Saturday, January 17, 2009

The Nicklaus Neck

For a long time golfers mimicked the way that Jack Nicklaus held his head and neck during his swing. However, when he began to work with a physical therapist, it was discovered that he had very limited range of motion and his neck posture was a way of compensating for this.

One thing that should be considered when dealing with chronic tendinitis is to what degree neck stiffness and arthritic changes play a role. If tendinitis is a recurring problem in both arms or shoulders, there is a high likelihood that neck dysfunction is also a factor.

If the nerves that control the muscle of the neck and shoulder are compressed by tight muscles or vertebral dysfunction, then the muscles that these nerves control will fatigue quicker and not work as efficiently. This also increases the potential for muscle inflammation (myositis) and tendinitis.

Neck dysfunction, like tendinitis may be the result of cumulative trauma. Prolonged holding of poor postures while sitting at the computer, in front of the television or when driving will contribute to neck problems.

The resulting tightness and loss of motion in the neck create the need for compensatory postures elsewhere in the body.

As always, consult your physician before starting any exercise program. If you have shooting pains in your arms and/or pins and needles feelings in your hands or fingers, seek medical attention immediately.

If you were to take one of your fingers and pull it back while you read this post, you would probably find that by the end of your reading, your finger joint would be getting pretty sore. When I am talking to groups about posture, I usually have them do this while I speak and it isn't very long before they are releasing their finger and shaking their hand.

When we hang on the end of our ligaments for extended periods, a lot of changes begin to take place that result in joint and tissue damage if held there too long. When we sit for long periods in a slumped posture, we hang on the ligaments between our spinal vertebrate. Just like holding your finger back causes pain and discomfort, we set up the same scenario in our spine.

A slumped posture means that we have to extend our spine in the neck in order to hold our head level. This is a real problem for those who sit at a computer for a long time - especially for those who were bifocals.

So here is a simple exercise: Imagine your spine is suspended on a string, then try and straighten your spine along that string. This requires that you sit up tall and hold your head level while pushing your head back slightly over your shoulders. The neck motion is somewhat like a bird when it walks - first moving forward and then back. The trick is to hold your head level while you do this.

Without this freedom of motion, it will be very difficult to keep your eye on the ball during your back swing. That means that you will compensate usually by losing rotation in the spine and trying to make up for it in the arms and shoulders. This is very difficult to do consistently.

If this exercise causes any pain other than a stretch at the base of your skull or across your shoulders, then you need to stop and consult your physician.

Paul Callaway was the first director of physical therapy on the PGA tour. Some years ago, I completed one of his courses on body balance for performance and it began to open my eyes to the challenge of golf and why I like the game but stopped playing.

He points out that there are two main reasons for quitting and those are; 1. injury and 2. Frustration with the game. It is a hard game. His main emphasis that I took away from his course is that our bodies are the most important piece of equipment that we have.

He had become involved with the PGA through a mutual friend while he was working as an athletic trainer for professional athletes in other sports. He was not a golfer but he, like other physical therapists are movement specialists and could easily apply what he knew about body mechanics in other sports to the game of golf. His first PGA golf client was Jack Nicklaus.

As we took our coursework to the practical application of the driving range, (oh, I how I hate these kind of courses) he demonstrated how he applied golf specific exercises to achieve impressive consistency and accuracy with his shots. Impressive because he had learned to play golf later in life.

His five secrets to success are as follows:
1. A customized and sport-specific physical training program
2. Professional instruction in your chosen sport
3. Proper mental skills
4. Training equipment.
5. Talent to enjoy the sport

The blending of these is what allows us to play our best.
If you are reconsidering playing the game again, do it right this time by getting the right kind of help

Have a Great Game!

Steve McMurray

By Steve McMurray



http://www.ezgolfrx.com

If you love the game of golf but are frustrated by a seeming inability to swing consistently or have been sidelined by injuries, then you absolutely must sign up for the ezgolfrx insights and solutions monthly newsletter. With your subscription you will also be given a link to a years worth of free golf videos with no further obligation. You also have the option of receiving a daily blog in which I share insights on how the mechanics of the golf swing relates to your body.

