Tilt Golf Phase Doctrine Visual
Tilt Golf: Core Ignition Doctrine©
Brace for impact: every 1° of pelvic tilt begins at the core.
© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf: Core Ignition Doctrine. All rights reserved.
ii
Chapter Title What You’ll Learn
4 How to Command Accurately With Ease in Golf
Command With Ease and Less but Accurate
You will learn how to spot core breakdowns and use cues that directly solve the problem with ease.
5 Why the Swing Falls Apart When the Core Isn’t In
Get the Answers Why Swing Collapses with a Weak Core
You will learn how to spot the core problem in golf posture.
© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf: The Core Ignition Doctrine. All rights reserved.
iv
Chapter Title How This Chapter Changes Your Swing
8 How To Choose the Best Pattern in the Swing
How To Choose a Tilt Muscle Activation to your Swing Phase, Body Type
Learn how specific patterns coordinate across phases.
9 Lateral Pelvic Tilt in Motion
How Pelvic Command Reshapes Compression, Launch, and Swing Identity
Lead impact with your pelvis and feel cleaner contact, stronger compression, and smoother launch.
10 Battery Test for Golf Core Phase Ignition
Where Theory Ends and Truth Begins
Test your swing’s ignition and discover what’s really driving your timing, power, and control.
© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf: The Core Ignition Doctrine. All rights reserved.
vi
Chapter Title How This Chapter Changes Your Swing
11 Why Hip Dominance is a Bad Idea
How to Fix Cue Confusion and Get Sequence Back
Stop letting your hips take over. Learn how to cue tilt properly and get your swing back on track.
12 Transversus Abdominis vs Iliopsoas
Which Muscle Really Controls Your Swing
Find out which core muscle gives you real control. Your swing gets smoother, stronger, and easier to repeat.
13 Core In Vs Core Out
How to Separate Movement from Stability
Discover how core contraction changes your swing. Learn to isolate pelvic tilt and rotation by comparing core-in vs core-out motion.
© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf: The Core Ignition Doctrine. All rights reserved.
30

Chapter 4: How to Command Accurately With Ease in Golf

Talk Less and Better Results. This is a Cue System That Stuns and Sequences with ease a golfer. Golf doesn’t wait for analysis. It waits for ignition. You have 900 to 1500 milliseconds to swing, and in that window, your body doesn’t want a lecture. It wants a command. This table is not theory. It is action. Every cue here is built for instinct, not discussion. When you shadow your pre-shot, do not just rehearse positions. Talk to your core with a core in. When you start getting nervous, trust your core. When you feel disconnected, trust your core in. When you are losing stability, swing speed, distance, direction, or altitude, trust your core.

The moment you initiate movement, your brain has less than 300 milliseconds to send the signal. That is faster than thought. That is pure ignition. The analytical process must already be synced with the body. You do not think your way through the swing. You detonate it. And when you are ready, that core command is already waiting. You summon it. You own it. You swing with it. Right now.

In this chapter, you are not just meeting golf cues. You are meeting movement cues that have been battle tested across disciplines. These commands are used by physiotherapists to protect the spine, by strength coaches to activate the core, and by elite trainers to sequence power under pressure. What you see here is not invented for golf. It is calibrated for it. Tilt Golf takes these universal biomechanical triggers and tunes them for the swing. Every cue has a purpose. Every phrase is felt. And when you apply them, you are not just swinging. You are executing a cross-disciplinary ignition protocol built to survive torque, fatigue, and speed.

31

A. Cue Table: Core and Pelvic Control

Cue Why It Works When
Hold that core in till end range.Extends brace through finish.Follow-through
When you are hurting on your back, you know what to do — core in.Recovery cue. Protects lumbar spine.Post-round, fatigue
Rotate with that core inward no matter what.Oblique-driven rotation. Prevents arm-led swing.Transition, downswing
That right hip must be tuck in when you smack that ball.Posterior tilt cue. Prevents lumbar arch.Impact
Do your deepest core in and no release and putt easy with your loose arms.Brace for putting. Prevents tension.Putting
Add more height to your ball with that upper core pushing inside your ribs.Upper TVA cue. Controls launch angle.Setup, backswing
Let that upper core suck it in and up.Rib tethering. Prevents flare.Setup, transition
Don’t push your core out or you will slice.Anti-extension cue. Prevents open face and lumbar strain.Setup, downswing
Let go of your hand and let the core do the job.Prevents hand-led swing. Reinforces sequencing.Transition, impact
© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf: The Core Ignition Doctrine. All rights reserved.
32

