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Biomechanics of Golf Swing

By John Lynch

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 11Sep2008 Word count: 675 Viewed: 1019 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

I became fascinated (obsessed is probably a better word) with the biomechanics of the golf swing about 8 years ago. My background in engineering and extensive studies in biomechanics allowed me to take a very scientific approach to the study and analysis of the golf swing.

First, the definition of biomechanics - "The study of the action of external and internal forces on the living body, esp. on the skeletal system."

Anyone who has played this great game of golf knows intimately the external and internal forces on the body when you swing a golf club.

I soon realized the complexities in not only understanding these external and internal forces in a sound golf swing, but also in the managing of these forces.

After much study and much play, I realized the secret to a sound golf swing is first you must understand how these forces work in the golf swing, then you must put these internal and external forces in alignment so they work in harmony.

This is key to developing a powerful golf swing you can repeat over and over again.

The biomechanics of golf swing operate along the laws of physics and anything we do that works against these laws will only further delay the learning process.

I hope this scientific discussion on the biomechanics of the golf swing helps you as much as it has helped me.

Jon Barrett of Golf Swing Eureka carried out a survey and asked golfers the question: Which part of the body contributes the most to club head speed?

The answer to this question was to make a profound impact on my understanding of the biomechanics of the golf swing. I can tell you most golf swing gurus only mention this in passing and do not give it the justice it deserves.

Only 20% got the answer right!

That's only 1 in every 5 golfers!

And these golfers ranged from scratch golfer to high handicapper.

Curiously this figure relates to another golfing statistic - Do you know that only 20% of golfers have a handicap of less than 18?

I began to wonder that maybe the secret to a sound golf swing and resulting lower scores is a clear understanding of this biomechanical aspect of the golf swing.

Which part of your body do you think contributes the most to club head speed?

Is it:
- Shoulders
- Arms
- Hands
- Hips
- Legs
- Torso
- Wrists

The answer:

***THE HANDS CONTRIBUTE THE MOST TO CLUB HEAD SPEED!!!***

High handicap golfers usually "hold on" through the impact area causing a weak hit resulting in a slice or a push shot.

The reason High handicappers "hold on" through impact I believe is because they do NOT have a clear biomechanical understanding of what creates club head speed...

Let me make an illustration that will "hammer home" (excuse the pun) this biomechanical concept in the golf swing. Try to hammer a nail without breaking your wrist...just use your arms and body...keep your wrist rigid...not much power, huh?

Now hammer the nail by only breaking or releasing your wrist, no body, no arms...much more power huh? You are using biomechanical angular and centrifugal forces to create much power with very little effort...

Much like golf!

Have you ever watched a golf trick shot artist? He can hit a golf ball 275 yards while kneeling on the ground. This is contrary to the theory that it is the legs & hips that create power in the golf swing...don't ya think?

How do you think he generates all this incredible power while on his knees?

Effortless power comes from a full release of the hands through the impact area...remember the hammer example I gave you? This is how a 150LB person can crush 300 yard drives...they have learnt this important concept.

By far the most important force in the biomechanics of the golf swing is a full hand release through the golf ball...

If you can learn how to master this hand release, you will have found the holy grail in golf...

Hit 'em Long and Straight!

John Lynch

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