Kinematic sequence and time lag for pitch and lob shots in female pro-golfers

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine the differences in the kinematic sequence and time lag of body segments for shots (pitch and lob shots) at different distances (20 and 30 m) around the green. Ten skilled female golfers participated voluntarily. A repeated-measures one-way analysis of variance was performed to assess the effect of the peak angular velocity of the shots (20-m pitch, 30-m pitch, 20-m lob, and 30-m lob shots) on the segments and the effect of the peak angular velocity and time lag of the body segments (pelvis, thorax, upper arm, forearm, and hand) on the shots. All shots taken revealed a summation effect of velocity from proximal to distal body segments, regardless of the shot type (pitch or lob shot) or distance (20 or 30 m). The peak angular velocity of the body segments demonstrated that the velocities associated with the 30-m shots were significantly higher than those associated with the 20-m shots, and the velocities associated with lob shots were significantly higher than those associated with pitch shots, irrespective of the shot distance. This study provided additional insight into the mechanism for improving performances in the shots around the green.