Numerical Analysis of Golf Swing using Hilbert-Huang Transformation

Abstract

Golf swing analysis is mainly performed using a high-speed camera and a device called a Trackman. Trackman can collect club data, ball data, putting data, etc., and the high-speed camera can record images at 6000 Hz. However, these devices are quite expensive and difficult to introduce to the general golfer. This research adopts an inexpensive inertial motion capture, Perception Neuron 2.0, to numerically capture motion and identify the differences between motions that result in straight and slice ballistics. In general, the left half of the body opening, and the head up are known to cause a slice ballistic of the golf ball. In this research, the analysis focuses on the front left half body and the head motion. The captured golf swing motion data is then processed by Hilbert-Huang Transform to calculate their instantaneous frequency and instantaneous amplitude. The result of the research found differences at the moment of impact of the golf swing at low frequencies. The amplitude of the straight ballistic motion of the head and the left shoulder increases at the moment of impact of the swing. On the other hand, the amplitude of the slice ballistic motion of the head and the left shoulder increases before impact. These results indicate that the slice ballistic motion is causes by an opening of the left half of the body and head-up from a biomechanical viewpoint.