Titleist Performance Institute Screens & Corrective Care
About TPI
TPI is the world's leading educational organization dedicated to the study of how the human body functions in relation to the golf swing.
TPI believes golfers will benefit the most from a healthy and efficient body.
TPI does not believe in one way to swing a club, rather in an infinite number of swing styles. But, we do believe there is one efficient way for every player to swing and it is based on what the player can physically do.
The most efficient swing is not the same for every golfer, because efficiency is unique to their body. To achieve an efficient swing, a golfer must first be screened. This screen involves an assessment of swing mechanics and biomechanics, physical fitness, movement quality, current health and a client history.
TPI Performance Screen
During the TPI Performance Screen at Burghealth Chiropractic & Wellness, you will be tested in multiple positions for range of motion, stability, golf posture, stability/motor control, and strength. If you are currently experiencing pain or experience pain from golf, Dr. Samuel Richards will take you through the SFMA (Selective Functional Movement Assessment) assessment for further evaluation and is separate from the performance screen. Before the screen begins, a full medical history will need to be taken along with your golf history.
Once this screen is finished, the results are used to create a plan unique for that golfer. The plan may include fitness training, physical therapy and treatment, coaching of swing mechanics and biomechanics, nutrition, mental strategy or all of the above.
A golfer will see the greatest improvement by surrounding themselves with a team of experts. Similarly, any professional in the golf industry will see their clients benefit most by themselves being part of a network or team of professionals.
Interested in a Performance Screen? Call Burghealth Chiropractic & Wellness today! Titleist Performance Institute Screen performed by Dr. Samuel Richards of Burghealth Chiropractic & Wellness.
Golf Posture
Once this screen is finished, the results are used to create a plan unique for that golfer. The plan may include fitness training, physical therapy and treatment, coaching of swing mechanics and biomechanics, nutrition, mental strategy or all of the above.
A golfer will see the greatest improvement by surrounding themselves with a team of experts. Similarly, any professional in the golf industry will see their clients benefit most by themselves being part of a network or team of professionals.
Swing Characteristics
Learn about the most common swing characteristics that can lead to mechanical inefficiencies in your golf swing, and put you at greater risk for injury.
An example of how your swing mechanics may cause you back pain or wrist injury:
Low back injury inducing mechanics
- Reverse spine angle causes most back pain caused by excessive extension of spine or pelvis not flexing(posterior tilting). Normally most people lean away from target, reverse spine angle golfer leans toward target. Causes injury during on downswing so right side for right hand golfer.
- S posture second most cause because of lower cross syndrome and excessive extension.
- The sway is the brother/sister to reverse spine angle and s posture
- Early extension is third cause of back pain
- Hanging back increases side bend putting more pressure on facets/disc
- Closed club face can also lead to back pain due to golfer compensating turning lead foot out
- Excessive torque from not following through and keeping feet planted leads to back injury
Wrist injury inducing mechanics
- Early extension causes excessive ulnar deviation on lead hand. Causes injury to tfcc and gives positive de quervains. A weak grip can also cause excessive ulnar deviation on lead hand and to lesser extent strong grip.
- A palm grip instead of letting club rest in fingers puts pressure on hook of hamate.
- Scooping, casting, chicken winging, all lead to wrist injuries. Usually problems in lower body can lead to issues and injuries in upper body because upper body has to make up for problems.
- Basal joint arthritis and tenosynovitis can lead player to adjusting their grip. Players that utilize a long thumb position tend to have problems in this area. A weak grip can also put thumb in a more vulnerable position.
- This same evaluation can be applied whether you have knee pain, neck pain, hip pain, elbow pain, etc...
Dr. Samuel Richards is a Titleist Performance Institute Level 3 Medical Professional & part of the PGA/PSC Clinical Golf Program
http://www.mytpi.com/improve-my-game/swing-characteristics
http://www.mytpi.com/improve-my-game
