Lengthening The Golf Doctors Swing

I recently experienced a first. I went to see Golf Physiotherapist.

This came about as I have noticed (and you will have too no doubt) that my golf swing is very much on the short side these days.

I first noticed this when I started filming some of my golf videos. I felt I was using my normal swing (normal to me in my playing day was hands above my shoulders and the club to parallel). I couldn’t believe how short it was. I went out and hit balls every day for a week working on lengthening my swing. At the end of the week there was no change in length of swing. I felt as if I was over swinging and it was no longer than before.

I figured the answer is in one or a bit of all of the following reasons:

1. I have just turned 50 and my body can’t do what it used to do in my 20’s and 30’s.
2. I have averaged 8 to 12 games a year for the past 4 years. If you don’t use it you lose it.
3. There are physical reasons why I can’t swing the club to my desired length.

I didn’t know the answer so I thought I would seek some professional.

While I was thinking of doing this I got a phone call from Physiotherapist  Jeremy Cross at Physio Health.

Jeremy had just had a visit from a client of mine and wanted to talk about what we could both do to help out this client.

In 30 years of coaching I have referred many people to physiotherapists and this is the only time I have ever received a phone call  back from them wanting to talk about a client.

I subsequently met Jeremey and was very impressed with his background. He went to college in the US on a golf scholarship and then went on to become a physio after deciding not to pursue a career in Professional Golf.

Jeremy is the first to point out he is not a golf coach but works hand in hand with golf coaches to get the best  performance for golfers of all standards, allowing them to achieve their potential both in terms of improved performance and in reduced pain and injury prevention.

I underwent a screening session with Jeremy at PhysioHealth Kew a few weeks ago. This took about an hour. I performed a series of movements and tests. Nothing too physical but just too see what my ranges of movement was.

A week later I went back to see Jeremy and he gave me a laminated report detailing my issues and the exercises I needed to perform daily to improve.

I must admit I have not been as studious (daily) with my exercises but I have been pretty regular with them. They take about 20 minutes a day to do and I am already seeing results. My swing has already lengthened noticeably and I know I am hitting the ball further.

I used FlightScope to gather data (Driver & 7 iron) before I underwent the screening. I will also do it on several occasions over the next few months.

Stay tuned for an upcoming video series of my experience.

The first can be found here Lengthening The Golf Doctors Golf Swing Part 1

Jeremy works at PhysioHealth Kew (03) 9853 2224 and Williamstown (03) 9397 4977