What Do the Core and the Golf Swing Have in Common Part II?

In part one of this article we discussed the core and its relation to the golf swing. A quick review of the information in article one will indicate a definitive connection between the "athletic movements" of a golf swing and the core section of the body. Prior to beginning this article let us take a brief moment to review information provided in the first article on this topic.

A quick review will indicate that the core is an anatomical region of the body. This region of the body consists of all the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and neural structures, located from the hips to the lower chest. This comprises all of the structures of: the hips, abdominals, low back, and obliques (side abdominals). In addition to describing the anatomical region of the core, part one of this article described the following: the relationship between the core and golf swing in the specific areas of range of motion, coordination, speed of motion, and balance. Part two of this article will discuss core flexibility, strength, endurance, and power. We will relate these three additional topics to the golf swing as we did in part one.

Recalling from the first article, range of motion is directly related to distance. Distance that a body moves in a specific amount of time when discussing biomechanics. Relating range of motion to the golf swing indicates that the greater range of motion that the core mechanism of the body can move through, the greater amount of force can be created to deliver into the club head.

The second topic discussed in article one was speed of motion. Remember, speed of motion is directly related to range of motion. Speed of motion is essentially adding a component of time to range of motion. The faster that an object or the body can move through a specific range of motion, the greater amount of force can be created through this range of motion.

Thirdly, we introduced coordination. Coordination is the ability to time the movements of the body in the correct sequence to perform the activity desired. This requires the body to move through the required ranges of motion with the correct speed of motion.

The final topic discussed in section one of this article was balance. Balance is the ability of the body to maintain a center of gravity during a movement. Increased balance allows for greater accuracy with athletic activities. Moving forward into section two of this article, we build upon the information discussed in article one. Relevancy to the core and the golf swing is easily seen when connecting these topics (range of motion, speed of motion, coordination, and balance) to the athletic movement associated with the golf swing.

Flexibility

Flexibility is the range of motion around a joint and is influenced by skeletal structures, ligaments, muscles tissues, and joint capsule type. Range of motion is a result of the deformation of soft tissues (i.e. muscle tissue, ligaments, and tendons) surrounding a joint. Flexibility is essentially the ability of the neuromuscular to create a desired range of motion by the body. The golf swing requires the core, and the entire body, to move through a specified range of motion to create contact with the golf ball. Limitations in flexibility can create the inability of the body to move through the required ranges of motion at the correct speed to perform a golf swing. This will result in numerous problems as a result of poor mechanics in the swing. A direct connection exists between range of motion, speed of motion, and flexibility. If flexibility is limited the result will be limitations in ranges of motion and speeds of motion.

Strength

Strength can be defined as the ability of the neuromuscular system (neural system, muscular system) to create and exert force. A lack of strength limits the ability of the body to create force for a given athletic movement. In relationship to the golf swing, strength is a required component of the core. A large proportion of the force created in the golf swing is a result of the lower body and core musculature system. As a result, creating the force needed to develop club head speed is directly related to strength levels within these structures of the body. A lack of strength lessens to a degree the amount of force that can be created in the golf swing, thus reducing the amount of club head speed available to the golfer.

Endurance

Endurance is the ability of the neuromuscular structures (muscular system, neural system, ligaments, and tendons) to perform the same athletic movement repeatedly over a specific amount of time. The golf swing is a repetitive athletic movement requiring the neuromuscular system to perform the same neuromuscular activity over and over again for a given number of swings, time, etc. This requires the body to move through a specific range of motion, with the correct speed of motion, coordinating the movements in the correct sequence, with the required force outputs (i.e. strength), and correct levels of endurance. A lack of endurance in the neuromuscular system will limit the ability of the individual to perform the components required of the golf swing listed above.

Power

Power is the ability to create the greatest amount of force in a specified amount of time. Power is contingent upon the combination of strength and speed of motion. These two components working in conjunction create power. A decrease in strength or speed of motion limits the ability of power production by the neuromuscular system. The golf swing requires the body to produce power to deliver into the club head. The amount of time to perform this is limited and contained within the ranges of motion through which the body moves during the golf swing. The point to be made is that a direct connection exists for power production between range of motion, speed of motion, and strength. These three components working together determine the power outputs created by the body during the golf swing.

