If you tend to rub elbows with distinct types of athletes, you may have run into a few baseball players playing golf on the course. There might be fewer golfers playing baseball, but the two sports are actually remarkably similar. Whether you’re trained in one or the other, it’s easy for baseball players to pick up golf and vice versa.
Both golf and baseball rely on specific angles and positions in order to successfully propel the ball to its desired location. The strength and motion of your arms, hips, and core are also crucial for both sports. Both golfers and ball players lead their swing with the elbow of their dominant hand. It’s clear that there are a lot of similar techniques employed by both sports, but what about the differences?
Does that mean golfers can hit a baseball?
When it comes to the discrepancies between golfers and baseball players, the answer lies in the ball. Golfers are obviously hitting a stationary ball off a tee or the ground, while baseball players are hitting a moving ball. They must factor in the speed and trajectory at which the pitcher throws the ball and deflect it accordingly.
Baseball players excel at hitting a ball a far distance, but when it comes to golf they don’t do as well at actually striking the ball. While batters aren’t trained to drive the ball, a golf swing is meant to do just that. Baseball players use the speed of the ball coming toward them to send it flying even further, but golfers have to hit the ball squarely when still. This puts golfers above batters when it comes to the actual swing technique, rather than just hitting the ball as far as possible.
Further breakdown
Our examination of a golf swing vs. a baseball swing reveals that, while the necessary muscle groups and physical angles are similar, both golf and baseball training come with their own unique skill set. A golfer learns how to drive a ball where a batter learns to give it distance. These skills can be applied to either sport, but a golfer may have a harder time hitting a baseball a long distance than a baseball player.
No matter whether you’re a golfer or a baseball player and you want a spot in the hall of fame, Calabasas Country Club can help. Both golfers and batters alike can benefit from a few rounds of golf, not to mention the various athletic classes and trainers we offer on site for our members. Visit Calabasas Country Club today and share a round of golf with a few friends, regardless of what sport they usually play.
