Biomechanics Of The Golf Swing

Between 1986 and 1995, a group of doctors andskaters' legs rotate and extend so far out to their
biomechanics specialists led by Frank Jobe, M.D., insides. And, for golfers, when the legs are held in
affiliation with the Biomechanics Laboratory of theplace by spikes, it is the primary reason hips rotate
Centinela Hospital Medical Center, Inglewood, CA,so fast.
published six papers presenting results fromThe third-ranked muscle (in % of capacity used) is
electromyographic research they had conducted onthe left quadriceps, coming in at 88%. Your left leg
good golfers, i.e. all with handicaps under 5, includinggets pretty well bent at the knee during the
some professionals.backswing, stretching the quads. When they fire,
Data on twenty-four muscles between the kneesthey drive the left hip way around and behind.
and the skull were reported. These data reveal howMuscles below the waist fire before muscles above
a body goes about hitting a golf ball, and whichthe waist. In Five Fundamentals, Ben Hogan says:
muscles deserve the most attention."The hips initiate the downswing. They snap back to
Only one of the reported muscles fired at 100% ofthe left with tremendous speed. The faster they go
its capacity. I've asked over 50 golfers, of all abilities,the better. They cannot go too fast". This research
which muscle this is, and no one has gotten theshows how right on Ben's comment was.
answer right. It's the right buttock (for a right-handedTo accelerate the clubhead from 0 to 100 miles per
golfer).hour in about 0.3 seconds, you must make major use
Even more interesting, the primary function of thisof the big muscles in your thighs and hips. A swing
muscle in the body is understood apparently only bythat feels as if it's trying to hit the ball primarily with
muscle specialists. It is technically a rotator muscle,arm muscles isn't going to win any long-drive
not a flexor or extensor. It is the reason speedcontests.