Why “Neuro First” Changes Your Golf Game

By Spencer Bordin – Physiotherapist

Golf is one of the most complex skills in sport. It demands mobility, strength, balance, coordination, and precision — all firing in perfect sequence. Yet no two golfers swing the same way, and no two bodies move the same way. That’s why personalization matters.

As MVMTLAB’s golf performance physiotherapist — and head golf physio at Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club — I’ve built my career blending the science of movement with the art of the swing. My background as an NCAA-level trainer, combined with passing the PGA of BC Player Ability Test, gives me insight both as a clinician and a player. That perspective drives programs that are evidence-based, practical, and truly golf specific.

Why Most Programs Miss the Mark

Too often, programs take a “one-size-fits-all” approach: assess, identify a limitation, then prescribe the same drills for everyone. The problem? What works for one golfer may be irrelevant — or even harmful — for another.

I believe in treating the person first, not just the symptom. Every golfer brings a unique mix of mobility, strength, reflexes, and body awareness to the table. Ignoring that individuality means leaving performance — and protection from injury — on the table.

The Role of Swing Archetypes

To take personalization further, our approach incorporates Terry Rowles’ groundbreaking research on the 9 Swing Archetypes. His work with PGA Tour professionals has shown that golfers thrive when their swing mechanics are aligned with their natural movement strategies.

Your archetype depends on your body’s structure, mobility, and coordination:

• A golfer with exceptional hip mobility might thrive in a rotary-dominant swing.
• A player with limited hip rotation may perform better with a lateral or vertical power strategy.

Forcing both players into the same mechanics creates inconsistency and increases the risk of injury. Instead, we determine your functional archetype and train with it, not against it. That might mean optimizing thoracic rotation, improving sequencing, and strengthening stabilizers — rather than chasing unrealistic mobility goals.

Why “Neuro First” Changes the Game

Most golfers train muscles. We train the system that controls them.

Golf is a complex motor skill where mobility, stability, balance, vision, timing, and sequencing must fire in the right order at the right speed. If your nervous system is guarding, compensating, or mis-sequencing, you’ll fight inconsistency, lose yardage, and risk post-round pain — no matter how strong you are.

That’s where Swing Secrets comes in. This focused 50-minute class uses timed bodyweight holds, head/eye positioning, and reflex-driven cues to:

• Stabilize under load: build spinal and lumbopelvic control for cleaner rotation.
• De-armour protective patterns: free up shoulder, hip, and ribcage relationships.
• Train the visual system: refine oculomotor and vestibular reflexes for sharper focus and sequencing.
• Feel more, guess less: build interoception in the feet and hands for better contact and face control.

By addressing the nervous system first, we set the foundation for repeatable, efficient, and pain-free mechanics.

Who’s Leading the Work

I’m Spencer Bordin, MVMTLAB’s golf performance physio and Head Golf Physio at Shaughnessy G&CC. I combine clinical expertise with on-course experience to deliver training that’s scientifically rigorous and genuinely golf specific.

Two Ways to Start

1. Drop-in Class – Swing Secrets (50 min): Build stability, vision, and sequencing. Ideal for a focused tune-up or ongoing neuro reps.
2. Golf Performance Pack – 4 Sessions: A deeper dive with a golf-specific assessment, swing archetype mapping, corrective activation, and strength/power strategies tailored to your structure.

What Results Feel Like

• More stable at the top and through impact
• Cleaner sequencing and face control
• Less tension in the neck, shoulders, and low back post-round
• Speed and consistency that hold up under fatigue

The Bottom Line

Every golfer’s body tells a different story. A neuro-first approach helps you write yours — with a swing that works with your structure, not against it.

Ready to unlock your potential? Book your Swing Secrets class or 4-session Golf Performance Pack today.

Note: If you have an acute injury, please consult with an MVMTLAB practitioner or your physician before exercising.

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