Breathing | USHandicap Classic

SouthernLion Professional Champion
Go to Last Reply 164 Views 13 Replies 1 Like
This may seem like a trivial topic, but I've noticed that lately when I purposely exhale during my back-swing that I strike the ball better and get more distance. It's just a slow release of breath as I bring the club back. I've never taken a lesson, so this may be a nonstarter for those of you who have or are teachers/coaches. Just something that I've noticed about my own game. Any thoughts? SL
armygrunt47 Professional Champion
# 1 6/30/2013 7:35:38 PM
It releaves tension.
N C P Professional Champion
# 2 6/30/2013 8:08:14 PM
It releaves tension. Breathing definitely relieves tension. Most people tend to hold their breath when doing a "quick" athletic motion, which is counter productive to smooth relaxed contractions that generate more force and speed. Conventional physiology suggests that to maximize the effects of this tension relief you should inhale during your backswing and start exhaling with the transition and through the downswing.
cogolfer1 LowIndex
# 3 6/30/2013 8:10:02 PM
I don't know about breathing in my swing... I probably hold my breath every time hoping I hit it well. When I'm not taking a shot, I definitely try and make sure I take deep breaths when I'm in a tournament or some other highly tension-surrounded scenario.
N C P Professional Champion
# 4 6/30/2013 8:14:08 PM
I don't know about breathing in my swing... I probably hold my breath every time hoping I hit it well. When I'm not taking a shot, I definitely try and make sure I take deep breaths when I'm in a tournament or some other highly tension-surrounded scenario. I am of course speaking from a physiology perspective because I have never paid any attention to my breathing during my swing.
dewsweeper Legend
# 5 6/30/2013 10:54:14 PM
In Martial Arts, always exhale when strike. It collects the concentration and focus, tighten the core for the source of power.
Pappy82nd Professional Champion
# 6 6/30/2013 11:38:46 PM
No wonder I pass out after every swing, must be holding my breath too long. JK, I know that would cause slow play. Taking a deep breath before the swing and releasing during the back swing will relieve tension very quickly. Loose hips and arms will get you more distance.
Mark Simmons Legend
# 7 6/30/2013 11:40:36 PM
It releaves tension. ...and also promotes a consistent backswing tempo.
OtterMan08 Legend
# 8 7/1/2013 3:00:02 AM
I try to take a couple of deep cleansing breaths before a shot. Both to release tension and to slow my heart rate, typically elevated when walking. I also have a habit of pushing my tongue in between my teeth to keep me from clenching my jaws during a swing.
njgolfer Legend
# 9 7/1/2013 5:04:31 AM
Wait a minute, you are suppose to breathe when playing golf? No wonder I am gasping for air by the time I am done 18.
OtterMan08 Legend
# 10 7/1/2013 5:26:03 AM
Wait a minute, you are suppose to breathe when playing golf? No wonder I am gasping for air by the time I am done 18. It's the fabled 'secret of life' Joe. Breathe in, breathe out, repeat as needed!
Don Freeman Professional Champion
# 11 7/1/2013 9:11:39 AM
Thats funny you mentioned breathing. My pro told me once that if you are playing a tight match against someone and you want to get inside their head, just ask them if they breath in or out when they swing. That will distract them for sure.
Mongo68 Legend
# 12 7/1/2013 4:53:37 PM
I think Lewis Black said it best when he said "the golfer strides up to the tee and has their last real thought of the day, just remember to breathe through your ass. And then they swing and 35 yards, right in the f****** woods!" For the whole routine check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v..
Pappy82nd Professional Champion
# 13 7/1/2013 11:53:03 PM
Thats funny you mentioned breathing. My pro told me once that if you are playing a tight match against someone and you want to get inside their head, just ask them if they breath in or out when they swing. That will distract them for sure. Why is it everyone that mentions a pro now, sounds like Larry? My pro Scott will never forgive me for that one. Breath in, Breath out, Wax on Wax off, paint da fence, up down, up down.

