Most likely have a pretty severe physicals limitation, what to do from here?

[Golfimprovejourney]

Been playing the game for quite a few years now, I knew I wasn't super flexible or anything but I thought my mobility was good enough to get in the right positions. 3-4 years ago I started to work on my mobility/strength in the gym, been quite consistent with it, done a ton of research on exercises for golf flexibility and I haven't made any progress.

 

I believe I'm sort of a unique case when it comes to mobility, I'm the exact opposite of a jon rahm. I can make a huge shoulder turn and take it past parallel without a ton of hip turn, But unlike rahm my ability to rotate in the downswing is AWFUL. I stand up of course, hips hardly clear, hang back, and my exit is super high.

 

Ive seen two instructors so far, first one was when I still fairly new to golf and it was just addressing the basics. The second one went a little more in depth and told me I wasn't rotating properly/enough. He starting demonstrating and putting me in the correct positions, I couldn't do it. Felt extremely torquing in the core and back. He kept telling me to exit lower and the most I could do without pulling every muscle in my back was the club still being above my left shoulder (I'm a righty) after impact, with extreme effort that I can't implement in a full swing.

 

The coach was concerned and asked if I had any back or hip injuries and told him I haven't had any. he said most young people don't have this hard of a time rotating properly.

 

Ive done and passed all the physical tests for golf online and it doesn't make sense how my hips and back are this stiff, over the years I developed a ton of compensations to hit the ball half decent, like dropping trail shoulder to come from the inside because I can't separate my upper/lower body like I thought I could.

 

Doesnt make sense that I'm still in my mid 20s yet I have the downswing mobility of an 80 year old. After years of trying to work on it, Do you think seeing a golf physical specialist could help or there's not much I can do?

 

 

 

 

[skim4]

Id post your set up position for the instructors to look at. Maybe you're setting up in a position that "looks good" but makes it very hard to move correctly. Ive never given a golf lesson though. 

[Golfimprovejourney]

13 minutes ago, skim4 said:

Id post your set up position for the instructors to look at. Maybe you're setting up in a position that "looks good" but makes it very hard to move correctly. Ive never given a golf lesson though. 

Both instructors said my setup and grip were "perfect"

[gvogel]

Not everyone can swing as it is now taught (see the Depth, Shallow and Rotation thread).  But here is some good news.  Jack Nicklaus had a bit of early extension, and Christie Kerr had a good bit more.  My advice - stay relaxed and learn to do what you can do.  It may be that your huge shoulder turn on the backswing puts you out of position to make a good forward swing.  Can you hit good 3/4 length swing shots, or even 1/2 (9:00 to 3:00)?

[Golfimprovejourney]

1 minute ago, gvogel said:

Not everyone can swing as it is now taught (see the Depth, Shallow and Rotation thread).  But here is some good news.  Jack Nicklaus had a bit of early extension, and Christie Kerr had a good bit more.  My advice - stay relaxed and learn to do what you can do.  It may be that your huge shoulder turn on the backswing puts you out of position to make a good forward swing.  Can you hit good 3/4 length swing shots, or even 1/2 (9:00 to 3:00)?

Even with half swings can't do it, tried that many times with last instructor 

[skim4]

11 minutes ago, Golfimprovejourney said:

Both instructors said my setup and grip were "perfect"

A picture is worth a thousand words. A video more so. 

[Shilgy]

If I read this correctly your mobility is “great” going back but cannot rotate forward?

 

Any left(forward) leg issues such as knee or ankle?  When you did all this mobility work did you only work on turning back?  If yes that is your answer. If no either work on the forward rotation or get it checked out medically. 

[Gsea]

pickleball

[Golfimprovejourney]

5 minutes ago, Shilgy said:

If I read this correctly your mobility is “great” going back but cannot rotate forward?

 

Any left(forward) leg issues such as knee or ankle?  When you did all this mobility work did you only work on turning back?  If yes that is your answer. If no either work on the forward rotation or get it checked out medically. 

I definitely worked on the through swing stuff more

[MattM97]

You could maybe see an AT or PT that specializes in golf movements. 

