Performance measures across playing categories in competitive golfers with disabilities: a cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Biomechanics
• Disability Sports

Background:

• Golf is an increasingly inclusive sport, with adaptive programs growing worldwide.
• Understanding the biomechanics of golf swings in athletes with disabilities is crucial for performance optimization and classification.
• Limited normative data exists for golf swing performance in athletes with disabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish normative full golf swing launch data for golfers with disabilities.
• To examine the relationships between Sport Class and golf swing performance metrics.
• To provide data that can inform future research, governing bodies, and tournament organizers.

Main Methods:

• 142 competitive golfers across four disability Sport Classes participated.
• Launch data (club and ball variables) were measured using a Doppler-radar based launch monitor.
• Descriptive statistics and generalized linear models were employed to analyze performance data.

Main Results:

• A wide range of ball-striking ability and consistency was observed both between and within disability classes.
• Sitting playing style golfers exhibited significantly lower carry distance across all clubs compared to other classes.
• Sitting golfers also demonstrated higher carry distance variability and lower offline distance variability.

Conclusions:

• Significant performance differences exist among golfers with disabilities, particularly for those in the Sitting playing style.
• The established normative data highlight the diverse abilities within this population.
• These findings are essential for refining classification systems and enhancing competitive opportunities in adaptive golf.