Improve your Balance in the Off-Season to Improve Consistency During the Season
By Joe Charles – Boyne Golf Academy
By far, one of the most requested things in our winter coaching sessions with students is improved consistency. The first skill that we evaluate in terms of consistency is a players ability to hit the center of the clubface. From a physical perspective, the biggest attribute that affects your ability to hit the center of the clubface is balance. That’s why we start all of our lesson packages with a simple series of tests that evaluate students range of motion and stability. The Single Leg Balance Test is a great way to both evaluate your current level of balance and also improve it over time.
Here’s how to do it: from a standing position start with your feet together and arms to your side. Raise one foot so that your thigh is parallel with the ground. Once you feel stable, go ahead and close your eyes and see how long you can maintain that position. You should notice that as soon as you close your eyes it becomes much more difficult. That’s because we are constantly using our vision to maintain our center of balance by looking out at the horizon and leveling ourselves, kind of like that gauge in the cockpit of an airplane that shows if the wings are level.
The challenge with a golf swing is that you are not looking at the horizon, you are looking at that little white ball on the ground. That naturally takes away a bit of balance as you attempt to make an athletic motion. Practice the Single Leg Balance test to regain your stability and hit the ball a little closer to the center of the clubface which should improve your consistency this season! Visit www.BOYNEgolf.com.
