Control:
‘The independent mobility and movement of single joints or regions may be sufficient but it is the combined use of the whole system together that produces optimal capability. Fully mobile parts that don’t integrate to produce effective whole movement have programming issues.’ G.Cook.
Any player who already has natural full range of movement or needs range of movement increases will require control of this maximal range. Excessive and uncontrolled movement with high levels of range is equally likely to produce injury as restricted range of movement can do. If the movement and soft tissue systems do not have sufficient motor control of the joint movement then, away from injury, the swing output will suffer.
As a result of the power and energy generated in golf swing there is increase the torque at the joints. Torque is the name for forces that cause rotation. Within the spine structures, in particular, these torque forces, when sub optimally controlled, can lead to increased risk of shearing at some soft tissues which causes injury. Minor loading defects accumulate that can lead to larger damage.
This is particularly significant to the mid and lower spine. Any loss of movement capacity through the mid spine, a constraint of high occurrence in many players, will usually be compensated for through excessive and uncontrolled lower spine motion. The relevance of this is that this area has a high incidence of acute and chronic dysfunctional conditions such as bone and joint degeneration, tissue spasms and disc deterioration. Such conditions not only cause high levels of pain and limitations to all daily functions but also prohibit playing golf and/or playing golf effectively.
Lack of precision movement and control can be one significant causal factor in production and exacerbation of injuries and conditions that impact on course performance. How effectively the mid and lower spine rotate with each other and, crucially, with the pelvis has huge influence over the health of these joints and surrounding soft tissue structures.
However this lack of control also means that the efficiency and effectiveness of the movement and therefore the swing can be substandard. In the properly functioning spine, the balanced isometric support and control provided by the trunk muscles prevent these impairments and enable all structures to work together to produce motion, energy generation and use.
Conversely, when taught be used optimally, these torque forces can be applied positively to create greater quality of authentic power and energy whilst providing the requisite stability and control. Our aim with this is to maximise a players mobility. In this sense mobility means the degree of control at the end of range of movement.
Although this is only one example, and control of movement is essential at all interlinked sections of the human system. Uncontrolled accessory movements at any of the joints of the upper limbs, spine and pelvis or lower limbs can result in accumulative injuries or reduced productivity of the swing.
