Abstract
A successful golf shot involves a coordinated set of segmental movements leading to a precise movement direction and orientation of the clubface at impact with the ball. This study measured the movement path and speed of the clubhead as well as clubface orientation and impact location during the golf swing. In addition, changes in clubhead speed and clubface orientation resulting from impact were investigated. A group of 28 golfers with handicaps ranging from 0 to 36 each hit 14 shots with a driver and 5-iron in a controlled laboratory hitting station while standing on turf. Three dimensional video analysis techniques were used to measure the precise movement and orientation of the clubface before, at, and after impact with the ball. At impact, a wide range of values were found for measures of clubface loft, open/closed, and tilt angles, for the direction and speed of movement of the clubhead, and for ball impact location on the clubface. Speed decreased substantially because of impact, and the clubface loft and open/closed angles changed in a manner determined by impact location. An average oblique axis was determined on the clubface that minimized the changes in loft and open/closed angles. This axis was roughly parallel to the shaft orientation and is likely to be related to a `sweetspot' near the centre of the club for optimal impact.
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