Musculoskeletal and Biomechanical Differences Between Proficient Male and Female Golfers

ABSTRACT: McHugh, MP, Maisel, MB, Orishimo, KF, Kremenic, IJ, and O'Mahoney, CA. Musculoskeletal and biomechanical differences between proficient male and female golfers. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2026-The purpose of this study was to compare musculoskeletal and biomechanical metrics between proficient male and female golfers. Strength, flexibility, and biomechanics were compared between 13 male and 16 female low handicap golfers. Shoulder and hip strength were measured with a hand-held dynamometer. Flexibility of the shoulders, trunk, and hips was measured with 13 tests (4 sagittal plane, 4 frontal plane, 5 transverse plane). Pelvis and trunk angles, velocities and accelerations, and ground reaction forces were measured as subjects hit balls with a driver. In addition, performance metrics (clubhead speed, ball speed, and total distance) were compared between groups with a standard golf radar launch monitor. Independent t-tests and mixed model analysis of variance were used to compare flexibility, strength, biomechanics, and performance between male and female golfers with significance set at p < 0.05. Male golfers were taller (p < 0.001), had a higher body mass (p = 0.002), but the groups were not different in age (p = 0.073) or United States Golf Association handicap (p = 0.375). Female golfers were more flexible than men in 2 of 4 frontal plane tests and 1 of 4 sagittal plane tests, with no differences between sexes for any of the 5 transverse plane tests. Male golfers were stronger than women for all 6 shoulder tests but only for 2 of 5 hip strength tests. Male golfers had higher pelvis and trunk acceleration, and a higher lead foot loading rate. Male golfers had higher clubhead speed ball speed, and total distance (p < 0.001). The ability to more rapidly generate forces from the ground, and accelerate the pelvis and trunk during the downswing, best differentiated male from female golfers.