Todd’s Tummy Twist
Are you having a hard time staying in balance after you swing? Are you losing distance and not hitting it solid? Last year, I joined one of six Community Police Councils and enjoyed honoring our great first responders of AFD/APD with 50 percent off golf lessons.
Many are in good shape and have a tendency of an extra wide stance/ base during the swing, as if they are doing squats or preparing to lift a heavy hose.
However, the golf swing is more rotational than a side to side. Research shows we originate 80 percent of effortless energy from our core. That is why any golfers who have practiced a little Pilates or do exercises that engage the core, like planks, tend to use more hidden energy that originates from the center of the body. It’s like they have a hidden spring inside their tummy that winds up in the back motion then unwinds through the golf ball.
A drill I use is to hit 8-irons with the ankles approximately six inches apart. The goal is to try to hit the golf balls past barrels about 75 yards away while staying in balance. Hitting golf balls with feet close together increases the probability for golfers to start feeling their core muscles twisting/coiling/winding up and unwinding. After hitting seven to 10 range balls while finishing balanced, then widen your ankles another inch and repeat the drill.
A bonus feeling after you swing is your right knee, for right-handers, will be touching your left knee and your right heel will be slightly off the ground with some pressure in your right toe. The pressure in your right big toe is a sign that you’re starting to tap into your hidden Tummy Twist Energy while your feet stayed stable.