Establishing Predictive Physical Performance Measuresfor Golf Swing Velocity

PURPOSE: To identify the relationship between demographic variables and physical performance measures on driver club head speed in collegiate golfers METHODS: Ten healthy male NCAA Division I collegiate golfers completed a battery of physical performance measures over an 8-month period (8 sessions). Every 6 weeks data was collected on each of the following physical performance measures: seated 4 lb. chest pass, 10 lb. and 30 lb. lat pull down, countermovement jump, relative strength index (RSI): bench press, squat, and deadlift. Data was also collected on the average club head speed of 5 swings with the golfer’s driver utilizing the Trackman system. For statistical analysis, a chi-square automatic interaction detection (CHAID) model was used to analyze the collected physical performance measures and demographic variables on club head speed. RESULTS: Seated 4 lb. chest pass was the most discriminative independent predictor of club head speed (p = <.05, F = 28.43) and was able to categorize club speed into three distinct groups. The demographic variable height was predictive of swing speed in the golfers with the lowest club head speed (p = <.05, F = 14.04). Countermovement jump height was a discriminator for golfers with moderate club head speed (p = <.05, F = 15.06). Demographic variables age and weight were not predictors of club head speed. CONCLUSIONS: Results were indicative of an individualized step-wise progression for improving club head speed. Increasing chest pass based on optimum cut points of the CHAID model can increase club head speed 10.968-23.623 mph. Modifiable performance predictors had a greater influence on club head speed than demographic variables with 4 lb. chest pass being the most discriminative independent predictor.