The powerful Swing, its 2 types explained by Jésica Reyes

The two forms of Swing explained

CLASSIC SWING: The rotation of the pelvis and hips accompanies the shoulders. In the final phase a more upright position is maintained, avoiding the “inverted C” position. Apparently less injurious.

MODERN SWING: (pros and cons) This type of swing, booming from the 60’s and 70’s with golfers like Jack Nickauls and Greg Norman, is presented as a technique that allows, for example, to give more height to the ball. It is characterized by a rigid pelvis behind and a maximum rotation of the trunk and shoulders, generating a maximum distance (factor “x”) between shoulders and hips during the technique, an excessive lateral inclination (crunch factor) and an “inverted C” position in the final phase after the stroke.

These advantages of the modern swing also seem to be postulated as a greater risk of injury, since the forces of rotation, extension and lateral tilt of the lumbar area are increased, mainly affecting the intervertebral disc, ligaments, intervertebral joints and muscles, among others. The dorsal area is also involved in rotation, although to a lesser degree due to the stability conferred by the rib cage. The hip also plays an important role, requiring great stability from its own muscles (gluteus medius, gluteus maximus).

The possible negative effects of modern Swing

In those players with low back pain, it is common to find lesions of the intervertebral disc and joints on the right side (side of the lateral tilt in right-handed golfers). At the hip level, we can find differences in the rotational movement between the hips, with less movement in the left hip in the case of right-handed golfers, compared to golfers who do not present pain.

The keys to avoid the negative effects of Swing

Therefore, it is important that in addition to a good “warm-up” (I like more

If we call it activation or previous preparation) there is a good (personalized) exercise prescription where the strengthening of the CORE muscles, including the lower back, buttocks and -veryimportant- the deep muscles of the abdomen (transverse abdominis and multifidus) are essential objectives to avoid the appearance of discomfort or pain due to a repetitive, demanding and asymmetrical movement such as the golf swing. We will talk about this and much more in my book “Smart Golf” Training for performance and prevention.

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