Mention of “the core” has most athletes think of the stomach muscles or abs. What is typically overlooked is the back. If you’re excluding lower back muscles in the gym, you are putting yourself at a considerable disadvantage as an athlete – and your golf game is probably suffering, as well.
Strength coaches focus on the entire torso when it comes to building core strength. These muscles consists on the rectus abdominus, external and internal obliques, transverse abdominus, and erector spinae. These may be technical terms, but you use all of these muscles in normal daily activity to ensure proper posture, as well as stability for the skeletal and visceral systems.
Why is all of this important? The rectus abdominus, i.e. the six-pack, isn’t just for show. While, the other muscles are even more important for rotational force, the erector spinae muscles are key factors in postural adaptations, including vertebral column extension. In fact the erector spinae muscles run the entire length of the spine.
If golfers focus primarily on building a six-pack, they are severely neglecting the muscles primarily responsible for rotation. Sure, a strong rectus abdominus will aid in the driving force during the down swing, developing a forceful swing that makes that perfect divot. It also helps to prevent you from topping the ball, but it won’t help in the rotation needed to maximize club head speed.
The transverse abdominus will aid here by compressing the abdominal cavity. While the obliques, combined with the quadratus lumborum, help your entire swing create the force that develops right and left lateral rotation. These are the powers that be in golf!
Core Workout for Golfers
The good part is that incorporating training for these muscles into your core training routine is simple and should be done regardless. Building a strong core is one of the most important methods to preserve back health. It’s just a side effect that your golf swing will become more powerful.
Read more at BreakingMuscle.com
