TY - JOUR
T1 - The role of upper torso and pelvis rotation in driving performance during the golf swing
AU - Myers, Joseph
AU - Lephart, Scott
AU - Tsai, Yung Shen
AU - Sell, Timothy
AU - Smoliga, James
AU - Jolly, John
PY - 2008/1/15
Y1 - 2008/1/15
N2 - While the role of the upper torso and pelvis in driving performance is anecdotally appreciated by golf instructors, their actual biomechanical role is unclear. The aims of this study were to describe upper torso and pelvis rotation and velocity during the golf swing and determine their role in ball velocity. One hundred recreational golfers underwent a biomechanical golf swing analysis using their own driver. Upper torso and pelvic rotation and velocity, and torso-pelvic separation and velocity, were measured for each swing. Ball velocity was assessed with a golf launch monitor. Group differences (groups based on ball velocity) and moderate relationships (r ≥ 0.50; P < 0.001) were observed between an increase in ball velocity and the following variables: increased torso - pelvic separation at the top of the swing, maximum torso - pelvic separation, maximum upper torso rotation velocity, upper torso rotational velocity at lead arm parallel and last 40 ms before impact, maximum torso - pelvic separation velocity and torso - pelvic separation velocity at both lead arm parallel and at the last 40 ms before impact. Torso - pelvic separation contributes to greater upper torso rotation velocity and torso - pelvic separation velocity during the downswing, ultimately contributing to greater ball velocity. Golf instructors can consider increasing ball velocity by maximizing separation between the upper torso and pelvis at the top of and initiation of the downswing.
AB - While the role of the upper torso and pelvis in driving performance is anecdotally appreciated by golf instructors, their actual biomechanical role is unclear. The aims of this study were to describe upper torso and pelvis rotation and velocity during the golf swing and determine their role in ball velocity. One hundred recreational golfers underwent a biomechanical golf swing analysis using their own driver. Upper torso and pelvic rotation and velocity, and torso-pelvic separation and velocity, were measured for each swing. Ball velocity was assessed with a golf launch monitor. Group differences (groups based on ball velocity) and moderate relationships (r ≥ 0.50; P < 0.001) were observed between an increase in ball velocity and the following variables: increased torso - pelvic separation at the top of the swing, maximum torso - pelvic separation, maximum upper torso rotation velocity, upper torso rotational velocity at lead arm parallel and last 40 ms before impact, maximum torso - pelvic separation velocity and torso - pelvic separation velocity at both lead arm parallel and at the last 40 ms before impact. Torso - pelvic separation contributes to greater upper torso rotation velocity and torso - pelvic separation velocity during the downswing, ultimately contributing to greater ball velocity. Golf instructors can consider increasing ball velocity by maximizing separation between the upper torso and pelvis at the top of and initiation of the downswing.
KW - Biomechanics
KW - Golf
KW - Kinematics
KW - Swing mechanics
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=36448981449&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=36448981449&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/02640410701373543
DO - 10.1080/02640410701373543
M3 - Article
C2 - 17852693
AN - SCOPUS:36448981449
SN - 0264-0414
VL - 26
SP - 181
EP - 188
JO - Journal of Sports Sciences
JF - Journal of Sports Sciences
IS - 2
ER -