In the golf swing, it's important to create the right trunk rotation to allow separation from the lower body so that you can generate energy that transfers into speed and power in the downswing.
However - are you rotating your trunk properly or over compensating with shoulder rotation?
It's common for most golfers to lose spine extension mobility over time due to day to day changes in their posture. As a result of that, it affects the amount of trunk rotation they have and also causes the shoulders to compensate for it during the golf swing.
As a result, a series of negative outcomes can occur, such as loss of posture, as well as over the top and early extension.
If you are experiencing any of these problems, it's important to assess whether you are rotating your trunk properly. Our simple checklist will help you identify any potential issues:
Are your oblique muscles firing properly?
Both internal and external obliques are crucial in stabilizing your core to rotate your ribcage for trunk rotation.
If you sit upright with your arms crossed in front of your chest, try to rotate your ribcage to one side without rotating your shoulders. Our video below will help guide you towards achieving the right trunk rotation.
T-Spine mobility -Thoracic spine extension & thoracolumbar junction mobility
After checking if your muscles are working properly, it's time to check your spine mobility. A mobile middle spine and upper spine are important to allow rotation to happen through the joints. With loss of extension mobility in the spine, the vertebrae will limit the amount of rotation movement and the muscles around the spine will tighten up as well.
How to activate obliques correctly to avoid pushing shoulders for rotation during the golf swing
Once you check your spine mobility and how your muscles are activating - try to rotate your trunk in a seated upright position and look into the mirror to see if you are rotating evenly throughout or pushing more from shoulders.
With a proper trunk rotation, deeper core muscles will stabilize and your obliques will fire properly to open up your body first, before your arms and hands come to start the downswing.
That will help with body rotation without arms coming in early and allow arm drops to create good wrist lag to release into impact.
Our video below will help you understand how mobile your spine is and show you some practical steps to take to help improve your swing technique.
If you're experiencing any problems with your swing, drop us a line for a free initial consultation with one of Swing Lab's team of experts.
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