Golf swing adjustments for players with club foot: Navigating ankle mobility and muscle strength

Club foot — a condition where the foot is twisted at birth — can impact movement patterns throughout life, including athletic activities like golf.

For golfers who have had surgery and physical therapy since birth to treat clubfoot, limitations in ankle mobility and muscle strength may influence significantly on how they approach their swing.

Jon Rahm, one of the top golfers in the world, is an example of a player who has made necessary adjustments due to his club foot, demonstrating that a strong and consistent game is still achievable.

The role of ankle mobility in the golf swing

Ankle mobility is crucial in golf, especially during the weight transfer in the backswing and follow-through. Players need flexibility to maintain balance, generate torque, and avoid compensations that could lead to injury or inconsistent performance. 

For individuals with limited ankle mobility, like those with a history of clubfoot or severe ankle injuries, the swing can really be a challenging movement due to the limited control and stability in loading the ankle joint to build up a good foundation for loading of the hips during the golf swing. 

Commonly, here’s a few simple modifications that can help with providing a more stable base with limited ankle mobility & stability during the golf swing:

Jon Rahm has a short backswing due to adjustments he made after being born with clubfoot

1. Shorter backswing: If the restricted ankle is on the trail side, golfers tend to have more difficulty in loading the trail ankle and hip properly before the transition to downswing. Similar to Rahm's swing, a shorter backswing helps maintain control and reduce strain on the ankle. It allows for a more stable stance, making it easier to rotate the upper body without putting too much pressure on the foot and ankle.

   
   

2. Lower body stability: Strengthening the muscles surrounding the ankle is key. Stability exercises can help reinforce balance, allowing golfers to maintain proper posture and avoid early extension or sway in their swing. If the restricted ankle is on the lead side, strengthening of the muscles to improve on stability is very crucial so that the lead ankle can accept the pressure transfer while maintaining the stability to allow the loading of the lead hip. In turn, that would help with pushing off the ground so that the golfer can stay balance throughout the downswing and impact. 

   
   

3. Modified weight transfer: Shifting weight may feel different with reduced ankle mobility. Players should focus on a smooth transition from backswing to downswing, emphasizing core strength and hip rotation over excessive leg and ankle movement. This can also prevent overcompensation from the unaffected foot, which could lead to swing imbalances.

   
   

Muscle strength considerations

Muscle strength in the legs and ankles plays a vital role in how much power golfers can generate. For individuals with clubfoot, multiple surgeries at a young age can lead to affected muscle growth on one leg as compared to the other.  

Weakened muscles around the affected foot may require additional support. As the affected leg will always be less muscular than the other leg - focusing on building as much lower body strength as possible on the affected leg is key - so that it can allow better transfer of forces through the muscles, allowing a smoother transition of pressure with the rotation and loading on the joints.

1. Building lower body strength: Focusing on exercises that build strength in the glutes, quadriceps, and calves will provide a more solid base. Stronger legs and core can reduce the reliance on ankle movement for power generation, allowing for a smoother, more controlled swing.

   
   

2. Custom orthotics or equipment: Many golfers with clubfoot also benefit from wearing custom orthotics to provide additional support. These can help distribute weight evenly and improve balance during the swing, leading to more consistent ball striking.

   
   

Optimizing your swing

For golfers with clubfoot, working with a swing coach and a therapist who understands the biomechanical limitations is essential.

Jon Rahm

Personalized adjustments based on your ankle mobility and strength can help you achieve a fluid, injury-free swing. 

Depending on your mobility restrictions and strength, we can then work on improving the limitations and adjusting how you control the joint movements to make it more efficient in the golf swing.

At Swing Lab, we have worked with golfers who were challenged by the clubfoot condition and whether it is on the lead or trail foot, there are ways to improve on that to make it easier for you to swing while staying in balance. 

In summary, while clubfoot can pose unique challenges in the golf swing, with the right adjustments and training, golfers can still achieve great success on the course.

Focusing on ankle mobility, muscle strength, and personalized swing mechanics can unlock your full potential, just as we've seen with Jon Rahm.