Biomechanical correlates of club-head velocity during the golf swing

Abstract

Golfers are able to attain a competitive advantage when they are able to achieve long hitting distances from the tee. Club-head velocity is perhaps the most commonly reported kinematic variable in the golfing scientific literature. This study aimed to identify 3-D kinematic aspects of the golf swing linked to the generation of club-head velocity using regression analyses. Maximal golf swings were obtained from fifty golfers using an eight camera motion capture system operating at 500 Hz. Full body three-dimensional kinematics were obtained. Multiple regression modelling was used to identify the discrete 3-D kinematic parameters associated with the development of club-head velocity. Two biomechanical parameters; sagittal plane wrist velocity and peak transverse plane torso rotation (Adj R2=0.58, p≤0.01) were obtained as significant predictors of club-head velocity. The findings from this study therefore suggest these parameters are the strongest contributors to ball velocity and potentially overall driving performance. It is conceivable based on these observations, that golfers may benefit from exposure to coaching and conditioning techniques geared towards the improvement of these parameters in order to improve their driving distance.