The Relationship between Weighted Golf Clubs, Angular Velocity, and Muscle Activation on Golf Performance
Caroline Dickey and Jesse Seay
With all the equipment advances in the sport of golf, little research has been conducted to analyze the effect that club weight has on performance. Specifically, no research has been found on the impact that club weight has on performance among a female collegiate golfer population. Understanding how the manipulation of golf club weight affects performance, specifically golf swing angular velocity, golf ball carry distance, and muscle activation could allow golfers to make more informed equipment decisions and elevate their level of play. Purpose: Therefore, the purpose of this research is to investigate the impacts of differing golf club weights (2 grams;4 grams) on muscle activation of the lower body (gluteus maximus, external oblique, medial hamstring, rectus femoris), angular velocity of a golf swing and carry distance of the golf ball. Methods: Division II collegiate golfers will participate in this randomized single-blind clinical trial. Athletes will perform a manual muscle test to verify proper placement of EMG surface electrodes, followed by 5 practice swings to familiarize themself with the equipment. Then athletes will undergo 5 golf swings in three randomized trials: baseline trial (BT), medium-weight trial (MWT), and heavy-weight trial (HWT). Participants’ drivers baseline weight will be manipulated by adding 2 grams to the club in the MWT and 4 grams to the club in the HWT. During all three trials, angular velocity of the golf swing, carry distance of the ball and average muscle activation of the lower body (gluteus maximus, external oblique, medial hamstring, rectus femoris) will be collected and analyzed. A repeated measures ANOVA will be used to compare differences between golf club weights. Results/Conclusions: We expect the average carry distance to be significantly higher in the MWT and HWT compared to the BT for all participants. We also suspect average angular velocity to be increased in the HWT and MWT compared to BT. With only a slight difference in club weight, we believe the participants will adapt to the additional weight without disturbing their neuromuscular programming and increase average carry distance of the ball and angular velocity of the golf swing. Therefore, we also expect to see an increase in muscle activation in all four muscles during the HWT compared to the MWT and BT.
Caroline Dickey is a graduate student in health and wellness who graduated in December 2023 from Lander University with a degree in exercise science. She has been actively researching this topic since August of 2023 and is proud of her academic progression.
Jesse Seay is a senior exercise science major with an emphasis in occupational therapy graduating in May 2024. She has been working on this research project since August of 2023 with her research partner and is very excited to share their interest on the topic and their further planned research.