A biomechanical comparison between a conventional golf swing/learning technique and a unique kinesthetic feedback technique.

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of two methods of teaching the golf swing to beginning golfers. One group of beginners was taught the golf swing using conventional methods of instruction while the other group was taught using a combination of kinesthetic techniques. In order to compare the golf swing mechanics of both groups before and after instruction it was necessary to compare the filmed results of each beginner to a model golf swing. The model was determined by computing the mean results of 1,928 linear and angular measurements of the swings of ten professional golfers in what was thought to be the ten most important positions of the golf swing. Two 16 mm high speed cameras were used to simultaneously record the movement from the side and behind the performer. Measurements were taken of nineteen body joints and segments, as well as the ball and club, at each of the ten positions of the swing. Results produced 1,928 linear and angular displacement, velocity, and acceleration scores for each performer. The beginning golfers were filmed before instruction (pretest) and after instruction (posttest) using the same procedures used with the professional golfers. The beginners' values were then compared to the swing model's values. Statistical analyses (t test) indicated that, although both groups improved significantly over the ten-week instructional period, the group that learned the kinesthetic feedback technique brought about significantly greater improvement in golf swing mechanics than did the group that learned by using conventional methods.