B. Cue Table: Core and Pelvic Control

Cue Why It Works When
On that takeaway, let that outer elbow talk to your core — core inward. Trail arm cue. Connects elbow to brace. Takeaway
On your transition, give your best core strength inward. Peak brace cue. Prevents early extension. Transition
As you go down, prepare for impact with more core inward. Pre-impact brace. Prevents collapse. Downswing
Use that bent elbow to talk to your core. Trail arm cue. Reinforces sequencing. Transition, downswing
As it goes down, shorten that strong core inward. Final brace cue. Locks spine. Downswing
Let go of your lower back — don’t tighten it. Prevents lumbar compensation. Setup, transition
Stop thinking about your lower back and think about your core. Redirects attention. Prevents overcorrection. Setup, recovery
© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf: The Core Ignition Doctrine. All rights reserved.
42

C. Cue Table: Core and Pelvic Control

Cue Phrase When to Use What the Body Should Feel
Do your deepest core in and no release and putt easy with your loose arms. Putting Belly firm, arms soft
Let go of your hand and let the core do the job. Transition, impact Turn from your center, not your hands
Don’t push your core out or you will slice. Setup, downswing Keep your belly in — no bulging
Fight it inwards. Transition, downswing Stay tight even under pressure
Develop that core first then the rest will follow. Training, onboarding Build brace before mechanics
Let go of your lower back. Don’t tighten it. Setup, transition Relax your back, focus on your belly
Stop thinking about your lower back and think about your core. Setup, recovery Shift attention to your center
When you are hurting on your back, you know what to do. Core in. Post-round, fatigue Tighten belly to protect your spine
Don’t let that spine grind the other bone in your back. Use your core. Setup, transition Stay firm in the middle to protect your back

These bonus cues are designed for moments that fall outside the full swing: putting, training, recovery, and pain management. They’re not just helpful. They’re essential. When your body is vulnerable, your core becomes your shield. When your mechanics are uncertain, your core becomes your compass.

© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf: The Core Ignition Doctrine. All rights reserved.
33

D. Cue Table: Core and Pelvic Control

Cue Why This Cue Works When to Use It
Don’t push your core out or you’ll hurt your back. Anti-extension cue. Protects lumbar spine. Setup, downswing
Don’t let that spine grind the other bone in your back — use your core. Urgent protection cue. Prevents vertebral contact. Setup, transition
Fight it inwards. Final ignition cue. Reinforces brace under pressure. Transition, downswing
Develop that core first — then the rest will follow. Foundational cue. Prioritizes brace over mechanics. Training, onboarding

This table is a biomechanical ignition map. Every cue here has a functional effect you can feel. Not tomorrow. Now. These are not abstract ideas. They are physical switches. When you say core in, your spine decompresses, your pelvis locks, your wrists stop compensating, and your swing begins to sequence. When you fight inward, you stop grinding bone against bone. You stop leaking power. You stop hurting.

These cues are accurate because they are anatomical. They are useful because they are repeatable. And they are precise because they were built for milliseconds, not minutes. You do not need to understand every muscle. You need to command one thing. Core in. The rest will follow.

The brain connects to the body through clarity. The body connects to the arms through timing. And the arms connect to the ball through trust. When the instruction is clear, the ignition is automatic. This is how you swing. This is how you protect. This is how you perform.

© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf — The Phase Doctrine of Core Ignition. All rights reserved.
Page C8

Chapter 8: How To Choose the Best Pattern in the Swing

This guide explains how anterior and posterior pelvic tilt affect your swing. It breaks down the muscular patterns, risks, and benefits of each tilt type across all swing phases. It also shows how to coach them with precision.

