Muscles Used in the Golf Swing
- External Abdominal Obliques. These muscles help rotate the torso. ...
- Gluteus Maximus. More commonly known as the buttocks, the gluteus maximus gives individuals the ability to rotate at the thighs as well as provide solid lower body support and stance ...
- Pectroalis Major. ...
- Latissimus Dorsi. ...
- Forearm. ...
How many muscles do you use in a golf swing?
The muscles of the forearm are vital to a golf swing because a proper grip on the club is what drives the ball in the right direction. The major forearm muscles used in a golf grip include the flexor digiorum superficialis, which are top-level muscles found in the forearm, as well as deeper muscles such as the flexor digitorum profundus and the ...
What are the key muscles in the golf swing?
- Back swing: ball address to top of back swing
- Forward swing: top of swing to club horizontal (early part of down swing)
- Acceleration: horizontal club to impact (late part of down swing)
- Early follow through: impact to horizontal club
- Late follow through: horizontal to completion of swing
What joints are used in a golf swing?
- Trapezius (extending up to your neck and into your upper back)
- Levator scapulae (at the back and side of the neck)
- Supraspinatus (connecting your arm and shoulder)
- Rhomboids (in the upper back)
- Erector spinae (running along the vertebral column)
- Adductor magnus (in the middle thigh)
- Semimembranosus (the middle muscles of the hamstrings)
What muscles do you use in golfing?
Muscles Used in Golf. The gluteus maximus was shown to be responsible for external and internal hip rotation on the backswing and downswing, as well as hip extension, which is what gets you into a proper balanced finish position.. Pectorals and latissimus muscles were shown to create strong shoulder adductors, which allow you to bring your arms across your body and raise them up in the air.
What is the most used muscle in golf?
The glutes are the most important muscle in golf, and if yours are not properly activated you will lose distance and power, and put yourself at risk of injury.
What is one key muscle involved in the golf swing?
Not surprisingly, one of the popular exercises among professional golfers is the dead lift, which incorporates the hamstrings, glutes and lower back. In the upper body, I was surprised to learn that the pectoralis major (pec muscle) was the key muscle group involved in the golf swing.
What muscles start the golf backswing?
From a swing-mechanics standpoint, Leadbetter says the core muscles should initiate the backswing. The chest and the big back muscles should feel as if they are twisting and torquing as they coil over the right leg.
Do you use bicep in golf swing?
By keeping your biceps drawn together the only way to take the club back is by a pivot and shoulder rotation. The arms will remain in front of your chest throughout the swing and the power will load in your correctly in your feet, legs, core or abdominals, and back muscles.
Which muscle group is most important in golf swing?
Let’s take a look at which muscle groups are most important in the golf swing according to Mytpi.com. The key lower body muscle is your gluteus maximus, aka, glute. The glutes have been demonstrated to be key in the hip rotation involved in the golf swing, as well as the extension of your hips in the follow through.
What muscles do golfers use?
Not surprisingly, one of the popular exercises among professional golfers is the dead lift, which incorporates the hamstrings, glutes and lower back. In the upper body, I was surprised to learn that the pectoralis major (pec muscle) ...
What muscles do pushups work?
With that in mind, it’s time for you to start doing some pushups! Next up in the upper body are the lat muscles, aka, latissimus dorsi. These are the muscles in the upper back, out the sides, and under the shoulder. The best way to work these are pullups. Of course, most of us all understand that your core muscles are also important to ...
Why is it important to understand the biomechanics of golf swing?
This is why it is necessary to understand the biomechanics of the golf swing. Learning which are the key muscles used in the golf swing is part of that process.
Why is the golf industry taking off?
The golf industry has taken off over the last decade for a couple reasons. First of all, most adult golfers find it difficult to improve just by taking golf lessons.
Can you hit golf without a core?
Without a strong core, you’ll have trouble making a good and powerful golf swing. As a swimmer in high school, I was very lean, but had a strong core due to the necessity of these muscles in swimming. I believe this is one reason why I was able to hit the ball further than most of my peers at that age.
Which muscles are used to support the body during the backswing?
Lower Body. The primary lower-body muscles that are used to support the body throughout both the backswing and the down swing are the quadriceps muscles, which are responsible for providing balance and stability throughout the swing.
What is the importance of core in golf?
Core. Flexibility is essential in any golfer's core, even more so than in the upper- and lower-body muscles that contribute to the swing. An inflexible core will prevent a golfer from getting the proper turn in her swing, and can lead to a golfer being unable to bring the club back far enough to develop the proper momentum for striking the ball.
