Kinematic Analysis of Swing in Pro and Amateur Golfers

Abstract

As golf grows in popularity, golf related injuries have increased. The purpose of this study was to calculate and compare upper body kinematics of healthy male golfers from different skill levels. Kinematic data were obtained from 18 professional, 18 low handicap, 18 mid handicap and 18 high handicap golfers with an optoelectronic system at 240 frames per second. Ten displacement parameters were calculated at address, peak of back swing and ball contact. Angular velocity parameters and respective temporal data were calculated during the downswing phase. Most parameters were significantly different between the higher skilled golfers (professional, low handicap) and the least skilled golfers (high handicap). At the peak of the swing, professionals produced the largest magnitudes for left shoulder horizontal adduction (125 ± 6°), right shoulder external rotation (66 ± 11°), and trunk rotation (60 ± 7°). During the downswing, the professionals produced the largest angular velocities for the club shaft (2413 ± 442°/s), right elbow extension (854 ± 150°/s), right wrist (1183 ± 299°/s) and left wrist (1085 ± 338°/s). The results of this study show that improper mechanics of golf swing existed in middle and high handicap groups. These improper mechanics may contribute to golf related injuries.

male golfers - biomechanics - skill levels - motion analysis - handicap

References

• 1 Batt M E. Golfing injuries. An overview.  Sports Med. 1993;  16 64-71
• 2 Batt M E. A survey of golf injuries in amateur golfers.  Br J Sports Med. 1992;  26 63-65
• 3 Budney D R, Bellow D G. Kinetic analysis of a golf swing.  Res Q. 1979;  50 171-179
• 4 Campbell K R, Reid R E. The application of optimal control theory to simplified models of complex human motions: the golf swing. Winter DA, Norman RW, Wells RP, Hayes KC, Patla AE Biomechanics IX‐B. Baltimore; University Park Press 1985: 527-538
• 5 Cochran A, Stobbs J. The Search for the Perfect Swing. New York; Lippincott 1968
• 6 Coleman S G, Rankin A J. A three-dimensional examination of the planar nature of the golf swing.  J Sports Sci. 2005;  23 227-234
• 7 Gatt Jr. C J, Pavol M J, Parker R D, Grabiner M D. Three-dimensional knee joint kinetics during a golf swing. Influences of skill level and footwear.  Am J Sports Med. 1998;  26 285-294
• 8 Gosheger G, Liem D, Ludwig K, Greshake O, Winkelmann W. Injuries and overuse syndromes in golf.  Am J Sports Med. 2003;  31 438-443
• 9 Jagacinski R J, Greenberg N, Liao M J. Tempo, rhythm, and aging in golf.  J Motor Behav. 1997;  29 159-173
• 10 Jobe F W, Moynes D R, Antonelli D J. Rotator cuff function during a golf swing.  Am J Sports Med. 1986;  14 388-392
• 11 Jobe F W, Perry J, Pink M. Electromyographic shoulder activity in men and women professional golfers.  Am J Sports Med. 1989;  17 782-787
• 12 Johnson H, Schiffman R. How to Win the Three Games of Golf. New York; Pocket Books 1993
• 13 Jorgense T. On dynamics of swing of a golf club.  Am J Physics. 1970;  38 644
• 14 Kao J T, Pink M, Jobe F W, Perry J. Electromyographic analysis of the scapular muscles during a golf swing.  Am J Sports Med. 1995;  23 19-23
• 15 Lindsay D M, Horton J F, Vandervoort A A. A review of injury characteristics, aging factors and prevention programmes for the older golfer.  Sports Med. 2000;  30 89-103
• 16 Matsuo T, Matsumoto T, Mochizuki Y, Takada Y, Saitos K. Optimal shoulder abduction angles during baseball pitching from maximal wrist velocity and minimal kinetics viewpoints.  J Appl Biomech. 2002;  18 306-320
• 17 McCarroll J R. Overuse injuries of the upper extremity in golf.  Clin Sports Med. 2001;  20 469-479
• 18 McCarroll J R, Gioe T J. Professional golfers and the price they pay.  Phys Sports Med. 1982;  10 54-70
• 19 McCarroll J R, Rettig A C, Shelbourne K D. Injuries in the amateur golfer.  Phys Sports Med. 1990;  18 122-126
• 20 McHardy A, Pollard H, Luo K. Golf injuries: a review of the literature.  Sports Med. 2006;  36 171-187
• 21 McHardy A J, Pollard H P. Golf and upper limb injuries: a summary and review of the literature.  Chiropr Osteopat. 2005;  13 7
• 22 Milburn P D. Summation of segmental velocities in the golf swing.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1982;  14 60-64
• 23 Mitchell K, Banks S, Morgan D, Sugaya H. Shoulder motions during the golf swing in male amateur golfers.  J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2003;  33 196-203
• 24 Moynes D R, Perry J, Antonelli D J, Jobe F W. Electromyography and motion analysis of the upper extremity in sports.  Phys Ther. 1986;  66 1905-1911
• 25 Nagao N, Sawada Y. A kinematic analysis of the golf swing by means of fast motion picture in connection with wrist action.  J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 1977;  17 413-419
• 26 Neal R J, Wilson B D. 3D kinematics and kinetics of the golf swing.  Int J Sport Biomech. 1985;  1 221-232
• 27 Pink M, Jobe F W, Perry J. Electromyographic analysis of the shoulder during the golf swing.  Am J Sports Med. 1990;  18 137-140
• 28 Sprigings E J, Neal R J. An insight into the importance of wrist torque in driving the golfball: A simulation study.  J Appl Biomech. 2000;  16 356-366
• 29 Theriault G, Lachance P. Golf injuries. An overview.  Sports Med. 1998;  26 43-57
• 30 Vaughan C L. A three dimensional analysis of the forces and torques applied by a golfer during the downswing. Morecki A, Fidelus K, Kedzior K, Wit A Biomechanics VII‐B. Baltimore; University Park Press 1981: 325-331
• 31 Watkins R G, Uppal G S, Perry J, Pink M, Dinsay J M. Dynamic electromyographic analysis of trunk musculature in professional golfers.  Am J Sports Med. 1996;  24 535-538
• 32 Williams D. The Science of the Golf Swing. London; Pelham Books 1969
• 33 Zheng N, Barrentine S W. Biomechanics and motion analysis applied to sports.  Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2000;  11 309-322