Exercise for Golf: Balance (3)

This is the third and final balance golf exercise post for the time being. For the first and second blogs click here and here.

Figure 4 Walk

Purpose: Increase hip movement and flexibility

Benefit: Improves balance and and pelvic mobility

Instructions: Stand on left leg and take hold of right ankle. Pull right foot up towards waist. Hold for 2 seconds and return foot to ground. Repeat 10 times.

Repeat standing on right leg.

Balance on a Beam

Purpose: Improve balance

Benefit: improve coordination in the golf swing

Instructions: Stand on a balance beam. You don't need an actual beam - a 4x2 piece of timber on the ground works just as well. Take a stance position, move arms outwards in a small circle motion. Increase the size of the circles. Perform with eyes open and eyes closed.

Attempt 10 arm circles. Repeat in reverse direction. Perform 2 sets of 10 circles in each direction.

Stork Turns

Purpose: To improve balance

Benefit: Improves separation between the upper and lower body creating pelvic turn for controlled power.

Instructions: Adopt address posture with arms across chest. Lift right leg and lock foot behind right knee. Rotate your hips back and forward while keeping shoulders stationery. Maintain balance. Repeat 10 times on each leg. Perform 2 sets.

As you can see I am not great at these exercises but I am just starting along this path. I hope you can follow along. Happy balancing.

Next time, I will introduce some flexibility exercises into my routine.

Exercise for Golf: Balance (2)

This is the second article I’ve done on balance exercises for golf. For the first set of exercises, click here.

Steamboats

Purpose: This exercise aims at improving your overall balance by targeting the entire lower body. In order to stay balanced you will need to utilise muscles from the hips to the bottom of the foot in conjunction with one another.

Benefit: This exercise improves stability, balance and consistency in your golf swing.

Instructions: Begin this drill by standing with feet roughly 6 inches apart (an elastic exercise band around both ankles will add some resistance). With a straight leg, begin by slowly moving your right foot straight forward for approximately 15-30 seconds. Next move your straight right leg about 12 inches across to the left of your left leg for 15-30 seconds. Third, move your right leg straight backwards approximately 12 inches, without bending the knee, for 15-30 seconds, and finally move your right leg directly out to the right side about 12 inches and maintain for 15- 30 seconds.

Repeat standing on right leg. Perform 2 sets (twice).

Trunk Rotation (with ball between knees)

Purpose: Improve balance and rotation into backswing

Benefit: Find the best turn into backswing

Instructions: Stand in address position with football between knees. Hold arms across chest. Keep knees pointing forward and turn slowly into backswing. Return to starting point and turn into follow through. Keep ball steady between knees.

Repeat 10 times.

More balance exercises soon.

Exercise for Golf: Balance (1)

What has balance got to do with it?

The golf swing is a complex set of movements that require flexibility strength and power. In order to complete the swing you need balance - at the address, on the wind up, on the downswing and on the follow through. In other words if you do not maintain your balance throughout the swing then your shot will not be optimal.

In order to maintain balance the central nervous system takes inputs from the eyes, the inner ear, and nerve receptors in the joints and muscles.

As you get on in years balance is not always so easy.

A simple test of your proficiency in balancing is the Single Leg Balance. Stand on one leg with the other tucked in behind. If you can retain your balance for 10 seconds then your basic balance is classed as satisfactory.

A slight modification would be to stand on one leg and close your eyes. How long can you retain your balance?

I made 7 seconds to start with - after a week I can make 18 seconds - progress!

----------

There are a number of other exercises that you can perform that will improve your balance.

Some of my favourites are:

• Leg Swings
• Single Leg Balance
• Steamboats
• Trunk Rotations
• Figure 4
• Beam Balance
• Stork Turns

In this post we’ll look at two of these balance exercises that you can try. We’ll be looking at others in future blogs - keep an eye out for them.

Leg Swings

Purpose: This exercise improves balance and stability in the lower body and spine.

Benefit: Creates improved coordination and control in the lower body in the golf swing.

Instructions: From a standing position (use a club for support if necessary) slowly swing your leg back and forth several times to increase the range of motion in your hip joint. There is no need to swing your leg above the horizontal.

Repeat on the opposite leg.

Single Leg Balance

Purpose: This exercise quickly develops better balance or proprioception.

Benefit: Improves your balance in your golf swing.

Instructions: Start by standing on one leg (hands on hips) and getting into a stable posture. Once stable, maintain your balance first with eyes open, and then try eyes closed. Also try this raising your heel. Attempt to balance for 20 seconds per leg.

Repeat on the opposite leg.

Good luck and balance well!