Three Dimensional Dynamics of the Golf Swing

This book establishes a comprehensive understandingof the role that shaft stiffness plays in executinga golf drive. A thorough set of experiments wasconducted to answer explicit questions related tothis goal. Specifically, how does shaft stiffnessaffect clubhead speed and how does it alter clubheadorientation at impact? What are the underlyingmechanisms responsible for the pattern of shaftdeflection occurring during the downswing? For thefirst time, a 3D, 6-segment forward dynamics modelof a golfer and club was developed to answer thesequestions. The golfer model was optimized formaximum clubhead speed using a genetic algorithmthat determined the best activation pattern for thesimulated muscles that provided energy to thesystem. High speed video data of shaft bendingduring the swings of actual golfers were collectedto assess the validity of the model. In addition tothe findings on shaft stiffness, the development ofthe model led to an understanding of the role thatpassive joint forces play in squaring the club forimpact. This book also serves as a solidintroduction to forward dynamics modelling.

Autorentext

Dr. Sasho MacKenzie is a biomechanics professor in the
Department of Human Kinetics at St. Francis Xavier University in
Nova Scotia, Canada. Dr. MacKenzie has focussed his research
efforts on the biomechanics of the golf swing primarily through
the use of three-dimensional computer simulation and
optimization.

Klappentext

This book establishes a comprehensive understanding
of the role that shaft stiffness plays in executing
a golf drive. A thorough set of experiments was
conducted to answer explicit questions related to
this goal. Specifically, how does shaft stiffness
affect clubhead speed and how does it alter clubhead
orientation at impact? What are the underlying
mechanisms responsible for the pattern of shaft
deflection occurring during the downswing? For the
first time, a 3D, 6-segment forward dynamics model
of a golfer and club was developed to answer these
questions. The golfer model was optimized for
maximum clubhead speed using a genetic algorithm
that determined the best activation pattern for the
simulated muscles that provided energy to the
system. High speed video data of shaft bending
during the swings of actual golfers were collected
to assess the validity of the model. In addition to
the findings on shaft stiffness, the development of
the model led to an understanding of the role that
passive joint forces play in squaring the club for
impact. This book also serves as a solid
introduction to forward dynamics modelling.