Practice And Tournament Volumes Of Young Golfers In Regional And National Squads

Practice plays a part in determining skill development, expertise (Ericsson & Pool, 2016; Baker et al., 2003), levels of creativity (Memmert et al., 2010) psychological preparation, increases in novice golfers’ gray matter (Bezzola et al., 2011), and decision making (Baker et al., 2003). Currently there is little empirical research demonstrating the amount of practice golfers conduct on a session to session, weekly, monthly, seasonal or annual basis and the impact this can have on their handicap. Previous research has suggested that deliberate practice can explain some of the variance in performance levels (Macnamara et al., 2016). However, with a paucity of golf specific research in this area, it is important to establish the volumes being undertaken and the impact of those volumes on the golfer’s ability. This initial study aimed to establish the practice and tournament volumes of young golfers involved in a national governing body’s development programme and investigate how practice volumes influence handicap

Warm-Up Habits of Highly-Skilled Golfers Prior to Practice and Tournament Conditions

Biomechanics and Physiology Purpose Extensive research has highlighted that the incorporation of a warm-up can significantly improve clubhead speed (Moran et al., 2009; Fradkin et al., 2004), ball speed (Moran et al., 2009), swing path (Moran et al., 2009), and centeredness of strike (Tilley & Macfarlane, 2012; Moran et al., 2009). Research conducted by Fradkin et al., (2003) surveyed 1040 amateur golfers based on their attitudes towards pre-performance preparation, with 70% of the golfers indicating they never or seldom warm-up. With only 5.8% of their sample holding a handicap between 0-10, it indicates that the sample predominantly consisted of lower-skilled golfers. Whilst this provides some indication as to the pre-performance preparation habits of golfers, there is no evidence to date that has sought to establish the warm-up habits of highly-skilled golfers across both practice and tournament conditions. Using an observational study, Bridge et al., (2008) evidenced that Ladies European Tour golfers (n=25) performed a mixture of static and dynamic stretches which ranged from 27-29 seconds over consecutive tournament days. Whilst this provides evidence of the 'observed' warm-up practices of elite golfers prior to tournament rounds (TR), there is a paucity of evidence surrounding warm-up habits prior to driving range practice sessions (RS) and practice rounds (PR). The aim of this current study was to analyse the warm-up habits of highly-skilled golfers prior to 3 practice / tournament conditions ([RS], [PR] and [TR])

An investigation into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic upon golfers’ strength and conditioning and golf practice

As the spread of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 increased, governments across the world introduced various restrictions to reduce infections. Stay-at-home orders and lockdowns of golf courses (for 5.08 ± 2.79 months) and strength and conditioning facilities (for 6.78 ± 3.80 months) meant that golfers had to quickly adapt their practice and training. This mixed-methods study surveyed amateur and professional golfers (n = 107), to examine the applied impact of the pandemic on their strength and conditioning, golf practice, tournament engagement, levels of stress and motivation and the impact upon diet and sleep. Results indicate reduced practice frequency and duration across various aspects of golf, as well as reduced tournament engagement. The most commonly cited limiting factors for tournament engagement were a lack of practice time (28.8%) and travel restrictions (52.5%). In general, golfers were motivated to train, with session frequency remaining consistent with pre-pandemic levels. However, golfers suffered from significantly higher levels of stress (p p = .015) and perceptions of less physical gains compared to previous years. While online support has been accessed by 53.8% of golfers, the cited lack of facilities/equipment by 71.9% raises concerns over detraining and injury risks on return to sport. Coaches are urged to monitor athlete self-report measures to manage and optimise interventions, especially in similar situations where maintaining progressive overload is challenging. Strength and conditioning and golf coaches can use this study to review their applied practices, consider benefits/limitations to online coaching and to modify future interventions

Acute effects of different warm-up protocols on highly skilled golfers’ drive performance

