Stretch Shortening Cycles (SSC’s)
Stretch Shortening Cycle’s
The golf swing utilises three primary stretch–shortening cycles (SSC) to enhance force production and energy transfer through the kinematic sequence.
The first occurs during the transition, where a separation between the pelvis and torso (often referred to as the X-factor stretch) creates elastic loading of the trunk.
The second SSC involves the lead arm relative to the torso, where lead arm adduction against a rotating and decelerating trunk helps transfer momentum from the body to the arm segment.
The final SSC occurs at the lead wrist, that late release this practice manual is building. This proximal-to-distal sequencing enhances clubhead speed by maximizing elastic recoil and timing the release at impact. Players who Cast or Early Release may have never experienced the power from these SSC’s.
Importantly, an effective release is not an isolated action, but the product of great sequencing that begins in the backswing and builds progressively through the swing. Each SSC contributes to the next, with energy transferred proximally to distally, and the release representing the final action in the kinetic chain.
For this reason, this lesson will take a look at how these stretch–shortening cycles build on one another, and how improving earlier segments leads to a more powerful, efficient release.