Medical Model Posture vs. Functional
 

There seems to be a divergence of opinion on what the BEST POSTURE at Address and Impact should ideally be. One model says that the spine, when viewed from down the line should be nearly straight... from the neck all the way to the tail bone. Some recommend a slight cup at the base of the spine. I believe this is called the LORDONIC CURVE. I have heard it recommended that the shoulders be slightly pulled back, in order to give a straight appearance of the back.
It is usually also said that in order to maintain this posture, the core muscle strength must be good, as well as the abdominal muscle strength in general.

Now, it is interesting that few, if any tour players that do strive to stand similar to this, can maintain this posture on the downswing. The tour player does not usually pull the tailbone in radically, as many amateurs do, but they do not keep the back straight, nor the head up. At least I have not seen one that does.

Mr. Jack Nicklaus, for example, is sometimes criticized for his posture. However, his posture is probably similar at Address, and Impact.

Annikan, some time back, posted a picture of Sam Snead. He did not have even close to the MEDICAL MODEL POSTURE, however, he was a very effective striker of the ball, and lasted for many years without much injury that I know of.

Let's talk about this some. We don't want to be too slumped over, but artifically rigid is not good either.

What do you think?

I'm unqualified to talked about a Golfing 'Medical Posture' in general and how anyones posture may contribute to "back problems'.

However, I can say that my posture purposely includes a 'small dip' in my lower back. It isn't exaggerated. It helps (somehow) the hips and shoulders stay more connected (locked together?).

Maybe someone (Annikan) could talk a little about releasing the tailbone.

EC

:salut:

How does this relate to a neutral spine?

I feel a presence . . ..
 

Is that the pitter patter of the Edge's footsteps? Lurking . . .

Because you are my numero uno GOLF HERO . . . I shant make light of your "releasing the tailbone" post . . . If Mike O said it . . . I'm on it like cat turds in sandboxes.

Poof he's gone . . .

I went to a very well renowned physical therapist who helped me with shoulder re-habbed. He was a sports PT and was booked up for months. Only reason i got it was because of my doctor who really felt i should go to him and got me to see him on a regular basis.

We discussed a lot on posture and on wrist positions as he was curious about how i spoke about TGM and about solid compression.

Some interesting tidbits:
- a "visually flat" left wrist (as i prefer and others) is actually not the most "supportive" position for the left wrist to be in. It's actually a weaker position BUT! The larger more bent right wrist is an EXTREMELY powerful and supportive motion so it makes up for that more "visually flat" left wrist.
- As for the back, this whole "overly straight back" that a lot of tour players emphasize and is easily seen in Adam Scott's procedure is actually not something he feels is what the back should be doing in that situation. I took my normal golf posture and the only thing he did was make me "roll" my shoulders back more in their rotator cuffs as it's a much more supportive move for the massive amount of torque generated on the left shoulder and he also had me stick my butt out just a little which NATURALLY gets the lower spine in a more supportive move for the backswing. He said the back should then be allowed to "round" near the shoulder blades as by trying to physically straighten will cause injury down the road unless you are extremely fit and flexible as it won't show "as much" as he said.

The main thin he was looking for is for yard stick to hit in 3 places:

1) lower back
2) mid back
3) back of head

There will be NATURAL curves between 1/2 and 2/3.

I also discussed with him the idea of "locking in the bend" in the right knee. He said that is disaster for the knee and the hip over time and felt it was the main contributor to Jack N's hip problem later in life. He agreed with me that it should be allowed to straigten SOME but "locking" it straight wasn't the best idea either.

Just some things i've learned and am sharing.

Thanks very much Jim, excellent post!

Any chance you can post a swing sequence?

Matt

Martee..great pic...

Neutral spine is not functional in the game of G.O.L.F


EC...don't get me started on this.....


Lagster...u2...

NOone plays froma straight spine and the spine angle doesn't stay the same..Period end of story...I'm biting my tongue..tying my hands behind my back....blindfolded....duct tape ..no more questions...

BUT..

Perhaps some pics at a later date?

Oh geez ..I cannot restrain myself


Many in the Golfdom would say the following posture...is "The WAY"

Aaron Baddeley



However...look closely...


Do his eyes look with a natural gaze at the ball?...or is he lookking down through the bottom of his vision?

Do you think the Tailbone sticking out that much producing an excessive amount of lumbar curve is natural...let alone good for your lower back?



Let's take a look at some others.....

Charles Howell


Grant Waite



Do you see some differences?

Is Badds Functional...

NOT let me count the ways..not 2 night!!!:eyes:

Like Moe Norman said about leadbetter - artifical strokes for artificial folks.