like golfers, come in all shapes and sizes.... Read More

Improve Your Golf Game Using the Unlimited Power of Your Imagination

Today, it seems, that many people are all too familiar... Read More

Teenagers Top The Leader Board At The Womens US Open

Determination, poise, focus and talent were abundant, as teens topped... Read More

Golf Tips ? A Good Thinking Head Makes A Better Golfer

Golf is a wonderful game but we all want to... Read More

Golf Training Programs For Women

Golf training programs designed to help condition the body for... Read More

The Biomechanics Of A Golf Swing Can Teach You Plenty

The biomechanics of the golf swing can be very revealing... Read More

One Out of Two Golfers Will Have a Golf Swing Related Injury - Can You Prevent Yours?

I have a friend who blew out his ACL in... Read More

Golf For Beginners ? What Makes A Good Golfer?

A good golfer is a golfer who is happy with... Read More

Watch the Pros Play Golf

You can check out a pro golf swing on video... Read More

Three Golf Tips For Balance During Your Golf Swing

Balance is very essential in executing the right golf swing... Read More

Why You Should Be A Risk-Taking Golfer

Very few people, whether they are golfers or not, realize... Read More

Golf Exercise And Stretch Program For Total Golf Performance

Golf exercise and stretch. This is a combination I use... Read More

Big Trouble

I have chosen four of what I feel are the... Read More

The Most Useful Driver Golf Swing Tip

A very important driver golf swing tip to constantly bear... Read More

Beginner Golf Swing Instruction Tips

If you are a beginner at the fine sport of... Read More

Are You Having Trouble Sustaining Energy On The Back Nine?

Loss of stamina and endurance toward the end of an... Read More

Do You Want To Play Par Golf?

The key to playing par golf is to focus on... Read More

Discover How Golf Schools Can Help You Play Better

Services offered by Golf Schools need to be analyzed before... Read More