Club Head Research Articles

Do Kinematic Study Assessments Improve Accuracy & Precision in Golf Putting? A Comparison between Elite and Amateur Golfers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

<strong>Introduction:</strong> The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether kinematic assessments help to improve golf putting accuracy and precision, and increase the success rate of golf putts. Specifically, this study also investigated the differences in club head velocity and putter face angle at impact (°) between elite and amateur golfers. <strong>Methods:</strong> A total of 25 articles were used in this review. An initial, broad search of electronic databases including PubMed, SPORT discus, Scopus, Science Direct and Google Scholar was conducted for literature using the keywords “biomechanics” AND “golf putting”. The total number of studies screened for this review was n = 897. Among these articles, only n = 63 were assessed for eligibility. The number of articles were reduced further to n = 25 and included in the qualitative and quantitative synthesis. <strong>Results:</strong> Out of the initial n = 897, n = 834 records were excluded. After the articles were assessed for eligibility, n = 17 articles were excluded for not meeting the inclusion criteria. The studies included demonstrated that kinematic approaches can help improve accuracy and precision of golf putts which help to increase the success rate of putts and reduce overall scoring. Elite golfers have a more accurate direction and face angle when compared to amateur golfers. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that kinematic assessments of face angle at impact, putter path, the vertical spot and backswing are critical determinants of a golfer’s success and are useful indicators to help improve accuracy and precision of golf putts. This study also noted that elite golfers had slightly less velocity but more precise putter face angles at impact which increased their accuracy in completing more successful putts than amateur golfers.

The effect of upper body sprint interval training on golf drive performance

Improving golf fitness is one way to improve club head velocity and subsequently golf performance. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of a three-week upper-body sprint training (SIT) program on power output and golf performance. Eleven golfers (handicap: 5.5±2.8) completed the SIT intervention. This was a self-controlled experiment with three testing points (pre-control, post-control and post-intervention) where subjects completed a ballistic bench press, upper-body Wingate and golf testing session. Significant improvements were observed (13.3-15.5%) in peak and mean power production during the Wingate post-intervention in comparison to pre- and post-control time points (P<0.05). This was replicated in peak power for the ballistic bench press for both peak power (P<0.05), but significance for mean power was only observed between post-control and post-intervention (P<0.05) (improvements of 6.1-8.5%). These improvements were not seen consistently in golf performance variables measured, with no significance identified for the 7-iron and significant improvements (P<0.05) observed in Carry Distance (2.2%) and Ball Velocity (1.4%) between pre-control and post-intervention. Lack of golf performance improvements could be because of the natural variation in club-head velocity across sessions or the inability of subjects to utilise their power gains during the golf swing. Longer SIT interventions may be needed to observe improvements in golf performance.

Organizational pressures among the members of the administrative bodies in terms of the leadership styles of the heads of sports clubs in the Middle Euphrates region

Organizational pressures among the members of the administrative bodies in terms of the leadership styles of the heads of sports clubs in the Middle Euphrates region

Comparison of TrackMan Data between Professional and Amateur Golfers at Swinging to Uphill and Downhill Fairways

Background: Golfers face different environmental conditions in each game played under various constraints. Enhancing affordances through training in a constrained outdoor environment is crucial. Objective: To analyze club head behavior at ball impact of a tee shot by 42 professional (PGs) and 25 amateur (AGs) golfers in swinging to uphill and downhill fairway environments using the TrackMan portable launch monitor. Methods: We used TrackMan to compare golf club movement adaptations in 42 PGs and 25 AGs. A 330-m driving range facing both the uphill (+5°) and downhill (-5°) fairways were used. The tee shot area was the only flat ground surface, with the uneven ground between the shot area and the 200-yard fairway. Results: The clubhead speed and attack angle were significantly higher among PGs than among AGs. PGs could adapt their swings to the uphill fairway by increasing the attack angle (3.6°±2.4) by 3.3° compared with the downhill fairway. The attack angle did not correlate with the launch angle among the AGs in the downhill condition, suggesting that they were unable to control the height of the ball based on the far side of the fairway. Conclusion: PGs increased the attack angle in uphill conditions, and their awareness of the affordance, which was different from that of AGs, allowed them to change the optimal ball trajectory to avoid perceived fairway risks. Thus, the more skill a player had, the better he was at recognizing the affordance of the visual field. PGs demonstrated a better ability to adapt to environmental constraints.

