Abstract
ABSTRACTThe trajectory of the clubhead close to ball impact during the golf swing has previously been shown to be planar. However, the relationship between the plane orientation and the orientation characteristics of the clubhead at ball impact has yet to be defined. Fifty-two male golfers (27 high skilled, 25 intermediate skilled) hit 40 drives each in an indoor biomechanics laboratory. This study successfully fitted the trajectory of the clubhead near impact to an ellipse for each swing for players of different skill levels to help better explain this relationship. Additionally, the eccentricities of the ellipses were investigated for links to skill level. The trajectory of the clubhead was found to fit to an ellipse with RMSE of 1.2 mm. The eccentricity of the ellipse was found to be greater in the high-skilled golfers. The club path and angle of attack generated from the ellipse fitted clubhead trajectory were found to have a normalised bias-corrected RMSE of 2% and 3%, respectively. A set of “rule of thumb” values for the relationship between the club path, angle of attack and delivery plane angle was generated for use by coaches.
Highlights
Analysis of golf swing technique promoted by the Professional Golfers Associations (PGA)of the UK and USA appears to broadly follow a deterministic model (PGA, 2012; Wiren, 1991)
As the present study investigated the shape of the clubhead trajectory, a collision that occurs during the delivery phase may have had an impact on the ellipse and plane fitting
The fit of the clubhead trajectory to the ellipse was found to have a mean Root mean square error (RMSE) of 1.2 mm
Summary
Of the UK and USA appears to broadly follow a deterministic model (PGA, 2012; Wiren, 1991). They suggest that changes should only be made to the swing technique if it has a direct influence on the impact characteristics of the golf shot, and, the flight and outcome of the shot. The relationships between ball launch variables and clubhead impact characteristics have been identified and give validity to this model The majority of this research is directed primarily at clubhead speed as an outcome variable, with very little research aimed at specific impact characteristics such as the club path and angle of attack (Keogh & Hume, 2012). One element of swing technique thought to have an influence on the club path at impact is swing plane (PGA, 2012; Wiren, 1991). Jenkins (2007) dates the concept back to the turn of
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