Using the ground in a golf swing is a technique that involves pushing into the ground to create force and move the body. This is known as ground reaction force, which is the force the ground exerts on a body that is in contact with it. Many amateur golfers struggle to use the ground and instead generate their speed and power using only their arms.
By using the ground in your golf swing it can help you generate more power and speed, and improve your accuracy and consistency. Here are a few of the benefits of using the ground in your golf swing.
Ground Reaction Force
When you push down on the ground at the right time, the ground pushes back with an equal and opposite force. You can use this force to create speed by jumping and rotating at the right time.
Clubhead Speed
Pushing into and jumping off the ground can help you create more clubhead speed, meaning greater distances with your clubs.
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Consistency and Accuracy
By using your legs and body better through your golf swing you can increase the consistency and accuracy of your shot, as you are less likely to deviate your clubface through the shot.
Hip Rotation
Using the ground through the swing engages your hips and allows for better rotation and clearance of the hips as you bring them through by pushing into the ground.
Torque
The use of your feet against the ground can create a pressure vector that allows you to generate torque. This allows you to create more elasticity in your core/hip muscles to create more speed.
In addition to working on using the ground in your golf swing, you can also do this in the gym with a number of exercises that promote the use of the ground to generate force through the body.
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Golf Gym Training
This exercise is one for the gym and is a great way to develop better use of the ground to generate force, much as we need to do in the golf swing. You must ensure that the weight is heavier than you can lift with just your arm, to encourage the use of the ground.
To press overhead, bend the knees and then drive off the floor, you should then use the floor to push the barbell overhead explosively. If you are struggling with transferring the force from the ground to the barbell efficiently this will be a good way to develop sequencing in your golf swing.
Perform only 4-5 reps on each side and as you start to move the bar faster, add weight to encourage the need for more force. Take this thought to your golf practice and how you use the ground to effectively generate force on your golf club.
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