Professional Champion

164 Views 13 Replies 1 Like

This may seem like a trivial topic, but I've noticed that lately when I purposely exhale during my back-swing that I strike the ball better and get more distance. It's just a slow release of breath as I bring the club back. I've never taken a lesson, so this may be a nonstarter for those of you who have or are teachers/coaches. Just something that I've noticed about my own game. Any thoughts?

SL

armygrunt47

Professional Champion

# 1 6/30/2013 7:35:38 PM

It releaves tension.

N C P

Professional Champion

# 2 6/30/2013 8:08:14 PM

It releaves tension.

Breathing definitely relieves tension. Most people tend to hold their breath when doing a "quick" athletic motion, which is counter productive to smooth relaxed contractions that generate more force and speed.

Conventional physiology suggests that to maximize the effects of this tension relief you should inhale during your backswing and start exhaling with the transition and through the downswing.

cogolfer1

LowIndex

# 3 6/30/2013 8:10:02 PM

I don't know about breathing in my swing... I probably hold my breath every time hoping I hit it well. When I'm not taking a shot, I definitely try and make sure I take deep breaths when I'm in a tournament or some other highly tension-surrounded scenario.

N C P

Professional Champion

# 4 6/30/2013 8:14:08 PM

I don't know about breathing in my swing... I probably hold my breath every time hoping I hit it well. When I'm not taking a shot, I definitely try and make sure I take deep breaths when I'm in a tournament or some other highly tension-surrounded scenario.

I am of course speaking from a physiology perspective because I have never paid any attention to my breathing during my swing.

dewsweeper

Legend

# 5 6/30/2013 10:54:14 PM

In Martial Arts, always exhale when strike. It collects the concentration and focus, tighten the core for the source of power.

Pappy82nd

Professional Champion

# 6 6/30/2013 11:38:46 PM

No wonder I pass out after every swing, must be holding my breath too long. JK, I know that would cause slow play. Taking a deep breath before the swing and releasing during the back swing will relieve tension very quickly. Loose hips and arms will get you more distance.

Mark Simmons

Legend

# 7 6/30/2013 11:40:36 PM

It releaves tension.

...and also promotes a consistent backswing tempo.

OtterMan08

Legend

# 8 7/1/2013 3:00:02 AM

I try to take a couple of deep cleansing breaths before a shot. Both to release tension and to slow my heart rate, typically elevated when walking. I also have a habit of pushing my tongue in between my teeth to keep me from clenching my jaws during a swing.

njgolfer

Legend

# 9 7/1/2013 5:04:31 AM

Wait a minute, you are suppose to breathe when playing golf? No wonder I am gasping for air by the time I am done 18.

OtterMan08

Legend

# 10 7/1/2013 5:26:03 AM

Wait a minute, you are suppose to breathe when playing golf? No wonder I am gasping for air by the time I am done 18.

It's the fabled 'secret of life' Joe. Breathe in, breathe out, repeat as needed!

Don Freeman

Professional Champion

# 11 7/1/2013 9:11:39 AM

Thats funny you mentioned breathing. My pro told me once that if you are playing a tight match against someone and you want to get inside their head, just ask them if they breath in or out when they swing. That will distract them for sure.

Mongo68

Legend

# 12 7/1/2013 4:53:37 PM

I think Lewis Black said it best when he said "the golfer strides up to the tee and has their last real thought of the day, just remember to breathe through your ass. And then they swing and 35 yards, right in the f****** woods!"

For the whole routine check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v..

Pappy82nd

Professional Champion

# 13 7/1/2013 11:53:03 PM

Thats funny you mentioned breathing. My pro told me once that if you are playing a tight match against someone and you want to get inside their head, just ask them if they breath in or out when they swing. That will distract them for sure.

Why is it everyone that mentions a pro now, sounds like Larry? My pro Scott will never forgive me for that one. Breath in, Breath out, Wax on Wax off, paint da fence, up down, up down.

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