The information that I share includes: What stretches you should never do before you play a round of golf. How to improve your "x" factor safely, Why back and shoulder pain are the most common injuries in golf; and much, much more. Your body is a fantastic piece of golf equipment that you must learn how to protect and use in order to enjoy the game of golf again!

Thanks for reading and... Have a Great Game!

Steve McMurray MPT

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_McMurray

Read More..

How to Choose the Perfect Golf Ball For Your Game

Golf Balls come in an array of different dimple patterns, multiple layer constructions, and compressions. What does this refer to and how do you pick the perfect golf ball for your game?

Specifications of a golf ball

What a lot of people don't realize is that golf balls have no maximum size as well as minimum weight. Producing a golf ball that could be made to go so much further than a regular golf ball is possible through modifying its characteristics, size, and weight.

All officially authorized golf ball s are now made based on USGA specifications to make it fair for all those who play golf:

  • The ball should be spherically proportion. It should be round.

  • The total distance of the ball must not go beyond a particular distance when tried in particular conditions on official device.

  • The ball's weight should not be more than 1.620 ounces.

  • The ball's diameter should not be lower than 1.680 inches.

  • The primary speed of the golf ball must not go over a particular limit, when quantified on official testing device.

So, what can be carried out in order to make the ball unique and give off well-defined results for your game, considering these standard specifications imposed on the ball?

1. The ball's compression

The hardness or compression a golf ball pertains to how simple it is to compress the ball on impact plus make the ball to gather speed off the club. A high compression rate is harder while the low rate of compression is softer.

In other words, if the ball is very soft, you will not be able to obtain as much launch velocity as that of a harder ball. A ball that is very hard will not sufficiently compress and will not launch at best possible speed.

2. The dimples

The ball's dimples are designed to produce drag while the ball is flying through the air. The drag makes aerodynamic lift while the golf ball spins. It also makes the ball stay longer in the air than a perfectly smooth ball would go. Makers of golf balls adjust the number of dimples and pattern to enhance the distance and route of the ball.

3. The ball's multi-layer composition

In the past, the wound core of the golf balls is made of elastic. These were quite soft and easy to manage with the spin that can easily be imparted on them. By the year 1966 the first ever hard one-piece golf ball was made. These were discovered to soar much further; however, they were harder to manage on shorter shots.

What was looked-for then was a mix of the two to achieve the distance of the hard one piece ball and the soft wound ball's feel. This is how the multi-layer ball were made.

A multi-layer golf ball has a soft surface layer to provide a good feel on shorter shots, and a hard core to produce distance and ball velocity. Golf balls now ranges from two to four piece balls.

By Sean Matthews

Sean Matthews has been playing golf for about 5 years. His current best score is 78. For more golf tips, visit his blog at http://www.seanmatthewsgolf.com Check it out today!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_Matthews

Read More..

The Importance of Timing and What it Means in a Golf Swing

Timing as in almost anything we do is a vital part of peak performance and golf in no exception. In our Golf Academy we always ask the pupils if timing is important. Everyone always nods their head in agreement of says yes. I always then ask the question what is timing. After 25 plus years of coaching I've yet to hear a satisfactory reply to that question.

So let's try and explain. In golf it's about creating the correct sequence of movements in the backswing and them the downswing. So the word that best describes timing is the correct "sequence". This could also be true in other areas such as the timing of a cars' engine or the timing of a comedian telling a joke you have to do the elements of what you are doing in the correct sequence.

Back to golf so what is the correct sequence? Our main objective in a golf swing is creating power in a simple way using what the body has. Stretching and contacting muscles is a key area that helps us generate club head speed.

In the backswing the club moves first by using the hands then arms, upper body (shoulders), hips, legs knee. With the lower body fixed in position by the feet we create a twisting motion that coils our body like a spring.

