Throughout the evolution of golf, from its beginnings in Scotland to the present day, players have strived to solve the mystery of the golf swing. Hitting a golf ball is one of the great challenges in sports, due in part to the number of moving parts that make up a golf swing. Kinetics and the art of the golf swing are a perfect marriage of science and sports.
Kinetics
Merriam-Webster dictionary defines kinetics as the science of motion. Specifically, it deals with the effect that motion has on objects. Kinesiology, the study of human motion, is a science more particular to athletics. A golfer's arms, shoulders, hips, legs and other parts are all in motion to varying degrees while he swings a club. Each part of the body must work in harmony to produce an effective swing.
Kinetic Chain
The kinetic chain is the physical motion that puts a golf swing together. In an article for PGATour.com, Sean Cochran explains that the kinetic energy chain is the process of having all the moving parts in a golf swing working together to provide power and accuracy to the club head at the instant that it is in contact with the ball. At that short moment all the energy built up during the swing is released on impact.
Back swing
Zenon Dolnyckyj's article in the Epoch Times describes how the back swing works to control resistance. The torso's main function in a golf swing is to put the club in proper alignment and direct it towards the ball. In order to maintain a good back swing a golfer needs a proper set up when addressing the ball, plus flexibility in the upper body to help keep the swing in order.
Downswing
The power of the golf swing is released during the downswing. It is also the moment when the golfer is challenged the most. He must try to find the balance between generating power and keeping his body under control to impact the ball correctly. During the downswing the arms, hips and legs must move in harmony to give the club a clear path to the ball. Once the ball is away, the follow through slows down the body.
Fitness and Flexibility
The golf swing is not a natural motion. It puts the body in awkward positions and can be physically draining. One important aspect of a creating proper swing mechanics is fitness and flexibility. A golfer can begin to improve his technique by building up strength in his core muscles---the abdominals and back---and improving flexibility though stretching exercises.
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