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Improving Your Balance
Balance - it sounds so
simple! As a golfer, you know that
maintaining a proper balance is key to your
game. And it's more than just having the
correct stance.
Optimal balance depends
on three aspects - your visual perception,
the signals from the inner ear, and signals
from your muscles and joints. Sometimes
these aspects get out of sync, causing a
balance disorder.
A lack of balance
usually occurs when your head position
changes - which is a good reason to keep
your head still during your swing!
Migraines can attribute
to a balance disorder. So if you have
frequent migraines, seek medical attention.
These headaches can affect your golf game
in ways you may never have thought of.
Don’t spend a fortune
on new golf equipment hoping for better play
before you check your medicine cabinet to
see if any drugs you’re taking affect your
balance. The condition “ear poisoning”
seriously affects your balance. Ear
poisoning is usually caused by side effects
of some medications - notably the antibiotic
gentamicin. Up to 50 % of people who take
this drug experience some sort of ear
poisoning.
Diuretics can pose a
problem as well. So if you're on any
medicine and you start feeling dizzy, get
medical help! Sometimes the dizziness can
literally become a lifelong problem, so
don’t delay in seeking help.
If your balance is a
little off in your game, you may want to do
some simple exercises to improve it. Just
kicking a ball around your backyard can
help. You can also set up a little obstacle
course and weave in and out of it to improve
your balance. Your kids will have fun with
the course, too! In fact, they may even set
up one for you!
You can also buy a
balance board to help you with your center
of gravity. We found a handmade,
well-crafted balance board on eBay. These
boards are challenging and fun to use!
In addition, working
with flexibility exercises helps increase
your balance by releasing muscle tension.
Try some simple yoga stretches to help with
loosening up tight muscles.
Another useful item is
a yoga ball or exercise ball. Even just
sitting on one of these balls requires
balance - so try using one for part of the
day. Work up gradually until you can sit on
the ball for 30 minutes at a time. These
ball exercises can help you develop proper
posture, increase the mobility of your lower
back, and develop overall control of your
body core.
Since balance is
fundamental to every aspect of your golf
game, spend some time each day working on
developing it. Who knows? You could find
your swing and your score improving
dramatically!
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