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Inclusion of Lower-Body and Upper-Body Power Exercises Acutely Improves Distance-Related Measures in Golf Driving
Alex Brennan1, Andrew Murray2,3, Martin Johansen4,5
1London Sports Institute, Faculty of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, London, United Kingdom.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
|August 4, 2026
Summary
Adding power exercises before golf improves driving distance. Both upper-body and lower-body power training enhance golf performance, with lower-body exercises showing a slight edge in clubhead speed.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Biomechanics
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Optimizing golf driving performance is crucial for high-level amateur golfers.
- Understanding the acute effects of specific power training interventions can inform practice and competition strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the acute effects of upper-body and lower-body power interventions on distance-related golf swing measures.
- To compare the impact of upper-body versus lower-body power exercises on key performance indicators in golfers.
Main Methods:
- Eighteen male amateur golfers participated in two separate acute interventions (upper-body and lower-body power exercises).
- Golf shot data, including clubhead speed, ball speed, carry distance, and smash factor, were collected at baseline and at multiple intervals post-intervention (immediately, 15, 30, and 60 minutes).
Main Results:
- The upper-body intervention showed statistically significant, small improvements in ball speed, carry distance, and smash factor, but not clubhead speed.
- The lower-body intervention resulted in statistically significant improvements across all measured golf metrics: clubhead speed, ball speed, carry distance, and smash factor.
- Both interventions demonstrated acute, positive effects on distance-related swing measures, with lower-body power exercises exhibiting a slightly greater influence on clubhead speed.
Conclusions:
- Low-volume power exercises, particularly those targeting the lower body, can be effectively integrated into pre-practice or pre-competition routines for golfers.
- Practitioners can utilize these findings to enhance golf driving performance through targeted power training interventions.
- Consideration of combined upper- and lower-body power training may yield cumulative benefits for distance-related swing measures.
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