Name: Caleb Wong Date: 2/21/14 Overview Because everyone s body is unique, understanding this is critical for safe and proper golf instruction and training. The Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Physical Screen assesses physical ability and also identifies potential physical limitations that could affect the golf swing. Specifically, the tests from the screen indicate two primary principles that are necessary for the body to make a safe, efficient, and effective swing. The first one is mobility which determines range of motion and flexibility. Mobility allows for the generation of elastic energy between muscles and prevents injury. The second principle is stability which is a combination of balance, strength, and muscular endurance. Stability allows the body to create a solid platform for generating speed. If the body has any limitation in mobility or stability, some compensation will occur in the golf swing that could lead to injury or an inefficient swing. TPI Physical Screen Results Right Wrist Hinge (Up) Can hinge up 20 Left Wrist Hinge (Up) Can hinge up 20 Right Wrist Hinge (Down) Left Wrist Hinge (Down) Right Forearm Rotation (Out) Left Forearm Rotation (Out) Right Forearm Rotation (In) Can hinge down 30 Can hinge down 30 Can rotate outwards 80 Can rotate outwards 80 Can rotate inwards 80 Setting wrists in backswing. Setting wrists in backswing. Releasing wrists for power in Releasing wrists for power in 1
Left Forearm Rotation (In) Can rotate inwards 80 Right Wrist Flexion Can bend down 60 Left Wrist Flexion Can bend down 60 Right Wrist Extension Can bend up 60 Left Wrist Extension Can bend up 60 90/90 (Right Arm) Potential Limitation Arm can rotate backwards more than 90 Degrees when standing, but not in golf posture. Good shoulder mobility, but potential stability issue. 90/90 (Left Arm) Potential Limitation Arm can rotate backwards more than 90 Degrees when standing, but not in golf posture. Good shoulder mobility, but potential stability issue. Lat (Right Arm) Hands touch wall with arm extended straight overhead. Good shoulder stability and Lat (Left Arm) Potential Limitation Hands do not reach wall. Potential shoulder stability/mobility issue. Cervical Rotation (Rotate Left) Cervical Rotation (Rotate Right) Head rotates 90 Degrees and can lower so that chin touches mid-collar bone. Good neck Head rotates 90 Degrees and can lower Controlling head movement in backswing and Controlling head movement in 2
so that chin touches mid-collar bone. Good neck Toe Touch Touches toes. Good hamstring flexibility, lower back, and hip Single Leg Balance (Right Leg) Single Leg Balance (Left Leg) Potential Limitation Potential Limitation joint 20-25 Seconds. Greater than 25 seconds is ideal. Potential core stability or lower body mobility issue. 15-20 Seconds. Greater than 25 seconds is ideal. Potential core stability or lower body mobility issue. Overhead Deep Squat Potential Limitation Unable to perform squat. Potential core stability, knee/hip mobility issue. Bridge with Leg Extension(Left Leg Extended) Bridge with Leg Extension(Right Leg Extended) Stable platform with no shaking. Good glute and core stability. Stable platform with no shaking. Good glute and core stability. Posture Neutral Posture. Straight lower back. Pelvic Tilt Potential Limitation Hard time flattening back. Core/hip mobility issue. Movement is smooth arching and flattening back. Good core/hip stability. Pelvic Rotation Potential Limitation Hips do not rotate freely without shoulders moving. Upper body may have a stability issue. backswing and Maintaining good posture throughout swing. Proper balance and weight shift. Proper balance and weight shift. Maintaining good posture throughout swing. Generating power and stability in the lower Generating power and stability in the lower Proper rotation and posture and keeping back safe from injury. Optimal power transfer from lower body to upper Proper sequencing in the downswing by generating separation of the lower body from the upper 3
Rotation (Right Leg to Right) Rotation (Right Leg to Left) Rotation (Left Leg to Right) Rotation (Left Leg to Left) Torso Rotation Potential Limitation Shoulders do not rotate freely without hips moving. Lower body stability issue. Seated Trunk Rotation (Rotate Right) Seated Trunk Rotation (Rotate Left) or equal to 45 Degrees. Good spine or equal to 45 Degrees. Good spine Proper sequencing in the backswing to generate good separation and coil. Generating speed and separation between lower body and upper Generating speed and separation between lower body and upper 4
