Golf Muscles – Where does the problem lie – Part 2

Golf Swing - Address Phase

Over the next few days I will be discussing the structures involved in each phase of a golf swing. We will start with the Address Phase.

EMG Analysis was used to identify the structures involved in each phase of a golf swing. Electromyographic analysis can be used to determine exactly which muscles are active during each phase of a golf swing. In Electromyography, electrodes are placed on the skin, and an instrument is used to measure the activity of the monitored muscles throughout the swing.

Address Phase

The Address Phase is the initial starting position for a golf swing. Common biomechanical issues that I often see are:

· Shoulders rolled forward – is a common problem that greatly affects a golfer’s power and distance. This is commonly known as a C-Posture, and is often caused by a combination of joint restrictions and muscle imbalances. Most commonly, short contracted chest muscles (pectoralis major/minor), and weak posterior shoulder muscles (Deltoids, Teres minor/major) are the primary cause of this problem. In addition, forward posture greatly reduces your ability to generate force through the process of elastic recoil.

· Lack of knee flexion – you will often see that a golfer cannot maintaining a flexed knee position - this is often due to weak quadriceps. This affects the golfer’s ability to maintain a proper spinal angle.

· Lack of ankle flexion – is often due to tight calf and shin muscles (dorsi flexors). Without good ankle flexibility, the golfer will have poor balance.

In the next blog, I will go over the Take Away phase, some of the anatomical structures involved, common postural distortions, and how they affect motion patterns.

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