What is the Role of Your CORE in Developing
Maximum Golf Swing Speed? Part 1
Jason Krantz, CSCS
Many of the people that I
work with are aware of what the core is and its role in enhancing golf
performance, but many of these individuals believe that the core is comprised
of just the abs and back when in fact it is comprised of MUCH more.
The core muscles include
not only those in your abdominals and back, but also muscles in your pelvic
floor and hips. Many of your core muscles can't be seen because they're buried
underneath other muscles. As a result, it is very difficult to see visible
results form core training. Many people falsely assume that a six (or eight)
pack is the image of a strong core (I was one of them until a few years ago),
but nothing could be further from the truth.
A well-developed six pack
simply means that your outer abdominal muscles are well developed. However, if
you take a step back and look at the function of these muscles, you can see how
a six pack has virtually nothing at all to do with a strong core.
Six Pack Abs Don’t
Always Equal A Strong Core?
Your Rectus Abdominis
(Six Pack Muscles) serve only ONE movement function, and that is to flex/extend
your torso forward and backward. These muscles are NOT responsible for
rotation, and since rotation is a pretty significant part of the golf swing,
training your six pack will have very little impact on the type of rotational
core strength you need for golf.
Perhaps more important
though is how the force developed by the core is transferred throughout the
body. The simple analogy I like to use is that the core is the engine, but
there are a number of different muscles that serve as the transmission. You can
have a Viper engine, but if the transmission can't efficiently transfer that
force to the tires and then the road, then performance and power levels will
suffer.
So, for analogy purposes,
you could have the strongest core in the entire universe, but if you do not
have sufficiently developed stabilizers and other assorted muscles to transfer
that force efficiently throughout the body, then very little of that power will
"hit the road".
Complete Power
Training Is Key
Every joint in your body
represents an opportunity to either multiply or lose force, simple as that. That
is the reason that if improved power is your goal then improving your overall
golf-specific conditioning levels will help immensely. Properly conditioned
stabilizers will help tremendously in multiplying and transferring forces from
the core to the club.
As this article shows, developing core strength is important for increasing golf power levels, but that properly training and developing your stabilizers is also critical in improving your power levels and increasing both the distance and accuracy of your drives. A properly designed golf fitness program will help you develop both core strength and stabilizers at the same time. The end result will be a more powerful swing and a trimmer waistline.
Download a FREE copy of Jason's 37 page "Pure Power Program" E-book
Jason is the founder of Sonic Boom Golf, a golf conditioning company devoted to improving golf performance through enhanced physical conditioning. He draws his knowledge of power and strength development from his years of training under some of the best strength and conditioning programs and power coaches the USA has to offer. He was a Division 1 track and field athlete, running the 100/200m sprints for the University of Oregon, which is one of the most storied collegiate track programs in the country, birthplace of Nike and home to the legendary Steve Prefontaine. The training techniques and principles that allowed Jason to be a great sprinter also allow him to develop incredible power in his golf swing. As a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Jason uses his expertise in power development, practical knowledge and real world performance enhancement experience to ensure that all his clients realize maximum golf performance improvement in a minimum amount of time. Jason is a power golf specialist, typically averaging over 340+ yards off the tee. He has a maximum recorded swing speed of 151 MPH, maximum ball speed of 213 MPH and longest drive of 402 yards.
The articles at GolfFitnessProducts.net are for informational purposes only and are not intended to substitute for direct examination and exercise prescription by the appropriate health professional. It is strongly recommended that you do not perform any exercise program without the consent of your personal physician.
