| Phase #1: Golf Stabilization. | | | | happens during these rituals, which outside of the |
| The mental and physical condition of the golfer is | | | | scope of this article. Once the golfer has mastered |
| critical in order to properly stabilize their body just | | | | this breathing technique during his shot prep he can |
| prior to their swing. As with all people, in all | | | | settle into the proper pre-swing stance. |
| environments being anxious or nervous leads to | | | | So what does all of this have to do with Golf |
| shortened breathing patterns and tightened upper | | | | Stabilization Training? The answer is simple. This type |
| chest and back muscles. Tightness and overuse of | | | | of pre-swing approach allows the golfers body the |
| these muscles inhibits the proper core muscle | | | | ability to assume the proper posture just prior to and |
| (transverse abdominus and diaphragm) activation to | | | | through the swing. Logically, it would follow that the |
| properly stabilize the golfer's body during the swing. | | | | best Stabilization Training Program would focus on |
| Therefore it is imperative that the golfer continuously | | | | the exercises that best recreate every aspect of |
| maintain a steady deep breathing pattern. | | | | stabilization that occurs before and during the golf |
| This becomes especially important and challenging | | | | swing. Examples of this type of exercise might |
| after every shot, no matter what the result of the | | | | include a stability ball bridges, single leg squats or |
| shot. Simply changing your focus from your last shot, | | | | single leg stand and reach. During these exercises the |
| to your breathing, will help you to focus on the shot | | | | golfer should breath deep, contract their core |
| ahead of you, not the shot behind you. | | | | muscles (transverse abdominus and glutes) as they |
| To better understand what I mean my Golf | | | | move through the exercises. Other exercise would |
| Stabilization Training, let's take a closer look at the | | | | include foam rolling or stretching muscle that tend to |
| golfers approach to each shot and stance just prior | | | | be tight or shortened. |
| to swinging the club. As a golfer approaches the ball | | | | This will allow the Golfer to maintain the proper head, |
| and takes his stance he should relax by taking a | | | | arm, neck, core and leg position prior to generating |
| deep breath and relaxed exhalation. If they are able | | | | the force for his swing. As well as maintaining the |
| to establish a regular deep breathing pattern they | | | | proper body positioning throughout the swing. |
| should feel their entire shoulder complex as well as | | | | The resulting conclusion is that if a golfer is not able |
| their head and neck relax and release built up tension. | | | | to hold his body in the proper position just prior to, |
| Approaching the golf stance this way will also allow | | | | and during his swing, the force he generates will be |
| the golfer to fall into a reliable rhythm as they | | | | mis-applied in his swing and his shot will achieve the |
| approach. This may sound strange to some but, any | | | | same distance or accuracy as it could otherwise. |
| great athlete will tell you that developing a ritual or | | | | Accordingly, an effective Golf Stabilization Training |
| rhythm just prior to their activity helps tremendously. | | | | program would be designed to teach the golfer to |
| There is also a true physiological response that | | | | properly stabilize just prior to and during the swing. |