As golfers age, it becomes increasingly challenging to move the body, generate speed, and maintain solid fundamental positions during the swing. Mobility limitations can lead to swing flaws caused by poor physiology, which can hinder even the best golfers in the world. However, many golfers are unaware of their mobility limitations, making it difficult to address these issues. This is where tools like Proscreen AI come in, providing a way to diagnose and address mobility limitations to help golfers swing better than ever.
Functional movement screens have been used in other sports to assess athletes’ abilities, but it was not widely used in golf training until TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) was created by Dr. Greg Rose and David Phillips. TPI developed subjective movement tests to show instructors how well their students can move their bodies in different positions. By identifying weaknesses in stability or mobility, instructors can create exercise plans to improve the player’s movement capabilities and make better swings over time.
With the advancement of video-based 3D Motion Analysis and AI technology, new products have been introduced to screen golfers for movement issues more objectively and accurately. These tools allow instructors to measure a player’s range of motion, mobility, and stability in different body segments, providing a baseline for improvement. The Proscreen AI is one such tool that offers a five-minute testing protocol to assess a golfer’s ability to move in the three planes of motion required for the golf swing.
In a case study conducted by Tom Stickney, a GOLF Top 100 Teacher, a student was found to have left shoulder mobility impingement and limited left hip mobility, impacting their overall swing performance. The left shoulder mobility issue caused the hands to kick out during the backswing, leading to unfavorable club positioning, while the restricted left hip mobility resulted in poor pressure transfer during the swing. Addressing these interconnected issues is crucial for improving the player’s swing consistency and power.
By enhancing shoulder mobility and improving hip mobility, the player can achieve a more effective takeaway, club position, and pressure transfer during the swing. Resolving these mobility issues can lead to a more consistent and powerful swing, enhancing the player’s overall performance and enjoyment of the sport. The Proscreen’s KAMS testing protocol simplifies the process of identifying specific faults in a player’s mechanics, allowing coaches to target and address performance challenges more effectively.
After receiving the analysis results, the player and coach have two options: work on the body in the gym or work around the swing flaw if the player is unwilling to work out. While working out is the ideal option, some golfers may prefer to work around their body weaknesses. However, without identifying functional movement inefficiencies, it is challenging to effectively teach golfers how to improve their swing. Tom Stickney, Director of Instruction at Jonathan’s Landing Club, emphasizes the importance of addressing mobility limitations to help golfers swing better and perform at their best on the course.
