3 Key Test’s for All Nashville Golfers

When comparing yourself to the best golfers in the world, you might look at handicap, driving distance, greens in regulation, or strokes gained. But what about your body?

Does your swing generate a kinematic sequence like the elite ball strikers? If we put you on force plates, would your power, direction, and timing match the best? How do your raw physical attributes—like vertical jump height or strength—measure up?

At the end of the day, your body is the engine behind your swing. So before diving into high-tech data, let’s ask a simpler question: Is your body even capable of producing a swing that can compete at the highest level?

Here are three simple tests—no equipment needed—to find out.

Nashville Golf Performance Workshops

It is these 3 tests that I do during my golf performance workshops with Nashville golf clubs. The members of these clubs’ benefit from better understanding they’re very own regions of restriction. The regions that are limiting their ability to create an effective and efficient kinematic sequence.

The Golf Kinematic Sequence

Check out this video describing the kinematic sequence…

The kinematic sequence is the one thing that stays consistent among the best players in the world. Though we can see some differences between players swings, the sequencing is essentially the same. From the top of the backswing, we start with a rotation back towards the target from the pelvis, then the trunk, then the arms, and then the club. Most importantly, these regions begin to move independently of the next region, which means we have to be strong and mobile enough to hold one region stable while quickly and forcibly moving the other.  

 Can you produce this sequencing? Strength, mobility, and motor control play a major role in whether you can physically create an effective kinematic sequence. So how can we tell if physical restrictions have prevented you from your best performance?

3 key tests for the kinematic sequence

Though 3d tracking of key regions during the swing would be ideal, we can still learn more about your ability to create these movements without any technology.

Test 1: The pelvic rotation test

This assesses for the ability to separate the pelvis from the trunk, the key initiator of the downswing. Here is a video of the test below…

It is important to rotate the pelvis without the trunk moving, without the knees flexing and extending, and to be able to do so easily with full range in both directions. If we cannot make this move in a neutral, controlled environment, we certainly won’t be able to do it during the high speed and end range position of the backswing-downswing. Give it a try!

Test 2: Shoulder 90/90 test

This test assesses for the ability to create adequate shoulder external rotation. If we cannot get to 90 degrees and more of external rotation, especially on our back side shoulder, than we will not be able to create separation between our arm and trunk.

We also see many unfortunate swing characteristics result from missing this piece of mobility and separation from the trunk and arm. Characteristics like over the top and steep swings are common when we cannot physically separate a trunk turn from the shoulder. 

Test 3: Seated Trunk rotation test

This screens for a minimum of 45 degrees of trunk rotation. Again, 45 degrees is the minimum we want from the trunk to be comfortable at our end range in the backswing. Check out the trunk rotation test below…

We can combine this trunk rotation test with the torso rotation test to assess for motor control and ability again to separate trunk from pelvis. Check out the torso rotation test below…

If we struggle to reach the minimum in trunk rotation (45 degrees), then we will certainly struggle to get into an effective back swing position comfortably. When we have to fight for full rotation through the trunk, separating the trunk and delaying its rotation back towards the target will again be exceptionally difficult.

Conclusion

We often focus on outcomes—strokes above par, strokes gained, swing speed—but overlook the foundation that makes them possible: the body.

A great swing isn’t just about technique; it’s about having the physical capability to execute it. No matter how much you practice, if your body is fighting against restrictions, you're limiting your potential. Try the tests above and see how you measure up. Struggling with any of them? Let’s fix it. Reach out, and I’ll help you build the physical foundation for your best swing yet.

-Dr. Nick Curtis DC, MS, TPI, CSCS

If you would like to learn more about your body, pain, and performance, send Dr. Nick an email at contact@integratedrpc.com or call at (585)478-4379, or schedule a FREE discovery visit at Contact.

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