Biomechanical Evaluation of Dynamic Balance Control Ability During Golf Swing

Abstract

Balance ability seems to be significantly correlated with golfing skill. However, it is unclear whether dynamic balance control has a direct influence on golf swing performance. In this study, the effects of a golfer’s skill level on the observed dynamic balance control ability during the golf swing were evaluated. Fifty participants were divided into three groups (professional, advanced, and novice) based on their official handicap scores. Six infrared cameras and two force platforms were used to determine dynamic alterations of the center of mass (COM) and center of pressure (COP). The peak-to-peak displacement and velocity of the COM and COP in the professional golfers were generally lower than those of the other golfers. However, the professional golfers displayed significantly greater COM displacement than that of the advanced amateur golfers in the lead/trail direction (p < 0.01). This does not directly imply deterioration of the dynamic balance ability since the COM-COP separation decreased as the skill level of the golfers increased. The professional golfers had superior dynamic balance ability, achieved by controlling the COP excursion to compensate for the increased variation of COM, leading to a more stable swing mechanism than that of the amateur golfers. This study provides quantitative information for the evaluation of dynamic balance control during the golf swing.