Why Golf Swing Training Aids Are Needed
Golf is a dynamic sport. Its primary movements involve flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, external rotation, internal rotation and circumduction. Many of the movements of golf have no similarity to movements used in daily life. As such, creating off-course training methods can be challenging. This is why golf swing training aids are important.
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Sport-Specific Training
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In order to understand while golf swing training aids are needed, one must first understand the basic philosophy of sport-specific training. This philosophy is based on the dynamic pattern theory of motor learning, which states that the brain does a better job at memorizing movement patterns, as opposed to muscular isolation. As such, a golfer who wanted to improve his or her swing would be best served by a using a training aid that mimics the movement patterns of sport. This will be far more effective than performing muscle isolation strength-training exercises.
The Kinetic Chain of a Golf Swing
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The kinetic chain refers to the sequence of events in any movement pattern. The links of the chain are connected. As such, a movement on one part of the chain can either have a positive or negative influence on other parts. In golf, the kinetic chain begins in the hips, follows through to the torso and finishes in the arms and shoulders. A golf swing training aid will follow that same pattern.
Golf Training Aids for Injury Prevention
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Many golfers have a tendency to overuse the wrists, arms and shoulders.This can lead to a variety of injuries. In most cases, the injuries are a result of improper sequencing of the chain. For example, a golfer with weak obliques and inflexible hips might start the golf swing in the shoulders and arms. Eventually these muscle groups will suffer from overuse injuries. By training the golfer to use the correct kinetic chain patterns, injuries can be avoided, and the swing will be improved.
Golf Training Aids Improve Speed and Distance
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Many golf training aids can improve the speed of your swing and the distance of the ball. This is accomplished by developing strength and flexibility. These aids help develop dynamic strength and flexibility in the obliques, strength and flexibility in the upper body and strength and flexibility in the hips. The combination of increased range of motion and improved strength and power has a positive effect on speed and distance. Keep in mind that traditional fitness training methods rarely work on strength and flexibility simultaneously. This is why sport-specific golf training aids are needed.
Typical Golf Swing Training Aids
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Many golf swing training aids use elastic tubing, which often comes special attachments that allow you to hook the tubing to a door jamb. Most come with an exercise chart or video, which show demonstrations of the various exercises. Some golf swing training programs actually come with a makeshift golf club, which can be attached to the tubing.
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