Increasing Flexibility, Not Stretching, is the Fastest Way to a Better Golf Swing

It is a simple question yet one that is not easy to answer. I imagine that most of you come up with some definition that is something to the effect of "Flexibility is stretching, right?" That answer is partially correct. Flexibility training incorporates stretching techniques. However, it is NOT limited to traditional stretching, and the two terms cannot be used interchangeably.

We Should Talk About What Flexibility Means

According the National Academy of Sports Medicine, flexibility can be defined as the normal extensibility of all soft tissues that allow full range of motion of a joint. You will note that nowhere in the definition of flexibility is the word stretching used. To help further explain, understand, and clearly define flexibility, let us take the definition and break it down into three parts. The first part of the definition, "the normal extensibility," is best understood by thinking of the muscles in your body. Each muscle in your body has what is termed a "normal length-tension relationship." When the muscle is at its "normal length-tension relationship," it functions correctly. When the muscles contract and extend (i.e. when you "flex" your bicep in the mirror, your bicep muscle is contracting and your tricep is extending) they enable you to create movement of your skeleton. Often, athletes cause a disruption of the "normal length-tension relationship" through training, which leads to one muscle becoming shorter or longer than its normal length-tension relationship. When this happens, the body begins to have difficulty moving the skeleton in a safe and efficient manner, which will be magnified when trying to perform athletic movements.

The second portion of the definition of flexibility discusses "all soft tissues." This part of the definition is quite easy. As you know, the human body is comprised of numerous types of cells and tissues. Soft tissues are simply a categorization of certain types of tissues in your body including muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

The final part of the definition reads: "that allow full range of motion of a joint." Every joint (where two bones are connected in your body, i.e. shoulder, hip, elbow, etc.) moves through a specified range of motion determined by the design of the joint. The anatomical structure of a joint determines the amount, direction and type of movement through which a joint moves. This is known as the range of motion. To achieve a full range of motion, the surrounding muscles and connective tissue have to be flexible enough to allow the joint to move through that range of motion. To demonstrate what a full range of motion is, bend your elbow as much as you can (brining your hand as close to your shoulder as possible) and then straighten it. Each joint in the body has a range of motion that is unique to the design of the joint. For example, the shoulder joint is classified as a ball and socket joint, which has a range of motion of 360 degrees (a much greater range of motion than the elbow).

Once broken down, flexibility is simply defined as: every ligament, tendon, and muscle (soft tissues) in your body, having the correct length-tension relationship (normal extensibility) to allow every joint in your body to move through its full range of motion. This concludes the first part of this article. We now have a pretty simple working definition of flexibility. In the next section of this article we will discuss the question: "Why is flexibility important to the golf swing?"

The Real Meat of the Article?Flexibility and the Golf Swing

So now we have a "working definition" of flexibility. We probably need to discuss the golf swing briefly to create the connection between "your" flexibility and "your" golf swing.

Breaking down the golf swing, we know that it is categorized into different phases: address, take away, back swing, transition, down swing, contact, and follow through. Your local swing coach has probably discussed the importance of these phases of the swing in order to create a good swing. I am sure you also are aware that the body must "move through" these phases in a certain sequence for a correct swing to occur. The key phrase when it comes to the golf swing and flexibility is "move through."

Go back to the definition of flexibility. What does it tell you? In general, it says that every muscle, ligament, and tendon in your body must have the correct range of motion within itself to perform the activity you ask of it. Take that definition and place it upon what movements are required of the golf swing. It essentially states that your individual body MUST have the required flexibility parameters within every muscle, ligament, and tendon to execute the golf swing correctly.

Now the kicker question: what happens if your body does not have the needed flexibility parameters to swing a club on the correct path? Is the answer, "Forget about golf and go grab your fishing pole?" No, that is not the correct answer. Your body is a little smarter than that one wise-crack answer. If you ask your body to do something, nine out of ten times it will "try" to do what you are asking it to do. When your brain tells your body to do this and this and this in a certain order, your body is going to try as hard as it possibly can to complete the task. The task (in our case the golf swing) may get completed, but probably not exactly as we would like. In the golf swing, this results in shots that we are really not happy about (slices, hooks, blocks, etc.)