How to stretch quads?
A simple quad stretch is performed by grabbing the foot of the leg being stretched, and pulling the foot up toward the golfer's rear until a stretching is felt in the muscle. Build up quad strength by performing squats, a simple exercise that doesn't require any equipment. Step forward with one foot, lower the body until ...
Is golf considered a recreational sport?
Overview. As a recreational sport, golf was often looked at as a sport in which an individual did not need to be in top physical shape to excel.
What muscles are used in golf swings?
The muscles of the forearm are vital to a golf swing because a proper grip on the club is what drives the ball in the right direction. The major forearm muscles used in a golf grip include the flexor digiorum superficialis, which are top-level muscles found in the forearm, as well as deeper muscles such as the flexor digitorum profundus and the flexor pollicis longus. Each of these muscles help provide a strong and secure grip on the golf club.
How does golf swing work?
A properly, or even improperly, performed golf swing works muscles in the upper and lower body. Golfers should know the basic muscle groups engaged when playing golf and, most importantly, which muscles are used to create the perfect swing. Your golf game will improve, you'll burn calories and learn which muscles to focus on during regular exercise.
What muscles are involved in the spine?
The three major muscles worked in the spine are the rotatores, the external abdominal obliques and the multifidus, according to Dr. Larry Van Such of Secrets of Speed and Quickness Training at Athletic Quickness.
What is the muscle that rotates at the thighs?
More commonly known as the buttocks, the gluteus maximus gives individuals the ability to rotate at the thighs as well as provide solid lower body support and stance with slightly bent knees during a golf swing.
Where are the obliques located in golf swing?
One of most important muscles for your golf swing is the external abdominal obliques, located along the side of the torso, covering the sides of the ribs from under the arm to the crest of the hip.
Which muscle is used to rotate the shoulder?
The pectoralis major, or chest muscle, extends from the sternum to the shoulder joint on each side of the chest and helps the shoulder flex and the arm extend. This muscle is vital for rotation and a smooth, effective golf swing.
What muscles help rotate the torso?
External Abdominal Obli ques. These muscles help rotate the torso. The back is the driving force behind a golf swing, which incorporates the muscles that help you keep the ball on the fairway or onto the green.
How many muscles are involved in the forward swing?
There you have it — twenty-two muscles that are primarily involved in the forward swing and need to be conditioned to increase your golf swing speed. If you want to increase your clubhead speed and start hitting longer drives, then you will need to speed up the contraction rate within these muscles. And, the golf exercises in the DRIVE LONGER ...
What muscles are activated during the downswing?
The muscles activated during the downswing are the primary movers of the wrists or wrist flexors and extensors. (Note that for the right handed golfer, the right wrist flexors and left wrist extensors are activated.)
How effective are golf swing exercises?
These golf swing exercises are totally effective at targeting the precise muscles used in the golf swing and making them stronger and faster. You can do these revolutionary golf exercises at home without any special ...
What is the backswing of golf?
The backswing is like the wind-up in baseball. It stretches your muscles and readies them for release during the forward swing. The forward swing or “release” part of the golf swing is when 100% of your speed and power is generated. This is what will determine your shot distance. The follow-through is what a lot of people say defines your “signature” as a golfer … i.e., how you finish your swing defines your commitment to the game.
What is forward swing?
Because the forward swing is where 100% of your speed and power is generated , it is for this particular movement that we will define the muscles involved. The forward swing begins with your hips rotating laterally from right to left for the right-handed golfer (just the opposite for the left-handed golfer).
How fast does a golfer add to his swing speed?
Golfer Adds 12 mph to Swing Speed in Two Weeks!
Do you know the muscles of golf?
You may not know the muscles’ names; but, you can begin to appreciate how perfectly the human body was designed. And , if you really apply yourself and do the proper research, it isn’t long before you arrive at an entire list of muscles that need the proper training and conditioning that go into the perfection of a skill, such as the golf swing.
What muscles help the golfer swing?
The quadriceps help the golfer power through the ball and through the turn of the hips. Strengthening these muscles will help to give the golfer a stronger, more controlled golf swing. At the same time it is important to keep the legs flexible so that proper posture may be maintained throughout the swing.
Why is the core important in golf?
The core is the base of the golf swing because it stabilizes the entire body throughout the swing. It is important to have a strong and flexible core to complete a full turn back and into the ball. Strengthening the core can be done with simple back and abdominal exercises.
