By Denis McDade
For Titleist Performance Institute
Most golfers know that they need to create a good ‘turn’ during the swing. However many don’t understand what turn actually is. When coaching I use the term ‘rotation’ and define it as movement through the individual vertebrae of the spine. I define ‘turn’ as a motion that doesn’t contain a lot of spinal rotation and an over-rotation of the hips.
This gives the golfer a better understanding of how lack of spinal mobility reduces rotation. It is important for all golfers to achieve good rotation if they are to create a powerful, repetitive swing.
An overlooked area of the spine that requires good mobility in order for a golfer to rotate freely is the neck. To assist in understanding the importance of neck mobility in the swing, think back to the last time you tried to play with a stiff or wry neck! Reduced neck mobility can have a dramatic effect on the golfer’s ability to rotate and therefore the mechanics of the swing. Some of the common reactions to reduced neck mobility are shortened swing length, loss of dynamic posture, early extension and increased lateral upper body motion.
The neck can become tight for many reasons. Golfers whose jobs involve spending extended periods of time seated (at a desk or driving) typically develop a forward leaning head position that requires many muscle groups in the neck and upper spine to be in contraction for extended periods of time to support the weight of the head. The frequent overuse of these muscles leads to reduced neck and upper spine mobility. People who have suffered from whiplash will obviously also be affected.
A golfer should be able to rotate their head about 90° both left and right. If you can’t do this, or it is painful to do so, I would recommend contacting a qualified TPI Fitness Instructor. They will be able to assess you via a number of functional screening tests and create a golf specific physical preparation program that will address any detected problems.
Finally, if you do wake up with a stiff or sore neck, check your pillow. There are specialists around who can advise you on purchasing a pillow that is tailored to suit your body shape and preferred sleeping position.
