Analysis and comparison of lateral head impacts using various golf discs and a Hybrid III head form

The potential for head injuries from discs specifically designed for the sport of disc golf has increased as more disc golf courses are constructed in municipal parks where there is an inherent risk to park users of being struck by a golf disc. This study investigated the potential for head injury of various golf discs used in the sport of disc golf at 18 m/s (40 mph) and 27 m/s (60 mph) using a Hybrid III head form. A matrix of eight modern golf discs were tested to determine if velocity, mass, disc type, or flexibility has a significant effect on the potential for head injury as indicated by peak linear acceleration, peak angular acceleration, Head Injury Criteria (HIC) and Severity Index (SI) values. Regression analyses indicated peak linear acceleration, peak rotational acceleration, HIC, and SI varied by velocity, mass, type, and flexibility. The highest mean linear and rotational acceleration results, 38.5 g and 2512 rad/s² respectively, both associated with a less than 10% likelihood of sustaining a concussion. The findings should be of interest to both researchers and practitioners who seek to balance use and safety of public parks.