At this point in the doctrine, we’ve already learned that Core Dominance — driven by posterior pelvic tilt (PPT) — is united with the gluteals and hamstrings, forming a stable, decompressed base for rotation. In contrast, Hip Dominance — driven by anterior pelvic tilt (APT) — is united with the hip flexor group and low back extensors, which often create spinal compression and instability under load.

© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf: The Core Ignition Doctrine. All rights reserved.
C8.1

8.1 What Is Pelvic Tilt

Tilt Type Description Common Effect
Anterior (APT) Pelvis tips forward, lower back arches Increases spinal compression and reduces core engagement
Posterior (PPT) Pelvis tucks under and spine flattens Activates deep core and stabilizes rotation
© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf: The Core Ignition Doctrine. All rights reserved.
C8.2

8.2 Setup

Tilt Body Position Result
APT Chest lifted and lower back arched Looks athletic but unstable. Core is passive
PPT Pelvis tucked and ribcage dropped Braced and stable before rotation begins
© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf: The Core Ignition Doctrine. All rights reserved.
C8.3

8.3 Backswing

Tilt Body Position Result
APT Spine arches more and hips rotate freely Rotation shifts to spine. Club lifts off plane
PPT Spine stays long and ribcage rotates Rotation is anchored. Load is centered
© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf: The Core Ignition Doctrine. All rights reserved.
C8.4

8.4 Downswing

Tilt Body Position Result
APT Pelvis stays forward and wrists tighten Core fires late. Spine absorbs torque
PPT Core leads and pelvis re-centers Power transfers cleanly. Clubface stabilizes
© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf: The Core Ignition Doctrine. All rights reserved.
C8.4

8.5 Impact

Tilt Body Position Result
APT Spine collapses and arms dominate Ball launches but body absorbs damage
PPT Core contracts and spine stays neutral Stable strike. No collapse. Controlled deceleration
© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf: The Core Ignition Doctrine. All rights reserved.
C8.5

8.6 Follow-Through

Tilt Body Position Result
APT Upright finish and spine still arched Looks proud but unstable. Tightness builds
PPT Pelvis re-centers and spine decompresses Balanced finish. Recovery begins immediately
© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf: The Core Ignition Doctrine. All rights reserved.
C8.6

8.7 When APT Can Help

Scenario Adjustment Outcome
Golfer has excessive posterior tilt, tight hips, and a braced core Introduce slight anterior tilt Restores lumbar mobility, improves rotation, and reduces over-bracing

Note: APT is not wrong. It is a tool. Use it with precision to unlock movement, not to mimic posture.

© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf: The Core Ignition Doctrine. All rights reserved.
C8.7

8.8 When PPT Becomes Too Much

Problem Adjustment Outcome
Golfer is over-braced, pelvis locked, and spine rigid Loosen the tuck slightly Adds mobility and restores natural rotation

Note: PPT is a performance tool, not a frozen shape. Teach it as a dynamic cue that adapts to the phase.

© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf: The Core Ignition Doctrine. All rights reserved.
Sir1

8.9 Golfing Legends and Their Swing Identity

Raymond Floyd, Jim Furyk, and John Daly are three iconic figures in professional golf, each with a distinct legacy shaped by their achievements, personalities, and playing styles. While they differ in physique and technique, all three have left an indelible mark on the sport. Each offers a unique lens into how tilt, core dominance, and swing pattern selection truly work.

Golfer Major Wins PGA Tour Wins Hall of Fame Notable Achievements
Raymond Floyd 4 22 Yes Won majors across three decades
Jim Furyk 1 17 Yes Shot the lowest round in PGA history (58)
John Daly 2 5 No Won majors as an underdog, cult favorite
© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf: The Core Ignition Doctrine. All rights reserved.
Sir2

8.10 Body Type, Tilt, and Muscle Engagement

Raymond Floyd had a compact, athletic build. He was strong through the torso with a stable lower body that supported his rhythmic swing.

Jim Furyk is lean and wiry, built for endurance and control with minimal bulk and maximum efficiency.

