Analysis of the X-Factor and X-Factor stretch during the completion of a golf practice session in low-handicap golfers

Abstract

1The X-Factor and X-Factor stretch have been positively correlated with golf long game 2 performance. The aim of this study was to compare the X-Factor, X-Factor stretch and long 3 game performance variables pre and following a golf practice session. A group of male golfers 4 (n = 15, handicap = 3.3 ± 1.7) participated in the laboratory-based-study. Movement and 5 performance variables were collected from five golf swings performed pre and following a golf 6 practice session using a motion capture system and launch monitor respectively. Following the 7 practice session, significant increases were observed in the X-Factor (p = 0.00, d = 0.22) and 8 the X-Factor stretch (p = 0.02, d = 0.25). Specifically, the X-Factor increased from 52.82 ± 9 5.64 ° to 54.06 ± 5.61 ° following the practice session. The X-Factor stretch increased from 10 1.54 ± 1.05 ° to 1.90 ± 1.41 ° following the practice session. Significant differences were 11 displayed in club head velocity (p = 0.00, d = 0.35), ball velocity (p = 0.01, d = 0.21) and actual 12 carry distance (p = 0.00, d = 0.29) following the practice session. These findings suggest that 13 performing multiple golf shots is not detrimental in terms of muscular fatigue in the long game 14 performance. In actual fact, the findings demonstrate that performing 100 golf shots increases 15 the X-Factor, X-Factor stretch patterns and performance variables which, in turn, increases 16 long game performance. These findings can help PGA golf Professionals improve teaching 17 practices and formulation of golf programmes and warm-up sessions. 18 19

Effect of a 6-week yoga intervention on swing mechanics during the golf swing: a feasibility study

“…Five participants were randomized into an experiment group (mean ± SD age: 19.60 ± 2.30 years; stature: 179.66 ± 5.80 cm; body mass: 87.04 ± 17.86 kg and handicap: 5.00 ± 3.00) and five participants into a control group (mean ± SD age: 25.20 ± 5.02 years; stature: 184.02 ± 4.80 cm; body mass: 83.89 ± 14.99 kg and handicap: 5.20 ± 4.71). Additional anthropometric measurements (shoulder offset, elbow width, wrist width, hand thickness, leg length, knee width, ankle width) were recorded during the initial stages of the testing process in order to run a customized Golf Model (Sorbie et al, 2018). Low handicap golfers were selected to participate in the study as it provided a representative sample of the population, whilst excluding the probability of technique having a major influence on results (Joyce, Burnett, Cochrane, & Reyes, 2016).…”

“…To ensure the system had been correctly calibrated, the camera residual was < 0.2 mm. Spherical retro-reflective markers (1.4 cm) were adhered to the skin on anatomical regions according to the adapted version of the Vicon Plug-in-Gait Model (Vicon Motion Systems Ltd, Oxford, UK) (Sorbie et al, 2018) using double-sided tape. To ensure accurate 3-D data collection, participants were asked to wear tight fitting shorts and their own golf shoes when performing all golf shots.…”

“…The separation of the hips (pelvic region) and torso (thorax region) at the top of the backswing is a key component when aiming to maximise distance during the golf swing (Joyce, 2016), and has been the focus of many golf performance and injury prevention studies in recent years (Cole & Grimshaw, 2008a, 2008bHenry, Berglund, Millar, & Locke, 2015;Joyce, 2016;Myers et al, 2008;Sell et al, 2007;Sorbie, Gu, Baker, & Ugbolue, 2018). The separation of the hips and torso areas during the golf swing is known as the X-Factor (Joyce, 2016).…”

“…The separation of the hips and torso areas during the golf swing is known as the X-Factor (Joyce, 2016). In addition to the X-Factor, the X-Factor stretch is becoming increasingly popular within golf scientific research (An, Wulf, & Kim, 2013;Cheetham, Martin, Mottram, & St. Laurent, 2001;Henry et al, 2015;Sorbie et al, 2018). The X-Factor stretch refers to the additional rotation that occurs between the hips and torso areas in the early stage of the downswing (Sorbie et al, 2018).…”

“…In addition to the X-Factor, the X-Factor stretch is becoming increasingly popular within golf scientific research (An, Wulf, & Kim, 2013;Cheetham, Martin, Mottram, & St. Laurent, 2001;Henry et al, 2015;Sorbie et al, 2018). The X-Factor stretch refers to the additional rotation that occurs between the hips and torso areas in the early stage of the downswing (Sorbie et al, 2018). In order to increase the X-Factor at the top of the backswing and display an X-Factor stretch during the initiation of the downswing, a golfer must display a good level of flexibility around the pelvis and torso regions (Joyce, 2016).…”