Through the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) level 1 movement screening test
The Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) level 1 movement screen test identifies how limitations in your body can lead to certain swing faults.
The aim of the TPI movement screening is to detect any physical limitations in the body that may prevent a golfer from getting into favourable positions in the swing and to recognise injury risks and compensatory patterns,which will directly affect ball strike.
The TPI movement screen is done by a TPI certified coach and is made up of 12 golf specific movements.
These tests assess stability, mobility, coordination of body segments and balance.
A study was done in 2014 by the Movement Science Department at Grand Valley State University, Michigan, USA, which found that the most common physical test limitations were found in the:
- Overhead Deep Squat
- Toe Touch
- Single Leg Balance – left and right
- Glute Bridge – left and right
They then associated these physical limitations with the following swing faults:
Early hip extension, Loss of posture, Slide in the downswing
THE OVERHEAD DEEP SQUAT
The Overhead Deep Squat test assesses bilateral, symmetrical mobility of the hips, knees and ankles as well as the mobility of the shoulders and thoracic spine.
If a golfer is unable to perform a full deep squat with heels on the floor, it is almost impossible to maintain posture during the downswing and early extension may occur as a result.
Causes here are weakness in core, pelvic stability and tightness in calves.
TOE TOUCH TEST
The Toe Touch test assesses overall mobility in the lower back and hamstrings. Good hip hinge, angle and forward bend is important.
If a golfer has tight hamstrings, this may pull the pelvis into a posterior tilt which would lead to incorrect hip angle at address.
SINGLE LEG BALANCE
The Single Leg Balance test assesses overall balance and highlights ankle mobility or proprioceptive imbalances, as well as core stability.
If a right-handed golfer cannot maintain balance on the left side as they post onto the lead leg, the golf swing will be out of sequence and lose efficiency.
