Looking to get the most out of your golf game?

As the weather gets nicer and some provinces reopen, many Canadians are eager to head to their local golf course to enjoy the game they love. To optimize their game, golfers often seek professional coaching for their setup, grip, alignment, backswing, downswing and clubs.

Lessons are a great way to learn proper techniques and how to improve your swing. That being said, we all know that feeling when you know what you want to do and your body isn’t following. Your body is your most important piece of golf equipment: you use it for every shot! Good biomechanics are an essential component of your golf swing.

What if you’re experiencing pain or discomfort in your golf swing? While golf is a low impact game, it’s very common for golfers to develop injuries, as nearly 50% of all amateur golfers report at least one injury per year. Those rates can increase with individuals who play more frequently or have subpar biomechanics.

The Titleist Performance Institute

"If you can’t move your pelvis correctly, you can’t perform the action required in golf efficiently.”
–Lance Gill, TPI Advisory Board Member"

Since 2003, the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) has been leading the way by working with professional and amateur golfers alike to evaluate how the human body functions in relation to the golf swing. 24 out of the 30 top players in the world (and 18 out of the last 20 Major Champions) have worked with a TPI Certified Expert.

What TPI has learned over the years is that there are many different ways to swing a golf club. For example, just think of the difference between Jim Furyk and Tiger Woods’ swings. That being said, for every golfer, there is one efficient way to swing a golf club, depending on what the golfer is able to do physically.

TPI has found that golfers most commonly struggle with 12 swing issues, which all relate to the body’s physical abilities. These issues are:

• Loss of posture
• Early extension
• Cast or early release
• Flat shoulder release
• Over-the-top
• Reverse spine
• Sway
• Chicken wing
• C-postures
• Hang back
• Slide
• S-postures

For example, 64% of golfers suffer from a loss of posture. Loss of posture is defined as any excessive moment, either up or down, from your address position. This may result in inconsistent ball striking, a block or a hook. Common areas a TPI certified expert would examine include your ability to rotate your trunk, your flexibility in your hips and shoulders and the strength and control of your glutes and core.

Don’t guess what the issues are, get assessed to find out!

"Some golfers have never considered working on their game while away from the course and this could be a great time to improve their physical limitations.”
– Dr. Greg Rose, Co-Founder of TPI

As part of a TPI session, a certified expert will review your golf and medical history in full. They will examine your swing using two separate videos to help identify any of the swing characteristics mentioned above. Lastly, a golfer is screened through 14 functional tests that can quickly identify any biomechanical limitations. Through this screening process, a TPI certified expert can establish your fitness handicap and create a personalized plan to improve your biomechanical limitations. This plan may include manual therapy, therapeutic exercises and/or a reference for technical coaching. Improving your physical capacity improves efficiency and can help you hit the ball farther, straighter and pain-free.

If you’re looking to get more out of your golf game, schedule an appointment with Lifemark’s Scott Pinder, a certified TPI specialist, of Lifemark Sport Medicine CNC in Kelowna. If you’ve suffered an injury, our Sports Medicine clinics can also provide you with the quality care you need to help you recover quickly.