Different centre of pressure patterns within the golf stroke I: Cluster analysis

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Sports Science
• Motor Control

Background:

• Previous golf swing weight transfer research yielded inconsistent findings.
• A key limitation was the assumption of a single, uniform swing style.
• Analyzing diverse movement strategies as one group can lead to statistical inaccuracies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the existence of different weight transfer styles in the golf swing.
• To apply cluster analysis to center of pressure (CP) patterns in the direction of hit (CPy).
• To evaluate the effectiveness and potential issues of cluster analysis in this context.

Main Methods:

• Sixty-two golfers (professional to high handicap) performed simulated golf drives.
• Center of pressure (CP) data was collected using force plates.
• CP position relative to the feet (CPy%) was analyzed at eight key swing events using 200-Hz video and cluster analysis.

Main Results:

• Cluster analysis revealed two primary CPy% styles: "Front Foot" and "Reverse."
• Both styles involved initial weight shift to the back foot during the backswing and forward during the early downswing.
• The "Front Foot" style shifted CP to the front foot through impact, while the "Reverse" style maintained CP towards the back foot through impact and follow-through.

Conclusions:

• Two distinct weight transfer styles exist in the golf swing, irrespective of skill level.
• Neither the "Front Foot" nor the "Reverse" style appears to be a technical error.
• Cluster analysis for identifying movement patterns requires careful methodology, including hierarchical/non-hierarchical methods and validation procedures.