Musculoskeletal and Biomechanical Differences Between Proficient Male and Female Golfers

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Biomechanics
• Human Movement Analysis

Background:

• Understanding sex-based differences in athletic performance is crucial for targeted training.
• Golf requires a complex interplay of strength, flexibility, and coordinated movement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare musculoskeletal and biomechanical metrics between proficient male and female golfers.
• To identify key differentiating factors in golf performance between sexes.

Main Methods:

• Compared strength, flexibility, and biomechanics in 13 male and 16 female low-handicap golfers.
• Utilized hand-held dynamometry for strength, 13 flexibility tests, and motion analysis for biomechanics.
• Measured clubhead speed, ball speed, and distance using a launch monitor.

Main Results:

• Male golfers were taller and heavier; no significant differences in age or handicap.
• Female golfers showed greater flexibility in some frontal and sagittal plane tests.
• Male golfers demonstrated superior shoulder strength, higher pelvis/trunk acceleration, and faster ground force generation.

Conclusions:

• Male golfers' higher performance is linked to greater ability to generate forces rapidly from the ground and accelerate the pelvis and trunk.
• These biomechanical advantages contribute to significantly higher clubhead speed, ball speed, and driving distance.