Golf Swing Vs Baseball Swing

Golf Swing Vs Baseball Swing

Golf swing Vs Baseball swing they are very similar in that they both develop momentum from the ground up using a chain reaction of legs, hips, shoulders and arms. With balance, flexibility and strength both  can create a similar clubhead or bat speed. There are differences in the swings though and this is a result of the requirements of their game.

In baseball the batter has to deal with a ball that has changing speeds and locations. This forces the batter to swing at the last possible moment in reaction to the pitcher. This requires a much shorter backswing than the one found in a golf swing and a more explosive follow through lead by very fast hips. Hip speed is not only the actual speed but is also a measure of where they are relative to the arms. Here the hips are quite open the right arm is in a tucked position as the hands are then delivered in a very strong position, flat and level with the bat out past the plate.

In golf the ball still has to be hit far but also in precise direction at the target. Added to this is the need to control a clubface all of which leads to a less explosive and more precise swing. Both swings develop a transference of energy beginning with the legs that works up through the body in a chain reaction with the hips, shoulders, arms and hands. It has been measured that before one part of the swing is finished the next part has begun to fire.

As each swing begins back to the ball  the stored energy, in the form of a coil, is able to be used when the weight is transferred automatically to the left leg, a result of turn. This starts the chain reaction from the ground up. Now with the weight forward the left leg straightens and it is this straightening that channels the energy upwards to the other components. With ever increasing speed each element moves faster than the previous as the energy is transferred upwards not unlike a whip for when the hand held part is jerked to a stop the energy is thrown toward the end with ever increasing speed.

The straightening of the left leg allows the hips to turn which then pulls and accelerates the shoulders enabling them to be fairly square at impact for the golfer helping with keeping the shot straight or more open for the batter. Golfers have a greater shoulder turn as this helps to make up for the slower hip speed but the greatest force is created when the speed of the shoulders overtakes the speed of the hips at impact. Both players try to keep the arms as close as possible with the arms as this results in the fastest possible spin through the shot not unlike an ice skater pulling the arms in so as to spin faster. With this transfer the arms are being pulled forward with the turn as the right arm is straightening from the word go to the ball. And because the left arm to body connection is maintained all the energy and force from this sequence is able to be transmitted to the back of the ball.