This however is not quite enough if you look closely in Golf Swing Software you will see that all top players create an extra stretch in the area of the top of the swing commonly called the transition. They achieve this by starting to shift their lower body weight towards the target and starting to unwind their hips as the club is still travelling in the backswing. This movement helps to provide this extra stretch and is the most important timing element in a golf swing. It's a very similar movement you will see in cracking a whip with two elements moving in opposite direction.

Club golfers rarely create this sequence and therefore loose much of their possible power and performance. You will also see the words Kinetic chain been used in golf literature this is the same thing that I have explained above. You can see this clearly by using Golf Swing Software

By Steve Gould



We at GASP Systems try and give tips, tricks and industry best practices to help you improve you golf game for a more enjoyable experience.

For more information and tips on golf please visit our website http://www.gaspsystems.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Gould

Read More..

A Beginner's Buying Guide of Used Golf Clubs

If you are just getting into golf, you should not purchase a new set of golf club at once since you may find out later that this sport is not for you. Besides, you still have to find the kind of golf clubs that really suits you while at the learning period. The best option is to begin with inexpensive second hand golf clubs.

Some tips to help you find your first set of used golf club:

1. You can play at a driving range's rental clubs. In this period, you can ask your friends or other golfers to let you test their clubs on the range. This is a good chance for you to evaluate which kind of clubs is fitting for you. After some time and when you think that you are ready to buy your own set, then go ahead.

2. When you set to look for used golf clubs, you should depend on persons who are familiar with golf equipments. You can seek advice from the professionals at the golf shop near you or your friend who knows something about golf clubs.

You can also try looking over the Internet for used golf club. Over-all, it is imperative to ascertain the golf club set that is most fitting to your playing ability.

3. The good way to purchase a used golf clubs is to get a feel for what you really want by holding the clubs in your hand and actually swinging them. But, what can the term "feel" mean? There is no exact phrase that describes it. Generally, feel may be define as the manner a golfer feels a club when she or he swings. It varies on the flexibility of its shaft and on its swing weight.

4. Go for a stainless steel club head and keep away from cheap alloy heads. For the novice, it is advisable that you choose the heel-and-toe club, extra-large golf club and the cavity backed golf club.

You should have larger club heads since they are more lenient with expanded "sweet spot" that can create utmost distance even with off-center contacts.

5. For the beginner, the most perfect to use is the graphite shafts even if it is more costly that steel shafts. It weighs less and that will permit you to swing the club more rapidly, even with over-sized club heads.

6. If you have bought used golf clubs where its grip's condition is less than just right or if the grips don't go well for you, then be sure to change them.

Grips are pretty simple and low-priced to replace by a professional or club repairman. Just make sure that the grips are substituted with the exact design and size as before.

Lastly, if you are just a beginner and still at the learning stage, odds are your swing is more probable to get you down instead of the golf clubs. Over-all, it is still very crucial to test the golf clubs before deciding to buy them, that way you can discover the golf club that fits your own game, body, and swing.

By Sean Matthews



Sean Matthews has been playing golf for about 5 years. His current best score is 78. For more golf tips, visit his blog at http://www.seanmatthewsgolf.com Check it out today!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_Matthews

Read More..

Golf Training Aids - Slick Sales Gimmick Or Real Help For Your Game?

The proliferation of golf training aids has skyrocketed along with the exploding popularity of the game itself. From direct response TV to radio, to magazines to the internet - sales presentations for golf training aids come in all shapes and sizes. Sadly - the vast majority of these golf devices fail to address the one true way to enhance the golfer's natural physical ability and golf performance.

While these various forms of direct response presentations offer insights as to what golfers are looking for and what they are willing spend their money on - they also expose the multitude of companies whose main goal is 'profits without fulfilling on the promise'.

However, it serves no purpose to judge or criticize the companies and people behind these golf product pitches. I think you are intelligent enough to know what you are seeing or hearing when watching these types of 'presentations'. But here's what golf industry insiders do say...

Regardless of the integrity or validity of an infomercial type golf training device (and there are DOZENS of them) - none will ever come close to what the effects of a full-body, golf-specific stretching exercise program will do for your game, your body and your life.

