
Muscle Activity During The Golf Swing
Phase of Swing | Left Lower Body / Trunk | Right Lower Body / Trunk |
Back Swing | Erector Spinae (26%) Abdominal Oblique ( ... | Semimembranosus (28%) Long Head of the B ... |
Forward Swing | Vastus Lateralis (88%) Adductor Magnus ( ... | Upper and Lower Gluteus Maximus (100% an ... |
Acceleration | Biceps Femoris (83%) Upper and Lower Glu ... | Abdominal Oblique (59%) Gluteaus Medius ... |
Early Follow Through | Long Head of Biceps Femoris (79%) Vastus ... | Gluteus Medius (59%) Abdominal Oblique ( ... |
- External Abdominal Obliques. These muscles help rotate the torso. ...
- Gluteus Maximus. ...
- Pectroalis Major. ...
- Latissimus Dorsi. ...
- Forearm.
What are the main muscles used in a golf swing?
The three pictures below show 1. a rear-side view of the powerful lats i.e. latissimus dorsi muscle that moves the trail upper arm away from the body during the backswing, and 2. and 3. the external oblique (EO) muscle of the torso, which, depending on which direction it has been stretched in during the backswing, can drop the torso downwards or rotate it.
How many muscles do you use in a golf swing?
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.) Primary Movers of the Wrists (right handed) Right flexor carpi radialis Right flexor carpi ulnaris Left extensor carpi radialis
What joints are used in a 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 …
What muscles do you use in golfing?
THERE ARE THREE MAIN AREAS THAT YOU SHOULD FOCUS ON TO PROVIDE CONSISTENCY, ADD POWER, PREVENT INJURY AND IMPROVE YOUR GOLF GAME. CORE MŪSCLES HAMSTRINGS AND GLUTES FLEXIBILITY CORE MUSCLES THE CORE IS THE BODY MINUS THE LEGS AND THE ARMS. CORE • THESE CORE MUSCLES ARE KEY TO A PROPER SWING PLANE.

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.
How far can Ben hit a driver?
Ben himself could legitimately hit a driver 300 yards from his knees… that’s pure core strength.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
What muscle group does golf swing work?
General Info. The golf swing is a full-body movement, a golf study by Dr. Sergio Marta from the University Of Lisbon research indicated the main low body muscle group worked was the gluteus maximum (your butt), with the main upper body muscles being the pectoralis major (chest ), latissimus dorsi (back), ...
Which muscle is the most active in golf?
The obliques muscles are active to provide a solid base in the rotation to hit the golf ball. On the right side, the obliques are the most active muscles and assist with the rotation of the torso to hit the ball from the backswing position. (Journal Of British Sports Medicine)
How to do a squat jump in golf?
Sit back like you were in a chair but make sure your knees stay behind your toes. Squeeze your butt at the top for proper hip extension. Repeat for 4 sets x 12 (or less depending on how you feel) Master the basic squat body mechanics , before you move to the more difficult but also beneficial for golf the squat jump.
What muscle is the chest?
3.Pectorals (Chest Muscle) Your pectorals together with the lats were shown in the golf study by Dr. Sergio Marta to create strong shoulder abductors, which allow you to bring your arms across the body and raise them in the air, key in the highest portion of the golf swing.
Why do you need to activate your lats?
Outside of golf lats are key to reduce tension and stress in your neck and shoulder, if you find yourself suffering from stress in your neck and shoulders you need to activate your lats.
What is the best golf exercise?
Woodchops is a fantastic exercise, and perhaps the best golf exercise you can do, you can see the lovely Paige Spiranac perform the exercise a 5:45 in the video below.
What muscles do you work after a set of wood chops?
After every set of Wood Chops with NO rest immediately do 10 ball slams, these work your shoulders, triceps, pecs, calves, back, and core but especially your abdominals; which is what we need for golf.
What muscle group is used in golf?
Let's move on to the next muscle group. We're going to talk about the gluteal or "glute" muscles. These are very powerful golf muscles in the body, as you know.
Where are the lat muscles located in golf?
The lat muscles cover the largest surface area in the back. They are located right in the middle of your back, on each side.
How to feel your shoulders when golfing?
Feel all those muscles in your neck and back engage, and then depress your shoulders. You will feel the lat muscles engage as you feel your shoulders depress. This feeling of having your lat muscles engaged is what you want to hold onto throughout the entire golf swing.
What happens if you shrug and then depress your shoulders while holding the 20 pound weights?
By contrast, if you shrug and then depress your shoulders while holding the 20-pound weights, you will feel tension building up in your lats. This is what you want to avoid in the golf swing. Some golfers try so hard to stay "in the box" that they overdo the feeling of engaging the lats, and end up tensing them.
How to work the lat muscles?
Cross your arms and place your hands on your chest. Shrug and depress your shoulders to engage your lat muscles. Now simply allow your right shoulder blade to work in toward your spine. Allow it to turn, making sure to keep the lat muscle engaged.
What muscle is engaged in the Takeaway Made Simple?
We talk a lot about engaging the lat muscles in "The Takeaway Made Simple" and the lessons on posture.
Why is the right shoulder blade glide a good drill?
This is a great drill because not only are you practicing good posture, nice and erect, and engaging the lat muscles, but it will also help those of you who have written in to us saying, "Every time I perform the right shoulder blade glide, my hip turns with my torso."