Current State and Prospects of Development of Sports and Health Tourism in Bukovyna

Purpose. Assess the current state and prospects of sports and health tourism in Bukovyna. Methods.Field, surveys, statistics, SWOT-analysis of the state and development of tourism. Results. 156 tourist organizations operate in the region's tourist services market. Of the eleven districts of the region, six sports and health tourism is developing quite rapidly: Vyzhnytskyi, Kitsmanskyi, Novoselytskyi, Putylskyi, Storozhynetskyi and Khotynskyi. In the course of the research, a number of survey questions were developed and a survey of 365 respondents was conducted. Respondents included participants of all types of tourist activities in Bukovyna: tourists who are members of various tourist clubs, participants of spontaneous campaigns, members of spontaneous groups at youth organizations, educational institutions. Employees of the regional tourism department, as well as heads of tourist clubs, their deputies, presidents and members of the presidium of the Chernivtsi regional and city sports tourism federations also took part in the survey. The statistical analysis of the results of the survey on the proposed system of questions showed that respondents agree on the complexity of the situation with the financing and logistics of tourism, including sports and health. The imperfection of the structure and content of professional training, the imperfection of the program, regulatory and legal framework, as well as insufficient attention to this type of tourism by the state and weak promotion. Conclusions. The availability of natural resources in the region, the demand for recreation determine the interest in the widespread development of sports and health tourism in the region, provided the creation of a mechanism to stimulate investment in tourism infrastructure and the appropriate level of information technology.

Manajemen Olahraga di Klub Renang Tirta Kusuma Kabupaten Pati Tahun 2021

ABSTRACT&#x0D; Rizki Burhana Robbi. 2021. Sports Management at the Tirta Kusuma Swimming Club, Pati Regency in 2021. Thesis, Department of Physical Education, Health and Recreation, Faculty of Sports Science, State University of Semarang, Advisor Dr. Tommy Soenyoto, S. Pd., M.d.&#x0D; Keywords: Management, Swimming Sport.&#x0D; Management is process-oriented, which means that management requires human resources, knowledge and skills so that activities are more effective or can result in actions to achieve success. The focus in this problem is how the management at the Tirta Kusuma swimming club, Pati Regency, from planning, organizing, implementing and supervising. The purpose of this study was to determine and analyze the existing management at the Tirta Kusuma swimming club, Pati Regency from planning, organizing, actuating and supervising.&#x0D; This research approach uses qualitative research. The method used is descriptive method. Research instruments include observation, interviews and documentation. The location of the research was carried out at the Joyo Kusumo Pati swimming pool and at the PRSI Regency Government Secretariat Pati Regency. while the targets in this study were club leaders, coaches, athletes, managers and head of the PRSI district Pati.&#x0D; The results showed that the Tirta Kusuma swimming club in Pati Regency had a good plan. The organizing management function already has a systematic management structure that works according to their respective duties. The implementation management function is good in terms of coaching and training programs. The management function of technical supervision and security at the Tirta Kusuma Swimming Club is carried out well by the administrators, coaches, athletes, managers and the PRSI Regency.&#x0D; Based on the results of the data obtained, it can be concluded that the management of the Tirta Kusuma swimming club has been running in accordance with the management function. The suggestion that the author can convey is that the Tirta Kusuma swimming club management should be able to find alternative training sites with a length of 50m to support maximum training. The manager of the Tirta Kusuma swimming club can improve the training system, by dividing each coach into one group. This makes it easier for coaches to focus more on monitoring the progress of their athletes, and makes it easier for athletes to understand the training program provided by the coach.

Analysing the Accuracy of Elite Amateur Golf Players during a Pre-tournament Wedge Test

Background: Previous studies identified a medium/strong relationship between the accuracy of wedge play and performance of professional golf players. However, there is a lack of research studies investigating which distance in wedge play has the strongest relationship to performance. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the accuracy with wedges of elite amateur golfers and find out the relationship between accuracy from different distances and short and long-term performance. Methods: Ten elite golf players assessed accuracy across distances (45 – 85 m) with Trackman in a pre-tournament wedge test and afterward attended a three-round tournament. Results: Percentage error rate decreases (19.0% to 8.4%) with increasing distance, in addition, a significant difference in percentage error rate between 45 m distance and 85 m distance (p = 0.02) significant relation between percentage error rate and short term/long term performance indicators at 45 and 55 m. Conclusion: Distance control was significantly more difficult (more variable) than direction control with wedges. Significant difference between distances indicates greater difficulty in controlling distance over shorter distances played with wedges. Results show higher importance of accuracy with wedges on performance in shorter (45 and 55 m) versus longer (65, 75 and 85 m) distances. Players performed the stroke more consistently in terms of controlling key impact factors at longer distances, especially in regards to the club head speed, which, together with the ball speed, is the main determinant of the carry distance.

