The martial arts move that improves your golf swing

Golf is one of the great sports and leisure activities, and methods to improve the game are many. Yet, many golfers simply focus on their stance and swing and neglect the important role the rest of their body plays in their game.

In today’s video article mind-body coach and golf pro Shishir Inocalla will take you through two exercises from his native Filipino art of stick fighting, known as Arnis. Here, he shows you how to use them to improve your golf game by balancing the body and the arm strokes on opposite sides and directions.

As a wellness trainer for PGA and LPGA players at the David Ledbetter Golf Academy in Florida, Shishir was able to develop a unique training model utilizing stick fighting techniques for golf performance enhancement. And to great success because these methods help golfers become more mobile and balanced on left and right sides. Let’s take a look.

Palo – Down stroke

This exercise is a very direst downward strike, like using a hammer in a controlled manner.

You will hold the stick in your right hand, not too tightly, keeping the stick at a 90-degree angle during the motion as you move your arm up and down vertically along its side.

The movement will begin above your shoulder and end at about your waist height. You will move your left hand in the opposite, parallel direction as a counter balance.

It is not simple and up and down motion, as you want the focus to be on the downward stroke. You will raise the stick and then strike downward. This helps track range of motion and develop muscle tone in a direct not usually developed by golfers—whose swings are generally low or diagonal upwards.

Just like with a gold club, you want to transfer the motion and feeling from the arm into the stick.

Do this for about 30 seconds in a stationary position and then do it for another 30 seconds while shuffling forward and backward. Follow along with Shishir for the details of this.

Repeat on the other side.

Next you will do the same downward stroke but while holding the stick with both hands at its base. You can do 3o seconds from stationary position and then 30 seconds while shuffling forward and back, alternating leads legs each time. Again, follow along with Shishir for the visual and detail.

Rompida – Up and down strokes

In golf, you must engage the lower part of your body during your swing. This motion is similar to an Arnis movement called Romopida. Rompida is an up and down sequence which can be done along any plane (vertically, horizontally, diagonally). Here, as in golf, the stroke is being performed as a diagonal striking exercise.

Stand with the right leg forward and hold the stick in your right hand. You will then do an upward diagonal backhand stroke with the stick, followed by a forehand diagonal downward stroke.

Utilize the waist to and bend the knees to assist the movement. You will notice, if course, that this movement is opposite a regular golf swing and that is the point. The best way to become holistic and powerful in your golf swing and drive is to be muscularly balanced. This means developing the muscles and tendons and range of motion equally in the body; not just one sided like the game of golf requires.

Do this up and down stroke for 30 seconds on the right side and then switch hands and repeat again for 30 seconds.

Next, these two individual motions come together into an improved golf swing when you hold the stick with both hands, like a golf club and repeat the upward diagonal stroke on the right side for 30 seconds and then on the left for 30 seconds.

Remember, balance is the key. Not just balance between your feet, but holistic balance in the body, musculature, range of motion and posture. Enjoy these exercises and see how they can improve your game!