 

But at the same time find an instructor where their philosophy is more "swing your swing" vs getting into set positions. Not everyone moves the same or can do the same things so finding how you can be the most effective in a swing might be the route. Could lead to a not so pretty swing but if it works and it's easy swing it. 

[Golfimprovejourney]

1 minute ago, MattM97 said:

You could maybe see an AT or PT that specializes in golf movements. 

 

But at the same time find an instructor where their philosophy is more "swing your swing" vs getting into set positions. Not everyone moves the same or can do the same things so finding how you can be the most effective in a swing might be the route. Could lead to a not so pretty swing but if it works and it's easy swing it. 

I've heard the one plane swing is easier and puts less strain on the body

 

Very flat backswing, shallow club with no effort 

[MattM97]

Just now, Golfimprovejourney said:

I've heard the one plane swing is easier and puts less strain on the body

 

Very flat backswing, shallow club with no effort 

 

That's if you're able to swing on a one plane swing. If you said you're all arms then you'll be all arm in a one plane swing as well. 

 

You have to figure out how to get the hips and lower back more active. 

[Albatross Dreamer]

Post a video of your swing and of you trying to get into the positions you mention. Otherwise not a whole lot to go off.

 

You also mentioned passing all the online golf tests. Which ones were they and what were your measurements (i.e. hip IR/ER, toe touch, etc)

[srsbeans]

For a few hundred bucks you can see a TPI certified physical therapist and do the TPI mobility assessment. This info will be invaluable for you, as well as any instructor that you work with to understand what you're dealing with. 

[rx1232]

A good PT would be able to help take a look at what's going on. Especially if there is pain. A chiropractor too? As with me, and seemingly everyone else without a specific injury/ailment, it all comes down to a weak core (somehow).  If you're employed and they provide insurance, there's a chance this could be covered. 

 

 

[ShortGolfer]

As a stroke survivor, I don't swing the club very fast.  But, I've learned to make long putts and now have a very good short game.  Which makes my game ideal for playing short courses with tiny greens.

That may also be an option.  If you play from the forward tees on short courses that is an easy way to make up for the lack of distance from your physical limitations.

 

What I really enjoy is the ability to improve my game.  I'm constantly learning new things.  Last year I learned proper ball striking. As well as putting on highly sloped greens.

This year I have some ideas to improve my alignment issues on the course. 

 

I've come a long way from being happy at just staying upright after taking an awkward swing!  Last year I made a bunch of birdie putts!

 

Instead of fixating on what you can't do, maybe you should explore what you can!

Edited March 13 by ShortGolfer

[Nels55]

Another thing to consider is that you might be an upper core player per Dr. Wright / Larry Rinker.  In that case you may already be swinging the way that you are built to swing.  There are a few threads on the subject here is one:

Here is a video explaining the core system:

 

[st1800e]

3 hours ago, srsbeans said:

For a few hundred bucks you can see a TPI certified physical therapist and do the TPI mobility assessment. This info will be invaluable for you, as well as any instructor that you work with to understand what you're dealing with. 

And/or  a TPI professional, who can also do the assessment, then provide appropriate instruction. 
 

https://www.mytpi.com/experts

[golferdude54]

There is nothing wrong with exiting high. It's better than "low and left" because it keeps the arms/elbows in front of the body in the follow-through. You mentioned Jon Rahm, he exits so high with the driver and is one of the best drivers in the world.

 

In the DTL view, when the club is perpendicular to the ground in the follow-through (right before the finish) your left bicep should be perpendicular to your spine or even higher. See the Hogan 1-iron Merion photo and look at his left bicep for reference. 

[ShortGolfer]

Maybe you should be focusing on downward swing speed?  

 

Not mobility.  Maybe you are getting twisted up in a pretzel and can't unwind very fast?

 

It may help to experiment with different downswings to figure out what is fastest when you actually swing through the ball.

I like to hit Callaway foam practice balls across my long back yard.

 

I swing faster when I use the proper tempo.  

Edited March 13 by ShortGolfer

[Maine Golfer]

Curious do your hips feel "asymmetric"?. My left leg is -1 inch shorter and I have funny feel in my hips. 