How many yards does a golfer hit?
Many golfers don't know how many golf pros hit the ball 320 yards so effortlessly. They may not be as strong as NFL athletes but they utilize and strengthen the specific muscles that are essential to a powerful golf swing. The average golfer would not know what muscles are used and how they aid the golf swing.
Which muscle is most active in the early follow through phase of golf swing?
Early Follow Through - In the phase of the golf swing, the pectoralis major muscles are the most active on both sides. The second most active muscles are the subscapularis on the right and infraspinatus muscles on the left (the subscapularis and infraspinatus are both rotator cuff muscles). The gluteus medius and obliques are still firing on ...
Which muscle is most active during back swing?
Back Swing - During this phase the most active muscles in the upper body are the upper trapezius and middle trapezius on the right side. On the left side, the most active muscles were the subscapularis and the serratus anterior.
Which muscle is firing on the right side of the golf club?
The gluteus medius and obliques are still firing on the right, along with the the outer quads and hamstrings on the left. Late Follow Through - As the club decelerates, the right subscapularis is the most active followed by the both the upper and lower serratus.
Which muscle is most active on the right side of the body?
In the right leg, the hamstrings are very active and on the left side, the erector spinae (back extensors) and abdominal obliques are contracting the most. Forward Swing - The pectoralis major is the main muscle at use on the right side here, followed by the serratus anterior.
What is the difference between forward and back swing?
The back swing is ball address to top of back swing. Forward swing is the top of swing to club horizontal (early part of down swing). Acceleration is horizontal club to impact (late part of down swing). Early follow through is impact to horizontal club. Finally, late follow through is horizontal club to completion of swing. [1]
What are the phases of a golf swing?
For proper understanding, the swing will be broken into specific phases: back swing, forward swing, acceleration, early follow through and late follow through.
Which muscle is most active in the lower extremity?
In the lower extremity, the right gluteus maximus is the most active followed by the hamstings. On the left side, the vastus lateralis (part of the quads) and the inner thigh are used to most. Acceleration - The pectoralis major muscle is the most active on both sides during this phase.
The importance of the Golf Core Muscles
The easiest way of conveying the importance of the core muscles is to look at what would happen during the swing if the core and stomach muscles were weaker than they should be. On the backswing, as the upper body turns, it is the core muscles that resist and create torque.
Golf Core Muscles on the Downswing
If a golfer can swing slowly enough on the backswing it is much easier to contain the stress and have resistance at the top of the backswing. However, strong stomach muscles are even more important on the downswing as their ability to brace against the unwinding body allows centrifugal force to promote a natural free release of the club.
How to Train the Core Muscles
Even the simplest type of twisting exercise helps build strong core muscles.
Key Muscle Group 1 – The Legs
Key Muscle Group 2 – Lower Back and CORE
- As mentioned, lower back strength is critical for maintaining good posture in the golf swing. The other core muscles, such as the abominals, obliques and abductors are critical to generating rotational movement in the golf swing. The more and faster you can rotate, the more swing speed you can create. Talented golfers who begin playing at a young a...
Key Muscle Group 3 – Chest and Upper Back
- While it is not often we see a professional golfer who is barrel chested, we are starting to see more muscular golfers who also train the chest. Years ago, when he bulked up, it was reported that Tiger Woods could bench press 300 pounds. While that is not a remarkable weight for many pro athletes, it certainly is for golfers. The the muscles of the chest, often referred to as the pect…
Key Muscle Group 4 – Shoulders
- It goes without saying that any golfer can benefit from strong shoulders. The shoulders are connected to the arms, which deliver the ultimate power of the swing into the hands and then the club. Strong and flexible shoulders allow for a bigger, wider back swing, and then follow the hips and core in the down swing to deliver the power into the golf club. Many golfers lack strength an…
Key Muscle Group 5 – The Hands An Arms
- As mentioned, the power generated by the body is delivered into the club by the hands and arms. Because of the force that can be generated, along with the wear and tear associated with practice, wrist injuries are among the most common for golfers. While the biceps and triceps muscles are engaged in the golf swing, it is the muscles of the forearms that are most used in the golf swing…
Final Thoughts – The Primary Muscles Used in The Golf Swing
- As you can see, virtually every major muscle group is engaged in the golf swing. Yet, most golfers tend to only do some strength training with the arms. However, because the golf swing is total body movement pattern, it makes sense to build a strength training program around exercises that work to build strength in the entire body. For the Master Golf Athlete who has less time avail…