Physical Determinants of Golf Swing Performance: Considerations for Youth Golfers

ABSTRACT In the sport of golf, club head speed has been associated with higher skill levels in golfers and lower overall scoring. Research has shown that club head speed is an important measure of golf swing performance that can be enhanced with appropriate strength and conditioning interventions. Understanding the determinants of club head speed can help inform the design of testing batteries for talent identification and talent development of youth golfers. This review aims to highlight the current literature surrounding the biomechanical and physical determinants of golf swing performance and to examine the available tests that can be used to test these determinants in youth golfers.

Proper Use of Latrine and Handwashing Facilities among Primary School Students. A Case of Peripheral Schools in Temeke District

Background: Each year two million students die from diarrheal diseases, making it the second most serious killer of students under the age of five (WHO, 1998). The use of sanitation facilities is known to interrupt the transmission of faeco oral related disease. This study assessed proper use of latrine and handwashing facilities among primary school students as the potential behavior aspect for transmission of microbes. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted involving 307 students and 12 Teachers who are heads of health clubs, making a total of 319 participants. The study was conducted at Mbagala charambe which is found in Temeke Municipal at Mbagala ward in Dar es Salaam region which involved primary schools which were Nzasa, Chemchem, kilamba ,St Mary’s international, Rangi tatu and charambe primary. Observation method, interview and questionnaire methods of data collection were employed. All the data were analyzed by the use of STATA to obtain proportional and percentages whereby they were presented in terms of table, graph and charts. Results: Most of the participants 66% were female and 34 % were male but also almost 51.5% of the schools had soap for hand washing in their latrine. Inhibitors which makes the proper use of latrine being infringe at schools were lack effective water supply as the main inhibitor followed by lack of knowledge and broken of the facilities. No school had fixed HWF. Conclusion: The study shows the need for further improvement of the existing sanitation programs like CLTS and FOLLOW – UP MANDONA to equip with the behavior aspect which will have a potential change on the proper use of latrines and HWF hence will assist most into affecting attitudes hence attain the behavior change maturity. But to have a scaling up U plan for schools which will address various issues such as the crosscutting issue of menstrual hygiene. So it is only the proper use of the latrine which will make student abstain from diarrheagenic or ill health cycle

An assessment of the relationships between ball flight results, impact factors, and golf performance

PurposeThe aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between golf players’ performance, impact factors, and ball flight results with individual clubs when performing a full swing.MethodsThe study involved 9 amateur golfers who performed a full swing test with 4 different clubs (short, middle, long iron, and driver) and then played a tournament round of golf. The players’ performance was assessed by handicap and by game statistics from the tournament. The ball flight results were based on the resulting carry distance and the resulting side deviation from the target line. The impact factors were the initial ball speed, the club head speed, the smash factor, the face angle, the club path, and the face to path. Relationships between the players’ performance, impact factors, and ball flight results were investigated.ResultsA significant relationship was found between the resulting ball flight distance and handicap for long iron (&lt;i&gt;r&lt;/i&gt; = –0.85; &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.01) and driver (&lt;i&gt;r&lt;/i&gt; = –0.9; &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.01). Conversely, the resulting ball flight side deviation from the target line correlated with handicap in short iron (&lt;i&gt;r&lt;/i&gt; = 0.78; &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; = 0.02).ConclusionsBall flight distance of long iron and driver and ball flight side deviation of short iron are key attributes of performance. The results suggest that in order to improve long term performance, players should aim for maximal distance with drivers and long irons (high smash factor) and for maximal accuracy with short irons (low face angle).

