Golf Swing Biomechanics – The Science Behind the Perfect Golf Swing
Golf Swing Biomechanics is the science behind the golf swing. During the swing itself the golfer will use almost every single muscle group in the body. There are actually three types of swings used in golf; the full swing, the chip and the putt. Each shot uses different muscles in various sequences to generate optimal club downswing speed in order to hit the ball farther and more accurately. But before a player initiates the mechanics of the swing they must first set up the swing using the pre-swing.
The pre-swing is the phase where the golfer positions themselves relative to the ball. Each golfer has a unique pre-swing phase where they position themselves in a manner which is most comfortable to them. Some pre-swing stance are radically different than the common pre-swing stance, an excellent is pro golfer Jim Furyk who has an unorthodox swing style which has helped him win many professional tournaments including the US Open. Most pre-swings start with the golfer’s non-dominant side of the body facing the ball, so a right handed person would stand with the left hand towards the fairway. The body should be positioned parallel to the target line meaning the direction of the fairway. Depending on the distance an open stance is used for shorter distances while a more closed stance is used for long drives.
The full swing is always utilized for long distance shots during tee off or on the fairway. The golfer must adjust their swing to match the conditions of play such as range to the green, position of the ball and the location of the hazards. The face of the club should start behind the target line of the fairway.
The chip is generally utilized as a mid-to-short distance shot, usually 20 to 80 yards. The aim behind the chip shot is to land the ball on the greens accurately with negligible roll. Thus, a golfer must not turn the shoulders in order to give more control of the flight path. This is done by putting additional weight on the front facing foot which aids the golfer to come down on the ball which outcomes in a higher arc on the ball.
The putt is always used for getting the ball in the hole from the green or as close as possible to the hole from the fringe. The face of the club should start behind the ball and square to the target path. The club must travel directly behind the ball and straight through the length of the matching path like a pendulum. One strategy to accomplish this is to aim the ball slightly past the hole.
