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A three-dimensional forward dynamics model of the golf swing

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Abstract

Previously, forward dynamic models of the golf swing have been planar, two-dimensional (2D) representations. Research on live golfers has consistently demonstrated that the downswing is not planar. This paper introduces and evaluates the validity of a 3D six-segment forward dynamics model of a golfer. The model incorporates a flexible club shaft and a variable swing plane. A genetic algorithm was developed to optimise the coordination of the model’s mathematically represented muscles (torque generators) in order to maximise clubhead speed at impact. The kinematic and kinetic results confirmed previous findings on the proximal to distal sequencing of joints and the muscles powering those joints. The validity of the mathematical model was supported through comparisons of the model’s swing kinematics and kinetics with those of a live golfer.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada for providing funding support. The authors thank Pierre Gervais for the use of the Biomechanics Lab at the University of Alberta, and his Ph.D. student, Steve Leblanc for helping verify the results via high-speed videoing of a live golfer.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Kinetics, St. Francis Xavier University, PO Box 5000, Antigonish, NS, B2G 2W5, Canada

    Sasho James MacKenzie

  2. College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada

    Eric J. Sprigings

Authors
  1. Sasho James MacKenzie
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  2. Eric J. Sprigings
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sasho James MacKenzie.

Appendix

Appendix

The following graphs, from Butler and Winfield [26], represent the deflection of the clubhead during the downswings of three different golfers (Fig. 10). Each of the golfers attained the same clubhead speed of 46 m/s at impact. Butler and Winfield used strain gauges which collected shaft deflection data at 50,000 Hz. They used the same conventions as the current paper for describing the direction of deflection. Traces representing shaft twisting, which they found to be minimal (<0.6°) as well as data following impact has not been included on the graphs below; this improved the clarity of the graphs and made them easier to compare to Fig. 9 in the current paper. While each of the swings below has unique deflection characteristics, they also all show the same general pattern as the model used in the current paper.

Fig. 10
figure 10

Toe-up/toe-down and lead/lag deflections during the downswings of three different golfers. All traces end at impact with the ball. Reprinted, by permission, from Butler and Winfield [26, pp 261–262], Figs. 1, 2 and 3

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MacKenzie, S.J., Sprigings, E.J. A three-dimensional forward dynamics model of the golf swing. Sports Eng 11, 165–175 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12283-009-0020-9

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