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!