Muscle strength and golf performance: a critical review

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Biomechanics
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Golf's increasing popularity drives research into its physical demands.
• Understanding the link between strength and golf performance is crucial for training program design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review scientific literature on strength training and golf performance in healthy individuals.
• To inform effective strength training program design and identify future research directions.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of studies examining muscle strength, golf skill (handicap/score), and swing performance (club head speed, driving distance).
• Analysis of studies investigating changes in swing performance after strength training interventions.
• Critical evaluation of methodologies and assessment protocols in existing research.

Main Results:

• Positive correlations found between golf handicap and swing performance variables.
• Significant positive relationship between muscle strength and golf skill (handicap/score).
• Muscle strength is linked to driving distance, swing speed, and ball speed.

Conclusions:

• Training leg-hip and trunk power, along with grip strength, is vital for improving golf performance.
• Methodological limitations in current research necessitate well-designed future studies.
• Further research should focus on elite golfers and use precise protocols relating to golf-specific movements.