We’ve Learned So Much, So Fast About The Swing

About six years ago, teaching took a bit of a back seat to as I took on my role as general manager here at OslerBrook.

Now, as I move back into full-time teaching with the Core Golf Junior Academy down in Orlando, I am amazed at how much information and knowledge has advanced in such a short period of time.

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. As we watch technology evolve at mind-numbing speed, our knowledge of various aspects of the golf swing grows substantially.

As a result, we have a better understanding of how the body functions in the golf swing and how to improve body function. We can better measure improvement and better understand the mental aspect of golf.

At the Core Golf Academy, we are trying to stay as far ahead of the curve as we can in introducing our students to all the new and advanced training methods out there and in house, our own director of fitness and nutrition Dr Craig Davies recently launched his new training book Golf Anatomy.

The book is described this way on the Human Kinetics website as:

“With more than 175 full-color anatomical illustrations, Golf Anatomy brings your swing to life by linking physical conditioning to perfect strokes. Develop key components of a good swing—mobility, stability, balance, body awareness, strength, and power—with step-by-step instructions that convey proper form for 72 exercises. “

If there is one area of the golf swing that I believe has come a long way, it is our understanding how our bodies function and the kinetic chain of the body in the golf swing.

When I would teach students and they would struggle with a swing change, I would assume one of two things – perhaps they just weren’t that coordinated, or more often than not, I looked at myself and what I was saying or trying to get them to do.

Now, I realize that perhaps neither of those things were true. Instead, perhaps they simply could not physically make the swing or changes we wanted them to make because of a physical limitation, be it injury or muscle weakness or function.

As we have watched Tiger Woods and many other PGA and LPGA Tour players change their physics, we are now starting to pay attention and learning more, not only on the physical side, but also the nutritional side.

When Dr Davies is on the PGA Tour, his players leave the trailer each day with various bags of food or energy, with specific directions on what and when to eat the various food items.

Factors taken into consideration include their tee-off times, weather conditions, as well as their overall health. All are important components in allowing a player to play to his or her potential that day.

As we have seen, there is a very narrow line between winning and losing and any edge that a player can have in his or her quest for optimal performance is critical to their success.

Knowing how your body is functioning is important and there are some great golf specific fitness and nutrition people out there now, so look one up and get yourself in great shape to compete.