Abstract

Introduction: Ball trajectory in the golf swing is an important outcome variable for golf performance, however, no direct investigation of ball flight trajectory variability for pre-elite players has been conducted.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine correlations between average score and ball trajectory variability (for carry and lateral displacement) on pre-elite golfers both at and between two different clubs. 

Methods: Sixteen pre-elite/elite golfers were included in the study, 11 men and 5 women with a mean age of 22 ±2 (SD). An actual average (mean) score was calculated for each player’s first ten competition rounds. Subjects were then instructed to hit 5 balls, with focus on consistency, with their seven iron and then hit 5 balls approximately 70 metres with their preferred wedge. Ball trajectory variables were recorded using a Flightscope® Kudo Doppler radar launch monitor system (EDH South Africa (PTY) Ltd). Statistical calculation of averages, standard deviation (SD), normalised root-mean, coefficient of variance, performance error index (PEI= and Pearson’s correlation.

Results: The results from the present study showed there was no significant correlation between average score (76.2 ±1.9) and variability of ball trajectory, for the seven iron or wedge. Results also showed average seven iron CV for carry and lateral PEIdisplacement was 5% and 3% respectively, whilst average wedge carry CV for carry and lateral PEIdisplacement was 9% and 2% respectively.  Carry CV and Lateral CV PEI were moderately correlated (r=0.61, p=0.012) with each other for the wedge.

Conclusion: : Our findings show no correlation between shot variability and golf score, however we found weak correlation between carry and lateral variability for the wedge. In order for effective coaching more understanding into the importance of biomechanical variability and golf performance is required, further research is needed to better understand the implication of our findings