Generating More Power from Hip Rotation - Lessons from Martial Arts

By:Susan Hill

One of the important lessons of Martial Arts training is the ability to use hip rotation as a way to generate power and speed for maximum impact.

Martial artists know that the hips are where the body's 'center of gravity' is located. It lends balance and stability to every move. The lower body is designed for power- the upper body for finesse.

If you can translate this knowledge into a better golf swing, you will be blessed with both power and accuracy.

Here are a few tips to get you started:

Hip rotation holds the key to a powerful swing. Do you want to turn easily from the hip and get more yards out of your swing? It's not hard when you know the proven secrets of golf pros.

The first thing you need to know about turning, is that you won't get a flawless turn till you develop stabilization and strength in the lower body.

To get your upper body in sync, make sure you stand straight with your shoulders pulled back, to facilitate that perfect swinging motion from the shoulder- instead of the elbow. Practice turning your shoulders as far back as possible, with your trunk acting as the pivot. If you are right handed, you can see your left shoulder aligned with your chin.

Strong shoulders and well-conditioned abs are a must to maximize torque, while minimizing the distorting forces at the hip- which can lead to imbalances and injury.

Top players initiate their downswing with the powerful muscles of the abs and hips. Once the desired momentum is generated by the lower body, they use their arm muscles to effectively "fine tune" the swing.

Recreational players, on the other hand, use their arm muscles right at the outset. As a result, they are unable to recruit the latent muscle-power in their lower body, while the arm muscles work extra hard both to power and guide the club. No wonder it leads to a shaky, inconsistent swing!

Many players employ faulty swing mechanics, which actually dissipate the energy generated by the lower body, before it can be transmitted to the upper body.

Recreational golfers show a higher tendency for movements that rob swing momentum, such as hip sliding and lateral bending.

The reason can often be traced to reduced range of motion in the hip joints. Often, the process of aging or a sedentary lifestyle can lead you to lose some internal rotation at the hip joint. This condition can be helped with stretches and strengthening exercises that target the hip flexors, hip adductors (inner thigh and groin), hip adductors (outer thighs or hips) and the glutes (buttocks).

Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article keywords: golf fitness trainer, golf exercises, golf tips, hip rotation, golf power, golf trainer, fitness for golf

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

Susan Hill is a fitness trainer, CHEK golf biomechanic and sports nutrition specialist. Her work has been featured in Golf Illustrated, Travel Golf, Resort Living and SELF magazine. For on-line golf specific exercises and stretches, visit www.fitnessforgolf.com

