The Relation between Physical Tests, Measures, and Clubhead Speed in Elite Golfers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between selected physical tests and clubhead speed, and whether body mass should be considered when presenting the test results. Thirty-three male elite golfers (estimated skill range: Hcp +5 to 0, age 18–30 years) participated in the study. The following test categories were measured and compared to clubhead speed with Pearson r correlation: vertical jumps (squat jump, counter movement jump, and counter movement jumps with arm swing); body mass strength (bar dips, pull-ups and vertical sit-ups); one repetition maximal strength (1-RM) (left grip, right grip and squat); and sprint (10 and 20 m). The tests and measures significantly (p < 0.05) related to clubhead speed were body mass, all vertical jumps (peak power and jump height), sprint (mean power), right grip (mass), squat (mass), bar dips (repetitions x body mass), and vertical sit-ups (repetitions x body mass). These tests may be selected when players and coaches wish to analyse physical test results associated to clubhead speed. Peak power in vertical jumps is more strongly related to clubhead speed than jump height, but jump height may be used too. In sprint, mean power should be used for feedback instead of sprint time. Strength test results should be presented in absolute values (kg), not as relative strength. Body mass should be considered in vertical jumps, sprints, and body mass strength tests, but not in 1RM strength tests with external resistance.

Relationships Between Field-Based Measures of Strength and Power and Golf Club Head Speed

“…The current study reported high reliability in the range of field tests used and statistical significance with CHS in all performance measures apart from LLCMJ. By comparison, lower levels of reliability have been reported in previous work (37) and a range of other studies assessing physical relationships with CHS did not report reliability statistics for the physical performance tests (15,19). The medicine ball rotational throw used in the current study displayed high reliability (ICC = 0.90) and this is comparable to other work using the same test (14).…”

“…Subjects performed a standardized warm up including dynamic stretching and five practice shots. Subsequently, three recorded drives were completed separated by 60 second rest periods with instructions to swing maximally as has been suggested previously (15). The highest of the three swing speed values was used to report club head speed values.…”

A Brief Review of Handgrip Strength and Sport Performance

“…3) climbing and gymnastics, 4) combat sports, and 5) strength disciplines. INSERT TABLE 3 ABOUT HERE INSERT TABLE ABOUT (3,16,50,62,73,74,86,96,101,103,117,134,137,172,173,176,192,193,197). A comparison of professional baseball players revealed trivial and moderate non-significant HGS differences between the Major League Baseball (MLB©) and minor league baseball ("AAA" and "AA") players, respectively; whereas, moderate and large significant differences were observed between MLB players in comparison to "A" and rookie league players, respectively (76).…”

Relationships Between Highly Skilled Golfers' Clubhead Velocity and Vertical Ground Reaction Force Asymmetry During Vertical Jumps and an Isometric Midthigh Pull

“…Due to this important interaction between the ground and the golfer, a number of studies have sought to determine the mechanisms associated with performance enhancement within the game of golf. Specifically, field-based investigations have highlighted significant relationships between CHV and vertical jump peak power (r = 0.61, p < 0.01) (21), (r = 0.54, p < 0.01) (36), jump height (r = 0.47, p < 0.01) (21), (r = 0.44, p < 0.05) (36), and repetition maximum strength during a back squat (r = 0.54, p < 0.01) (21), (r = 0.81, p < 0.05) (34). Whilst these relationships advocate the use of field-based protocols, without laboratory equipment, such as force plates, these protocols are unable to ascertain more in-depth performance strategies such as vertical ground reaction forces (vGRF).…”