home
Search the site:
search

Increase Your Rotational Strength For A More Powerful Golf Swing


Every golfer dreams of a fluid, unhindered golf swing. So why do so few of us actually achieve it?

The culprit is usually a weak core and poor posture.

You should aim for a healthy 60-degree rotation in your trunk if you want to achieve a free, smooth golf swing. Here are two simple exercises that you can perform to improve trunk rotation:

1. Improve Rotational Flexibility

Sit straight on a stool with your feet firmly planted on the ground. Hold your golf club across your shoulders. Turn around clockwise as far as you can, till you feel a good stretch. Then turn around anti-clockwise as far as you can. You might notice a difference in your turning ability on each side.

Work on your less flexible side to correct the imbalance. Having one side weaker than the other can affect your 'feel' for the game!

Many people perform this stretch standing, which is less effective as it permits movement at the knee and foot. Movement at these joints can compromise trunk rotation.

2. Improve Rotational Strength

Fix a cable with handle (or an exercise tube) to a low pulley. Do not set the weight too high. It's always easier to start low and then gradually raise your limits as you get accustomed to the moves.

Stand with your right side to the cable, feet are shoulder width apart. Grasp the cable handle with both your hands while standing erect. Pull the cable towards your left shoulder, ending up with your arms making a 45-degree angle to your neck. Keep only a slight bend in your elbows. Perform four reps and repeat with the other side.

Injuries and muscle imbalances often result from poor stability, which is the main cause for lack of coordination between your upper body and lower body. The abs and hips are your body's "transmission system" transferring power from the bigger and stronger muscles of the lower body to the upper body, which guides and controls your golf swing.

3. Stabilize your trunk for better rotation

Stand straight with your arms crossed at shoulder level and weight equally distributed on both legs.

Shift your weight to the left foot, and move your right foot one step away from your left foot. Make sure your right foot is firmly positioned on the floor. Rotate your upper body the same direction as the supporting leg.

Now shift your weight to the right foot while rotating your upper body to the same side. Do not lean forwards or backwards while you bend your knee. Your body should remain with good posture while maintaining a tight stomach and neutral back position.

Continue repeating this exercise so you can get a feel for what it is like to produce stability in your midsection while rotating from a more solid body position.

Finally- do not expect an instant miracle on the golf course. Perform these exercises regularly and keep adding new and challenging routines to work on your trunk flexibility, stability and strength!

Susan Hill is a fitness trainer, CHEK golf biomechanic and sports nutrition specialist. For on-line golf specific exercises and stretches, visit http://www.fitnessforgolf.com


MORE RESOURCES:


TSN

British Open 2010: Yani Tseng leads, Juli Inkster in the hunt, and Paula ...
Examiner.com
Golf legend Laura Davies, at times outwardly agitated by slow play, commented on the rough conditions. "The tougher it is, the better ball strikers will ...
Tseng keeps hold on four-shot edge at Women's British OpenUSA Today
GOLF Tseng leads by four shotsSunHerald.com
Golf on the wireWindsor Star
AHN | All Headline News -San Francisco Chronicle
all 1,248 news articles »


Kansas City Star

Weekley finds way to second place
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Even though he is in an area well-known for outdoor recreational pursuits, Weekley emphasized that he was in West Virginia to play golf _ and that meant ...
Golf Channel's lead announcer familiar with The GreenbrierHuntington Herald Dispatch
Here's a beginner's guide to golf and The Greenbrier ClassicCharleston Gazette
PGA TOUR: Overdue Overton Leads at The Greenbrier ClassicBleacher Report
Daily Mail - Charleston -Charleston Gazette -HNN Huntingtonnews.net
all 369 news articles »


msnbc.com

Ruggiero golf student shoots a 57
The Northwest Florida Daily News
On the eve of Bobby Wyatt's historic golf round, Tony Ruggiero predicted his prize pupil was going to shoot a sensational score. But there's no way Ruggiero ...
Commentary: Wyatt's 57 stands alone in golf worldal.com
Country Club buzzing about teen's 57Selma Times-Journal
Teen may hold Guinness golf recordWALA-TV FOX10
Golf Channel -Roll 'Bama Roll -Dothan Eagle
all 225 news articles »


Telegraph.co.uk

Fisher's lead in Irish Open cut to one
Stamford Advocate
Ireland's Padraig Harrington reacts after saving par on the 18th hole during round 3 of the Irish Open Golf Championship at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club, ...
Golf News: Ross Fisher takes the lead on Day 2 of 3 Irish Openbettor.com (blog)
GOLF: Irish remain in Open contentionBelfast Newsletter
2010 Irish Open Golf Latest Odds: Fisher in Control at Halfway in KillarneyBetting Directory
FreeBets.com (blog) (press release) -USA Today -New Zealand Herald
all 316 news articles »


msnbc.com

Golf Capsules
The Associated Press
Irish Open KILLARNEY, Ireland (AP) — England's David Howell shot a 7-under 64 to take a one-stroke lead in the Irish Open at Killarney Golf and Fishing ...
Compton's perseverance results in a rewarding 63MiamiHerald.com
Erik Compton turns the attention to his golf game with opening-round 63Palm Beach Post (blog)
PGA TOUR Thursday: Your Eyes & Ears at The Greenbrier ClassicBleacher Report
Beckley Register-Herald -One News Page -PGA Tour
all 970 news articles »



Friday Flyer

A guide to: Charity golf tournaments
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
The four-person scramble tees off with lunch, followed by 18 holes of golf, social hour and open bar, dinner and live and silent auctions. ...
Rally for the Cure golf outing Aug. 11West Central Tribune
Senior Estates holding Racey for the Cure golf tourneyWoodburn Independent
Tour Striker golf-training aid improves ball strikingWorldGolf.com
Packet Online -Hilton Head Monthly -Glens Falls Post-Star
all 12 news articles »


Benzinga

Fortune Brands 2Q Profit More Than Doubles; Forecast Raised
Wall Street Journal
The maker of Jim Beam whiskey, Moen faucets and Titleist golf clubs has seen results improve this year as the economy has picked up a little. ...
Fortune Brands profit beatsReuters
Don't Bet The Farm On Fortune BrandsForbes
Fortune Brands 2Q profit more than doublesThe Associated Press
RTT News -Zacks.com -MarketWatch
all 96 news articles »


KVAL

Golf: Andrew Putnam coasts to four-shot victory in Pacific Coast Amateur
OregonLive.com (blog)
At Pebble Beach, Putnam shot 76-78 and missed the cut, but he'll have another shot in an US Golf Association championship next month. ...
Golf: Andrew Putnam takes five-shot lead into final round of Pacific Coast AmateurOregonLive.com (blog)

all 19 news articles »

Google News