Understanding physical limitations is crucial
By Chris Wallace
While on the surface golf might not appear to be the most demanding of sports physically, achieving success or enjoying continual improvement can be tough to do when you’re injured or dealing with physical limitations, especially if those limitations aren’t taken into account.
And this is most certainly the case when it comes to the lesson process.
If you decide to see a qualified golf professional for help with your swing and your game, they need to know if you have physical limitations.
Hopefully, given the time and financial investment that you’re making to seek out instruction, your teaching pro will ask you questions relating to your physical health and any limitations you might have. But if they don’t, it’s imperative that you bring up the subject.
After all, there are going to be physical movements and levels of mobility required to swing the way your instructor wants you to swing, and if you’re incapable of making those moves or achieving a requisite range of motion, you won’t get results and your time and financial investment will go to waste.
Added PGA professional and SwingFix instructor Vikki Vanderpool: “The golf swing is a move that requires a lot of torque on the body, which might put pressure on certain areas of the body that are unable to handle the strain. Your instructor can help you make adjustments in your swing to avoid these strains.”
It’s also important to understand whether or not you’re dealing with a nagging injury that will heal in time or if you have a long-term issue that will affect how you swing the club.
If it’s a short-term problem, wait until you’re healthy to start the lesson process so that you get the most out of the instruction you’re being given. Playing “hurt” is likely to only lead to frustration and bad habits.
If it’s more than just a nagging injury, incorporate your physical status into what you’re trying to achieve with your golf swing and you’ll be more likely to get the results you’re looking for.
“Every instructor wants to keep the student interested in the game and that usually comes by keeping the swing simple and easily repeatable,” Vanderpool said. “In addition, each instructor desperately wants their students to improve.
“Often times this requires practice, and if the student physically is unable to make necessary adjustments or if they are able to make adjustments but only with pain, most likely the instructor will not see that student again. And that’s a lose-lose situation for both parties.”