Golf Mechanics
Frequently Asked Questions
All the fundamental actions of a golfer are founded on mechanical
principles. The techniques are based on mechanical laws. Once the golf
instructor understands the mechanical purposes behind each element, he is
better then to provide instruction for his student.
One question asked is “Why cock and un-cock the wrists during a golf
drive?”
Cocking and un-cocking the wrists during a golf drive causes the golfers
arm and club to simulate the whiplash action of a high speed tip segment
of a whip. When the wrists are cocked and un-cocked, they act as an
additional axis around which the club can rotate. The velocity developed
from the swing and length of the golfer’s arm is multiplied along the
length of the club shaft. Without the cocking and un-cocking action, the
arms and clubs move as a fixed unit. Without this motion of cocking and
un-cocking, the head of the club will not reach optimal velocity.
Another question is raised “Why is it important for the golfer to rotate
the hips and thrust them ahead of the upper body during the golf swing?”
Rotating the hips ahead of the upper body and toward the direction serves
three purposes:
-
It shifts the golfers body mass into proper direction,
which is toward the direction of the golf ball.
-
The rotation of the
hips acts as an important link in the sequential acceleration of the
golfers body segment. The movement of the golfers legs and hips towards
the target simulates the swinging of a whip handle ahead of the rest of
whip so the tip of the whip will exert maximal acceleration, momentum and
“crack”.
-
The rotation of the hip stretches the muscles of the abdomen
and chest so that they pull the shoulder and arm towards the ball in the
golf swing.
Should you have any further questions
regarding this article, please direct your questions or comments to "Ask
the Doctor" section.
Copyright © 2004 - 2009 Taras V.
Kochno, M.D. All Rights Reserved
Board Certified in
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
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