You can try to "groove your swing" 'till you drop, you can try to "change the mechanics of your faulty swing" 'til you collapse, you can swing a weighted club 'til your back cramps up - BUT none of this will enhance to range of motion and recoverability of your muscles and joints - between holes and between rounds.

I'm not against buying new golf clubs or an intriguing new training device - BUT It makes no sense to do any of that until you are properly treating your body to the one thing it needs most: FLEXIBILITY.

Don't be one of the golfers who learns this the hard way. Don't wait 'til a tweak or a muscle twinge starts to turn into a nagging chronic cramp - that develops into an injury "that just happened out of the blue." (physical therapists love golfers like this)

Many golfers - ranging from full time professionals to weekend hackers, have experienced this situation at one time or another. And although it's more prevalent in 'older' golfers - the effects of an 'un-tuned' body can also wreak havoc on a young golfer's body and game as well. In essence, the single-most effective way to improve your game is not with another 'breakthrough' golf training aid - but rather by following a golf specific stretching exercise program.

Improving your body - improves your physical ability in all regards. Power, endurance, recovery time and injury reduction and prevention are just some of the benefits you'll experience. And don't worry about your age... It's never too late to start a golf stretching program.

By Joey Atlas

Joey Atlas, Golf Conditioning Specialist and creator of Golf Stretching Exercise Program - offers several free golf exercise videos at his site - visit to get started.

Joey is also the best selling author of Fatness to Fitness, the Fitness Book.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joey_Atlas

Read More..

Try This 60 Second Golf Swing Experiment to See If You Are Keeping Your Head Behind the Ball

If outdoors, place a coin on level ground where you can set up and take a full golf swing. If indoors, in your living room or garage, make certain the ceiling is high enough and you have ample space in front of and behind you, to allow for a full swing. Place a coin on the floor. With your five iron or hybrid club in your usual grip, take your normal stance and address the coin as if it were a real golf ball.

Now ask a buddy (or your spouse) to reach out and grab you by your hair or hold firmly onto your head or golf hat, so there will be no movement of your head during this experiment. Take a slower than usual but full practice swing from address, to the top of your backswing, down to and over the coin and well into your follow through. Make as complete a follow through as you can while your head is still being held firmly.

Your partner should require little or no force to keep your head steady until after your arms are well past the coin and are parallel to the ground. At that point your partner can allow your head to come up, as it is pushed by your right shoulder (if right handed). But your head should still remain behind the ball.

Here is the feedback:

- If you were comfortably able to watch the path of the clubhead as it moved over the coin,

- If you were comfortably able to follow through with your swing to where your arms were at least parallel to the ground,

- If you executed your swing without straining any part of your body,

- If your partner needed little or no pressure to restrain your head, then

You were keeping your head behind the coin throughout swing. You were maintaining your spine angle. You no doubt already have the ideal feeling that the clubhead is swinging to the ball and not your head. CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE A GOOD GOLF SWING.

On the other hand:

- If you had difficulty at any point executing this experiment; it is probably because these movements or body positions are contrary to your usual swing. Your muscles want to return your body to those positions which they have memorized and to which they are comfortable.

- If your partner had to exert force to hold your head steady; your existing muscle memory was taking over and pushing you up and out of the shot.

Your swing is not allowing you to keep your head behind the ball through the impact zone or to maintain your spine angle. You are probably coming up and out of your shot or coming over the top. You are not swinging around a fixed axis.

The good news is that now you have identified a problem area and you can start developing the muscle memory required to keep your head back and maintain your spine angle. Training aids that provide tactile feedback to the head are most useful in developing the muscle memory required to achieve these two unarguable aspects of the golf swing.

By Bob Doyle

Bob Doyle is the founder and president of Forever Better Golf Inc. a golf equipment and training aid company dedicated to helping all golfers improve their swings and lower their scores. Their flagship product is the PRO-HEAD Trainer, a full swing training aid that helps golfers maintain their spine angles and keep their heads back and behind the ball through impact. To see the PRO-HEAD Trainer in use and take the 60 second challenge, visit http://www.foreverbettergolf.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Doyle

Read More..