Twelve Weeks of Progressive Resistance Training Positively Improves Physical Fitness and Golf Swing Performance in Talented Youth Golfers.

ABSTRACT: Shaw, J, Gould, ZI, Oliver, JL, and Lloyd, RS. Twelve weeks of progressive resistance training positively improves physical fitness and golf swing performance in talented youth golfers. J Strength Cond Res 38(6): 1103-1110, 2024-This aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a 12-week resistance training program in talented junior golfers. Eighteen talented youth golfers were pair matched by maturity status and handicap, and subsequently allocated to an experimental (EXP) or control group. During the 12-week intervention, both groups continued with their normal golf practice while the EXP group also completed a progressive twice-weekly resistance training program. At baseline, subjects performed multiple trials of an isometric midthigh pull (IMTP), countermovement jump (CMJ), standing long jump, golf movement screen (GMS), and isometric plank hold. Club head speed (CHS) and carry distance for a 6-iron and driver were also measured using a commercial launch monitor. When controlled for maturity offset, there were significant ( p < 0.05) interaction effects in favor of the EXP group for absolute ( g = 1.29) and relative ( g = 2.06) peak force for the IMTP, CMJ absolute ( g = 0.73) and relative ( g = 0.66) peak power, jump height ( g = 1.05), modified reactive strength index ( g = 1.30), lateral ( g = 0.48-0.88) and horizontal jump distance ( g = 1.20), and GMS total score ( g = 1.07). Significant interaction effects were also reported in 6-iron and driver CHS and carry distance in favor of the EXP group ( p < 0.05; g = 0.41-1.64). These findings indicate that twice-weekly resistance training in combination with regular golf practice can stimulate increases in measures of strength, power, and movement competency in youth golfers, which should contribute to enhanced golf swing performance.

Physical determinants of golf swing performance in competitive youth golfers.

This study investigated measures of physical fitness and golf swing performance in competitive youth golfers. Sixty-four golfers, subdivided into three handicap groups (CAT0, <1 handicap, n = 21; CAT1, 1-5 handicap, n = 20; CAT2, >5 handicap, n = 23), were assessed for isometric strength, power, movement competency and core endurance. Clubhead speed (CHS) and carry distance for 6-iron and driver were also measured. When controlled for maturity offset, CAT0 golfers produced significantly greater peak power, isometric absolute and relative peak force, movement competency, and jump distance than higher handicap golfers (all p < 0.05). Maturity status was strongly associated with CHS and carry distance for both clubs (R2 = 0.552-0.784). Linear regressions showed maturity offset explained a larger amount of variance in CHS (driver = 78.4%, 6-iron = 71.3%) and carry distance (driver = 55.2%, 6-iron = 57.4%) than handicap. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that peak power explained 79.4% and 82.4% of variation in 6-iron and driver CHS, respectively, while isometric absolute peak force explained 69.6% and 74.3% of the variation in 6-iron and driver carry distance, respectively. Subsequently, interventions targeting the development of peak force and power could aid golf swing performance in young golfers.

Within- and Between-Session Reliability of Golf Swing Variables Using the TrackMan Launch Monitor in Talented Golfers.

ABSTRACT: Shaw, J, Gould, ZI, Oliver, JL, and Lloyd, RS. Within- and between-session reliability of golf swing variables using the TrackMan launch monitor in talented golfers. J Strength Cond Res 37(12): 2431-2437, 2023-The purpose of the current study was to establish the within- and between-session reliability of the TrackMan launch monitor to measure golf swing variables. Twenty-one golfers attended 2 test sessions, with data captured from 3 golf shots using a 6-iron and 3 using a driver. Club head speed (CHS), ball speed, smash factor, attack angle, club path, launch angle, spin rate, spin axis, carry distance, and total distance were determined from data collected using a TrackMan launch monitor. Within- and between-session reliability for each variable was calculated using repeated-measures analysis of variance, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), and coefficients of variation (CVs) with 95% confidence intervals. Within-session measures of CHS, ball speed, carry distance, and total distance were found to be reliable for both 6-iron and driver (CV ≤ 5.8, ICC ≥ 0.87) and launch angle for the 6-iron (CV = 6.7-9.3%, ICC = 0.87-0.92). Between-session measures of CHS, ball speed, smash factor, launch angle, carry distance, and total distance for both 6-iron and driver (CV% = 0.7-9.1%, ICC = 0.5-0.99) and spin rate for 6-iron (CV% = 9.4%, ICC = 0.89) were also shown to be reliable. These findings indicate that the TrackMan launch monitor is a reliable method for measuring CHS, ball speed, carry distance, and total distance in talented golfers, both within and between sessions. Practitioners can confidently use these variables to assess golf swing performance in golfers and evaluate meaningful changes in response to training interventions.

The Golf Movement Screen Is Related to Spine Control and X-Factor of the Golf Swing in Low Handicap Golfers.

ABSTRACT: Gould, ZI, Oliver, JL, Lloyd, RS, Neil, R, and Bull, M. The golf movement screen is related to spine control and x-factor of the golf swing in low handicap golfers. J Strength Cond Res 35(1): 240-246, 2021-The aim of the study was to investigate the association between the golf movement screen (GMS), x-factor, which is the separation between the upper torso and pelvis rotation, and biomechanical movements of the pelvis, thorax, and spine during the backswing and impact of a golf shot in low handicap golfers. In total, 62 golfers were involved in this study (n = 40 male, n = 22 female); the mean age of the sample was 15.4 ± 2.4 years. For the GMS, all subjects were assessed on their movement ability over a total of 10 different exercises. After a thorough warm-up routine of practice swings, each golfer then performed a single trial for biomechanical analysis. Biomechanical data were collected using an electromagnetic tracking system. Four of the 10 exercises had a significant correlation with x-factor (r = 0.25-0.33; p < 0.05). Four exercises had moderate correlations with spine rotation at the top of backswing. Spine side bend had a significant correlation with 9 of the 10 exercises and total GMS score (r = 0.26-0.53, p < 0.05). Movements of the pelvis and thorax at the top of backswing had minimal associations with the GMS. At impact, trunk inclination, thoracic rotation, and squat had small to moderate significant relationships with biomechanical movements (p < 0.05). Movement competency, as measured by the GMS, is associated with important aspects of swing mechanics. In particular, golfers who achieve better scores in the GMS have better spine control and can create a greater x-factor during the golf swing.