WSJ - Are Pro Golfers too bulked up?

[nevets88]

Not sure what to make sure of WSJ's take on "the modern swing". Quote: "... characterized by keeping the lower body planted and comparatively stable while generating power for the swing through the torque creates against that platform by the rotating upper body. " http://online.wsj.com/news/article_email/are-pro-golfers-too-bulked-up-1408147800-lMyQjAxMTA0MDEwNzExNDcyWj?tesla=y

[imsys0042]

It read to me that by not having as much movement in the lower half of the body, you are forcing your upper body to twist more and put more stress on it. That's their claim. I don't know enough to comment beyond that.

[joekelly]

'Too bulked up'?  Well, i watched some TV golf last weekend and saw Fuzzy Zoeller in some charity tourney.  Good night man.  What an impossible gut.  I was surprised  he could walk/ Imagine  if you had a 5 gallon bucket of water tied to your belt buckle. And, get this , he continues to play golf better than me.

Grossly unfair.

[clutchshot]

It read to me that by not having as much movement in the lower half of the body, you are forcing your upper body to twist more and put more stress on it. That's their claim. I don't know enough to comment beyond that.

Makes sense, that "coil" is a body reaching it's maximum turning point, I can see how that could eventually damage things.

[Crim]

Honestly curious, did Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, or Arnold Palmer ever get injured?

[nevets88]

That WSJ description sounded X factor-ish. Don't most pros not restrict their hip turn? I wonder about JN, AP and GP too. But did they swing as hard and have the schedule that the players today have?

[WUTiger]

Honestly curious, did Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, or Arnold Palmer ever get injured?

Nicklaus had hip trouble fairly early in his career, starting with bursitis in his left hip. During the late 1960s, he deemphasized his legendary fade preference in favor of the draw - the draw caused less stress on his hip. (See Golf My Way , 1974, p. 30).

Also in the book, Nicklaus emphasized that the hips needed to turn/rotate during the backswing. The book even shows a series of full-page pictures of different points of his swing - if you flip through the pages, you get a slow-motion rendering of his swing.

Palmer also had hip trouble. A scattering of golf stories circa 2000 talk about Palmer and Nicklaus either entering or skipping a Champions Tour event depending on their hip status.

As for Player, he had back trouble later in his career. For many years, he has promoted the draw as the standard shot - in part, because he says it's less stressful on the back than a fade. I saw an early "draw" article he did when I was age 40, and having a bit of back trouble myself.

As far as X Factor problems, Cigar Aficionado magazine had an article on tour golf pro injuries in its early summer issue. The author talked to physiologists and physical therapy people about the injury pathologies of golfers who use the modern golf swing with minimal hip action on the backswing. If you're interested, check CA's online site. The article won't appear in electronic archives until late August, when the next issue comes out.

[saevel25]

Jack Nicklaus had knee surgery done in the mid 1980's by Dr. James Andrews. Jack then went on to win his last major at The Masters. You could say that Dr. James Andrews made it possible for Jack to win that most memorable major.