Building a Foundation for Better Golf

The strict definition of a ‘foundation’ is the basis or groundwork of anything and the base on which something is built. In other words, a simple skill is learned at first, then the body and mind can be challenged with new, more intricate learning. This learning builds from one thing to the next, but never forgetting the very roots of your early efforts or foundation on which your golf swing are built.

The same is true in fitness. It is common to see someone drive the ball far and then want to gravitate towards power exercises. Or, watch a player on tour who has defined pecs and biceps enticing a player to want more strength or maintain a certain body fat level. There is nothing wrong with having the desire to be stronger, fitter or drive the ball further as long as your fitness routine has a purpose and it is built on a foundation.

One great foundational exercise is the squat. It teaches the body how to bend while challenging leg strength, proper posture, core engagement and balance. While this may seem like a very basic exercise to many golfers, I am often surprised at how many incorrect ways people have learned to perform this movement. Here is the correct way to perform a squat. Begin with your feet shoulder width apart and your toes pointing straight ahead or slightly off center. Keep good spinal alignment as you lower your body until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Once you reach your bottom position, push through your heels to return to your starting point. You can place your hands behind your head or at your side (with or without dumbbells). Make sure you are sitting back and down so that your knees stay in alignment with your ankles. Your knees should never be so far forward that they extend over the top of your toes. This places undue stress on the knees with no additional benefit to the quadricep muscles.