John Daly has a larger frame with broad shoulders, a fuller midsection, and powerful legs that contribute to his explosive swing mechanics.

Body type alone does not determine swing quality or pattern success. It’s about how you activate tilt through your dominant muscle groups.

Golfer Core Engagement Back Engagement Swing Traits
Raymond Floyd High Moderate Smooth rhythm, fade control
Jim Furyk High Low Precise, efficient, low strain
John Daly High High Explosive, flexible, high torque
© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf: The Core Ignition Doctrine. All rights reserved.
Sir3

8.11 Choosing the Right Pattern for Your Swing

Choosing a swing pattern is not about how you look. It’s about how you activate tilt through your core or back. Whether you're built slim or stocky, the key is understanding how your pelvic tilt mechanics align with your comfort, control, and pain-free execution.

Core-dominant swingers rely on abdominal, glute, and hip flexor coordination.

Back-dominant swingers use spinal extension, lat engagement, and posterior chain rhythm.

A larger belly does not mean your pattern is flawed. It may reflect a back-dominant tilt strategy that works for your build.

A slim frame does not guarantee core efficiency. Many slim golfers struggle with pelvic control or over-rotation.

The real question is how your tilt behaves under pressure, speed, and fatigue.

Comfort over conformity is the rule. The best pattern is the one that feels natural, repeatable, and pain-free. Tilt should support your swing, not fight it.

Execution is everything. Tilt is a dynamic phase behavior, not a fixed trait. Your swing pattern should evolve with your phase goals — compression, launch, control, or recovery. Coaching should focus on activating tilt, not reshaping your body.

© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf: The Core Ignition Doctrine. All rights reserved.
Chapter 9

Chapter 9 – Lateral Pelvic Tilt Across All Phases

The Asymmetry of Load and Rotation

Definition: Lateral pelvic tilt (LPT) occurs when one side of the pelvis is higher than the other in the frontal plane. In a right-handed golfer, a right lateral tilt means the right hip is higher. This tilt shifts how you load, spiral, and stabilize — it’s a rotational bias, not a flaw.

Used intentionally: LPT preloads the trail side, anchors the spine, and sharpens directional control.

Unmanaged: It causes sway, blocked rotation, and inconsistent contact.

With Anterior Tilt: High potential distance, high apex, but directional drift risk.

With Posterior Tilt: Efficient load, mid-to-low apex, tight directional control.

🟡 Setup Phase

Trail hip slightly higher. Spine leans. Weight favors trail leg.

“Push that low back flat — use your core to push it!”
“Tailbone points to your front.”
“Feel the triangle — heel, big toe, pinky toe.”

🔵 Backswing Phase

Trail hip hikes. Lead hip compresses. Spine side-bends.

“Spiral, don’t collapse.”
“Shorten that core. Tighten that core inward.”
“Scoop that air in front of your core.”
“Let that flexed elbow talk to your core.”

🔴 Downswing Phase

Pelvis stays tilted. Lead hip can’t clear. Club path blocked.

“Lead hip up, trail hip down.”
“Grind that core in and stay strong!”
“Zip the belly. Lift from the base. Hollow the ribs.”
“Rotate with that spine — but be steady. Don’t hurt your back. Use your core!”

🟣 Impact Phase

Pelvis still tilted. Spine off-center. Contact thin or blocked.

“Brace the lead hip. Compress the core.”
“Feel that core in — and never let it go.”
“Trust your core in. You better trust that core in!”
“Feel the weight of your flexed elbow.”

🟢 Follow-Through Phase

Residual tilt. Spine decompresses unevenly. Finish tight.

“Spiral and settle.”
“Push the upper core inward. Rotate from the base.”
“Don’t break it… stay strong on your core. Hold it in!”

🎯 On-the-Spot Scenario

You see a player with a high trail hip. Spine leans. Backswing collapses. Downswing blocks. Shot drifts right.

“You’re stuck in lateral tilt. Lead hip up, trail hip down. Rotate through the core — not around the lean.”
“Grind that core in and stay strong!”
“Feel the weight of your flexed elbow.”
“Trust your core in. You better trust that core in!”

