The golf swing is a motion that involves almost the complete muscle structure of the body. The movements made are in a number of directions and at great speed. These conditions dictate that any restrictions on the muscle structure help determine the swing shape and how it is performed.

There are internal restrictions that come from the body itself in the form of injury or physical conditioning. The external restrictions are provided by our clothing and the weather.

In winning the inaugural PGA Championship in 1916, Jim Barnes not only overcame the heat, rain and wind, but his apparel restrictions as well. The clothing required of players of that era consisted of a dual vented jacket, white long sleeve dress shirt, tie and full pleated trousers. The lady golfers of the day were restricted to skirts which came below the knee, full sleeve blouses with high collars and hats with broad brims.

These clothing restrictions forced a swing that kept the arms close to the body, so bent elbows and wrists were used to develop the necessary leverage to drive the golf ball.

The golfers of today find clothing available that accentuates the positive motions of their swing. The shirts and blouses are made with "wick-away" fabrics that stretch in all directions and help keep moisture away from the body. Slacks and shorts are of lightweight micro-fibers that give and breathe for motion and freshness.

These apparel choices allow the player to develop a swing in which their lower body is firmly planting and the upper torso is fully stretched. The arms and shoulders are allowed full rotation so the swing is longer in arc and generates more speed.

The swing today can have motion and speed in all directions without clothing restrictions; the only restrictions are the physical characteristics of the golfers themselves.

Along with being the foremost golf instructors in the field, PGA Professionals are expert merchandisers who know what performance clothing brands are best suited for their golf shop clientele. To find a PGA Professional-staffed golf shop in your area, visit www.PlayGolfAmerica.com and use the zip code search.

Next column we will discuss performance clothing for special playing conditions. Until then, here's to better golf!

Rick Martino is Director of Instruction for The PGA of America. He teaches at the PGA Learning Center in Port St. Lucie, Fla., and is ranked among the Top 50 instructors by Golf Digest Magazine. The author of the PGA Manual of Golf (Warner Books/$34.95), Martino can be reached at (800) 800-GOLF or by email at pgalearningcenter@pgahq.com.