Golf is a hard game, and those that play golf anywhere from professionally to semi-regularly will agree with this statement. I had the opportunity to complete the Titleist Performance Institute’s (TPI) The Body-Swing Connection this year in the Netherlands. TPI is the world’s leading educational organisation dedicated to the study of how the human body functions in relation to the golf swing. The course taught me how a properly functioning body allows a player to swing a golf club in the most efficient way, whilst reducing risk of injury. The courses focus was an analysis of how certain physical restraints and inefficiencies can adversely affect the golf swing, and thus lead to inconsistent ball striking.
One of the most interesting findings of the course was that we don’t need to swing the club like Jason Day, Adam Scott or Geoff Ogivly (sorry about the bias to Australian golfers). These guys have the prettiest of swings, yet the amazing thing is that if you compare the order of sequencing of movements of the various parts of the body, you’ll find that Jim Furyk has the exact same timing of sequence. The point of all this is that you don’t need to have a pretty swing to drop your handicap. In fact, simply screening your body with the Body Swing Connection will identify the limitations within your own body that causes inconsistent ball striking.
TPI believes that golfers will benefit the most from a healthy and efficient body. The most efficient swing is certainly not the same for every golfer. Efficiency is unique to our own body. To maximise efficiency, the golfer must first be screened, which will involve a 20 minute screen process of the entire body, including a biomechanics assessment and swing assessment. Once the screen is finished, the results are collated and used to create a unique plan for the golfer.
A golfer will see the greatest improvement by surrounding themselves with a team of experts. I am a physiotherapist, who is a keen golfer but I am not a golf coach. I can help you to build a better engine (your body), your golf coach (if you have one) is better suited to be the instructor of your swing. I will be able to screen your body for swing inefficiency and potential for future injury, and provide you with a strength and conditioning program to maximise your body’s ability to swing the golf ball in the most consistent and efficient way.
Whilst the screen is golf-specific, we can adapt the program for many other sports. Here at Get Active Physiotherapy, we have full access to the Fitness First gym upstairs, which has a huge variety of equipment to use throughout the rehabilitation process.
Come in to Get Active Physiotherapy for your Body-Swing Connection screen, and leave with a plan to drop that handicap, reduce inconsistent ball striking, with the added bonus of improving general health and fitness
If you have any questions for Jasper about The Body – Swing Connection, or would like to book in to see him or one of other physiotherapists, then please do not hesitate in contacting Get Active on 1300 8 9 10 11 or email us at admin@getactivephysio.com.au