An investigation of the effectiveness of vibration-reducing gloves for controlling vibration exposures during grinding handheld workpieces

Prolonged and intensive vibration exposures during the grinding of handheld workpieces may cause hand-arm vibration syndrome. The objectives of this study are to develop an on-the-hand method for evaluating vibration-reducing (VR) gloves, and to determine whether VR gloves can significantly reduce the vibration exposures. A worker holding and pressing a typical workpiece (golf club head) against a grinding wheel or belt in order to shape the workpiece was simulated, and the input vibration and those on the workpiece and hand-arm system were measured. Ten human subjects participated in the experiment. The results demonstrate that VR gloves significantly reduced the vibrations at the palm, hand dorsum, and wrist. The grinding interface condition and hand feed force did not substantially affect glove effectiveness. The use of gloves slightly increased the workpiece resonant response, but the resonant response did not significantly affect glove effectiveness. This study concluded that the use of VR gloves can help control vibration exposures of workers performing grinding of handheld workpieces.

The effects of different types of warm-up exercises on golf performance

Background and objective: Most studies of golf warm-up exercises have focused on the differences between static and dynamic stretching, while relatively few have compared them to post-activation potentiation (PAP) warm-up exercises. The current study aimed to verify the effects of different types of warm-up exercises on golf performance, with the goal of identifying an optimal strategy. Methods: A total of 30 elite golf players in their 20s and 30s were randomly assigned to three different groups of 10 participants each: the dynamic warm-up (DWU) group, the PAP group, and the swing warm-up (SWU) group. Driving distance, six-iron carry, club head speed, ball speed, smash factor, and accuracy were measured before and after each warm-up exercise. Results: Driving distance increased by 2.65% in the DWU group (P &lt; 0.001) and 2.21% in the PAP group (P &lt; 0.01). Carry also significantly increased by 2.30% in the DWU group (P &lt; 0.01) and 2.10% in the PAP group (P &lt; 0.01). The PAP group exhibited a six-iron carry increase of 3.35% (P &lt; 0.001) and a ball speed increase of 1.86% (P &lt; 0.05). In terms of accuracy, the rate of errors decreased by 47.49% in the DWU group (P &lt; 0.01). Conclusion: Among the golf-specific warm-up exercises investigated, DWU was identified as the most efficient exercise for improving total distance and accuracy. Such improvements can be attributed to increased mobility, as well as enhancements in swing size and the efficiency of the neuromuscular system. Thus, our results suggest that golf players should perform DWU exercises to improve their golf performance.

Organization, Methods and Analysis of Research and Experimental Work to Determine the Level of Professional Development of Heads of Physics-Mathematics Clubs of Out-of-School Education

The article presents the results of pedagogical research aimed at improving the level of professional development of heads of physics-mathematics clubs of out-of-school education institutions in the system of postgraduate education by introducing separate pedagogical conditions and a structural-functional model. A qualitative analysis of the obtained results with a positive conclusion on the effectiveness of certain pedagogical conditions and the author’s structural and functional model was carried out. The proposed classification of levels of professional development of the head of physics and maths club of out-of-school education institutions in the system of postgraduate education contains four levels: basic, heuristic, and innovative. Based on quantitative and qualitative indicators the comparative analysis of the received intermediate and final results of the pedagogical experiment was carried out. The reliability of the research results was ensured by using statistical methods of processing the results of research work. The analysis of the results of the experiment in control and experimental groups indicates the effectiveness of introduction into the process of professional development of heads of physics and mathematics circles of out-of-school educational institutions scientifically substantiated pedagogical conditions and the structural-functional model that presupposes the usage of specially-oriented educational and methodical complex (programs of elective courses, methodical manuals and programs for the organization of self-educational activity).

The effects of post activation potentiation warm-up and pre-shot routine programs on driving performance in amateur golfers

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of three different programs, i.e. active dynamic warm-up program plus functional resistance warm-up using Theraband plus pre-shot routine program (AFPR); pre-shot routine program (PR); and active dynamic warm-up program plus functional resistance warm-up using Theraband (AF) on driver club head speed, driving distance, and driving accuracy in the amateur golfers. Fifteen amateur golfers with an average age of 19.67 ± 0.89 years and 4.87 ± 1.77 points of average handicap were assigned to participate in either AFPR, PR or AF program. All participants in the three programs practiced three sessions on non-consecutive days per week during the intervention phase. Each participant’s performance was assessed before and after six weeks of the program through hitting ten maximal drives with the ball flight and swing analyzed using the P3ProSwing Golf Simulator and recorded for the driver club head speed, driving distance, and driving accuracy. Multivariate analysis of variance showed no statistically significant differences (P < .05) of the performances of the golfers participated in the 3 programs (club head speed: F = 1.02, P = 0.33; accuracy: F = 0.32, P = 0.72; distance: F = 0.18, P = 0.83). Furthermore, a paired t-tests also showed no statistically significant (P < .05) improvement occurred in the 3 programs after the six-week training. Although the effect of the 3 programs did not show statistically significant increase in the performance of the amateur golfers, however, the three parameters of the performance, i.e. the driver club head speed, the driving distance and the driving accuracy showed certain improvements. The 3 training programs may have benefit to the amateur golfers with certain increases of their performance.

