#245 Sliding – The Invisible Power Killer in Golf

By Henrik Jentsch, Director of Golf Academy 360°, powered by Sportsbox AI 3D

Every golfer wants more power, consistency, and fewer injuries. Yet, one silent swing flaw robs players of all three—often unnoticed. It’s called sliding.

Sliding is excessive lateral movement of the pelvis or torso toward the target before impact. It occurs when the lead knee, pelvis, or chest crosses the vertical line above the lead foot too early. Though it may resemble aggressive weight shift, it's a major cause of lost power in the modern swing.

A powerful swing requires rotation, not drift. Just like a baseball pitcher pushes into the ground to create torque, golfers need their center of mass stacked over the lead leg—not beyond it. Sliding removes this stable base, sacrificing stored energy and efficiency.

Why Sliding Destroys Efficiency

• Loss of Rotational Axis: You can't rotate effectively without a stable lead side.
• No Resistance Point: The swing’s kinetic chain breaks down without a fixed axis.
• Torque Breakdown: No ground anchor, no power—just forward motion.
• Energy Waste: Motion without torque leads to reduced clubhead speed.
• Poor Sequencing: Low pelvis speeds, poor segmental speed transfer, and lost X-Factor Stretch all contribute to power loss.

What Causes It?

Sliding is rarely just a technique flaw—it’s often structural:

• Limited hip mobility, especially reduced internal rotation.
• Stiff ankles that destabilize the kinetic chain.
• Weak glutes and core, unable to resist lateral motion.
• Faulty motor patterns ingrained by habit or poor instruction.

Sportsbox AI 3D: Seeing What Eyes Miss

With Sportsbox AI 3D, sliding becomes measurable. The app captures 3D data from a smartphone and flags:

• Pelvis sway over 5–6 cm during transition.
• Pelvis rotation speeds below 400°/second.
• Reduced X-Factor Stretch and segmental speed losses.
• A broken kinematic sequence.

The 3D avatar shows exactly how and where the pelvis is moving, giving golfers visual feedback traditional video can’t match.

What the Best Do Differently

Elite players don’t eliminate lateral motion—they manage it:

• Minimal pelvis sway (2–3 cm).
• Accelerated pelvis rotation post-transition.
• Ground forces used to rotate, not slide.
• Maintained X-Factor separation for stored energy.

How to Fix It

Start with mobility screens for hips and ankles. Adjust your stance—flare the lead foot, narrow setup, and drill rotation. Use Sportsbox AI 3D to track progress. Objective feedback means no more guessing.

Sliding is silent but costly. Eliminate it—and tap into your true rotational potential.

📲 Want to analyze your swing with precision? Reach out today.

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