Top Golf Articles
1). Golf Tips - Getting Started By : ArtL History has it that the game of "golf" was born in 15th century Scotland. Then around 1744, the first rules of play were codified and established in Edinburgh by The Company of Gentlemen Golfers. Golf has become one of the most popular sports in the world; played in countries as far reaching as Mexico and Ireland, South Africa and China. And, of course, Scotland.
2). Stance and swing 7 tips for better golf power By : dave4 Golf is a sport that requires you to correct and change things with almost every shot in search of the perfect shot. So many things come into the perfect shot that for one person to master them all can take a lifetime so we all need to take and find advice where we can, reading can never take the place of playing a round or two but when you are unable to get to the course then learning is the next best thing, here are a few tips that I hope will improve your power and accuracy which in tern will improve your game.
3). Stance and swing 6 tips for better golf By : dave4 The perfect stroke is that elusive thing we all strive for, asleep in our beds at night with a smile on our faces as we dream of that drive going straight and true down the middle of the fairway or that putt dropping in to the cup at the end of its smooth 50 yard run. Unfortunately reality bites when we get to the tee and make our shot, those niggling.
4). Abolish Your Comfort Zone - It's killing your golf game! By : Wade Pearse We all have what I call an inner game thermostat. It governs your inner game temperature, so to speak. Your comfort zone is like a climate controlled room. If it gets too cool then it's time to heat up. If it gets too hot the air conditioner turns on to cool things down. Your inner thermostat does exactly what it is preprogrammed to do - bring your game back to normal! How? By producing what appears to be the "wrong swing at the wrong time".
5). Core Exercise For Golf Will Improve Your Driving Distance The Quickest By : Mike Pedersen Core exercise for golf. You�ve probably heard this phrase mentioned on the television a time or to. This is the area that Vijay works on the most with his golf trainer and it seems to be working for him. He�s driving it longer and straighter and winning tournaments. When we talk about core exercise for golf the key term that needs to be thrown in there is rotational.
6). Ball Position For Different Clubs By : Jack Moorehouse Ball position is a critical component that�s often overlooked by players with high golf handicaps. Ball position decides a shot�s initial direction. While theories on ball position abound, you need to find one that�s right for you. Ball position affects a clubhead�s swing path, as I explain in my golf lessons. If the ball is too far back, the clubhead moves on an in-to-out swing path at impact, sending the ball to the target�s right.
7). Golf Practice Isn�t Important If� By : Mike Pedersen Golf practice can only help your game if your body can do what you ask of it on the range. Does that make sense? How often have you taken time out of your day to go to the range for golf practice only to leave more frustrated than when you did when you first got there? Now come on�be honest! Every amateur golfer has experienced this more times than we can count.
8). Golf Swing Improvement Secrets To Stop The Insanity By : Mike Pedersen Golf swing improvement can be elusive for most golfers. I have read many articles and studies on the huge number of golfers quitting the game every year. They are tired of putting in the time, buying equipment, taking lessons, and purchasing every golf training aid on the market only to see no golf swing improvement. You can�t fault a frustrated golfer who experiences the above and quits.
9). Three Golf Tips For Balance During Your Golf Swing By : Mike Pedersen Golf tips for balance. Balance is very essential in executing the right golf swing and in this article I point out three reasons why you may be having difficulties achieving the required balance and I also give three golf tips for balance to correct the situation. A) Poor setup A good setup as you approach your shot is essential to helping you maintain balance throughout the golf swing.
10). Golf Flexibility Is A Key Component For Senior Golfers By : Mike Pedersen Golf flexibility is a common term among senior golfers. Most senior golfers know they have a declining level of golf flexibility and distance. But why then do most of them not participate in a golf flexibility program? If you are in this group of golfers, do you walk off the course frustrated with your performance? Are you dissatisfied with your driving.

New Golf Articles
1). Is A Free Golf Swing Tip A Lifesaver for All Golfers? By : Eddy Kong This article is to discuss a free golf tip is really a lifesaver to all golfers or not.
2). What Type Of Putter Length Is Right For You? By : Eddy Kong This article is to explain what type of putter length is more suitable to you. There are various type of conventional types of putter. Read on.
3). The Legendary Jack Nicklaus By : Jonathon Hardcastle The general consensus seems to be that, at the rate he is going, Tiger Woods is destined to be the greatest golfer of all time before his career is over.
4). To Play Better Golf - Putting Consistently Will Help By : Mike Pedersen Do you get excited at the thought of putting? Does it give you a high to go to the range it spend an hour on your putting? I ask these questions leading into the idea that your putting could be costing you several strokes every round.
5). The Importance of Hip Rotation in the Golf Swing By : Rick Hendershot The basic principle here is one taught by golf teachers since teachers first started analyzing the swing: upper body follows lower body. Coming to a better appreciation of this principle can only have a positive impact on your golf swing.
6). Why Good Golf Shoes Are So Important? By : Tomas Labas A good pair of golf shoes is very important to your golfing experience, because it helps to protect your feet which is very important. And, aid your golfing skills such as swinging and so on.
7). How To Improve Your Putting Practice Golf Drills? By : Eddy Kong There are some tips for getting the most out of the time you spend on practice putting greens. Lot of golfers are doing that on courses.
8). Exotic Bangkok Golf Vacation Mini Guide By : Reed Langdon Thinking of places to enjoy a golfing vacation and want to go somewhere exotic?
9). Golf Swing Trainers Are A Dime A Dozen By : Mike Pedersen The golf training aid market is a booming market. Golfers are rabid and will pay any amount of money in hopes to play better golf. There is a new golf swing trainer coming out every month it seems like!
10). More Women Enjoying the Game of Golf By : Leslie Wright With more women joing the game of golf, more golf teaching aids are becoming available, as well as new marketing opportunites such as golf/spa combo packages!

� 2006 articles2k.com - Privacy Policy