When I do an assessment on a player, I look at why they move the way they do. Players create certain movement patterns for a reason. I think most players try hard to achieve what they believe to be the correct movement of the swing. Until they see themselves, they believe they look like what they see in TV.
I also see students who have been taught something fundamentally incorrect. Bad information from a friend, family member or even from a golf lesson can be dangerous. It can create physical problems. Golfers are very resourceful and will figure out a way to hit the golf ball even if they sacrifice their bodies to do it. If I were to tell my students the best way to hit a ball is to stand on their heads, they would figure out a way to make it work.
Many students physically can’t do what we are asking them to do. Physical issues create improper swing patterns. Sometimes these issues are fixable with proper motor skills training or exercises that help strengthen and turn on muscles that have been turned off. Teachers have to work with these physical limitations to make it easier for the golfer to achieve success without injury.
Last, I check a player’s equipment. Many players swing better when they have the right clubs in their hands. Properly fit equipment can make a huge difference in a player’s ability to make an efficient motion to hit the ball. Juniors are a great example of this because they often have clubs that are too long and too heavy. They can still hit them but they are working so hard and creating bad movement that can hurt them in the future.
I recommend all golfers find a professional that can do a physical body assessment using 3 –D technology. There are several fitness professionals, chiropractors and golf professionals that are now working together as a team to prevent injury and make the game more fun. If you have any questions or would like a referral to a local practitioner, please contact me at darlene@darlenesommergolf.com