📊 Tilt Combo Effects

Tilt Combo Swing Effect
LPT + APT High distance, high apex, directional drift risk
LPT + PPT Efficient load, mid-to-low apex, tight direction
No LPT Low power, inconsistent apex, unstable direction
© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf — The Phase Doctrine of Core Ignition.
Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Hyperstryk Battery Test — Golf Core Phase Ignition

Swing Impact Line: Your true ignition will be exposed.

This test series exists to expose the truth of your core. Not your effort. Not your intention. Your biomechanical reality.

You will be tested across ten modules that challenge your ability to control tilt, retain brace, and synchronize decompression across swing phases. Each test activates the Hyperstryk Golf RMI device (except where noted), and your performance is scored with precision.

After testing, you will receive a total score from 0 to 24. This score places you in one of four biomechanical tiers: Rehab, Intermediate, Amateur, or PRO. Your score reveals your weaknesses and strengths — whether your brace is unstable, your decompression leaks, or your tilt transitions are cinematic. Based on your tier, you will receive targeted advice to rebuild, reinforce, or elevate your performance.

Test Name What It Tests / Trains Core + Trunk Focus Swing Relevance Device Use Scoring
Hyperstryk Core Tilt Test Abrupt posterior tilt with core ignition Core-first sequencing, brace visibility, trunk alignment Validates setup-phase ignition and brace control — compression to decompression ✅ Yes 0 to 3
Hyperstryk Arch Tilt Test Controlled arching and decompression tilt Trunk extension, decompression control, brace symmetry Validates arch-phase control and decompression to compression timing ✅ Yes 0 to 3
Hyperstryk Single Side Tilt Endurance Static tilt endurance and spinal control Core brace under asymmetrical load, oblique endurance Simulates rotational brace and transition control ❌ No 0 to 3 reps
© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf — The Phase Doctrine of Core Ignition.
Chapter 10

10.2 Test Table: Part 2

This section continues the Hyperstryk Battery Test lineup, focusing on proprioception, flexibility, and setup-phase swing control.

Test Name What It Tests / Trains Core + Trunk Focus Swing Relevance Device Use Scoring
Hyperstryk Blindfolded Swing Stability Test Neuromotor control and finish phase tilt Core sequencing, brace retention, tilt recovery Tests full swing sequencing and proprioception ✅ Yes 1 rep
Hyperstryk Flexibility Dynamics Tilt Screen Glute core synergy and decompression Core engagement, decompression control, trunk symmetry Reveals tightness and compensation across all swing phases ✅ Yes 10-second hold
Hyperstryk Elite Impact Test Series 1 Setup Phase Tilt control from setup to backswing Core ignition, pelvic timing, brace visibility Validates setup-phase mechanics ✅ Yes 3 2 1 0
© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf — The Phase Doctrine of Core Ignition.
Chapter 10

10.3 Test Table:Part 3

This final section completes the Hyperstryk Battery Test with swing-phase validation and elite decompression endurance.

Test Name What It Tests / Trains Core + Trunk Focus Swing Relevance Device Use Scoring
Hyperstryk Elite Impact Test Series 2 Downswing Phase Transition to impact with device-triggered stop Core integrity at impact, tilt retention, decompression Validates swing-phase control ✅ Yes 3 2 1 0
Hyperstryk Elite Impact Test Series 3 Follow Through Phase End impact to follow through with device activation Core brace, gluteal activation, decompression timing Validates finish-phase control ✅ Yes 3 2 1 0
Hyperstryk Impact Test Full Swing Real-time swing-phase tilt validation Core ignition, tilt timing, trunk sequencing Confirms biomechanical truth under full swing ✅ Yes 3 2 1 0
Hyperstryk Infinity Test Continuous explosive activation for 10 seconds Explosive core control, decompression durability Validates elite-level tilt power and endurance ✅ Yes 1 or 0
© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf — The Phase Doctrine of Core Ignition.
Chapter 10

10.4 Hyperstryk Battery Test — Scoring Classification

Swing Impact Line: Your score is your biomechanical truth.

