By Ramsay McMaster
Golf Physiotherapist
For Titleist Performance Institute
RUSHING TO THE GOLF COURSE
Common technical breakdowns caused:
• Disruption of golf rhythm
• High anxiety levels, in turn leading to tension
• Poor control of breathing
Common injuries possible:
• Wrist – to tendons, cartilage or bones
• Neck – to joints, discs, ligaments or muscles
• Low back – muscle strains, disc injuries, joint problems
DRAGGING GOLF BAG AND CLUBS
Common technical breakdowns caused:
• Poor alignment in address position
• Poor posture at setup
• Excessive strain through particular muscles e.g. wrist & neck
• Increased gripping
Common injuries possible:
• Neck – to joints, discs, ligaments or muscles
• Low back – muscle strains, disc injuries, joint problems
• Shoulder & rotator cuff – muscle strains, tendon injury/tears
BOUNCING IN FORWARD FLEXION
Common technical breakdowns caused:
• Bad flexion postures
• Reduced activity of flexor muscles
• Stiffens back, leading to poor sequencing of golf swing
Common injuries possible:
• Low back – muscle strains, disc injuries, joint problems
• Hamstring strains
45 HKG
POOR ROTATION SEQUENCING
Common technical breakdowns caused:
• Compensatory sway in swing
• Poor weight transference
• Poor balance
• Poor shoulder position on backswing and follow through
Common injuries possible:
• Low back – muscle strains, disc injuries, joint problems
• Neck – to joints, discs, ligaments or muscles
WARMING UP WITH MULTIPLE CLUBS
Common technical breakdowns caused:
• Compensation movements in arms
• Altered proprioception
• Altered weight control
• Overswinging
• Reversed C positions & reversed pivot
Common injuries possible:
• Low back – muscle strains, disc injuries, joint problems
• Left hip strains
• Shoulder & rotator cuff – muscle strains, tendon injury/tears
HITTING WOODS TO START WARM UP
Common technical breakdowns caused:
• Alters feel due to practicing power before feel
• Over swinging
• Incorrect sequencing
• Use of incorrect muscles
Common injuries possible:
• Low back – muscle strains, disc injuries, joint problems
• Shoulder & rotator cuff – muscle strains, tendon injury/tears
HITTING BALLS INTO NETS OFF HARD SURFACES
Common technical breakdowns caused:
• Jarring of body
• Altered co-ordination
Common injuries possible:
• Neck – to joints, discs, ligaments or muscles
• Shoulder & rotator cuff – muscle strains, tendon injury/tears
• Low back – muscle strains, disc injuries, joint problems
