Relationship between putter head motions of golf and ball hitting direction, distance

Abstract

This study was conducted to clarify relationship between putter head motions of golf, and ball hitting direction, distance with use of statistical techniques. Measurement was carried out by measuring systems for golf putting. The measuring systems composed of 3D gyro sensor and two infrared sensors which is able to measure rotation angle of the putter shaft, distance between the grip end and trunk and initial angle of the putter shaft. From the measurement data, 27 parameters related to putting were selected. From the 27 parameters, 10 parameters related to hitting direction and distance were selected by analysis of variance. 10 parameters were applied principal component analysis to eliminate data redundancy. Using the first to fourth principal components obtained by principal component analysis, the hitting direction and distance were learned and identified by neural network. In addition, from the result of principal component analysis, it was shown that "angle of putter head at the impact", "length of the follow through", “swing speed” and “maximum and minimum rotation around the putter shaft” are main elements representing putting.