Holding the Spine Angle and Physical Limitations

[DaveLeeNC]

I've been working on holding my spine angle to/through impact. It is early in the process and I'm finding that this imposes a minor amount of stress on my back (not a big deal) and a fair amount of stress on my leading hip (possibly more significant).

I recall having seen or read statements along the line of certain muscle weaknesses (or maybe flexibility or maybe both) can be a factor in holding your spine angle through impact. But I don't recall the details - and now I care.

Does anyone out there have a link or information regarding this. Thanks.

dave

[darthfader]

Dave.... got any video?

I too, struggle to maintain my spine angle... and I constantly fight an ugly lateral shift towards the target.

One thing I can mention for certain is... the guys over at TPI have detected a clear link between spine angle and core strength/flexibility.
http://www.mytpi.com/mytpi05/swing/s...d=2&tab;=causes

I should mention that I'm not a TPI instructor or anything, but I did have a TPI assessment last year, and it was very educational.

[DaveLeeNC]

Darth, thanks for the link. TPI is probably where I saw what I think I recall (maybe). I need to dig back through that site.

But I certainly didn't have much success with step number one in their assessment for spine angle issues (Deep Squat). I can no more get to (much less below) parallel in a squat than I can get a date with Jennifer Anniston. However (based on their next eval) I have excellent knee and ankle flexibility. Their video diagnosis was possible strength issues in the hip area. But my problem is osteoarthritis in my knees. My knees bend great but they won't support any weight (can't squat down behind a putt, for example).

But this makes me wonder if any kind of self-eval is worth doing here. Where/how did you get a TPI evaluation? I've heard great things about TPI. My experience with a physical therapist some years ago when I was trying to salvage my tennis game was not a good one and isn't anything that I'm inclined to try again. But TPI - maybe ...

Thanks again.

dave

[darthfader]

LOL... I know how you feel, I was the same way with the Deep Squat Test the first few weeks. I'd try it and fall over backwards. It was sad and funny all at the same time. ;) For me, I'd get to a certain "depth" in my squat, and it would feel like there was no more room for my hips to bend. Very frustrating, because I'm in pretty good shape.

Well, when I had my TPI assessment (in Southern Pines), it was pretty obvious. My hips were nearly off-the-charts STIFF, in every way. Internal/external hip rotation was awful (and painful), hip flexors were super-tight. Not to mention all the weak core musculature, due to years of sitting at a desk. [sigh]

Now, 5 months later, stretching at least once a day, the hips have loosened up, back feels better, posture is better, and golf swing is better. Not a coincidence.

So you've got some knee issues.. any good TPI trainer should be able to point you in the right direction, without bothering the knees.