When the body does not have the needed flexibility to swing a club on the correct path is what we term "compensation." Compensation is the body's way of making up for inefficiencies it may have within it. If you do not have the flexibility properties in, say, your hamstrings for the golf swing, your body will create compensation patterns in your swing to "make up" for the lack of flexibility in your lower body. So the reality of the situation becomes that, regardless of how hard you work on your swing and how much you practice, until you correct the flexibility issues within your body it will be very difficult to correct your swing. So there you have it! The connection between flexibility and the golf swing is a very important connection if you are looking to make good shots on the course.

How do I get it?

We have discussed flexibility and the golf swing. You now have an understanding about the definition of flexibility, the importance of flexibility as it relates to the golf swing, and what happens if you do not have it (flexibility for the golf swing, that is). Now the final question to answer is: "How to I get it if I don't have it!" That is a question to answer in another article, or take a look at our web site www.bioforcegolf.com for more answers.

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. He has made many of his golf tips, golf instruction and golf swing improvement techniques available to amateur golfers on the website http://www.bioforcegolf.com

Check out his manual and DVD, Your Body & Your Swing, ( http://www.bioforcegolf. com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=93 ) on BioForceGolf.com. To contact Sean, you can email him at support@bioforcegolf.com.

Golf Grub

GOLO GOLF GRUB Fuel for the golfer."A good diet can... Read More

Getting To The Core Of Your Golf Swing

At some point, almost all of us struggle with efforts... Read More

Golf! How To Power That Drive Away

Anyone who tells you, that he or she would not... Read More

Mental Training for Golfers: Attitudes that Sabotage Commitment

Plateaus in performance sometimes occur when you don't see any... Read More

How A Golf Fitness Book Can Transform Your Game

A golf fitness book that is written to give you... Read More

What Should I Know About Biomechanics of the Golf Swing?

If you've read some of my articles in the past,... Read More

Golf Swing Mechanics Can Be Improved Very Quickly

If you're like most golfers, you're always trying to duplicate... Read More

The Perfect Golf Swing Is Within Your Reach

The perfect golf swing IS achievable for any senior golfer!Actually... Read More

Beginners Guide to Buying a Set of Golf Clubs

You walk in to a golf store and there are... Read More

Correcting a Golf Slice

Slicing the ball is a common problem among golfers. A... Read More

Play Better Longer: Reducing Golf Related Injury

On the surface golf may look to be a slow... Read More

Why A Consistent Professional Golf Swing Is So Elusive

It is the dream and deep desire of every golfer... Read More

Junior Golfers Gain A Competitive Edge By Building A Stronger Body

Strength training for juniors is supported by organizations such as... Read More

Golf Specific Weight Training...Dont Fear It

The fascinating thing about golf-specific weight training is that despite... Read More

How Timing The Golf Swing Is So Critical To Consistent Shots

Timing the golf swing is extremely critical. It is not... Read More

Feel in Golf Putting

The definition of feel as it is used in golf... Read More

Golfer Discovers 4 Time-Tested and Proven Methods to Lower Handicap!

Golfers are often on the lookout for a magic tip... Read More

Reluctant to Try Golf Instruction?

Maybe you or a friend had a negative experience with... Read More

What a Load of Golf Balls

Through out the history of golf the golf ball has... Read More

Myrtle Beach Golf - Quality and Quantity

Myrtle Beach is the best of both worlds for every... Read More

Improve Your Golf Swing Fundamentals And Watch Your Game Transform

Most golfers are aware that by focusing on the golf... Read More

How A Golf Stretching Routine Can Impact Your Game Quickly

Even as you read this article, golf stretching routines continue... Read More

Golf Training Equipment Can Give You A Competitive Edge

Whether you are just beginning to enjoy the game of... Read More

Golf Exercise And Stretch Program For Total Golf Performance

Golf exercise and stretch. This is a combination I use... Read More

Flexibility For Golf Will Not Be Lost With Weight Training

There is no doubt that body flexibility is extremely important... Read More