Previous research has highlighted the positive effect that different warm-up protocols have on golf performance (e.g. Sorbie et al., 2016; Tilley & MacFarlane, 2012) with the design of warm-ups and programmes targeting and improving golf performance through the activation and development of specific muscle groups. This study aimed to examine the acute effects of two warm-up protocols on golf drive performance in comparison to a control condition. Using a randomised counter-balanced design over three testing sessions, twenty-three highly skilled golfers completed the control, dynamic and resistance-band warm-up conditions. Following each condition, a GC2 launch monitor was used to record ball velocity and other launch parameters of ten shots hit with the participants own driver. A repeated-measures ANOVA found significant increases in ball velocity (ηp² = .217) between the control and both the dynamic and resistance-band warm-up conditions but no difference between these latter two, and a reduction in launch angle between control and dynamic conditions. The use of either a dynamic stretching or resistance-band warm-up can have acute benefits on ball velocity but golfers should liaise with a PGA Professional golf coach to effectively integrate this into their golf driving performance

The Effect Of Percussive Therapy On Musculoskeletal Performance And Experiences Of Pain: A Systematic Literature Review

Background There is a lack of specific research on the effect of percussive therapy (PT) delivered by massage guns on physiological adaptations. This systematic literature review investigates research conducted on the effects of PT interventions on performance in strength and conditioning settings, and on experiences of musculoskeletal pain. Purpose To determine the effect of PT delivered by massage guns on physiological adaptations: muscle strength, explosive muscle strength and flexibility, and experiences of musculoskeletal pain. Study Design Systematic literature review. Methods Data sources (CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Psychinfo, PubMed, SportDISCUS and OpenGrey) were searched from January 2006 onwards for full text literature in any language involving adult populations receiving PT delivered by massage guns, directly to any muscle belly or tendon, with comparisons to an alternative treatment, placebo or no treatment. Literature with outcomes relating to acute or chronic physiological adaptations in muscle strength, explosive muscle strength, flexibility or experiences of musculoskeletal pain were included. Articles were assessed for quality using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme and PEDro scores. Results Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. All studies had limitations in methodological quality or reporting of findings but still included contextually-rich details that contributed to the overall narrative synthesis. A significant relationship was found between a single application of PT delivered by massage guns and an acute increase in muscle strength, explosive muscle strength and flexibility, with multiple treatments eliciting a reduction in experiences of musculoskeletal pain. Conclusion PT delivered by massage guns can help improve acute muscle strength, explosive muscle strength and flexibility, and reduce experiences of musculoskeletal pain. These devices may provide a portable and cost-effective alternative to other forms of vibration and interventions

The Effect Of Percussive Therapy On Musculoskeletal Performance And Experiences Of Pain: A Systematic Literature Review

Background There is a lack of specific research on the effect of percussive therapy (PT) delivered by massage guns on physiological adaptations. This systematic literature review investigates research conducted on the effects of PT interventions on performance in strength and conditioning settings, and on experiences of musculoskeletal pain. Purpose To determine the effect of PT delivered by massage guns on physiological adaptations: muscle strength, explosive muscle strength and flexibility, and experiences of musculoskeletal pain. Study Design Systematic literature review. Methods Data sources (CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Psychinfo, PubMed, SportDISCUS and OpenGrey) were searched from January 2006 onwards for full text literature in any language involving adult populations receiving PT delivered by massage guns, directly to any muscle belly or tendon, with comparisons to an alternative treatment, placebo or no treatment. Literature with outcomes relating to acute or chronic physiological adaptations in muscle strength, explosive muscle strength, flexibility or experiences of musculoskeletal pain were included. Articles were assessed for quality using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme and PEDro scores. Results Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. All studies had limitations in methodological quality or reporting of findings but still included contextually-rich details that contributed to the overall narrative synthesis. A significant relationship was found between a single application of PT delivered by massage guns and an acute increase in muscle strength, explosive muscle strength and flexibility, with multiple treatments eliciting a reduction in experiences of musculoskeletal pain. Conclusion PT delivered by massage guns can help improve acute muscle strength, explosive muscle strength and flexibility, and reduce experiences of musculoskeletal pain. These devices may provide a portable and cost-effective alternative to other forms of vibration and interventions

