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Understanding the mechanisms of shaft deflection in the golf swing

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Abstract

An understanding of shaft dynamics during the golf swing was gained through a series of theoretical simulations, using a 3D forward dynamics model. By resolving the resultant force applied at the grip end of the club into a tangential and a radial (centripetal) component, the mechanisms of shaft deflection were quantified. It was determined that radial force plays an important role in producing the toe-down and lead-deflections recorded in all golf swings made with a driver. However, the simulations also revealed that the recoil of the shaft, from its previously toe-up and lag deflected position during the downswing (due to tangential forces), plays at least an equally important role in determining the position and orientation of the clubhead at impact. It was further demonstrated that, due to the influence of the radial force component, maximum kick velocity is reached after the clubhead has passed beyond the neutral shaft position.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada for providing funding support.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Kinetics, St. Francis Xavier University, 5000, Antigonish, NS, B2G 2W5, Canada

    Sasho James MacKenzie

  2. College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, Canada

    Eric J. Sprigings

Authors
  1. Sasho James MacKenzie
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  2. Eric J. Sprigings
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Correspondence to Sasho James MacKenzie.

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MacKenzie, S.J., Sprigings, E.J. Understanding the mechanisms of shaft deflection in the golf swing. Sports Eng 12, 69–75 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12283-010-0034-3

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