| Balance is one of those things that we pretty much | | | | golfer, which he now needs to compensate for. |
| take for granted. Not many of us think about it, nor | | | | Throw in a little wind, one foot in the bunker, and/or |
| practice it, even though it can keep us from seriously | | | | a little fatigue on the back nine and that changes the |
| injuring ourselves and help us perform daily tasks | | | | affect on the body. That’s the beauty or |
| better. How many times have you heard of | | | | frustration about golf, you really never have the |
| someone - who was in pretty good shape - fall and | | | | same shot twice. There’s always something |
| break something, and was never really the same | | | | different requiring you to alter something to make |
| again? For this reason alone, balance is gaining more | | | | the shot, and in every situation, stabilization or |
| press these days, and should be practiced on a | | | | balance plays a part. |
| regular basis. When’s the last time you | | | | Age may have something to do with lack of balance, |
| practiced standing on one foot and holding your | | | | but I’ve seen a lot of young players have |
| balance? Probably never. Yet it’s a key | | | | trouble with the simplest of balance assessments. |
| ingredient in our daily lives and that includes playing | | | | Yes, there are physiological changes that occur as |
| golf. | | | | we age that will impact balance, but for the most |
| Balance is one of those things that we pretty much | | | | part, we can prevent that from occurring. |
| take for granted. Not many of us think about it, nor | | | | Lower body strength, for example, plays a key role |
| practice it, even though it can keep us from seriously | | | | in balance. Improving strength and coordination in all |
| injuring ourselves and help us perform daily tasks | | | | three planes of movement, side-to-side, |
| better. How many times have you heard of | | | | front-to-back, and rotationally, can enhance balance. |
| someone - who was in pretty good shape - fall and | | | | A good start is with the quadriceps (front thigh), |
| break something, and was never really the same | | | | glutes (buttocks), calves, and abductors and |
| again? For this reason alone, balance is gaining more | | | | adductors (inner and outer thigh). These will also |
| press these days, and should be practiced on a | | | | help you better control the lower body during the |
| regular basis. | | | | golf swing. |
| Better balance can also impact your performance on | | | | Practicing balance is also something that you can do |
| the golf course. Almost every aspect of the game | | | | to improve balance. Get into your golf stance (as if |
| is dependent on the golfer’s ability to maintain | | | | you were standing at address over the ball, but with |
| good balance while in various positions, and often | | | | your hands folded across your chest instead of out in |
| while explosively swinging a golf club. | | | | front of you) and then shift the weight over to one |
| Whether it’s the longer yardage shots, off | | | | foot while you lift the other foot off the ground. |
| the tee and in the fairway, or those finesse ones | | | | Work up to a solid 10 seconds on each foot without |
| from 100 yards in or around the green, body control | | | | losing your balance. It’ll take time, be patient |
| is a must. Altering the stance to accommodate | | | | and it will get better. If you have extreme difficulty |
| for the type of shot will help the golfer swing the | | | | with this, you may want to check with your |
| club smoothly and efficiently, resulting in the desired | | | | physician, as there are other factors that can |
| outcome. | | | | influence balance. |
| For many this is a tough enough task on level ground, | | | | Once this is accomplished, to make the exercise |
| but often times these array of golf shots have to be | | | | more golf specific, as golf is not a static sport, |
| accomplished from uneven lies such as uphill and | | | | balance on one foot and then slowly rotate your |
| downhill, or when the ball’s above or below | | | | shoulders back and forth as if swinging a golf club. |
| your feet. This demands even a greater need for | | | | Practice that till you can do 5 to 10 rotations to each |
| swing stability as both ground and gravitational forces | | | | side, and with each leg, without losing your balance. |
| impact an additional set of circumstances to the | | | | Don’t take balance for granted. |