Proprioception in Golf
Proprioception is your sensory mechanism that sends messages through your central nervous system to create a reaction for your intended purpose. In Golf this purpose is to strike the ball.
The sensory receptors in the muscles, joints and connecting tissues create an unconscious reaction. This reaction can be trained like any other skill. Developing this skill is essential for progressing in golf.
The main issue with golf is the accuracy required to project a small sized ball with a small sized bat at speed. However striking the ball to a target requires the correct positioning of the body and sequencing.
This is why it is ill advised to start to play without the correct instruction.
Only the correct body positioning will allow your proprioception to develop in a way that will improve your skill level and enhance your enjoyment.
Test Your Proprioception in Golf
- Take a golf posture stance
- Maintain your posture and extended your arms, wrists and fingers out in front of you with both palms facing each other.
- Place your hands close to each other so only your thumbs touch.
- Maintain your posture and move your arms out to your side (in a crucifix position) and then above your head until your thumbs touch again.
- Return to the start position.
The intension is to accurately bring your thumbs together without looking. Repeat the same action with every finger. Increase the speed as you progress.
This is a very simple way to demonstrate and train your golf sensory skills.
Proprioception and kinaesthetic awareness are essential for striking the ball from awkward lies.
These skills require a good address position, good balance and body control strength which are developed over time.
Once the sensors are ‘tuned in’ you will be amazed at the array of quality shots you can play from what would look like impossible positions.
If you don’t have these skills it’s because you haven’t trained them.
“Golfers are either trained or untrained”
Additional Training
Adopt your golf posture with your feet very close together and your palms facing each other.- Close your eyes.
- Keep your left hand in a fixed position while moving your right hand over your right ear and touch your left ear.
- Swing your right hand back and clap hands together.
- Repeat on the other side.
- Stand on one leg and lean forward (semi superman position)
- Alternating hand claps with extended arms from in front of your knees to behind your head.