After completing all ten tests, your total score (0–24) places you in a biomechanical tier. This tier reflects your core phase control, tilt synchrony, and brace integrity across decompression and compression transitions.

Score Range Tier Biomechanical Meaning
0–10 Rehab / Developmental Athlete lacks foundational tilt control. Brace is inconsistent, decompression leaks, and core activation is delayed. Requires corrective training and neuromotor reprogramming before swing-phase diagnostics.
11–15 Intermediate Partial control. Brace is visible but unstable under load. Tilt timing is inconsistent across phases. Benefits from endurance drills and decompression training.
16–19 Amateur Functional tilt control with visible brace and decompression timing. Minor leaks may occur under dynamic load. Eligible for full swing diagnostics and Elite Impact Series.
20–24 PRO Elite-level synchrony, explosive brace retention, and decompression clarity across all phases. Device activation is instant. Eligible for Hyperstryk certification and trainer onboarding.
© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf — The Phase Doctrine of Core Ignition.
Chapter 10

10.5 Hyperstryk Battery Test: Post-Test Advisory Grid

Swing Impact Line: Your score reveals your next move. Your next move builds your legacy.

After completing the full Hyperstryk Battery Test, your score places you in one of four biomechanical tiers. Each tier comes with a prescribed training focus — combining flexibility, strengthening, and neuromotor refinement to restore or elevate your tilt control.

Score Range Tier Training Focus Prescribed Actions
0–10 Rehab / Developmental Flexibility first, then brace awareness Begin with decompression flexibility drills: glute release, trunk symmetry, breath-led decompression holds. Progress to brace visibility work: mirror-based posterior tilt drills, supine arch decompression, and slow cue stack rehearsals. Avoid swing-phase training. Focus on setup-phase clarity and neuromotor reset.
11–15 Intermediate Brace strengthening and decompression timing Introduce device-triggered brace reps, oblique endurance drills, and controlled decompression-release cycles. Use mirror and video feedback to refine brace symmetry. Begin limited swing-phase testing with cue stack layering. Flexibility work continues alongside strengthening: glute decompression, trunk extension, and breath control.
16–19 Amateur Phase-specific strengthening and tilt retention Begin Elite Impact Series and Infinity Test prep. Focus on explosive brace retention, decompression timing, and tilt transitions under load. Strengthen with loaded oblique reps, rotational brace drills, and core decompression under tempo stress. Flexibility drills shift to dynamic decompression and glute-core synergy.
20–24 PRO Elite cue stack layering and cinematic decompression control Maintain elite-level brace retention with explosive decompression drills, continuous tilt transitions, and full swing-phase diagnostics. Begin trainer onboarding, legacy-grade cue stack deployment, and Hyperstryk certification prep. Flexibility drills become performance-grade decompression holds, and strengthening shifts to tempo-controlled brace endurance.

This grid is your post-test compass. It tells you where you are — and exactly how to move forward. Every drill, every cue, every decompression breath is now part of your legacy path.

© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf — The Phase Doctrine of Core Ignition.
Chapter 12

Chapter 11: Why Hip Dominance Is a Bad Idea

The Biomechanical Trap: Rotation Without Tilt

In golf, rotation is seductive. It looks powerful. It feels dynamic. But when rotation is prioritized without tilt, the body compensates. And those compensations are costly.

Lumbar strain: Spinal twisting without pelvic control compresses the lower back and increases shear forces.

Pelvic drift: Without posterior tilt anchoring the pelvis, it slides or escapes during transition and breaks the kinetic chain.

Sequencing errors: Rotation without tilt causes premature hip release, delayed shoulder fire, and blocked follow-through.

Golfers often say, “I’m rotating,” but they’re rotating from the wrong place. The spine, not the pelvis.

Kinesiology Breakdown: What’s Really Happening

Movement Phase Tilt Role Rotation Risk Without Tilt
Setup Posterior tilt stabilizes lumbar spine Overarched spine and sway risk
Takeaway Neutral tilt maintains pelvic position Early hip slide
Transition Posterior tilt loads glutes and obliques Lumbar twist and loss of coil
Impact Anterior tilt releases stored torque Pelvic escape and blocked release
Follow-through Controlled tilt preserves spinal alignment Hyperextension and sacroiliac strain

“Tilt is the gatekeeper. Rotation is the guest.”

© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf — The Phase Doctrine of Core Ignition. All rights reserved.
xvii

Stability

Spine twists to compensate for early hip fire. Core disengages, increasing sway and injury risk.

Apex

Launch angles become erratic due to misaligned rotation. Club path steepens or flattens unpredictably.

Distance

Shorter carry and rollout from inefficient energy transfer. Early extension and blocked release reduce output.

When to Use Hip Rotation and When Not To

Use hip rotation when:
Tilt is already locked and stable. Ground force is engaged through the posterior chain. Rotation follows tilt and brace in proper sequence.

Avoid hip rotation when:
Setup lacks pelvic control. Transition feels rushed or disconnected. Spine is twisting to create rotation.

Doctrine Cues

“They keep telling me to rotate. But every time I do, my spine twists and my pelvis escapes.”

“I know I’m rotating. I know I’m loaded. But I can’t feel where the force is coming from or where it’s leaking.”

“Point your tailbone towards the front.”

“Your core must go in at all times. Never let your core go. The more force, the more core in.”

© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf — The Phase Doctrine of Core Ignition. All rights reserved.
xiii-a

Chapter 13: Transversus Abdominis vs Iliopsoas

TVA vs Iliopsoas Visual 1

“I activate my core. I feel strong. But I still lose control mid-swing, and I don’t know which muscle’s failing.”

The Tilt Control Conflict

Golfers often brace hard and feel loaded. Yet mid-swing, something slips. The pelvis escapes. The spine twists. The shot leaks.

The problem isn’t effort. It’s direction. Two deep muscles are fighting for control:

Transversus Abdominis (TVA)
Wraps around the waist like a corset
Supports posterior tilt, flattens the lumbar spine, and locks the base

Iliopsoas
Connects spine to femur
Drives anterior tilt, arches the lower back, and pulls the pelvis forward

They’re both powerful. But when one dominates the other at the wrong time, tilt control collapses — even when the core feels “on.”

Real Golf Situations Where This Shows Up

TVA vs Iliopsoas Visual 2

The Strong Setup, Weak Transition Golfer

Braces hard at address. TVA is firing.
But during transition, the iliopsoas yanks the pelvis forward.
Result: Pelvic escape, lumbar twist, blocked release

The Over-Extended Finish Golfer

Fires hips aggressively through impact.
Iliopsoas dominates. TVA disengages.
Result: Hyperextension, sacroiliac strain, and loss of balance

© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf — The Phase Doctrine of Core Ignition. All rights reserved.
xvii

15.1 Case 1: Setup to Backswing Phase — Rotational Breakdown

You’re watching a mid-handicap golfer preparing for a backswing. He looks focused. Balanced. But something’s off. The setup is braced — maybe too braced.

As he begins the backswing, the pelvis locks. The spine stiffens. The ribcage flares. Rotation collapses inward.

The core isn’t spiraling. The obliques are passive. The TVA is braced but not breathing. The glutes are tight but not anchoring. The spine side bends early — not from rotation, but from compensation.

The backswing stalls. The trail elbow disconnects. The club floats behind the body. You see effort. But not sequence.

Breakdown Summary

  • Pelvis locked in posterior tilt with no dynamic shift
  • Ribcage flared while obliques remain disengaged
  • TVA braced but not spiraling
  • Glutes tight but not anchoring
  • Spine side bent instead of rotated
  • Trail elbow disconnected and club path delayed
Chapter 13B

The Power Leak Golfer

Feels loaded at the top.
But the pelvis slides instead of releasing torque.
TVA didn’t hold. Iliopsoas pulled early.
Result: Short carry, low apex, and frustration

The Blocked Follow-Through Golfer

TVA over-braced. Pelvis couldn’t release.
Rotation gets stuck. Clubface stays closed.
Result: Pulls, hooks, and a tight finish

Phase-by-Phase Muscle Roles

Swing Phase TVA Role Iliopsoas Role
Setup Flatten lumbar spine, lock pelvis Stay quiet
Takeaway Hold brace, resist sway Passive stretch
Transition Absorb force, keep pelvis stable Controlled anterior pull
Impact Maintain brace, release torque Assist club acceleration
Follow-through Protect spine during deceleration Extend hips and finish clean
© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf — The Phase Doctrine of Core Ignition. All rights reserved.
xvii

15.2 Case 2: Downswing Phase — Rotational Breakdown

You’re watching a mid-handicap golfer on the range. He’s working on speed, trying to “rip it” through impact. The backswing looks decent. But as he transitions, something goes wrong.

