Matching Golfers’ Movement Patterns during a Golf Swing

Aimée Mears,Stephanie Forrester,Jonathan Roberts

doi:10.3390/app8122452

Abstract

The golf swing is a multidimensional movement requiring alternative data analysis methods to interpret non-linear relationships in biomechanics data related to golf shot outcomes. The purpose of this study was to use a combined principal component analysis (PCA), fuzzy coding, and multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) data analysis approach to visualise associations within key biomechanics movement patterns and impact parameters in a group of low handicap golfers. Biomechanics data was captured and analysed for 22 golfers when hitting shots with their own driver. Relationships between biomechanics variables were firstly achieved by quantifying principal components, followed by fuzzy coding and finally MCA. Clubhead velocity and ball velocity were included as supplementary data in MCA. A total of 35.9% of inertia was explained by the first factor plane of MCA. Dimension one and two, and subsequent visualisation of MCA results, showed a separation of golfers’ biomechanics (i.e., swing techniques). The MCA plot can be used to simply and quickly identify movement patterns of a group of similar handicap golfers if supported with appropriate descriptive interpretation of the data. This technique also has the potential to highlight mismatched golfer biomechanics variables which could be contributing to weaker impact parameters.

Highlights

The golf swing is a whole-body multidimensional movement requiring the interaction between golfer and club to strike the golf ball a certain distance and direction towards a target
Biomechanical interpretation of principal components (PCs) and description of golfers with positive or negative PC scores largely related to an offset, timing, rate of change and range in a given variable (Table 1)
The purpose of this study was to visualise the relationships between key movement patterns in thorax and pelvis axial rotation, centre of pressure and centre of gravity and clubhead–ball impact parameters in a group of low handicap golfers using multiple correspondence analysis

Summary

Introduction

The golf swing is a whole-body multidimensional movement requiring the interaction between golfer and club to strike the golf ball a certain distance and direction towards a target. Golf biomechanics studies strive to explain differences in clubhead–ball impact parameters, which determine shot distance and direction, based on the analysis of golfers movement patterns [1]. Show inter-individual differences in their movement patterns even for similar clubhead–ball impact parameters [2]. The recommendation for future studies is that data analysis methods must provide interpretation and understanding of this individualized, multidimensional movement [3]. A key stage of biomechanics analysis is to describe the salient patterns of a sporting movement [4] Analysis methods that can provide this type of interpretation are of interest to include in analysis systems aimed at providing quantitative feedback to coaches about the golfer’s technique which help inform personalised coaching interventions for performance enhancement or injury prevention.

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Conclusion