The relationships between driver clubhead presentation characteristics, ball launch conditions and golf shot outcomes

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyse the effects of clubhead presentation on golf ball launch conditions and the subsequent shot outcome. Clubhead presentation was measured using a three-dimensional motion capture system for both male and female golfers across a range of skill levels. A Doppler radar was used to track the golf ball during its flight, yielding speed, launch angles, spin rate and distance. Importantly, the measurements of clubhead and ball quantities were taken independently so that any inter-relationships could be evaluated without recourse to any preconceived models. This article provides values for the median launch conditions and shot outcome, and the associated variability in these quantities for golfers was grouped by handicap category and gender. It was shown that the variability in certain outcome quantities was more linked to golfing ability than others. Linear regression was used to demonstrate that differences in clubhead presentation resulted in changes to ball launch conditions as one might expect from physical analysis. Furthermore, the link between the variability in clubhead presentation and the variability in shot outcome was demonstrated. In particular, the importance of impact location variability in determining launch angle and total distance variability was shown.

Motor abundance and control structure in the golf swing

“…At the moment of impact between club and ball, a strong relationship has been found between the variability in clubhead orientation and the variability in direction of launch of the golf ball (Betzler, Monk, Wallace, & Otto, 2014). With regards to the downswing movement, a decrease in the variability of the clubhead trajectory has been found leading up to impact using both spanning sets (Horan, Evans, & Kavanagh, 2011) and a variability volume method (Morrison, McGrath, & Wallace, 2014).…”

“…Although clubhead orientation and variability in clubhead orientation at impact have been shown to be critical with regards to shot direction (Betzler et al, 2014), no previous research has been conducted into clubhead orientation for the full swing. This may be due to the methodological difficulties in capturing a relatively small object in a large volume that changes orientation by such a degree.…”

“…Position and orientation of the clubhead were chosen as they have been shown to have a major influence on shot direction (Betzler et al, 2014), and they have previously been investigated using UCM analysis (Rein et al, 2013;Scholz et al, 2000). It is acknowledged that there are other outcome characteristics of the movement of the clubhead that have an effect on the shot outcome, such as club path, angle of attack and clubhead speed (Betzler et al, 2014); however, their inclusion is beyond the scope of this study. It was hypothesised that V UCM would be significantly greater than V Orth with respect to both outcome variables.…”

How valid and accurate are measurements of golf impact parameters obtained using commercially available radar and stereoscopic optical launch monitors?

“…Measurement of the impact parameters during a golf swing is of interest because ultimately, they determine the outcome of a shot. During biomechanical investigation of a golfer's swing these parameters are often used as the performance outcome measures [1][2] and, typically, they are measured either using launch monitors or motion analysis systems [3][4][5]. Motion analysis systems are usually configured for biomechanical analysis, consequently the clubhead and ball are often tracked via a single marker on each and data collection frequency is often too low to ensure a measurement is taken at the point of impact.…”

Acute effects of different warm-up protocols on highly skilled golfers’ drive performance

“…It is possible that the warm-ups in the current study may have improved centredness of strike on the club compared to the control condition. Impact location is important in determining launch angle and BV (Betzler, Monk, Wallace, & Otto, 2014) and the reduction in mean launch angle of 1.35 ° from the control condition to the dynamic condition as well as the increased BV in the warm-ups may have been influenced by this. Alongside centredness of strike the other five impact factors (CHV, angle of attack, clubface alignment, swing path (Tuxen, 2009;Wiren, 1990) and dynamic loft (Jorgensen, 1999)) can all affect the initial launch angle and total spin.…”