Is average club head speed a risk factor for lower back injuries in professional golfers? A retrospective case control study

ABSTRACT Background Our hypothesis was that higher average club head speed is correlated with lower back injuries in professional golfers. Methods This was a retrospective case control study of male professional golfers who suffered lower back injuries while playing golf. The injured group was composed of 14 Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) golfers who withdrew from a PGA tour event due to a back injury during the years 2017–2019. The case-control matching procedure was used to randomly match cases and controls with a 2:1 allocation ratio, respectively, based on age. Variables were chosen based on currently proposed risk factors. Data was statistically analyzed using SPSS 25 Results There were 14 PGA golfers who suffered lower back injuries during the years 2017–2019 who were included in this study. There was no significant difference in age, height, weight or BMI between the injured and control group. The injured group had a higher mean club head speed than the control group (P < 0.01). Conclusion This study found that average club head speed was significantly higher in PGA golfers who suffered back injuries while golfing during a two-year period (2017–2019) when compared with age-matched controls.

Revisiting the Nesbit and McGinnis optimization model of the golf swing hub path.

This article details the development of adopting the Nesbit and McGinnis model of the golf swing as a starting point for studying golf performance optimization. The model was selected as it presents an opportunity to examine how non-naïve participants can learn and improve their swing mechanics, which could prove valuable in studying human learning in sports, rehabilitation, and re-education. Kinematic data was acquired in laboratory and real-world environments using the motion capture systems Qualysis and CodaMotion CX-Sport, respectively. In the early stages of developing the model in MATLAB, we identified limitations in the Nesbit and McGinnis methodology, including the filtering techniques applied to swing vectors and the selection of swing variables and the solutions to their boundary conditions solutions during the downswing. By addressing these issues, our goal was to revise the model and make it more robust and capable of optimizing the impact velocities from a wider variety of subjects with varying swing mechanics. By increasing the cutoff frequency used to filter the swing vectors and expanding the swing variable polynomial equations, we found it was possible for all participants to increase their club head velocity at impact while respecting their unique kinematic limitations. The manner of the kinematic changes and the percent of velocity improvement are participant dependent. Our study showed that the observed and optimized hub paths differed among participants, which suggests participants might also differ in their approaches and capacities to adopt the latter.

Positive Relationships Between Golf Performance Variables and Upper Body Power Capabilities.

Sorbie GG, Glen J, and Richardson AK Positive relationships between golf performance variables and upper body power capabilities. J Strength Cond Res 35(12S): S97-S102, 2021-The importance of lower body and trunk strength and power, as well as upper body strength in golf is well documented; however, the relationship between upper body power and golf performance has yet to be determined. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to investigate the relationships between golf performance and upper body power. Thirteen golfers (mean ± SD: age: 30 ± 7 years and handicap: 6.1 ± 4.9) participated in the study. Club head velocity (CHV) and ball velocity were measured during the golf test. To assess upper body power, subjects completed a ballistic bench press and upper body Wingate test. Pearson product-moment correlations were used to assess the relationships between golf performance and upper body power. The results demonstrated that there were strong relationships between ballistic bench press and CHV and ball velocity when using the driver (r > 0.6-0.7), and moderate-to-strong relationships (r > 0.4-0.6) when using the 7-iron. Strong relationships were found between the upper body Wingate test and CHV and ball velocity (r > 0.5-0.8) when using the driver and 7-iron. As a result of the findings, strength and conditioning coaches may use both the ballistic bench press test and the Wingate test as a primary assessment to measure the effectiveness of upper body training interventions with the aim of improving golf performance. Although, when performing the golf swings at higher velocities (i.e., with the driver), the ballistic bench press may be more beneficial.

Eight Weeks of Strength and Power Training Improves Club Head Speed in Collegiate Golfers.