TPI Physical Screen Details 1. Wrist Hinge Test Evaluates the mobility of the wrist. The ability to both Ulnar and Radial deviate (hinge up and down) the wrist is imperative for proper setting and release of the golf club for power. Ideally, golfers should be able to hinge up 20 Degrees, and hinge down 30 Degrees. 2. Forearm Rotation Test Evaluates the mobility of the wrist and forearm in two pronate (rotate outwards) and supinate (rotate inwards). The ability to both pronate and supinate the wrist is imperative for consistency in squaring the clubface. Ideally, golfers should be able to rotate their forearms 80 Degrees in both directions. 3. Wrist Flexion/Extension Test Evaluates if the wrists can bend forwards and backwards. This motion heavily influences the position of the hands at the top of the swing but more importantly, the position of the hands at impact. Ideally, golfers should be able to bend and bow their wrists 60 Degrees in both directions. 4. 90/90 Test Evaluates range of backwards rotation in the shoulder and ability to maintain shoulder scapula stability in a golf posture. This helps position the arms properly at the top of the swing as well as follow-through in the The first part is performed while standing tall, then in golf posture. Ideally, golfers should be able to rotate their elbow backwards 90 Degrees both while standing and in golf posture. 5. Lat Test Evaluates range of upwards rotation in the shoulder which is important in proper position of the arms and club in the backswing at the top of the swing a well as follow-through in the Ideally, golfers should be able to keep their arms straight and touch the wall behind them with their hands while keep their back against the wall. 6. The Cervical Rotation Test Evaluates the amount of available cervical spine rotation and bend. This type of movement helps keep the head steady during the backswing and Ideally, golfers should be able to rotate their neck/head freely in both direction and be able to touch their collar bone with their chin. 7. The Toe Touch Test Evaluates overall mobility in the lower back and hamstrings which is important in proper address and dynamic posture in the swing. Ideally, golfers should be able to touch their toes with both legs straight. 5
8. Single Leg Balance Test Evaluates overall balance. It highlights any ankle mobility and proprioceptive imbalances from left to right as well as overall stability in the core. Ideally, golfers should be able to stand on each leg with their eyes close for 25 seconds. 9. Overhead Deep Squat Test Evaluates mobility of the hips, knees, and ankles as well as the shoulders and the thoracic spine. This test has a strong correlation to maintaining good posture throughout the swing. Ideally, golfers should be able to squat with their arms overhead, heels on the ground, and thighs breaking parallel. 10. Bridge w/ Leg Extension Test Evaluates strength and stability of the core and glute muscles which are the main source of power in the golf swing. Ideally, golfers should be able to hold a stable position without cramping or shaking. 11. Pelvic Tilt Test Evaluates overall mobility of the hips to control pelvic posture. The ability to move and control the position of the pelvis is critical for optimal power transfer from the lower body to the upper body during the golf swing. Ideally, golfers should be able to arch and flatten their back smoothly in both directions. 12. Pelvic Rotation Test Evaluates the ability to rotate the lower body independently from the upper This movement requires good mobility of lower body along with stability of the upper This is an important skill for properly sequencing the downswing and generate a good separation between the upper and lower Ideally, golfers should be able to move their hips in a rotary fashion without any movement of the upper 13. Rotation Test Evaluates rotational mobility of the hip, knees and ankles which is critical for loading weight on the trail leg during the backswing and posting into the lead leg during the Ideally, golfers should be able to rotate their hips greater than 60 Degrees in both directions on each leg. 14. Torso Rotation Test Evaluates the ability to rotate the upper body independently from the lower This is an important skill for properly sequencing the backswing and generating a good separation or coil. This movement requires good mobility of upper body along with stability of the lower Ideally, golfers should be able to rotate their upper body and shoulders without the lower body moving. 15. Seated Trunk Rotation Test Evaluates how much rotational mobility is present in the thoracic spine. Good separation between the upper and lower body in both directions is important to help generate speed and maintain a stable posture during the golf swing. Ideally, golfers should be able to rotate their upper body greater than 45 degrees in both directions. 6