Effects of physical conditioning on intercollegiate golfer performance

J Strength Cond Res. 2006 Feb;20(1):62-72. doi: 10.1519/R-17725.1.

Abstract

This investigation was conducted to determine the effects of a physical conditioning program on clubhead speed, consistency, and putting distance control in 10 men and 6 women National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I golfers. Supervised strength, power, and flexibility training was performed 3 times per week for 11 weeks. Performance tests were conducted before and after the training period. Significant (p < 0.05) increases were noted for all strength, power, and flexibility tests from pre- to posttraining of between 7.3 and 19.9%. Clubhead speed increased significantly (1.6%), equating to approximately a 4.9-m increase in driving distance. Putting distance control significantly improved for the men-only group (29.6%), whereas there was no significant difference in putting distance control for the total and women-only groups. Eleven weeks of golf-specific physical conditioning increased clubhead speed without a negative effect on consistency or putting distance control in intercollegiate men and women golfers.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Golf / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Isometric Contraction / physiology
  • Male
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
  • Physical Education and Training / methods*
  • Video Recording