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Golf Fitness Training Improves Your Golf Swing with Core Training
The words core training, golf fitness, and improving your golf
swing have become common words in golf.
It is well known the number
of professional golfers utilizing a golf fitness program to improve
their golf swing. Addition to this well-known situation a common
word has become connected to the phrase golf fitness. This phrase
has become a buzzword in the world of golf. Unfortunately many do
not understand the phrase and the relevance it can have on the golf
swing.
The phrase is core training. Core training can be a great
benefit to your golf swing as a part of comprehensive golf fitness
program.
Unfortunately many amateur golfers are unsure of the exact
definition of core training and the relevance it may or may not
have on a golf fitness program. The core is a reference to an
anatomical area of body.
The core is the anatomical area of your
body from above the knees to below the chest. It includes all the
muscles, nerves, and bones within in this anatomical region of the
body. It must also be noted that the core includes all the
neuromuscular structures on the front, side, and back of your body.
For example, your lower back muscles are a part of the core as are
your abdominals.
Core training is an integral part of a comprehensive golf
fitness program because this is the anatomical area of the body
where the majority of the golf swing occurs. For example, the golf
swing requires you to rotate around a fixed spine angle. The
majority of muscles allowing rotation to occur around a fixed spine
angle are found within the core region. The golf swing requires a
full shoulder turn to execute correctly.
The muscles allowing the
shoulders to rotate are mostly found within the core region of the
body. These are just a few examples providing a reference between
the biomechanics of the golf swing and the core region of the
body.
Understanding the connection between the biomechanics of the
golf swing and the core should begin to shine some light on why
core training can be beneficial to the golf swing. Overall, the
golf swing requires certain levels of flexibility, balance,
strength, endurance, and power to execute correctly.
If the body
lacks the required levels within these physical components the golf
swing will be difficult to execute correctly. Knowing that a large
portion of the movements in the golf swing occur within the core
region, it becomes obvious developing these physical components
become necessary in order to improve your golf swing.
The key component of core training in relation to the golf swing
centers upon the principle of cross-specificity training.
Cross-specificity training implies the exercises within the core
program train the body to the positions, movements, and
requirements of the sport.
A core training program beneficial to
the golf swing must train the body specifically for the anatomical
positions, movements, and actions encountered on the golf
course.
The goal of cross-specific core program is to develop a transfer
of training effect. The majority of fitness programs and many core
programs do not address the needs of the golfer relative to
improving flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power. A
cross-specific core program will provide the foundation for a
better golf swing.
Just because a program is labeled a "core
program" does not necessarily mean it will be beneficial to
improving the golf swing.
Once the golfer understands the concepts of cross-specific
training, transfer of training effect, core, and the biomechanics
of the golf swing. You can begin to piece together the components
of a golf fitness program. Outside of providing the foundation for
the golf swing through providing the golfer with the needed levels
of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power to
efficiently execute the golf swing.
A golf fitness program can also
improve a golfer's swing.
One common area of desired improvement for most any golfer is
increased distance. Increased distance in the golf swing is equated
to increased clubhead speed. And increased clubhead speed is
directly related to the golfer's power outputs.
Increasing power
within the golf swing is connected to both swing mechanics and the
body. The coiling and uncoiling within the golf swing directly
affects the power outputs generated. In addition the body has a
direct affect upon power development in the golf swing. Power in
relation to the body can be defined as the ability of the body to
create the greatest amount of force in a short amount of time.
If the golfer increases the ability of the body to generate more
force, what will be the result within the golf swing? The golfer is
more powerful, an increase in clubhead speed will occur, and the
golf ball will probably travel farther. Interestingly enough
improving power outputs by the body in relation to the golf swing,
centers upon developing greater power outputs by the core region.
Again, the golf swing is a rotational movement centering in the
core region of the body. Increasing the force outputs of the
muscles in the core can invariably improve the power in your golf
swing.
This again is only one example of where core training and
golf fitness can improve the golf swing. Many additional areas of
improvement can occur when the golfer develops the body correctly
for the golf swing.
Understand the biomechanics of the golf swing require certain
levels of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power to
execute correctly. The golfer requires minimal levels of these
physical components at the very least to execute the golf swing
correctly.
The core is an anatomical region of the body where much
of the movements within the golf swing occur. A core training
program can be beneficial to improving the golf swing if the
exercises within the program are cross-specific to the movements,
positions, and physical requirements of the golf swing. If the core
program is not cross specific to the golf swing, the benefits may
less than optimal. Realize a comprehensive golf fitness program
includes core training to develop the body around the golf swing.
Such a program can improve the golf swing in areas like clubhead
speed. And remember just because a program is labeled "core" does
not necessarily mean it will improve your golf swing. The exercises
within the core program must correlate with the movements of the
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, 2005 PGA, and 2006 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 www.bioforcegolf.com.
To contact Sean, you can email
him at support@bioforcegolf.com.
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