The short golf backswing: effects on performance and spinal health implications

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanics
• Golf Performance Analysis

Background:

• Full recoil golf swings are frequently linked to back pain and injuries among golfers.
• Evidence suggests that limiting the backswing may mitigate injury risk without compromising golf performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare golf swing performance and muscular activity in the trunk and shoulder between a full recoil swing and a modified short backswing.

Main Methods:

• Electromyography (EMG) recorded muscle activity from the lumbar, external oblique, latissimus dorsi, and pectoral muscles in seven golfers.
• High-speed video analyzed backswing angle reduction.
• Clubhead velocity (CHV) and ball-contact accuracy were measured using specialized equipment.

Main Results:

• Shortening the backswing by approximately 46.5 degrees did not significantly affect stroke accuracy or clubhead velocity.
• Trunk muscle activation, particularly in the right oblique, decreased during the pre-impact phase.
• Activation patterns shifted, with decreased left lumbar and increased right latissimus dorsi activity during acceleration, and increased left lumbar activity during follow-through.

Conclusions:

• Short backswings in golf appear to reduce trunk muscle activation, potentially lowering the risk of back injury and pain.
• These modifications do not negatively impact swing accuracy or clubhead velocity.
• However, a short backswing leads to increased shoulder muscle activation, which may elevate the risk of shoulder injuries.