The Junior Golfer

In the context of golf, a key aspect of the role of a youth strength and conditioning coach is to help children establish habits and motivation for physical activity / training and to develop physical literacy allowing them to learn how to, perform more effectively on the golf course. This chapter explores aspects of training junior golfers, including growth and maturation status, biological vs chronological age, barriers to engagement and the training that children can do to help develop physical characteristics necessary for improved golf performance and longevity in the sport. In doing so, the chapter provides evidence to answer common questions such as: “Should children lift weights?” “Are children simply mini-adults?” “How can coaching be adapted when working with children?”. This chapter critiques the myths and evidence surrounding children’s strength and conditioning with emphasis on the training that children may engage in to aid their physical development and competence as they progress towards adult golf. The chapter’s pragmatic approach will help coaches foster effective training habits, monitor behaviour and performance, and ultimately encourage enjoyment of strength and conditioning sessions

Developing a movement culture in the first ten years

There has never been a more pressing time to stimulate young people towards physical activity and sport, with rising obesity levels, coupled with ever-younger children favouring technology use over outdoor play. Almost one third of 2-15 year olds in the UK are classed as overweight or obese (Oliver, 2016) and this figure is predicted to rise to 66% by 2050 (Government Office for Science, 2007). The decline of outdoor play during childhood can be associated with reduced physical activity (Slutsky & DeShetler, 2017) and fundamental movement skill (FMS) competence (i.e. the ability to complete basic locomotion, manipulation and stabilisation skills used in sport/everyday life). Indeed, a recent Active Lives Survey (Sport England, 2018) highlights that schools are not providing adequate opportunities to achieve 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) each day, with only 17.5% of 1.2 million children achieving this target. Fostering a culture within a school where children are encouraged to move, be active and be subject to positive movement experiences (Agans et al., 2013) across the curriculum, not just in physical education settings, could lead to a movement culture that achieves these targets. Much emphasis is placed upon the ‘core’ subjects of phonics, reading, writing, and mathematics. Whilst becoming literate in these areas is undoubtedly important from a quality of life perspective, being physically active and developing ‘physical literacy’ is the only literacy that can have a direct impact on health and life expectancy. Recent research demonstrates the important role that primary schools can play in this regard, with results indicating that, on days where physical education is provided, boys and girls achieve 88% and 70% of their recommended physical activity volumes respectively (Howells, Wellard, & Woolf-May, 2018). It is therefore critical that educational settings are adequately informed and equipped to assess and develop physical literacy while fostering a movement culture. Evidence highlights that with improved FMS comes greater enjoyment and motivation for children to engage in MVPA (Simpson et al., 2017), while adolescents are more inclined to partake in sport/physical activity 6 years later (Jaakkola et al., 2016). A lack of physical competence ultimately results in larger dropouts from sport and physical activity into late adolescence or adulthood (Jaakkola et al., 2016) and is one of the contributors to the rise in obesity in school children (Oliver, 2016). This chapter explores the evidence underpinning FMS development and its role in physical literacy with an applied focus on best practice in primary education settings to support children towards sustained participation within a positive movement culture

Impact Position Variability in Golfers of Differing Skill Level

This study examined the variable error (VE) for the golf impact position of high and low skilled golfers. A consistent shot type was employed by 20 golfers from 2 skill groups over 10-15 shots with a midiron. Analysis reported similar positional variability across categories. Significant differences were found for the whole group in VE of the distance of various body segments to the ball (p < .001) where variability reduced across the distance of the ball to the midpoint of the stance, compared with the pelvis and shoulders. Alignment variability significantly decreased toward distal segments of the kinematic sequence with VE for the alignment of stance relative to pelvis compared with stance relative to shoulders and pelvis relative to shoulders showing reduced levels (p < .001) in the low skilled golfers. Tilt variability in the frontal plane around the sagittal/anterior-posterior (AP) axis also presented significantly reduced levels from the pelvis to the shoulders (p < .001) with no effect of skill level. Conclusions suggest that coaches should pay particular attention to the variability presented at the distal end of the kinematic sequence and the alignment of the stance in relation to the pelvis