Oranchuk, DJ, Mannerberg, JM, Robinson, TL, and Nelson, MC. Eight weeks of strength and power training improves club head speed in collegiate golfers. J Strength Cond Res 34(8): 2205-2213, 2020-Club head speed (CHS) is a major determinant of drive distance, a key component of golf performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the indirect effects of an 8-week strength and power program on CHS. Twelve (6 men, 6 women) NCAA Division II golfers (20.3 ± 1.5 years) randomly assigned to an intervention or control group underwent either a periodized strength and power program consisting of high-load barbell movements or a bodyweight and rotational movement focused resistance training program. Outcomes were CHS, countermovement jump (CMJ) height, and 1RM back squat (BS), power clean (PC), and deadlift (DL). Dependent t-tests were used to assess differences in outcome variables pre-to-post for each group, independent t-tests were used to assess differences between groups, and Pearson correlations were used to assess associations between CHS and outcome variables. On average, the intervention group experienced improvements in all outcome variables except peak CHS (p = 0.60); the control group displayed no changes in any outcome variable except a decrease in average CHS (p = 0.028). Compared with the control group, the intervention group experienced greater improvements in average CHS, BS, PC, and average and peak CMJ height (p ≤ 0.05). Additionally, CHS had large associations with PC (r = 0.70, p = 0.012), BS (r = 0.64, p = 0.025), DL (r = 0.54, p = 0.068) and CMJ (r = 0.73, p = 0.007). These results suggest that improving muscular strength and power by increasing PC, BS, and CMJ is associated with increased CHS in collegiate golfers. Integrating a high-load, barbell-focused strength and power program may be beneficial for improving CHS and indirectly, golf performance.

THE ANALYSIS IS FOR THE DESIGN OF DIFFERENT CLUB FACE’S THICKNESSES OF FAIRWAY WOOD TO THE CHARACTERISTIC TIME

Background: The main factors to influence on the stroking performance of club head are alloy and spring-like effect. Design the structure of new club face to create the fairway wood which can show best stroking feeling and let driving distance become longer. Purpose: The club face of fairway wood is processed through the iron alloy heating procedure and CNC to innovate the club head with high spring-like effect (characteristic time). Method: (1) Use 455 stainless steel processed by heating and aging treatment, to do the analysis on microstructure and mechanical properties. (2) Through CNC to design seven different patterns for the back of club face, each pattern for three club head. The total amount is twenty-one. (3) Make finished product be test the characteristic time and the ability of strike by the practical measurement. (4) To analyze after the compare between three-way ANOVA and LSD. Results: After 455 stainless steel was heated in procedure S850℃-A550℃, mechanical properties became superior and had the better malleability, it is suitable for developing the club face of high spring-like effect. Before and after grinding among three-way ANOVA (pattern*thickness*place), did not achieve the significant level on the figure of characteristic time. Through two-way ANOVA (pattern*place and thickness*place), showed the significant deviation before and after grinding. After doing the crash test by 45m/s, all the results can reach the higher limited standard. Summary: 455 stainless steel was designed with the different club face’s thicknesses of fairway wood can make spring-like effect achieve high characteristic time. The much thinner club face let the characteristic time perform highly. But there was no obvious effects from the patterns of the back club face.

Practice Motions Performed During Preperformance Preparation Drive the Actual Motion of Golf Putting.

Of the various types of preperformance preparatory behavior that are acquired during motor learning, the effect of a practice motion performed just prior to execution of an actual motion is not yet fully understood. Thus, the present study employed a golf putting task to investigate how a practice motion in the preparation phase would affect the accuracy of motor control in the execution phase and how proficiency would influence this relationship. To examine the impacts on kinematics and final ball position, the velocities of practice strokes made by tour professional and amateur golfers were experimentally manipulated in the following three conditions: the equal condition, which presented a target that was at the same distance during the practice strokes and the actual stroke; the confusing condition, which had two different distances during the practice and actual strokes; and the no condition, which did not include a practice stroke. The results, based on final ball position, indicated that practice strokes in the equal condition were linked with the highest accuracy levels during the actual stroke in both professionals and amateurs. In the confusing condition, regardless of skill level, the velocity of the actual stroke was influenced by a faster or slower stroke during the pre-shot phase. These relationships between the practice and actual strokes imply that the golfers effectively utilized kinesthetic information obtained during the practice strokes as a reference for the actual stroke. Furthermore, the differences in proficiency level indicated that the club head velocity of amateurs in the no condition was significantly faster than in the equal condition. Therefore, the present results imply that the role of a practice stroke may differ between professionals and amateurs.