Broken Mobile/Stable Patterns in the Golf Swing: Finding the Root Cause
Golf swing analysis often focuses on identifying and correcting flaws. However, a sophisticated understanding requires recognizing the interplay between mobile and stable joints in the kinetic chain. A limitation in one joint frequently leads to compensation in adjacent segments, creating "broken" patterns that hinder performance and can lead to injury.
This blog explores this concept, specifically focusing on how limitations in mobile joints cause compensations in stable joints, and how this relates to maintaining a proper swing plane.
Looking Above and Below: The Kinetic Chain Reaction
The human body functions as a kinetic chain, where movement in one segment affects others. When assessing a golfer's swing, we shouldn't isolate individual joints. Instead, we need to consider the entire chain.
For instance, if a golfer exhibits restricted internal/external rotation in their trail hip (a mobile joint during the golf swing), the problem isn't solely in the hip. We must investigate the segments above and below: the trail knee (a relatively stable joint) and the lumbar spine (a stable joint).
A lack of hip mobility might manifest as knee instability (swaying or sliding) or excessive lumbar spine extension (reverse spine extension) during the backswing. The golfer compensates for the limited hip rotation by using other joints to achieve the desired club position. This compensation, while seemingly solving the immediate problem of getting the club on plane, creates instability and inefficiency in the swing.
The Three Planing Mechanisms and Their Interdependence
Maintaining a consistent swing plane is crucial for accuracy and distance. Three primary mobile segments contribute to plane control:
Wrists: The wrists provide subtle adjustments to club path and face angle.
Shoulders: Shoulder rotation drives the swing arc and contributes significantly to plane.
Posture: Maintaining proper posture establishes the foundation for the entire swing, influencing the plane from the outset.
These mobile segments work together to ensure the club moves along the desired plane. However, dysfunction in one can force other segments to overcompensate. For example, a golfer with limited shoulder rotation might excessively use their wrists to achieve the correct club position, leading to inconsistent contact and potentially injury.
Big 15 Characteristics and Compensatory Mechanisms
The "Big 15" refers to a set of common swing flaws. It's critical to understand that some Big 15 characteristics might be compensatory mechanisms for underlying limitations in the mobile planing mechanisms. Before correcting a Big 15 characteristic, thoroughly assess the entire kinetic chain.
Removing a compensatory movement without addressing the root cause could disrupt the swing and potentially introduce new problems. If a golfer uses a particular Big 15 characteristic to get their club on plane, removing it without providing an alternative mechanism will likely result in a worse swing.
Conclusion
Analyzing a golf swing requires a holistic approach. By understanding the intricate relationships between mobile and stable joints, and recognizing compensatory patterns, we can identify the true source of swing flaws. Addressing the root cause, rather than simply correcting surface-level issues, leads to more effective and sustainable improvements in a golfer's technique and reduces the risk of injury. Remember to always consider the entire kinetic chain when diagnosing and correcting swing faults.