The game of professional golf has transformed over the years. Many spectators, journalists, and pros themselves state that golf is now a game of power. Driving distance is integral to winning on Tour, club manufacturers gear much of their advertising around the “power game”, and it is a wish of most every amateur.
Improved distance off the tee or with any club on the course requires increased clubhead speed. Clubhead speed is a product of power in your golf swing. Increasing the power in your golf swing will improve your clubhead speed. Equaling more distance on every shot you desire.
The question to ask is how do you increase the power in your golf swing? Three components exist directly affecting the power in your golf swing:
1) Efficiency of Your Golf Swing Mechanics
2) Power Generating Capacities of Your Body
3) Equipment
Review of the list indicates three integral components exist that directly affecting your clubhead speed. First and foremost are your golf swing mechanics. Golf swing mechanics can either be efficient or inefficient.
Efficient golf swing mechanics allow for you to input the greatest amount of power developed within your golf swing into the club and golf ball.
Inefficient golf swing mechanics result in the exact opposite. Inefficient swing mechanics create what is described as “energy leaks” within your golf swing. “Energy leaks” cause less power to be translated to the club and golf ball. This is because large amounts of energy are lost during the mechanics of the swing.
Again, to improve your clubhead speed and the power outputs within your golf swing. It is necessary to develop efficient golf swing mechanics.
Secondly, equipment does play a role in your clubhead speed. The technological advances in both club and golf balls have an effect. The key to increasing your power outputs in relation to equipment is to get the correct club and ball for your swing.
Matching up your swing and swing speed with the correct equipment will allow you to get the most clubhead speed out of your swing. For example, if your average swing speed is 95 and you are using extra stiff shafts. This could easily result in a loss of clubhead speed in your swing.
It is strongly recommended you get fitted for your equipment. Getting fitted matches up the correct equipment with your swing. Allowing you to get the most “bang for your buck” in terms of your golf swing.
Finally, we come to the topic of this article and that is your body. Your body has a direct affect on clubhead speed. It is your body swinging the club, and generating power within the mechanics of the golf swing.
That being said, developing power within your golf swing is directly related to the ability of your body to generate power. Often times this is the forgotten component by many amateurs in relation to developing power.
In order to increase the power outputs in your golf swing it is necessary to implement golf fitness exercises into your training program.
Golf fitness exercises increase the ability of your body to generate power within the golf swing. Resulting in increased clubhead speed.
What is the best golf fitness exercise to increase power in your golf swing?
Before answering that question we must look at the mechanics of the golf swing. The golf swing is both a linear and rotational movement.
Composed of finite biomechanical movements performed in a specific order. In addition to performing the biomechanics of the golf swing in a specific order, timing each movement is also required.
In order to perform the mechanics of the golf swing correctly it is necessary for the body to have certain levels of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power built within the body.
If one does not have these physical parameters developed within the body to a certain level. The ability to perform the mechanics of the golf swing efficiently, and generate power will be compromised.
The answer to the question of the best exercise for improving the power in your golf swing is not one specific exercise.
Improving power in your golf swing requires a “basket or exercises” including flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power training.
A combination of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power exercises are the key to enhancing the power in your golf game.
To summarize, improving the power in your golf swing consist of;
1) Efficient golf swing mechanics, 2) Proper equipment, 3) Golf fitness training.
The combination of these three components result in increased clubhead speed in your golf swing.
Not one single golf fitness exercise can improve the power outputs in your golf swing. It is rather a combination of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power training exercises that enhance clubhead speed.
Implement a comprehensive a golf fitness program into your schedule will undoubtedly increase your clubhead speed, driving distance, and overall performance on and off the course.
Sean Cochran