Welcome to part five of our five-part series exploring the science and biomechanics of the golf swing! We're examining each of the five phases of a golf swing to reveal the muscle movements involved and how understanding them can improve your golf performance.
In this fifth phase, we focus on transitioning from Horizontal Club Position to Completion of Swing - Late Follow Through for right-handed golfers. During this golf swing phase, reduced trunk rotation may lead to shoulder rotator muscle injuries. Golfers often over-activate these muscles to maintain swing momentum when compensating for insufficient trunk rotation. Excessive force on the shoulder can lead to injury, making golfers with back issues prone to shoulder injuries as well.
Article Index
The Primary Anatomical Structures Involved in Phase 5
Here are the key structures that come into play during Horizontal Club Position to Completion of Swing - Late Follow Through. Under each section are the anatomical structure's role and visual clues of a dysfunction in the structure.
Left Pectoralis Major
Role: Decelerates the left arm and maintains club control.
Visual Clues: Difficulty decelerating the left arm, resulting in a lack of club control, leading to an erratic swing and reduced accuracy.
Left Subscapularis:
Role: Provides stability to the left shoulder and aids in internal rotation.
Visual Clues: Inadequate left shoulder stability, leading to issues with internal rotation, and potential inconsistency in the swing.
Left Infraspinatus:
Role: Stabilizes the left shoulder and supports controlled external rotation.
Visual Clues: Reduced left shoulder stability, difficulty achieving proper joint alignment, causes an increased risk of shoulder strain.
Right Serratus Anterior:
Role: Supports scapular protraction and stability.
Visual Clues: Insufficient support for scapular protraction and stability can result in an uncontrolled swing path and potential shoulder strain.
Right Gluteus Medius:
Role: Aids in trunk rotation and stability.
Visual Clues: Reduced trunk rotation and instability can lead to difficulties in maintaining posture and balance during the swing.
Bilateral Vastus Lateralis:
Role: Contributes to lower body stability.
Visual Clues: Challenges in maintaining lower body stability can affect overall body alignment and balance, potentially reducing power and accuracy.
Left Semimembranosus:
Role: Provides stability to the left leg.
Visual Clues: Instability in the left leg, making it challenging to maintain balance and posture during the swing.
Left Adductor Magnus:
Role: Stabilizes the left leg and pelvis.
Visual Clues: Reduced stability in the left leg and pelvis, leading to difficulties in maintaining balance and control, potentially impacting power and accuracy.
In conclusion, any restrictions or imbalances in these muscles or surrounding joints can significantly impact the efficiency of the golf swing during the late follow-through phase, affecting control, stability, and overall performance.
Motion Specific Release
When facing challenges during Phase 5 of the golf swing, specifically from the Horizontal Club Position to Completion of Swing - Late Follow Through, Motion Specific Release (MSR) techniques offer a viable solution. MSR is a hands-on manual approach designed to alleviate restrictions within the anatomical structures relevant to particular aspects of the swing.
For golfers encountering difficulties in Phase 5, the primary emphasis should be on addressing the mentioned muscles. Additionally, it's imperative to assess the mobility of the neck, shoulder, spine, and hips, as these joints wield significant influence over the golf swing's execution."
Phase 5 - MSR Treatment Demonstration
Uncover the scientific foundations of your golf swing, delve into the muscles at play, and explore how Motion Specific Release (MSR) methods can elevate your performance while safeguarding against injuries. If you're a golfer grappling with Phase 5 challenges, focus your efforts on addressing particular soft tissue regions and easing joint limitations. Watch this video showcasing Dr. Abelson addressing vital structures in the "Late Follow Through" phase.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the intricate science and biomechanics behind each phase of the golf swing is essential for improving your performance and reducing the risk of injuries. In this fifth installment of our series, we've delved into the critical Late Follow Through phase, focusing on transitioning from Horizontal Club Position to Completion of Swing.
We've highlighted the primary anatomical structures at play during this phase, their roles, and the visual clues that may indicate dysfunction. To address issues that may arise during Phase 5, we've explored the potential of Motion Specific Release (MSR) techniques. MSR offers a hands-on approach to release restrictions within the specific anatomical structures relevant to the golf swing. By focusing on these structures and assessing the mobility of key joints, such as the neck, shoulder, spine, and hips, golfers can optimize their swing execution. Mastering the biomechanics of the golf swing, along with targeted interventions like MSR, empowers golfers to not only improve their performance but also enjoy the game with reduced risk of injury. So, whether you're a seasoned golfer or just starting out, the knowledge and techniques shared in this series can help you achieve a more efficient and injury-resistant golf swing.
DR. BRIAN ABELSON DC. - The Author
Dr. Abelson's approach in musculoskeletal health care reflects a deep commitment to evidence-based practices and continuous learning. In his work at Kinetic Health in Calgary, Alberta, he focuses on integrating the latest research with a compassionate understanding of each patient's unique needs. As the developer of the Motion Specific Release (MSR) Treatment Systems, he views his role as both a practitioner and an educator, dedicated to sharing knowledge and techniques that can benefit the wider healthcare community. His ongoing efforts in teaching and practice aim to contribute positively to the field of musculoskeletal health, with a constant emphasis on patient-centered care and the collective advancement of treatment methods.
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MSR, a cutting-edge treatment system, uniquely fuses varied therapeutic perspectives to resolve musculoskeletal conditions effectively.
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