You notice the pelvis dumps forward. His spine arches. The core doesn’t fire until after the club is already accelerating. It’s reactive, not feedforward. The glutes are late. The TVA didn’t preload. The obliques are silent.

The clubface lags behind. Then flips. The wrists overwork. The elbows tighten. You see the tension — not in the swing, but in the compensation.

❌ Breakdown Summary

  • 🔘 Pelvis shifted into anterior tilt. Tailbone pointed backward
  • 🔘 Lower back arched. Core pushed outward instead of inward
  • 🔘 Glutes disengaged. No anchor, no base
  • 🔘 TVA fired late. No preload, no brace
  • 🔘 Swing became chaotic. Reactive instead of sequenced

🔥 Cue Integration

  • 🔘 “Tailbone points to your front.” → Not present
  • 🔘 “Push that low back flat — use your core to push it!” → Missed
  • 🔘 “Hold a credit card between your cheeks. Don’t crush it.” → Glutes were off
  • 🔘 “Push that core inward down. Feel its weight on the ground.” → Core was leaking outward
  • 🔘 “If the core doesn’t fire, the wrists will.” → Confirmed

🧠 Coach’s Eye Cue

He’s rotating without a base. That’s why the clubface is unstable and the wrists are absorbing the blast.

🛠 Intervention

  • 🔘 Cue TVA preload: “Shorten that core. Tighten that core inward.”
  • 🔘 Cue glute ignition: “Hold that credit card. Anchor the pelvis.”
  • 🔘 Cue oblique spiral: “Stack the ribs over the pelvis. Scoop the air in front of your core.”

The next swing? Cleaner. More sequenced. Less survival. More control.

© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf — The Phase Doctrine of Core Ignition. All rights reserved.
xvii

15.3 Case 3: Follow-Through Phase — Recovery Failure

Same golfer. He finally makes decent contact. Ball flight is solid. But watch the finish.

His lumbar spine collapses backward. The pelvis doesn’t re-center. He decelerates with no core control. The TVA is off. The glutes are done. He’s standing tall. But his spine is screaming.

You ask: “How’s your low back feeling?”
He says: “Tight. Always after I hit a few.”

❌ Breakdown Summary

  • 🔘 No posterior tilt recovery. Pelvis stayed loose
  • 🔘 Core disengaged. Belly pushed outward, ribs flared
  • 🔘 Glutes failed to re-engage. No deceleration brakes
  • 🔘 Spine collapsed into hyperextension. Compensation through wrists and elbows

🔥 Cue Integration

  • 🔘 “Brace from below like you’re stopping a stream.” → Not present
  • 🔘 “Core in. Feel the weight of your lower ribs.” → Missed
  • 🔘 “Don’t break it… stay strong on your core. Hold it in.” → Core collapsed post-impact
  • 🔘 “Deceleration is a muscular skill. Not a passive collapse.” → Confirmed

🧠 Coach’s Eye Cue

He’s finishing with collapse, not control. The swing ends. But the damage begins.

🛠 Intervention

  • 🔘 Cue TVA and oblique contraction: “Grind that core in and stay strong.”
  • 🔘 Cue gluteal re-engagement: “Hold the credit card. Even in the finish.”
  • 🔘 Cue pelvic re-centering: “Tuck the tailbone like you’re hiding it. Flatten the back.”

The next swing? He finishes lower. More stable. Less pain.

© 2025 Neil Alvarez. Tilt Golf — The Phase Doctrine of Core Ignition. All rights reserved.
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