Context: This thesis focused on two main areas of golf performance. Firstly, centre of pressure excursions influence on full golf swing performance, as despite golf coaching literature placing importance on weight transfer, literature into this mechanism is limited. Secondly, the area of the golf putt was examined; few studies have investigated the biomechanics into the putting stroke despite it being identified as the most important performance factor within golf. Areas of investigation were, centre of pressure excursions during the putting stroke, the impact point on golf ball and movement variability on performance outcomes being the ball roll kinematics. Aims: To examine biomechanical factors that influence golf performance. Centre of pressure excursion during the full golf swing and putting stroke were examined. Additionally, body segment kinematics and variability of rotations were correlated with putting performance outcomes. The impact point on the golf ball was considered as a mechanism that can cause variability of the kinematic ball roll. Subjects: All subjects used in this thesis were actively playing golf. Subjects were categorised using the golf handicap system. For studies assessing reliability, validity or isolating putter stroke kinematics a mechanical putting robot was used. Methods: Correlational research whereby no variables were manipulated was predominantly adopted throughout this thesis to establish relationships between biomechanical parameters and golf performance. Biomechanical parameters were assessed using the appropriate data collection and analysis techniques; this included the variability associated with segment rotations. Results: Significant differences were observed for the centre of pressure excursions along the mediolateral axis between three different golf clubs (full swing). For the putting stroke low handicap golfers demonstrated lower centre of pressure excursions along the anteroposterior axis in comparison to high handicap golfers, additionally, a large amount of inter-subject variability was observed for centre of pressure excursions. In regards to the impact point on the golf ball, significant associations were identified between impact variables and the performance measures horizontal launch angle and whether the ball was pushed or pulled, these results were not replicated with human participants. It was identified that the relationship between the centre of mass displacement and centre of pressure excursions is a complex one and that movement variability had a detrimental effect on the horizontal launch angle and therefore performance. Conclusions: The results from the full swing analysis of this thesis suggest that stance width may influence the amount of centre of pressure excursions that occur. For the golf putting stroke, golfers and coaches should reduce the amount of variability associated with the technique to improve performance. Regarding future scientific research, a combination of individual analysis accompanying group-based analysis should be utilised due to the large inter-subject differences observed.

In competitive golf, the player’s ability to hit the ball a long distance affects the score in a positive way. Swing kinematics is considered an important factor in driver performance; one way of improving swing kinematics is through strength and power training. Subsequently, high-level golfers and their coaches often explore novel ways of increasing the distance of a shot, in particular driver carry distance (CD). This licentiate thesis presents two studies with the overall aim of studying how swing kinematic and physical characteristics are associated with driver performance among intercollegiate golf players. The studies report swing kinematics associated with driver performance (study 1) and the impact of isokinetic rotational training on driver performance and swing kinematic variables (study 2). The methods used were (1) a cross-sectional correlation study (n=15) and (2) an open trial intervention study (n=20). The studies investigated (1) the relationship between golf swing kinematics and driver performance, and (2) the impact of strength training on swing kinematics and driver performance variable. The results show variables that were distinctive for the club head speed (CHS) were mainly during the downswing: greater X-factor stretch; and higher pelvis peak speed. Whilst, factors distinctive to the regression model for CD were mainly at impact: reduced thorax rotation; and greater thorax lateral bend. Nine weeks of isokinetic training increased seated rotational force and power, peak arm speed and arm acceleration, ball speed, and CD more compared to isotonic training. Even though isokinetic training did not increase CHS, it did result in greater CD. This licentiate thesis contributes to the understanding of which variables influence driver performance, in particular CD, among high-level golfers. Segmental interactions (pelvis-thorax), lead arm speed and acceleration, isokinetic and isotonic training. These results may guide training interventions aiming to improve driver and golf performance among high-level golfers, particularly those with a background of strength training. Future studies could investigate how the interaction between swing kinematics, clubhead trajectory, and driver performance variables differ between male and female golfers.