[PJE]

You mentioned strength and mobility work in the gym and referenced your back muscles are tight.  Does your gym work include daily stretching?

I am generally inflexible.

The thing that worked best for me regarding separation was yoga and specifically these poses: Warrior I-II, Reverse Warrior, and Child's.

Also, using the Orange Whip has been useful for sequencing. 

[Circaflex]

I wonder if you are moving your hips correctly or not. This video really helped me feel what it was like to make the shift and turn correctly, it was nothing like I had felt before. It was really eye opening for me.

 

 

 

About the 3:50 mark is where it is explained.

[iacas]

6 hours ago, Golfimprovejourney said:

But unlike rahm my ability to rotate in the downswing is AWFUL. I stand up of course, hips hardly clear, hang back, and my exit is super high.

 

I highly doubt that your "ability" to do so is awful. It's just that you can't while hitting a ball, or don't know how to do it to hit a golf ball toward the target right now.

 

I mean, maybe you're a unicorn… but a video or something would go a long way here. Unicorns are rare.

[Sean124]

This kind of feels like instead of a limiting physical issue, it’s more of an improper understanding of what you’re supposed to be doing, made worse by a teacher trying to get you to swing like Sam Bennett. 

[Valtiel]

3 hours ago, iacas said:

 

I highly doubt that your "ability" to do so is awful. It's just that you can't while hitting a ball, or don't know how to do it to hit a golf ball toward the target right now.

 

I mean, maybe you're a unicorn… but a video or something would go a long way here. Unicorns are rare.

 

1 hour ago, Sean124 said:

This kind of feels like instead of a limiting physical issue, it’s more of an improper understanding of what you’re supposed to be doing, made worse by a teacher trying to get you to swing like Sam Bennett. 

Agreed with these. Nothing in your write up @Golfimprovejourney suggests a physical limitation, because the nature of the parts you’re struggling with are within the unintuitive/mental realm. Video is needed to say for sure, but your issue should be pretty easy to spot. 

[JayMas]

Would bet my savings that mobility issues are not your root causes.

[phizzy30]

How often do you stretch? 

[mgoblue83]

Mobility or physical limitations are most likely not the problem.

 

Something about your swing has your brain believing that the only way to contact the ball is to stall, extend and flip.

 

Fix the root cause and your brain will let you rotate. 

 

Post a video if you want real answers.

Edited March 14 by mgoblue83

[naval2006]

23 hours ago, Golfimprovejourney said:

Been playing the game for quite a few years now, I knew I wasn't super flexible or anything but I thought my mobility was good enough to get in the right positions. 3-4 years ago I started to work on my mobility/strength in the gym, been quite consistent with it, done a ton of research on exercises for golf flexibility and I haven't made any progress.

 

I believe I'm sort of a unique case when it comes to mobility, I'm the exact opposite of a jon rahm. I can make a huge shoulder turn and take it past parallel without a ton of hip turn, But unlike rahm my ability to rotate in the downswing is AWFUL. I stand up of course, hips hardly clear, hang back, and my exit is super high.

 

Ive seen two instructors so far, first one was when I still fairly new to golf and it was just addressing the basics. The second one went a little more in depth and told me I wasn't rotating properly/enough. He starting demonstrating and putting me in the correct positions, I couldn't do it. Felt extremely torquing in the core and back. He kept telling me to exit lower and the most I could do without pulling every muscle in my back was the club still being above my left shoulder (I'm a righty) after impact, with extreme effort that I can't implement in a full swing.

 

The coach was concerned and asked if I had any back or hip injuries and told him I haven't had any. he said most young people don't have this hard of a time rotating properly.

 

Ive done and passed all the physical tests for golf online and it doesn't make sense how my hips and back are this stiff, over the years I developed a ton of compensations to hit the ball half decent, like dropping trail shoulder to come from the inside because I can't separate my upper/lower body like I thought I could.

 

Doesnt make sense that I'm still in my mid 20s yet I have the downswing mobility of an 80 year old. After years of trying to work on it, Do you think seeing a golf physical specialist could help or there's not much I can do?

 

 

 

 

I don't know whether an expert told you all this or it's a selfmade theory.  Beware, though: in golf you are what you believe you are.