'C' Posture
Hows your posture?
One of the most overlooked aspects of the golf swing is correct posture at address. Having poor posture at address can have a negative impact on both the backswing and the downswing and how you hit the ball.
Today’s topic is a common swing fault called C-Posture.
C-Posture is a pronounced rounding of shoulders and upper back or thoracic spine at address. If a player sets up in C-Posture at address it can be very difficult to maintain posture or spine angle on the backswing. A loss of posture usually results in one of two miss-hits. For right handed golfers, this may be a block to the right or a hook to the left.
C-Posture is often caused by a series of muscle imbalances and stiff joints in the thoracic spine that typically develop over many years. Muscles imbalances may include tight or shortened chest, neck and back muscles. Weak muscles may include those that stabilize the shoulder blades as well as the neck. The inability to extend through the thoracic spine may lead to a loss of spinal rotation. This may limit the ability to maintain posture when taking a full backswing.
It is estimated that one in three players has C-Posture at address.
Below is a list of other factors which may also lead to C-Posture at address.
• Lack of a pelvic tilt – more on this in a future newsletter
• Lack of proper instruction – when first addressing the ball
• Clubs that are too short
• Standing too far away from the ball
Fortunately, many of the muscle imbalances and joint restrictions associated with C-Posture can be corrected with exercise. Click on the link(s) below to find out how.
Next week:
S-Posture – The leading cause of low back pain in golfers.
More information about the Golf Fitness Academy may be found at www.stonetownphysiotherapy.ca.