title: The role of upper torso and pelvis rotation in driving performance during the golf swing.
abstract: While the role of the upper torso and pelvis in driving performance is anecdotally appreciated by golf instructors, their actual biomechanical role is unclear. The aims of this study were to describe upper torso and pelvis rotation and velocity during the golf swing and determine their role in ball velocity. One hundred recreational golfers underwent a biomechanical golf swing analysis using their own driver. Upper torso and pelvic rotation and velocity, and torso-pelvic separation and velocity, were measured for each swing. Ball velocity was assessed with a golf launch monitor. Group differences (groups based on ball velocity) and moderate relationships (r > or = 0.50; P < 0.001) were observed between an increase in ball velocity and the following variables: increased torso-pelvic separation at the top of the swing, maximum torso-pelvic separation, maximum upper torso rotation velocity, upper torso rotational velocity at lead arm parallel and last 40 ms before impact, maximum torso-pelvic separation velocity and torso-pelvic separation velocity at both lead arm parallel and at the last 40 ms before impact. Torso-pelvic separation contributes to greater upper torso rotation velocity and torso-pelvic separation velocity during the downswing, ultimately contributing to greater ball velocity. Golf instructors can consider increasing ball velocity by maximizing separation between the upper torso and pelvis at the top of and initiation of the downswing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. joemyers@email.unc.edu
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lephart
authors.forename: Yung-Shen
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sell
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Smoliga
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jolly
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006055:Golf / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010388:Pelvis / Q000502:physiology*; D012399:Rotation; D013909:Thorax / Q000502:physiology*; D014481:United States