Quick Golf Tips for Restoring Muscle Imbalances

As a golf biomechanic, my focus is on looking forTight hip flexors are a common reason for loss of
areas of poor flexibility and muscle imbalances whichdistance off the tee in addition to limitations in
effect the mechanics of the golf swing and createachieving a full backswing because of restrictions in
opportunities for the body to break down in injury.trunk rotation.
Each of these situations presents possibilities forShort and tight hip flexors are a known source of
improvement in your swing as well as keeping thelower back pain where the low back muscles tighten
body in an injury free state.while hamstring and abdominal muscles lengthen. You
When the body is out of balance, this means somesee, everything has a cause and an effect within the
muscles are shorter than normal and some musclesbody.
are longer than normal. When muscle length is less orTight hip flexors limit a golfer's body in trunk rotation
more than optimal, swing mechanics are altered.which ultimately leads to compensations at the
According to Paul Chek of the Chek Institute, thereshoulders, elbows and wrists. It is important to clearly
are five factors which influence the flight andunderstand where the chain broke down in the first
destination of the ball.place so corrective action can be taken.
- Club face alignmentFollow these quick golf tips to restore optimal
- Swing planerotation in the joints which most affect the golf
- Angle of attack/impactswing.
- Club head speed1. Contact a CHEK certified golf biomechanic for a
- Hitting the sweet spotpersonal analysis of your golf specific strengths and
Unfortunately, many golfers experience limitingweaknesses.
physical factors which prevent them from achieving2. Begin using exercises and stretches which primarily
accuracy and consistency regarding these fivefocus on your weak links.
factors.3. Follow a continuum of flexibility, stability, strength,
Here is an example of a common swing fault andthen power in developing your body for better golf.
how it may be affecting your current swing.