The Golf Swing and Science

Do you understand the physics of the golf swing? Don’t worry, you are not alone. It’s all part of the great golf fitness revolution.

Have you noticed how golf is becoming more professional these days? I don’t mean just by the young guns like Tiger Woods, but even the amateurs are becoming more aware of golf-specific fitness training. They are improving their games rapidly through simple stretching and strength exercises devised specifically to condition the muscles and joints used when playing golf. Are you one of them? You should be if you want to improve your game and impress your golfing buddies with your increased length and lower handicap.

Well, now we have science involved. A technique called Motion Capture Technology (MOCAP for short)is being used to analyse the physics of the golf swing scientifically in order do find out how the various muscle groups and joints work and interact throughout the swing. You see, the swing is not a natural movement. It is awkward and difficult for the human physiology to handle. Proper analysis of the physics of the golf swing could be of significant advantage to professionals and amateurs alike.

Slow Motion And The Physics Of The Swing

The physics of the golf swing are used in the exercises devised to improve the swing, but not intentionally. It is only now that the physics of the golf swing are being scientifically studied using MOCAP and biomechanics (another science term). By using slow motion video technology, top golfers can view their swing and detect any faults. The scientists can also analyze exactly how the muscles, bones and joints move so that targeted conditioning exercises can be devised for the parts of the body involved in the swing.

This is not easy to do without the help of modern video capture technology. Once the physics of the golf swing have been captured, fault correctional techniques can be applied together with exercises targeted to improving endurance specific to golf.

How About Individual Training Programs?

The biomechanics and physics of the golf swing can now be used to give lots of information and possibilities on how to improve your golf game. The fact that the swing is an unnatural movement has been known for many years, and now it can be displayed on screen just how unnatural it is.

The consequence of this can only be good for your game in the development of simple exercise routines specific to your personal swing mechanics. So don’t let science worry you. The study of the physics of the golf swing is a good thing for you and all other golfers.

Simple Golf Swing

If you're tired of all the "information-overload" golf instruction products on the market, and want to simplify your golf swing, I would strongly recommend the Simple Golf Swing DVD.

Mike Pedersen
Golf Performance Coach