Experimental Analysis of Balancing Mechanism during the Golf Swing

(The Energy Balance due to Balance Motion)

Abstract

In the previous paper, we clarified mechanism of balance motion of the golf swing, which the golfer carries out to avoid being distorted by the inertia force of the swing. In this study, in order to clarify the relationship between the balance motion and the head speed, we examined how kinetic energy flow between balance system (head, trunk and lower limbs) and swing system (club and arms) by processing the data measured by the 3D motion analysis system. In the balance motion performed by an amateur golf player, we focus on 3 mechanisms, conversion from horizontal velocity of the waist to rotational speed, extension of swing angle by inclination of trunk axis, and movement of rotation center of swing. As a result of examining using some hypothesis and calculation on such mechanisms, it is confirmed that energy flows from the balance system to the swing system and such energy transfer has the effect of improving the head speed.