Biomechanical And Musculoskeletal Comparison Of Proficient Male And Female Golfers

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine musculoskeletal and biomechanical differences between proficient male and female golfers. It was hypothesized that male golfers would have better swing kinetics but similar kinematics. METHODS: Musculoskeletal flexibility, golf swing, biomechanics, and performance metrics were compared between 13 male and 8 female low handicap golfers. Trunk rotation range of motion (ROM) was measured in sitting and hip internal (IR) and external rotation (ER) ROM were measured in prone. Three-dimensional kinematics and ground reaction forces (GRF) were recorded as subjects hit balls with a driver. Multiple metrics were compared between male and female golfers using independent samples t-tests (Table 1). RESULTS: Golfers were comparable in age (27 ± 6 yr vs. 27 ± 8 yr, P = 0.723), and handicap (0.4 ± 3.8 vs. 0.0 ± 3.5, P = 0.844). Male golfers were taller (71 ± 2 vs. 65 ± 2 in, P < 0.001) and heavier (166 ± 25 vs. 138 ± 19 lb, P = 0.015), had 32% greater ball speed and 12% greater distance. Trunk rotation ROM and Hip IR ROM did not differ between groups, but female golfers had 15° more hip ER ROM bilaterally (P < 0.001). During the golf swing female golfers had greater total rotation on the lead hip (29°). Peak pelvis and trunk rotation velocity did not differ between groups. Male golfers had 48% greater pelvis acceleration, 40% greater trunk acceleration, 24% greater peak GRF on the lead foot, and 50% more unweighting of the lead foot prior to ball impact. CONCLUSIONS: The greater ball speed and distance achieved by male golfers was due to (1) greater acceleration of the pelvis and trunk at the initiation of the downswing, (2) the application of a greater resultant GRF on the lead foot during the downswing, and (3) a greater unloading of the lead foot prior to ball impact. The generation of greater forces and accelerations through the kinetic chain despite similar angular displacements and velocities confers performance benefits for male golfers.