Although much of what is discussed on this forum centers on what a golfer can do both biomechanically and scientifically for optimal results, far less is mentioned about those students whose lack of flexibility, range of motion, age or athletic ability prevents them from making a full backswing or follow through.
I’ve spoken to Brian in the past about his teaching regimen and how his clientele are usually serious golfers willing to commit (and travel) to seek out his knowledge. In other words, he’s not working with Mrs. Havencamp very often.
I’m not the first teacher that’s had to make compensations for players with knee replacements or back injuries, but there is a significant benefit to altering a player’s stance, usually closed to utilize what little ability they have to turn. Flightscope and Trackman #’s bear this out.
My question is…does the science back up altering players stances, sometimes significantly, to improve a player’s backswing (artificially creating a full turn), knowing that with their limited mobility, a closed stance will hinder their follow through?
Dear ekennedy,
I believe the broadest interpretation of your question is critically important as it addresses the major portion of the golfing community desperately wanting to improve.
So, I too would appreciate the 'real' scientists weighing in here especially 'mandrin' for whom I have the highest regard, and suspect he may also be a very good golfer, and able to relate how, with science he improved his own, and hopefully others golf swings.
Unfortunately, IMO, the science is at best FRAGMENTED with specific regard to the golf swing. BUT there has been significant research in all the areas necessary to allow 'systems scientists' to INTEGRATE the pieces and get 'first-order scientific answers to important
As you have undoubtedly read, my dream is to integrate and synchronize 2 force plates with a 3D system, a launch monitor and camera system all with at least a 100 cycles per second response rate. Then invite the medical community in to blend with the kinesiological and bio-mechanical folks to add their instrumentation and determine the bodies internal reactions and especially muscle/tendon activity in critical areas.
But my commitment to Brian and this great site is ALWAYS TRY TO ADD VALUE, so from a blend of 'applied science' and 'operations research' backgrounds, and a passionate desire to understand 'HOW and WHY EVERY TYPE of golf swing works, here is my suggestion.
In the 5 short years I have been concentrating in this area however, I have had the incredible pleasure to 'tutor' the teachers of golfers with a wide variety of constraining , and swing affecting characteristics, so I would like to take a 'shot' at your question hoping it will encourage others to contribute.
As you I am sure realize, I believe, and hope to prove that consistent TEMPO/RHYTHM, then dynamic balance and stability are the mandatory building blocks for a repeatable golf swing.
As a college baseball player, I learned to take practice swings with my feet together and 'swing as hard as I could'. While I had no reason for doing it, I now realize that I was training myself to have increased stability, and probably, as a result, increased my bat speed.
This drill, with a golf club is INCREDIBLY revealing for as you, or your student (in either a horizontal baseball-like, or inclined golf swing set-up) is asked to increase the 'back and forth repetitive swings' from say 20 to 40 to 60 to 80 percent, tempo, stability AND range of motion limitations in the back swing, down swing AND follow thru will ALL become obvious.
So, while you are waiting for the 'golf scientists' to get our INTEGRATED act together, and you, armed with first hand knowledge, and the severity of the imbalances and range limitations of your student, you the instructor can more objectively assess the priorities and sequence/blend of lessons and possibly even specialized training that is required.
