Time to Disassociate
disassociate: verb - to disconnect or separate
Please note this tip is not referring to separating from the golfing buddy who always cusses, or cheats, or throws their club ... though you may want to consider disassociating from them, too!
This month's topic of disassociation refers to the separation of the hips from the shoulders and the shoulders from the hips as we turn in the golf swing. To accomplish this, as well as the other elements of turning we have discussed in this year's newsletter campaign, flexibility is key. I hope you enjoyed last month's golf-specific warm-up exercises for this essential ingredient in the TURN!
For this year the words "turn" and "pivot" are used synonymously. Please go through archived tips and enjoy the Facebook videos to compliment the monthly newsletters.
This month the following tips will assist in the turn especially in the ability to disasssssssssssssssssssssociate thereby creating torque which transfers to speed!
Disassociate Hips from Shoulders
While lying flat on the ground, spread the arms wide and tuck the legs. Now begin doing windshield wiper movements with the knees held together. (Place a ball between the knees for added core strength.) Keep the back of the hands and the shoulders in contact with the ground. Do 15 reps side to side to increase hip mobility and speed.
Disassociate Shoulders from Hips
Again, begin with lying flat on the ground, tuck both legs together on one side of the body with arms spread and palms facing skyward. (I like using golf balls here too, one between the knees and one in each hand.) This exercise is for shoulder separation! Keep the knees together and remaining on one side of the body as you perform one-arm windshield wipers with the opposite arm, 15 reps on each side.
Next month with golf club in hand we begin with short game pivot drills and then progress to the full swing as the year moves on.
Stretch, strengthen, and turn.
