Latissimus Dorsi

Untitled Document

Article by Dr Larry Callaway

BIO - Specific Chiropractic Center - Dr Callaway Blog

 

Improving your golf swing with the Latissimus Dorsi.
First off what is a Latissimus Dorsi then what does it have to do with your golf swing. Your latissimus dorsi is a muscle that runs from the head of your upper all the way down you back and influences a big portion of your golf swing. 
It is responsible for

  1. Movement of shoulder, thus ultimately your arm
  2. Back stabilization
  3. In turn flexibility of both!

Just one muscle is responsible for both areas that are seemingly the two of the biggest trouble spots. 
Lack of Flexibility

  1. Increase change of injury
  2. Increase chance of having swing faults
  3. Increase chance of developing poor muscle firing patterns

Lack of Strength

  1. Decrease distance
  2. Altered biomechanics in attempt to gain distance
  3. Again chance of developing poor muscle firing patterns.

So what can you do????

Lat Pulls

  1. Using a tube or pulley system have your arms straight out in front of you 90 degrees to your shoulders
  2. Pull from there, holding your belly button tight, down to your thighs.
  3. Slowly allow the band or pulley system to return to start position
  4. Repeat 8 to 12 times
  5. Then for the second set pull at an angle by bringing your right thumb towards your belly button 8 to 12 times
  6. For the final set pull at an angle by bringing you left thumb towards your belly button

Lat Stretch

  1. Lie on your back
  2. Drive your belly button towards your spine so your back is flat
  3. With a golf club held in both hands and waist height
  4. Lift your arms over your head to the floor
  5. ONLY GO AS FAR AS YOU CAN HOLD YOUR BACK FLAT AND YOUR ELBOWS DO NOT BEND

There are many other varieties of exercise to stretch and strengthen this area but start here and as always be safe and pain free.  Have a great memorial weekend.