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John Steinbreder, GolfersMD News
May 17, 2010
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According to GolfersMD expert Bob Donatelli, balance stems from four different body systems: vision, inner ear, proprioceptors in the ligaments and tendons of our joints that tell us where the ground is and when we are walking on uneven surfaces, and hip strength. “What I like to do is assess the status of those four systems, and then use those tests for extended periods of time to help build each one up,” he says.
To make his assessments, Donatelli recommends a golfer stand barefooted on flat ground, his hands on his hips and his eyes open. The golfer lifts one leg up and sees if he can stand for 20 seconds without swaying or taking his hands from his hips. Then he switches legs. Next, the golfer repeats those moves, but this time with his eyes closed. “That will usually cause the individual to sway a lot quicker,” Donatelli says. “But with practice, he can make himself stand steady for that 20 seconds and then quite a bit longer. And that steadiness will translate into better balance when he swings, which should definitely improve ball striking.”
Donatelli also likes the idea of putting a piece of foam under a player’s feet in the gym when he does those exercises. “That foam fools his sensors there a bit, so the golfer is relying more on his vision and inner ear to keep his balance,” he explains. “Again, do it with eyes open and eyes shut, and with practice, you should be able to increase the time you are able to balance.”
And hopefully, the distance and accuracy with which you are able to hit the ball.
Be sure to check out the following GolfersMD balance video
Week 8: Balance
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