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Proper posture means better, safer golf

Storey Creek’s Adam Haddad has some advice for putting your body in the right position
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Photo courtesy meridican/Flickr common license

Anyone who golfs – especially if you haven’t golfed for a while – knows that there are many moving parts in a golf swing.

Just ask my body a couple days after my first round of the season.

But by creating a proper posture position, the club can get to positions that would otherwise not be possible and take some of those stresses off our muscles, according to Adam Haddad, CPGA professional at Storey Creek Golf Course.

“By creating and maintaining a proper posture position creates a consistent spine angle for our swing to work off of,” Haddad says.

“This allows us to produce a repeating swing that in turn gives us a controlled ball flight and a more enjoyable experience on the golf course.

“Proper posture allows us to turn our body to create power without putting any unnecessary stress on our back or other body parts.

“Also it determines are ability to stay balanced during the swing, which is vital as we increase our speed through the golf ball.”

Golfers of all skill levels struggle with this fundamental so Haddad has a routine to help to create better posture.

1. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, toes turned out 20 to 30 degrees, and hands on your hips.

2. From here, bend gently from the hips, stick your rear end out, and flex your knees slightly. Sense a little pressure on your thighs. Finally, let your arms just hang in front of your body.

3. Relax your neck muscles, grip the club where your hands are just hanging so they stay nice and relaxed. Ease your lead hip up so that it is slightly higher than the other one.

If you followed the steps correctly your body should be in a fairly passive position with your weight centered on the balls of your feet underneath your shoe laces.

You should be able to rock back and forth, from the toes to the heels, indicating good balance.

Your back should be straight and your chin perked up.

This will give you the freedom to turn properly in the golf swing.

Make sure that there is no cupping of the back or a hunching of the shoulders as this will not allow you to turn properly.

Now get out there and get swinging.

Contest Time

With the US Open coming up next week, I want to know your pick to win it.

Send an email to miked@campbellrivermirror.com with the name of the golfer you think will come out on top when all is said and done at Shinnecock Hills next week.

Whoever’s golfer finishes highest will win two passes to Storey Creek Golf Course AND two passes to Quadra Island Golf Course.

If two or more people pick the same golfer and that golfer is the highest-finishing of all golfers picked, the prize will be split up and two names will be drawn to see who gets the passes. Entries must be received by 8 p.m. Wednesday June 13.

Good luck!