On the Dynamics of the Swing of a Golf Club
01 May 1970-American Journal of Physics (American Association of Physics Teachers)-Vol. 38, Iss: 5, pp 644-651
TL;DR: In this paper, the Lagrangian method is used to obtain two coupled differential equations describing the motion of a simple model of the swing of a golf club, and these equations are simplified by a special treatment of the gravitational torques and are put in a form such that different constant torques applied by the golfer give solutions differing only in a scale factor.
Abstract: The Lagrangian method is used to obtain two coupled differential equations describing the motion of a simple model of the swing of a golf club. These equations are simplified by a special treatment of the gravitational torques and are put in a form such that different constant torques applied by the golfer give solutions differing only in a scale factor. The equations are solved numerically for various suitable boundary conditions. It is shown that the clubhead speed achieved for a swing with a constant torque applied by the golfer increases with the hindrance to the uncocking of the wrists during the swing, and that the backswing of the club may be decreased substantially with a correspondingly small decrease in clubhead speed.
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TL;DR: Biomechanics has a role in maximising the distance and accuracy of all golf shots (swing and putting) by providing both qualitative and quantitative evidence of body angles, joint forces and muscle activity patterns.
Abstract: Golf biomechanics applies the principles and technique of mechanics to the structure and function of the golfer in an effort to improve golf technique and performance. A common recommendation for technical correction is maintaining a single fixed centre hub of rotation with a two-lever one-hinge moment arm to impart force on the ball. The primary and secondary spinal angles are important for conservation of angular momentum using the kinetic link principle to generate high club-head velocity. When the golfer wants to maximise the distance of their drives, relatively large ground reaction forces (GRF) need to be produced. However, during the backswing, a greater proportion of the GRF will be observed on the back foot, with transfer of the GRF on to the front foot during the downswing/acceleration phase. Rapidly stretching hip, trunk and upper limb muscles during the backswing, maximising the X-factor early in the downswing, and uncocking the wrists when the lead arm is about 30° below the horizontal will take advantage of the summation of force principle. This will help generate large angular velocity of the club head, and ultimately ball displacement. Physical conditioning will help to recruit the muscles in the correct sequence and to optimum effect. To maximise the accuracy of chipping and putting shots, the golfer should produce a lower grip on the club and a slower/shorter backswing. Consistent patterns of shoulder and wrist movements and temporal patterning result in successful chip shots. Qualitative and quantitative methods are used to biomechanically assess golf techniques. Two- and three-dimensional videography, force plate analysis and electromyography techniques have been employed. The common golf biomechanics principles necessary to understand golf technique are stability, Newton’s laws of motion (inertia, acceleration, action reaction), lever arms, conservation of angular momentum, projectiles, the kinetic link principle and the stretch-shorten cycle. Biomechanics has a role in maximising the distance and accuracy of all golf shots (swing and putting) by providing both qualitative and quantitative evidence of body angles, joint forces and muscle activity patterns. The quantitative biomechanical data needs to be interpreted by the biomechanist and translated into coaching points for golf professionals and coaches. An understanding of correct technique will help the sports medicine practitioner provide sound technical advice and should help reduce the risk of golfing injury.
324 citations
08 Oct 2014
TL;DR: This book contains the invited papers and a selection of research papers submitted to Computer Animation '93, the Fifth International Workshop on Computer Animation'93, which was held in Geneva on 16th-18th June 1993.
Abstract: This book contains the invited papers and a selection of research papers submitted to Computer Animation '93, the Fifth International Workshop on Computer Animation '93, which was held in Geneva on 16th-18th June 1993. This workshop, now an annual event, has been organized by the Computer Graphics Society, the University of Geneva, and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. During the international workshop on Computer Animation '93, the sixth Computer-generated Film Festival of Geneva was also held. The volume presents original research results and applications to the various areas of computer animation. Most of the contributions are related to motion control, visualization, human animation, and rendering techniques.
163 citations
TL;DR: Eleven weeks of golf-specific physical conditioning increased clubhead speed without a negative effect on consistency or putting distance control in intercollegiate men and women golfers.
