Analysing the Accuracy of Elite Amateur Golf Players during a Pre-tournament Wedge Test

Matěj Brožka,Tomáš Gryc,Milan Kotrba,František Zahálka

doi:10.2174/1875399x02114010086

Abstract

Background: Previous studies identified a medium/strong relationship between the accuracy of wedge play and performance of professional golf players. However, there is a lack of research studies investigating which distance in wedge play has the strongest relationship to performance. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the accuracy with wedges of elite amateur golfers and find out the relationship between accuracy from different distances and short and long-term performance. Methods: Ten elite golf players assessed accuracy across distances (45 – 85 m) with Trackman in a pre-tournament wedge test and afterward attended a three-round tournament. Results: Percentage error rate decreases (19.0% to 8.4%) with increasing distance, in addition, a significant difference in percentage error rate between 45 m distance and 85 m distance (p = 0.02) significant relation between percentage error rate and short term/long term performance indicators at 45 and 55 m. Conclusion: Distance control was significantly more difficult (more variable) than direction control with wedges. Significant difference between distances indicates greater difficulty in controlling distance over shorter distances played with wedges. Results show higher importance of accuracy with wedges on performance in shorter (45 and 55 m) versus longer (65, 75 and 85 m) distances. Players performed the stroke more consistently in terms of controlling key impact factors at longer distances, especially in regards to the club head speed, which, together with the ball speed, is the main determinant of the carry distance.

Highlights

Wedges are usually played from a distance of less than 90 m
The ball flight trajectory in the horizontal plane is most affected by the spin axis, which is determined by the angle difference between the face angle, and the club path
This study indicates the importance of short game distance control to the performance of amateur golfers and mirrors the findings of similar studies in professional golf [2, 6]

Summary

Introduction

Wedges are usually played from a distance of less than 90 m. Accuracy of wedge play depends on direction and distance control of the ball flight and ball roll on the target surface. Direction control depends on the ball flight trajectory (curve) and the launch direction (initial direction the ball starts relative to the target line). The ball flight trajectory in the horizontal plane is most affected by the spin axis (the tilt angle relative to the horizon of the golf ball’s resulting rotational axis immediately after separation from the club face), which is determined by the angle difference between the face angle (the direction the club face aim relative to the target line at impact), and the club path (the direction the club head moves relative to the target line at impact). Previous studies identified a medium/strong relationship between the accuracy of wedge play and performance of professional golf players. There is a lack of research studies investigating which distance in wedge play has the strongest relationship to performance

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion