The idea of simplifying the golf game by using clubs of equal shaft lengths and applying a unified swing technique led to the isolation of the pendulum dynamics from the active body rotation. Both elements of movement stand in relation to one another. The golf swing is composed of numerous partial movements. This complex system as a whole cannot be easily coordinated. CARVINGGOLF, however, does define core movements, which make such a systematic training of movement possible.

The arms swing to and fro from the shoulder and the club swings to and fro at the wrist. This pendulum motion presents a complex system which has to be coordinated. Using the law of gravitation, one normally leaves this coordination up to the natural forces, relying upon the physics of pendulum dynamics. Nevertheless, the player has to create the prerequisites for optimal rhythmic, geometric and dynamic conditions of the swing process.



CORE MOVEMENTS OF GEOMETRIC CONDITIONS

The arm-club pendulum motion forms the dynamic system of the swing process, whereby the player’s body theoretically represents the static system The dynamic pendulum motion system can only function at an optimum if it is not disturbed, practically meaning, the player has to set free the space for the pendulum motion.

This happens through bending the upper body (fig. 2) and moving the shoulder axis in such a manner as to allow, during the upswing, the left shoulder and during the follow through the right shoulder to tilt forward. Bending and tilting movements of the upper body, made in order to stabilize the static system, are core movements that optimize geometric conditions within the swing process.

fig. 1: Bending and tilting the upper body sets the pendulum free for the full swing.

fig. 2: Bending the upper body a little more, creates optimal geometric conditions for the arm-club pendulum motion. Using the Swopper (a training assistant), helps.

CORE MOVEMENTS OF DYNAMIC CONDITIONS

The arm-club pendulum motion forms a dynamic system The theoretical suspension of this pendulum chain is the shoulder joint axis. In practice, this axis joins both shoulder joints. During the upswing, both shoulders are liftet up to the point of release, thereby creating tension in both broad back muscles. During the reversal of the swing, one uses this muscular tension and both shoulders drop down. The hereby created vertical impulse accelerates the system of pendulum motion.

Movements which develop tension in the back muscles are core movements that optimize dynamic conditions within the swing process.

fig. 3: The pendulum motion approach during the backswing and the follow through, triggered and controlled through an up and down movement of the shoulder.

LEGENDE:

red “up“ arrows:	aktive Nackenmuskeln spannen die breiten Rückenmuskeln
green “down“ arrows:	tension of the broad back muscles makes the pendulum motion system dynamic
red broken lines:	axes of the broad back muscles
shoulder joint axes:	SGA

AN EXERCISE TO STABILIZE THE STATIC SYSTEM

Through the active tilting of the upper body, thereby retaining the hip angle, the shoulder with the arm in pendulum motion moves forward, setting the pendulum motion free for the backswing (when the upper body tilts to the left) and free for the follow through (when the upper body tilts to the right). The tilting exercise is practiced while standing in an upright position. Tilting is a result of a one-sided straightening of the leg (red arrow).

fig. 4: During the backswing the upper body tilts to the left on the X- axis in the direction of the goal.	Im Durchschwung kippt the upper body tilts to the right on the X- axis in the opposite Direction.

fig. 5: An exercise to stabilize the static system In order to develop a feeling for tilting, thereby retaining the hip angle, half swings using the Swopper (a training assistant) are a helpful exercise.

One can clearly see how, from the addressing position, the upper body tilts in the direction of the goal, thereby setting the arm-club pendulum motion free for the swing. The mirror image is valid for the follow through. Hereby, the upper body swings around a virtual center of rotation. The Swopper is a very helpful training assistant for this process. Swinging from the Swopper does not allow the hip to be actively employed. Should the player rotate out of control, he will lose his balance and will not hit the ball correctly.




AN EXERCISE TO ACCELERATE THE DYNAMIC SYSTEM

During the upswing, tension is developed in both broad back muscles through the support of both neck muscles. After the change of direction of the swing, this tension pulls the shoulder axis against the inertia of the pendulum motion system vertically downward. The angle between the club shaft and the arm is hereby narrowed, leading to a high degree of kinetic energy. This principal of obtaining such energy is used eg. when lashing a whip.

fig. 6: Shoulder tension, narrowing the angle, whiplash effect (fig. 3).

fig. 7: An exercise to comprehend the core movement of the dynamic system In order to understand the feeling of increased tension, hurling a ball to the ground is a good exercise.

One can clearly see how both shoulders are lifted up to the point of release and one feels the ball as though it were an inert element connected to the hands through the shoulders and arms.

It is recommended to perform this exercise within different phases of the upswing.
This way the player experiences, between the half and full upswing, all geometric conditions of the swing and can tune them to the respective dynamic conditions.
Hereby the upper arms slide up and down at the chest.



SUMMARY

Through the formation into separate phases of movement it is possible, on the basis of the core movements, to develop a systematic training based upon these movements, to automate partial movements and through an optimal tuning of the partial body impulses to the pendulum motion, fit together the total swing movement in its entirety.

		From the address position, tilt to the left, freeing the pendulum motion for the upswing. After reversing the swing, the “whip”. Then tilt toward the right, freeing the pendulum motion for the follow through. System stability slows down to the Finish.
fig. 8: These pictures demonstrate how the core movements, optimally tuned to the rhythm of pendulum motion, fit together the total swing movement in its entirety.

The player does not need to learn to master numerous partial movements. He just needs to learn the core movements of CARVINGGOLF – THE CORE OF THE SWING MOVEMENT.

Munich , 11.13.2012 / Bechler / Kreuzpaintner / Thöni / Tusker

 

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