Golf Information

Improving Your Golf Balance


The need for balance for golf just sounds so simple and easy. As a golfer, you know that maintaining proper golf balance is a key to a good golf game. And it's more than just having the correct stance.

Optimum golf balance depends on three aspects: your visual perception, the signals from the inner ear, and signals from your muscles and joints. Sometimes these aspects get out of sync, causing a balance disorder. Most of which can be easily fixed with some simple ideas.

A lack of balance usually occurs when your head position changes, which is a good reason to keep your head still during your swing! How many times have you been told or noticed yourself that you looked up during your swing? Everybody wants to see where their ball is going and when you move your head and throw off your balance, the ball doesn't usually go anywhere. At least not where you wanted it to go. So, keep your head down and still and let your playing partners watch for your ball.

Migraines can attribute to a balance disorder. So if you have frequent migraines, seek medical attention. These headaches can affect your golf game in ways you may never have thought of. Not to mention being just plain painful and debilitating.

Also, don't go spending a fortune on new golf equipment hoping for better play before you check your medicine cabinet to see if any drugs you're taking affect your balance. The condition "ear poisoning" seriously affects your balance. Ear poisoning is usually caused by side effects of some medications. Always be aware of the possible side effects of any prescription drugs you may be taking. This is just good advice all the way around, let alone it having an effect on your golf game.

Diuretics can pose a problem as well. So if you're taking any of these and you start feeling dizzy, get medical help! Sometimes the dizziness can literally become a lifelong problem, so don't delay in seeking help.

If your golf balance is a little off in your game, you may want to do some simple exercises to improve it. Just kicking a ball around your backyard can help. You can also set up a little obstacle course and weave in and out of it to improve your balance. If you have kids, they will have fun with the course, too! Actually, they may even set up one for you!

You can also buy a balance board to help you with your center of gravity. You can easily make one yourself out of some scrap wood or you could find a nice one online or at a local fitness equipment store. These boards are challenging and fun to use. Once you can balance for an extended period on one, pick up a golf club. Then practice your backswing while balancing yourself. This will dramatically improve you golf balance.

In addition, working with flexibility exercises helps increase your golf balance by releasing muscle tension. Try some simple yoga stretches to help with loosening up tight muscles. Yoga or pilates can be a real benefit for the golfer. These types of exercises tend to create long lean muscles and promote flexibility. Just what the golfer needs for the right golf balance and a fluid swing.

Another useful item is a yoga ball or exercise ball. Even just sitting on one of these balls requires balance - so try using one for part of the day. Work up gradually until you can sit on the ball for 30 minutes at a time. These ball exercises can help you develop proper posture, increase the mobility of your lower back, and develop overall control of your body core. Improving your core strength and flexibility will help you develop the correct golf balance.

Since balance is fundamental to every aspect of your golf game, spend some time each day working on developing it. Who knows? You could find your swing and your score improving significantly, and who couldn't use that!

About the Author: Jason Griffin is a regular golfer who loves playing golf and trying to help other typical golfers, hackers and weekend players get more enjoyment out of the game. He is the guide behind the Guide to Golf Equipment - Your Information Source for Equipment Used for Golf. Get a little help finding the right golf equipment at http://www.guidetogolfequipment.com


MORE RESOURCES:

San Diego Union Tribune

GOLF ROUNDUP: Sorenstam starts farewell tour with a 67, share of lead
Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX - 2 hours ago
6 player in the world golf rankings, committed Thursday to play in next week's Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. With the addition of Ogilvy, ...
Golf: After a long and wet afternoon, Perry shares lead at 66 Modesto Bee
Without Sorenstam, women’s golf expected to be in good hands with ... Boston Herald
Shooting 59 among Annika's many career highlights - Golf ESPN
Napanee Guide - Canada.com
all 1,528 news articles


Police say golf club owner drowns on course
Boston Globe, United States - 3 hours ago
BROOKS, Maine—Police say a golf club owner drowned after a truck he was driving on the course slid down an embankment and into a pond. ...
Brooks golf club owner drowns Thursday in accident Maine Coast Now
Brooks man dies in golf course accident Bangor Daily News
Brooks man dies in golf course accident Bangor Daily News
all 15 news articles


CNN International

Golf tournament to host $200000 buy-in event in '09
International Herald Tribune, France - 14 hours ago
The World Series of Golf next year in Las Vegas will cost $200000 to enter and offer a $1.5 million payout for the winner. Organizers think they can find 25 ...
Knee Injury to Sideline Funk 4-6 Weeks Washington Post
Former Tide Golfer To Join ASHOF BamaMag.com
Funk out until June after knee surgery Rotoworld.com
all 16 news articles


Swissinfo

Urban golf hits the streets of Fribourg
Swissinfo, Switzerland - 5 hours ago
(swissinfo) "Golf is a good walk spoiled," or so Mark Twain once said. But the picturesque town of Fribourg is proving otherwise with its new urban golf ...


Malaysia Star

Holes in the Memory
Washington Post, United States - 15 hours ago
By Al Kamen President Bush has been ridiculed and chastised in the liberal blogosphere for saying he gave up golf to show solidarity with the troops ...
Bush's 'sacrifice' Baltimore Sun
Bush's golf claim angers veterans guardian.co.uk
Bush's golf claims 'a slap in face' The Press Association
TravelGolf.com - AFP
all 119 news articles


Prep Roundup | Moon, McDonald claim golf crowns
Seattle Times, United States - 8 hours ago
... of Edmonds-Woodway were runaway winners Thursday in the final round of the Northwest 4A District girls and boys golf tournaments at Gallery Golf Course. ...
GIRLS GOLF: Kamiak's Moon cruises to title HeraldNet
BOYS GOLF: Snohomish repeats as 4A District champs HeraldNet
all 3 news articles


Minor-League Golf Draws Celebrities as PGA Tour Event Withers
Bloomberg - 3 hours ago
By Michael Buteau May 16 (Bloomberg) -- For Nationwide Tour golf pro David Hearn, the chance to win $121500 and a BMW X5 this week in South Carolina is ...


BamaMag.com

ASU men's golf tied for 17th place after 1st round of West Regional
Arizona Republic, AZ - 8 hours ago
The Arizona State men's golf team was tied for 17th place after Thursday's first round of the NCAA West Regional in Bremerton, Wash. ...
Alabama Men's Golf Has Good First Day BamaMag.com
COLLEGE ROUNDUP: Local golfers compete at NCAA Regionals The Saginaw News - MLive.com
Rams still in the mix at NCAA regional The Coloradoan
all 7 news articles


Futures Tour feels Ochoa’s impact on women’s golf
Kansas City Star, MO - 12 hours ago
By MECHELLE VOEPEL The success of one person, Se Ri Pak, prompted an explosion of competitors from South Korea in women’s pro golf. ...


Dallas Morning News

San Diego-area golf courses splendid for US Open, duffers
Dallas Morning News, TX - 12 hours ago
The course at Barona Creek Golf Club is built on hilly terrain 20 minutes northeast of downtown San Diego. Tiger Woods and the best golfers in the world ...

Golf - Google News

home | site map
© 2006