Biomechanics of the Golf Swing

The golfer with a clear understanding of the biomechanics of the golf swing will have a huge advantage over the golfer who doesn't have a clue.

First, the definition of biomechanics - "The study of the action of external and internal forces on the living body, esp. on the skeletal system."

Anyone who has played this great game of golf knows intimately the external and internal forces on the body when you swing a golf club.

I soon realized the complexities in not only understanding these external and internal forces in a sound golf swing, but also in the managing of these forces.

After much study and much play, I realized the secret to a sound golf swing is first you must understand how these forces work in the golf swing, then you must put these internal and external forces in alignment so they work in harmony.

This is key to developing a powerful golf swing you can repeat over and over again.

The biomechanics of golf swing operate along the laws of physics and anything we do that works against these laws will only further delay the learning process.

I hope this scientific discussion on the biomechanics of the golf swing helps you as much as it has helped me.

Jon Barrett of Golf Swing Eureka carried out a survey and asked golfers the question: Which part of the body contributes the most to club head speed?

The answer to this question was to make a profound impact on my understanding of the biomechanics of the golf swing. Most golf pros NEVER talk about this fact yet it is the determining factor in creating effortless power in the golf swing.

Only 20% got the answer right!

That's only 1 in every 5 golfers!

And these golfers ranged from scratch golfer to high handicapper.

Curiously this figure relates to another golfing statistic - Do you know that only 20% of golfers have a handicap of less than 18?

I believe these same 20% of golfers understand this crucial biomechanical aspect of the golf swing.

Which part of your body do you think contributes the most to club head speed?

Is it:
- Shoulders
- Arms
- Hands
- Hips
- Legs
- Torso
- Wrists

The answer:

***THE HANDS CONTRIBUTE THE MOST TO CLUB HEAD SPEED!!!***

High handicap golfers usually "hold on" through the impact area causing a weak hit resulting in a slice or a push shot.

The reason High handicappers "hold on" through impact I believe is because they do NOT have a clear biomechanical understanding of what creates club head speed...

Let me make an illustration that will "hammer home" (excuse the pun) this biomechanical concept in the golf swing. Try to hammer a nail without breaking your wrist...just use your arms and body...keep your wrist rigid...not much power, huh?

Now hammer the nail by only breaking or releasing your wrist, no body, no arms...much more power huh? You are using biomechanical angular and centrifugal forces to create much power with very little effort...

Much like golf!

Have you ever seen that trick shot golfer on the golf channel? He can hit a golf ball 275 yards while kneeling on the ground. This totally blows the cover off the notion it is the lower body that contributes most to club head speed...don't ya think?

Do you think all his power still comes from his lower body?

Effortless power comes from a full release of the hands through the impact area...have you ever watched pro golfer Sergio Garcia's hand action through the golf ball? This is how a 150LB person can crush 300 yard drives...they have mastered this move.

By far the most important force in the biomechanics of the golf swing is a full hand release through the golf ball...

Once you learn a full release through the golf ball you will be on your way to great golf...

Hit 'em Long and Straight!

John Lynch