Summary

This article discussed an additional four components that are relevant to the core structure of the body and the golf swing. The key point to make between the topics discussed in this article and article number one is the connection between all of these components. Range of motion, speed of motion, balance, and coordination are contingent upon the points discussed in this article. The ability of the body to swing a golf club requires the ability of the body to have the required ranges of motion, speeds of motion, balance, and coordination to perform the swing. The development of flexibility, strength, endurance, and power within the body allows for these activities to occur. Thus all eight of these components (range of motion, speed of motion, balance, coordination, flexibility, strength, endurance, and power) are interconnected to perform a golf swing. The relationship to the core and these activities is a follows: the core region of the body is a main component of the golf swing. It is utilized greatly in all aspects of the golf swing from maintaining balance to creating power. The core can be considered to be the "engine" of the golf swing. Please visit our website at www.bioforcegolf.com to get more information.

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. Check out his manual and DVD, Your Body & Your Swing, on BioForceGolf.com. To contact Sean, you can email him at support@bioforcegolf.com.

---

Perform Better Golf By Training Your Body

What will it take to get you to perform better... Read More

How To Improve Your Golf Swing Timing

Golf swing timing is a key factor in being able... Read More

If Youve Hit Your Golf Driver Perfectly Once, You Can Do It Every Time

Picture yourself standing on the tee box of your favorite... Read More

Improve Your Golf Swing Timing

Golf swing timing is an important aspect of the game.... Read More

The Mental Side of Match Play

Many of us might assume that there isn't too much... Read More

Exercise For A Golfer - Dont Fear it

Exercise for a golfer is widely used. Despite the success... Read More

The 5 Keys To A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE Golf Pre Shot Routine You Can Learn Immediately

What I'm about to disclose to you in this article... Read More

A Valuable Golf Exercise In Your Office When You Have A Moment

Golf exercise is not necessarily in a gym. Getting creative... Read More

The Golf Training Exercises You Need To Improve Your Game Are Very Simple

Golf training and conditioning exercises are not as difficult as... Read More

Golf Tips Discover The Magic

Golf is a physical and a mental game. There are... Read More

Golf Swing Mechanics Can Be Improved Very Quickly

If you're like most golfers, you're always trying to duplicate... Read More

Golf Strength Training Slows The Aging Process

Golf strength training is critical in slowing down the effects... Read More

Golf Exercises - Improving Fitness for Power and Consistency

Perhaps one of the biggest changes in the golf world... Read More

How Important Is Your Golf Swing Release

An optimal golf swing release has a lot to do... Read More

The Top 10 Life Lessons from Golf

Golf is an amazing mirror of life. Yes, other sports... Read More

Increase your Flexibility with These 3 Key Golf Stretches

Why is it a golfer rarely asks for a full... Read More

Flexibility For Golf Will Not Be Lost With Weight Training

There is no doubt that body flexibility is extremely important... Read More

Perfect Golf Swing Is Within Reach

The perfect golf swing. Aren't we all look for it?... Read More

Golf Fitness: The Quickest Way To Play Better Golf

Golf has always been viewed as a game of leisure.... Read More

Golfing Products And What You Need To Know Before Purchasing

In recent years, there has been a dramatic rise in... Read More

Play Better Longer: Reducing Golf Related Injury

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

Simple Golf Warm Up Exercise

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

Prepare for the Worst and Play Your Best

It's one thing to get mad when you miss a... Read More

Functional Exercise For Golf WarrantsThe Quickest Results

Functional exercise for golf can mean different things to different... Read More

The Principle Golf Power Swing Tip Has Nothing To Do With Trying To Hit It With All Your Strength

Genuine golf power swing tips will have little or nothing... Read More

Ratings and Ranking Golfers

Who's the best?Who's the best golfer in the world? Not... Read More

What A Good Golf Workout Program Should Have

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

Junior Golfers Gain A Competitive Edge By Building A Stronger Body

Strength training for juniors is supported by organizations such as... Read More

Play Exclusive Las Vegas Golf Courses ? The Not-So-Secret Secret

Experience the luxury of tour-class caddies. Play the private golf... Read More

Appreciating Your Core Golf Strength Will Improve Your Game

The core golf strength, unknown to many enthusiasts of the... Read More

Online Golf Lessons Save Time And Can Be A Great Help

Online golf lessons have grown tremendously in popularity, for the... Read More

Golf Tips ? A Good Thinking Head Makes A Better Golfer

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

How to Win at Golf

What's the point of playing sport if you don't want... Read More