The center of gravity (or COG) (and balance in golf in this case) is key to success in virtually any sport because it protects you from potential injury and allows access to stability and power. One.
Balance is one of the weirdest things that hasn’t been discussed enough (or certainly in terms you don’t understand), but it’s important for generating power and consistency on the golf course.
How do you practice your golf balance drills or recognize your COG? What if the game were to go from a handicap of 20 to 10, or a mid-90’s shooter to a late 80’s shooter? So is it worth a visit?
Let’s go back to the COG. This represents the center of the body. Some call it your center, your source of power, or Hara (of martial arts).
It is a point about 1 inch below and about 1.5 inches behind the navel. For a moment, imagine (amongst all things) a glowing golf ball hanging over that area in the middle of your body. It’s the area that represents your girlfriend’s COG.
Studies have shown that for every centimeter that the center of gravity moves during the golf swing, the clubhead can deviate up to 14 inches from the path to the ball. Needless to say, if this happens, you’ll have to “create” some kind of compensating motion to get back on track.
Note that when you hinge your hips in your golf stance, when viewed from the side, the glowing golf ball is outside your body, but in relatively the same vertical position.
Of course, rocking, sliding, bobbing, or excessive head movement will reposition the COG. This causes energy dispersion, which is exactly what we don’t want. I want to “aggregate” this energy into golf power.
So how does all of this help our golf game? For one thing, we need to recognize this first. From there, you can start slowing down the movement. Less is better. Be more efficient.
It always surprises me that one of my consistent swing keys is “still”. It’s very simple, yet very effective, and it immediately paints a picture of silence in your mind. Think of a clear blue lake that is perfectly calm as glass.
Head out to your local PGA event or Web.com Tour event to see these players on the practice field. There are not many moving parts. Notice the center of them. Very quiet. A visual lesson in the efficient movement of the golf swing.
Of course, the swing is a dynamic movement, but it should be smooth, concise and efficient.
So what can we do in our own swing to counteract this?
- look at this Sean Foley videoThis provides a good visual representation of what you are discussing.
- Focus on this alone for 3-5 practice sessions this week.
- some people Orange Whip Peel Golf Swing Trainer
- Keep your lower body strong and in shape. Work on exercises for your legs, hips, abductors, adductors, and glutes. A strong and stable lower body is essential to stabilizing the COG.here are some nice ones lower body exercises to stabilize the body Starring Michelle Way.
- Use the mantra “Quiet”. This suggests that it varies from person to person, but the main focus is on preventing excessive movement and maintaining golf balance in the swing.
- Rocco Mediate is golf swing balance
It basically comes down to eliminating excessive movement. Go to a PGA Tour event and watch the pros play on the practice field. They are studies of “exercise efficiency”.
Remember, the more balanced your golf is, the more consistent you hit the ball (because it hits the sweet spot more often) and the lower your score.
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