Swing Tempo And Lateral And Anterior/posterior Weight Shift Comparisons In Golfers Grouped By Skill Level

Abstract

PURPOSE The importance of proper weight shift and tempo during the golf swing is frequently addressed in articles published in popular magazines and books with little supportive scientic data. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare center of gravity (CG) movement and swing tempo among college golfers with selected skill levels while using three separate clubs. METHODS Methods: Twenty-eight college-aged athletes who had qualified for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) National Tournament in 2003 volunteered for the study and were grouped based on their average competitive golf scores for the previous season (Range = 70–75): Group 1 = 70–71 (n=9), Group 2 = 72–73 (n=7), Group 3 = 74–75 (n=12). Following warm-up ad libitum, subjects performed five swings each with a pitching wedge (PW), 5-iron (51), and driver (DR) in random order in a laboratory environment. For each swing a specialized force platform recorded movement patterns of the golfers' CG on a reference quadrant providing both visual and digital data of lateral deviation (Dx) and anterior/posterior deviation (Dy) from the origin. Swing tempo was recorded from the onset of the approach (reverse in lateral shift) to ball contact. Statistical analyses included ANOVA and Levene's test of homogeneity. RESULTS Results: Results indicated that mean Dx was significantly greater for DR than the other clubs and for Group 1, mean Dx was significantly greater than for Groups 2 and 3. Also, Group 1 recorded significantly greater consistency (less variance) in Dx movement than Groups 2 and 3. No differences in either weight shift means or variance were found for Dy deviation among the groups. Swing tempo was significantly longer and swing tempo consistency was significantly greater for Group 1 in comparison to Groups 2 and 3. CONCLUSIONS Conclusions: These data indicate that success in the game of golf may be more dependent on individual consistency rather than individual differences in weight shift and swing tempo.