Document Type
Journal Article
Publisher
Sage Publications
Faculty
Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science
School
School of Exercise and Health Sciences
RAS ID
17420
Abstract
In golf, many parameters of the driver can be modified to maximise hitting distance. The main objective of this study was to determine whether drivers fitted with shafts having high and low kick points would alter selected swing parameters and related launch conditions. In total, 12 elite male golfers (handicap score = 1.2 ± 1.8) had three shots analysed for two drivers fitted with 'stiff' shafts with differing kick point location. Stiffness profiles of these shafts were also measured. Five swing and related launch parameters were measured using a real-time launch monitor. The locations of the low and high kick points on each shaft during the golf swing (the dynamic kick points) were confirmed via motion analysis. The driver fitted with the shaft containing the high kick point displayed a more negative (steeper) angle of attack (p < 0.01), a lower launch angle (p < 0.01) and an increased spin rate (p < 0.01) when compared to a driver fitted with a low kick point shaft. It is possible that the attack angle differed between drivers due to the greater amount of shaft bending found late in the downswing (80% of the downswing and just before impact). Future work is needed in this under-researched area to determine why these differences occurred.
DOI
10.1177/1754337113515469
Access Rights
free_to_read
Comments
This is an Author's Accepted Manuscript of: Joyce C., Burnett A., Reyes A., Herbert S. (2014). A dynamic evaluation of how kick point location influences swing parameters and related launch conditions. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part P: Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology, 228(2), 111-119. Reprinted by permission of SAGE Publications. Available here