A Comparison of Swing Kinematics in Male and Female Skilled Golfers

Abstract

The full golf swing involves a complex pattern of trunk movement thought to be important in generating power. The three-dimensional kinematics of the trunk, however, have not been fully described. In particular, it is unknown whether gender differences exist in the dynamics and coordination of the thorax and the pelvis during the swings of skilled golfers. The aims of this project were to examine the movement patterns of the thorax and the pelvis during the full swing of male and female skilled golfers, as well as investigate the effects of an endurance based practice putting task on full swing kinematics. New insights into the swing kinematics of skilled golfers Linear displacement, angular displacement, and angular velocity magnitudes were significantly different between the thorax and pelvis segments of skilled golfers. However, despite the magnitude-based differences, profiles of three-dimensional displacement and velocity were similar amongst skilled golfers. The most notable difference between segments was the higher overall contribution of lateral tilt velocity to the motion of the thorax compared to that of the pelvis. Results from this project also revealed that skilled golfers were able to perform the motion of the golf swing with low levels of movement variability. Over repeated swings, variability of thorax and pelvis motion was low. Hand and club motion variability was also low, particularly at the point of ball contact. Lower levels of movement variability at ball contact compared to the preceding phases of the swing suggest that kinematic variability is influenced more by the accuracy demands in the final phases, rather than the initial phases where generating power is more of a priority.