Small changes in ball position at address cause a chain effect in golf swing

Sung Eun Kim,Sae Yong Lee,Jangyun Lee,Hae-Dong Lee,Jae Kun Shim,Sung-Cheol Lee

doi:10.1038/s41598-020-79091-7

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate how the ball position along the mediolateral (M-L) direction of a golfer causes a chain effect in the ground reaction force, body segment and joint angles, and whole-body centre of mass during the golf swing. Twenty professional golfers were asked to complete five straight shots for each 5 different ball positions along M-L: 4.27 cm (ball diameter), 2.14 cm (ball radius), 0 cm (reference position at preferred ball position), – 2.14 cm, and – 4.27 cm, while their ground reaction force and body segment motions were captured. The dependant variables were calculated at 14 swing events from address to impact, and the differences between the ball positions were evaluated using Statistical Parametric Mapping. The left-sided ball positions at address showed a greater weight distribution on the left foot with a more open shoulder angle compared to the reference ball position, whereas the trend was reversed for the right-sided ball positions. These trends disappeared during the backswing and reappeared during the downswing. The whole-body centre of mass was also located towards the target for the left-sided ball positions throughout the golf swing compared to the reference ball position, whereas the trend was reversed for the right-sided ball positions. We have concluded that initial ball position at address can cause a series of chain effects throughout the golf swing.

Highlights

IntroductionAny compensatory movement or counterbalances in the golf swing were results of poor posture’[19]
Could have detrimental effects on the remainder of the swing
Our study examines the influence of the M-L ball position on the kinetic and kinematic variables considered to be critical in golf swing mechanism, such as ground reaction force (GRF), centre of pressure (COP), body segment and joint angles, and whole-body centre of mass (COM), during s wing[1,25]

Summary

Introduction

Any compensatory movement or counterbalances in the golf swing were results of poor posture’[19] These coaches clearly understand that there is a chain effect in golf swing, which is influenced by the initial state at address. Kim et al.[20] studied the effect of the ball position along the mediolateral (M-L) direction, and found that the left-sided ball position causes open shoulder alignment at address as well as changes in club-head movement at impact. Zhang et al found that the variability of the M-L ball position is related to the variability of the ball launch angle after impact[22] These studies have revealed the importance of the ball position regarding the initial setup and final outcomes of golf swing, our knowledge on the influence of M-L ball position on the golfer’s movements during the course of golf swing is largely limited.

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Discussion

Conclusion