The 3-Dimensional Game of Golf

Twist it, turn it, flick it, push it, pull it… are we talking about the game BOP IT or the game of Golf? 

Whether you are an avid golfer in the single digit handicap bracket, or a beginner learning the basics of how to swing a golf club, we can all agree that golf is a difficult sport. Not only is it difficult mentally, but physically. The golf swing is one of the most demanding 3-dimensional movements that demands precision. 

We walk, we sit, we jog, we live in a very sagittal world. The sagittal plane is where the body is divided into right and left parts. This is the most common plane used, which makes it the easiest to master. Beyond the sagittal planes, there is also the frontal plane and the transverse plane. The frontal plane includes any movement toward or away from the mid-line of the body. An example exercise along the frontal plane would be a jumping jack, where your legs and arms are moving away from the mid-line of the body. The transverse plane is best explained as a rotational plane. An example exercise along the transverse plane would be a wood chop. 

When it comes to mastering movements in the frontal plane and the transverse plane, golf fitness is the fast path to understanding and identifying dysfunction. One identified, it is our goal to resolve those issues to help improve your performance and increase longevity for playing the game. A common misconception is that to improve your golf swing, you should focus on a swinging motion. But as Nick Piper explains here, not all golf fitness exercises need to involve twisting and turning.  

You might be wondering how we can measure the effectiveness of these 3 planes in a golf swing. You might also be wondering how we can identify dysfunction or issues within our movement along these planes. Being able to identifying these issues is key to developing an effective golf fitness routine that can resolve them. This is where technology comes in.

Here at SMART Golf & Fitness Instruction, we use K-Vest 3D motion sensors during our comprehensive 2-hour Initial SMART Assessment. This technology shows us how a player moves, sequences, creates power and speed, and so much more. It’s all of the data from the K-Vest that shows us exactly how a player swings. It also shows us how their body moves through the sagittal, frontal, and transverse plane during this movement.

Our 2-Hour Initial SMART Assessment is so comprehensive, because we not only evaluate golf swing and skills, but we also evaluate each player’s fitness abilities. We test the range of motion and ability to stabilize in these 3 planes using TPI evaluation. This Certified Assessment is well known in the golf industry. It is so well known that 18 of the last 20 Major Championships were won by players who were advised by a TPI expert. Understanding the 3 planes of motion and being able to progressively work and make movements specific for optimizing individual performance is part of breaking down the complexity of the golf swing. That’s why we’re committed to utilizing state-of-the-art technology. This way, our talented team can help each player improve their performance, increase their enjoyment, and increase the longevity in the game of golf.

About the Author

Cesar has an Associates degree in fine arts. He has been working in the fitness industry for 10+ years and has always had a passion for inspiring and challenging his clientele to go above and beyond. He has experience in training clients one-on-one in strength and conditioning. He also has experience with group fitness where he led up to 45 people in cardio conditioning and functional exercise to be better athletes.

Cesar is ACE personal training certified, NASM-AFFA group fitness instructor certified, TRX suspension training certified, TPI golf fitness certified. He has led workshops on running technique and water rower form and performance.

Click here to learn more about Cesar.