Abstract: This investigation was conducted to determine the effects of a physical conditioning program on clubhead speed, consistency, and putting distance control in 10 men and 6 women National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I golfers. Supervised strength, power, and flexibility training was performed 3 times per week for 11 weeks. Performance tests were conducted before and after the training period. Significant (p < 0.05) increases were noted for all strength, power, and flexibility tests from pre- to posttraining of between 7.3 and 19.9%. Clubhead speed increased significantly (1.6%), equating to approximately a 4.9-m increase in driving distance. Putting distance control significantly improved for the men-only group (29.6%), whereas there was no significant difference in putting distance control for the total and women-only groups. Eleven weeks of golf-specific physical conditioning increased clubhead speed without a negative effect on consistency or putting distance control in intercollegiate men and women golfers.
123 citations
Cites methods from "On the Dynamics of the Swing of a G..."
...Jorgenson (1970), using a mathematical model, determined there are 2 important components in clubhead speed: the amount of torque supplied by the golfer and the skill with which the golfer manages the torque (19)....
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...However, Jorgenson (1970), using a mathematical model, determined there are two important components in clubhead speed: the amount of torque supplied by the golfer and the skill with which the golfer manages the torque (19)....
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Journal Article•
TL;DR: A work and power (energy) analysis of the golf swing is presented as a method for evaluating the mechanics of the Golf swing by employing standard methods of mechanics to calculate work of forces and torques, kinetic energies, strain energies, and power.
Abstract: A work and power (energy) analysis of the golf swing is presented as a method for evaluating the mechanics of the golf swing. Two computer models were used to estimate the energy production, transfers, and conversions within the body and the golf club by employing standard methods of mechanics to calculate work of forces and torques, kinetic energies, strain energies, and power during the golf swing. A detailed model of the golf club determined the energy transfers and conversions within the club during the downswing. A full-body computer model of the golfer determined the internal work produced at the body joints during the downswing. Four diverse amateur subjects were analyzed and compared using these two models. The energy approach yielded new information on swing mechanics, determined the force and torque components that accelerated the club, illustrated which segments of the body produced work, determined the timing of internal work generation, measured swing efficiencies, calculated shaft energy storage and release, and proved that forces and range of motion were equally important in developing club head velocity. A more comprehensive description of the downswing emerged from information derived from an energy based analysis.
113 citations
Cites background from "On the Dynamics of the Swing of a G..."
...…and standard methods of biomechanical studies of golf swings have employed models of varying degrees of sophistication (Budney and Bellow, 1979; 1982; Jorgensen, 1970; Lampsa, 1975; Neal and Wilson, 1985; Penner, 2003; Vaughn, 1979; Williams, 1967) to perform kinetic analyses of the golfer....
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...Traditional and standard methods of biomechanical studies of golf swings have employed models of varying degrees of sophistication (Budney and Bellow, 1979; 1982; Jorgensen, 1970; Lampsa, 1975; Neal and Wilson, 1985; Penner, 2003; Vaughn, 1979; Williams, 1967) to perform kinetic analyses of the golfer....
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Journal Article•
TL;DR: It revealed that a golf swing is a highly coordinated and individual motion and subject-to-subject variations were significant, and the importance of the wrists in generating club head velocity and orienting the club face was highlighted.
Abstract: This paper discusses the three-dimensional kinematics and kinetics of a golf swing as performed by 84 male and one female amateur subjects of various skill levels. The analysis was performed using a variable full-body computer model of a human coupled with a flexible model of a golf club. Data to drive the model was obtained from subject swings recorded using a multi-camera motion analysis system. Model output included club trajectories, golfer/club interaction forces and torques, work and power, and club deflections. These data formed the basis for a statistical analysis of all subjects, and a detailed analysis and comparison of the swing characteristics of four of the subjects. The analysis generated much new data concerning the mechanics of the golf swing. It revealed that a golf swing is a highly coordinated and individual motion and subject-to-subject variations were significant. The study highlighted the importance of the wrists in generating club head velocity and orienting the club face. The trajectory of the hands and the ability to do work were the factors most closely related to skill level.
110 citations
Cites background from "On the Dynamics of the Swing of a G..."
...Also, it does not appear that the wrist behaves as a free hinge until impact (Jorgensen 1970; Milburn, 1982), but supports both Lampsa (1975) and Budney and Bellow (1979) that this torque should be positive up to impact to achieve maximum club head velocity....
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...The figure clearly shows that delayed wrist motion is not achieved by applying a hindrance torque as suggested by Jorgensen (1970) and Milburn (1982)....
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...Most biomechanical studies of golf swings have employed models of varying degrees of sophistication (Budney and Bellow, 1979; 1982; Jorgensen, 1970; Lampsa, 1975; Neal and Wilson, 1985; Vaughn, 1979; Williams, 1967)....
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