Baseball and golf are two of American’s most beloved sports. They have a few things in common too. They’re both played during the same season and both sports require you to perform a swinging motion to hit the ball. This has sprouted a theory that people should not play baseball and golf simultaneously during the season. If you’re a lover of both sports you’ll be happy to know that is false information.
If you are passionate about something, it is always a good idea to learn as much about the subject and everything that could be related to it as you possibly can. Sports are no exception. There was an old myth that if you play one sport than your sole focus should be primarily on that sport only.
That’s advice that should never be listened to. If you want to be the best player on your team then it’s important to learn as much as you can about playing both sports.
Can You Ruin Your Baseball Swing Playing Golf?
There are a few reasons why people believe playing both sports at the same time will ruin your swing. There is a chance that this could happen if you are not careful. Some experts believe that if you aren’t the most skilled baseball player and it took you a while to perfect your batting swing, then focusing on a golf swing could ruin your ability.
That seems like a pretty silly reason not to enjoy both sports to me. If you are going to play both sports then here are a few things you should be cautious of:
Exhaustion
This is particularly important in young athletes since they are exercising to play the game and not to lose weight. It’s important to make sure they get enough calories during the day and have an efficient source of protein. Allow enough time to rest in between their schedules to avoid burnouts as well.
Chance Of Injury
The more activity you engage in, the more use your muscles get. Playing both sports in the same season puts your body at a greater risk of injury. If you go too hard at one sport, it could ruin your opportunity to play both. If you play both make sure you allow a good period of rest and recovery time after each.
Concentration
Another thing that some experts believe is that in order to be successful at one sport you must put your sole focus on it. If baseball is your main sport, they believe spending time playing golf could ruin your baseball swing because your brain might mix up the different swinging techniques. However, this is just a theory and many athletes have proved it to not be true.
Does A Baseball Swing Improve Your Golf Swing?
Both sports require a swinging motion, but each one has a different technique and purpose. When playing golf, you want to hit the ball directly in the hole. For baseball, your goal is to hit a home run. How can learning one improve the other?
Many sports require you to learn the techniques of another one in order to be the best athlete you’re capable of becoming. Did you know that a lot of pro hockey players put on a pair of tights and learn the basics of ballet? This is because the techniques used to perform one sport can also be put into play for succeeding at another.
The graceful moves of a ballerina have helped hockey players glide around the ice and steal the puck from opponents.
The same can be said about learning swinging techniques for both baseball and golf. A lot of coaches prefer to recruit athletes who play multiple sports. These are the athletes who are easier to train, more likely to participate, and more competitive.
A lot of golfers have credited the baseball swing for improving the accuracy of their hit and add some extra force to send their golf ball further across the course. All those years of swinging bat in their youth prepared them to excel on the golf course.
What Is The Difference?
In order to get a better understanding of if playing both sports is the right move for you, it’s best to get a clear understanding of the difference between the two different swinging techniques.
When you really look at it, there isn’t a whole lot of difference between a baseball and a golf swinging technique. The key difference is where you are swinging. The motions on the other hand are nearly alike.
To get a better understanding of this try to focus on the change in momentum when you swing from front to back. This will put it in a better perspective for you than thinking about where you are swinging.
When you’re playing baseball and up at the bat most of your power comes from your stride. You lift your leg and stride forward then follow with a hip rotation. This helps the player send that ball flying across the field.
Go ahead and try this movement so you can see for yourself. You can really feel the power that gets put into this swing as you shift through the stride.
Your golf swing on the other hand is slightly different. You will want to stand with your feet a little more than shoulder length apart and bend your knees slightly. Keeping your feet on the ground you now use your hips to power that hit.
What Do Coaches Say?
As mentioned above, coaches love to take on multi-sport athletes. Who wouldn’t want a player who’s more resilient? A lot of good coaches can tell by your swing if you are a baseball player or not. The similarities in the swinging motions make it easier to learn golf if you have already played baseball.
The one thing coaches do recommend though is to only take on one sport full time. Players will get burned out much too quickly if they do both sports competitively. Playing both can also put them at a greater risk of getting an injury, which could prevent them from playing anything. If you are on a baseball team than you should only be playing golf leisurely.
What are The Techniques To Improve Your Golf Swing?
Golf is a leisurely sport that has become a favorite pastime for many Americans. Now that we have gone over why you can play baseball and golf at the same time and the tips on how to do it safely, I thought it would be a good idea to share some advice to help you improve your golf swing.
- Take your time, this isn’t a race
- Put your focus on a specific target
- Relax your grip, make sure you’re comfortable
- Keep your hands still on the club
- For the best hit play to your strength
- Observe how the club hits the ball (best way to learn from mistakes)
- Don’t move while putting!
- Avoid sliding
- Most importantly, have some fun!
What are The Techniques To Improve Your Baseball Swing?
One of the most popular televised sports in America is Baseball. Even people who don’t enjoy sports love to get together to watch a baseball game. Let’s go over some tips and techniques that will help you improve your swing on the baseball field.
- Your feet are your foundation for a sturdy balance
- Make sure you have a comfortable stance
- Don’t immediately extend your arm to swing
- Swing as though you are aiming to hit through the baseball
- Keep your head still
- A perfect swing will have your chin going from shoulder to shoulder without actually moving your chin.
- Don’t forget to have fun!
Final Thoughts
Can you play baseball and golf at the same time? Of course, you can. There is a lot that you can learn throughout the game of baseball that can be applied to becoming a better golfer and vice versa. In order to be the best player in your league, you should educate yourself on as many batting and putting techniques as you can.
If you are an athlete who thinks night and day about playing sports, it’s no wonder you are eager to play both games. There a few things you need to remember so you can enjoy both games without ruining your swing. Stick to one sport as your main focus and treat the other one as a leisurely hobby. If you have a big baseball competition coming up then keep your golfing adventures to a leisurely 9 holes around the course with your friends.
There’s no evidence that shows you can only play one sport at a time. If you choose to do both to make sure you keep your health and safety in mind. Fuel yourself with all of the proper foods to avoid burnout. Don’t forget to keep your body hydrated with plenty of water and sports drinks as well. Last but not least, always practice proper techniques to avoid injury. Injuries are one thing that can stop you from playing both the sports you love.
