When working with an golf instructor be sure to ask them if they offer a physical evaluation to go with their teaching. (Courtesy temeculagolfschool.com)

A golfer's got to know his limitations

By Chuck Evans,
Special Contributor

How many times have you taken a lesson and walked away feeling unfulfilled, Knowing that you just didn't get it?

It may not be your fault!

The majority of golf teachers work strictly on the mechanics of the golf stroke. And while that certainly plays an important role, there is something else that absolutely must happen for the mechanical aspects to work.

You see there is a golf handicap and a physical handicap. Your golf handicap may be a 5 but the physical one may be 30! What does this mean? In simple terms your body may not allow you to do certain things.

As an example: You might not have any external rotation of the right forearm that would preclude getting your right elbow in front of the right hip.

Of, if your hips are limited in flexibility and rotational motion then turning them through the ball will be next to impossible. If the left side of your body is weaker then the right then it will not provide enough support through the ball, it will collapse instead.

So without the knowledge of what you can do physically, trying to work on mechanics is an absolute waste of time.

Players virtually never make poor motions because they want to, but rather their bodies dictate what they can and can not do.

When working with an golf instructor be sure to ask them if they offer a physical evaluation to go with their teaching. Whether they are qualified to do this or they farm it out makes no difference. But what does make a difference is the interpretation of the data.

Remember it's not your fault if you are having swing issues. You want to do something different but your body just won't allow it.

June 15, 2007

Chuck Evans, G.S.E.D., a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher, is one of only 31 golf instructors worldwide designated to hold a doctorate in golf stroke engineering. He is executive director of instruction for the Medicus Golf Institute and has served as director of schools for the PGA Tour Golf Academy, and as director of instruction for the United States Golf Institute. He is also the author of "How To Build Your Golf Swing."