GOLFER-CLUB INTERACTION DURING SWING AND ITS INFLUENCES ON MOTOR CONTROL STRATEGIES EMPLOYED BY ADVANCED GOLFERS

Abstract

Many studies have been done to understand the kinematics of golf swing techniques. However a holistic picture of an efficient swing remains incomplete due to constraints of data collection techniques. Force measurement, on the other hand, has been used successfully in the past to examine weight shift patterns of a golfer during the swing. Yet, the shift involves the dynamic effect of a club. The degree of the club contribution to the weight shift patterns, however, is still unknown. This study attempted to explore this issue. A synchronized data collection of 3D motion capture (12 high-speed cameras [120 Hz], VICON v8i) and ground reaction force (2 KISTLER platforms) was utilized. Nine advanced golfers were measured. The results showed that 1) the dynamic influence of the club was closely related to one’s motor control pattern, especially wrist and elbow control during swing, i.e. they determined the degree of separation between centre of ground reaction force (CGRF) and centre of gravity (COG); 2) a Driver has more influence on a golfer’s weight transfer (larger range of variation and more separation) than an Iron; 3) the club head speed is highly related to the coordination between shoulder and hip angle (a factor determining the quality of trunk rotation); and 4) the ball release velocity is influenced by wrist flexion at ball contact which could be identified by the separation between CGRF and COG.