One thing that the Long Drivers and PGA Golfers have in common is good posture. To swing as hard as those guys do, you have to have perfect setup posture to reduce your risk of injury.
The most common faults we see in posture at set-up are:
- C Posture or kyphosis
- S Posture or lordosis
This is C posture from TPI. Titleist Performance Institute is the leader in golf fitness. C posture happens when we round our shoulders too much forward at address. We call this in the medical world, Upper Crossed Syndrome or excessive kyphosis. C posture can cause different swing faults.
What causes C posture
- Tight pec muscles
- Weak back muscles
- Excessive sitting or sedentary lifestyle
- Desk workers tend to have rounded shoulders
Swing Faults from C posture
- Limited shoulder turn
- Losing posture or spine angle
- Flat swing plane
This is S posture from TPI. S posture is excessive rounding in the lower back. In the medical world we call this Lower Crossed Syndrome or excessive lordosis. This can lead to lower back pain, especially on the right side. S posture can also cause similar swing faults to C posture
Causes of S posture
- Tight hip flexors or the muscles on the front of your hip
- Weak core muscles
- Weak glute muscles
- Tight hamstrings
- Desk workers are also prone to S posture
Swing Faults from S posture
- Loss of spine angle
- Reverse C or reverse pivot
- Steep back swing
Heres what all this means. If you have back pain when you play golf, check your set-up! Look in a mirror or get a video of yourself from behind or down the line.
Tips for setup
- Perfect posture
- Place a club vertical on your back. Make sure it touches your lower back, middle back and neck.
- Bend over keeping all 3 of those parts touching
- Release the club and maintain that posture and take your setup
- Bending from hips
- Place a club horizontal on the front of your hips
- Bend over using your hips and not your spine
- Take your normal setup
Try this tips in a mirror or at the range to make sure you have good posture. Think Adam Scott!
