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Golf
Swing
Golfers
are well aware of the many overuse injuries that occur in their sport. Unfortunately,
these injuries can persist for a long time, reducing a golfer's performance and enjoyment
of the game. Golf research at ASMI has focused on the swing. Results have been published. Results are also used for
individual evaluations. Evaluations focus on preventing injury or assessing return from
injury. For more information about evaluations, please contact Jeremy
Loftice.
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While
the motion of the male golfer has been investigated, there has been
a limited amount of investigation focusing on the mechanics of
female golfers. Due to the limited amount of specific knowledge of
female mechanics, application of instructional techniques based on
the mechanics of the male golfer may not be appropriate for the
female golfer. The purpose of the study was to analyze the
kinematics of female professional golfers and compare with male
professional golfers. Twenty-five female golfers from the Ladies
Professional Golf Association Tour and twenty-five male golfers from
the Professional Golf Association Tour served as subjects. Ten
displacement parameters were calculated at address, peak of back
swing and the ball contact, with two additional parameters
calculated at the peak of back swing. Thirteen angular velocity
parameters and the respective temporal parameters were calculated
during the downswing phase. The PGA group produced significantly
greater club shaft, wrist and elbow extension angular velocities,
while the LPGA group achieved greater pelvic rotation during the
BSWG and greater pelvis rotation during the DSWG. The amount of
trunk rotation during the DSWG was also greater for the LPGA.
A quantitative description of proper swing mechanics can assist
teachers, players, and physicians in improving performance and
evaluating injury mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to
calculate and compare upper body kinematics of healthy, male golfers
from different skill levels. Seventy-two golfers were divided into
four handicap groups (professional, low: 0-7, mid: 8-14, and high:
15+) with 18 golfers in each group. Eight displacement parameters
were calculated at address, peak of back swing and the ball contact,
with two additional parameters calculated at the peak of back swing.
Eleven angular velocity parameters and respective temporal data were
calculated during the downswing phase. Approximately 35% of the
parameters showed a significant difference between handicap groups.
Eighty-two percent of the parameters with significant differences
involved differences 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, right
shoulder external rotation, and trunk rotation. During the
downswing, the professionals produced the largest angular velocities
for the club shaft, right elbow, and right and left wrist. Only one
parameter, maximum club shaft angular velocity, was significantly
different between the professional group and the low handicap group,
which suggested that their mechanics are similar. |