The Recreational Game of Golf, Research Paper Example

The recreational game of golf has been reviewed and evaluated with regards to the application of power, torque,angular and linear velocity interacting in order to provide power and orientation to the golf ball. In the game of golf, the swing is applied in a pendulum motion which is composed of two aspects. These aspects are the kinetic, force and directional components of the golfer’s body. These characteristics will be reviewed from the perspective of Jorgensen (1994), McGinnis (2013) and Penner (2003) from the perspective of the biomechanical energy applied in the golf swing.

The game of golf is one of the most established sports. Golf has been in existence for over five centuries.  Since its inception, the golf players have viewed the study of biomechanics with significant curiosity. The primary changes which were performed were to the golf clubs and golf balls. As scientific knowledge increased, the aspect of applying the energy in a more efficient way to the golf ball was sought. Golf players have always sought to improve their golf swing. Recently, the science of physics and biomechanics has been applied in a substantial manner in order to increase the knowledge of how to comprehend the performance of the best golfers (Penner, 2003).

Biomechanics is the examination of the influences of forces on sports production. In applying the principles and laws which are fundamental to physics which are applicable to human motion, coaches and athletes can perform sound decision making processes with regards to the development of superior sports perspectives. Sports biomechanics is the combination of kinesiology and biomechanics into a discipline of science which implements the principles and laws of physical science and mechanics in order to improve sports performance. An increased comprehension of sports production in athletic competitive events is attained though simulations and assessment (McGinnis, 2013).

It is a requisite for the effective production of athletic performance to attain a comprehensive understanding of the principles of physics which are applied to the majority of sports competitions.  The elements which are analyzed in biomechanics are friction, momentum, resistance and motion.  The analysis of these elements is important in order to maximize the energy which is applied by the athlete and to diminish the potential of sports related injuries (McGinnis, 2013).

In golf swings, the golfer’s body applies a pendulum motion which consists of two components. The golfer’s force is applied from the golfer’s shoulders, arms, torso, wrist and hand. A force is also applied in the form of power and torque which originate in the hand and the wrist triggering action of the golfer. The foundation for the analysis of the two components pendulum model in golf swings is derived from the conventional form of maintaining the left arm in a rigid posture with a one hundred and eighty degree and between the forearm and the upper arm during the backswing. This angle enables the optimal transmission of power from the body to the golf club (Penner, 2013).

The backswing is applied to increase the momentum of the downswing. In the downswing, the golfer’s power is applied from the shoulder in order to increase the power which is applied to the ball. The endeavors of gyrating the hips, torso and arms are coordinated into one unitary couple which is implemented in order to deliver power at the centralpivot point. The aspect of biomechanics enables the analysis and the effective coordination of all of the muscles which are applied by a golfer during the golf swing(Penner, 2003).

In the course of the initial portion of the downswing, the wrist remains at one constant angle. In the second half of the downswing, the hand and wrist action are applied as braking implements which are applied in order to deter the golf club from returning the biomechanical energy which it has received tothe golfer. In the course of the downswing, the force which has an angular momentum will augment and the combination force applied by thewrist and hand will significantly drop. As the needed combination of forces which are required to provide energy to the ball approaches zero, the lower connection will begin to swing out in the absence of restraint from the wrist and hands. This is designated as a natural release (Jorgensen, 1994).

Consequently, the energy is transferred from the golfer’s shoulders to the golfer’sarms. The energy from the arms which is magnified by angular velocity is transmitted to the hands and the wrist of the golfer. The energy which is amplified from the golfer’s hand and wrist is transmitted to the golf club and subsequently to the golf ball. The golf ball is normally maintained in front of the center of the transmission of the force. This aspect enables the angle of the wrist inclination equivalent to zero (Jorgensen, 1994).

The mathematical equation which represents the fundamental dual pendulum motion is applied using a Lagrangian perspective.The aspect of gravity is not considered in this equation.  The forces which are demonstrated in the dual pendulum swing are detailed in the formula:

?_b + ?₀ = – A? cos (?- 0) + B?² (sin?-0) and ?_b = – B?cos (?- 0) – B?²sin (?- 0) – C?

In the circumstance of the generic coordinates ? and ? representing the angular locations of the two links in correlation to the vertical plane. The angular location of the primary link is ? and the angular location of the secondary link is demonstrated by ? + ?(Jorgensen, 1994).

In the equation, mass is represented by A, B and C which are mass functions serving as representative constraints which represent the biomechanical component of the initial and secondary moments of the links. In the initial stage of the golf downswing, the angle which is maintained by the wrist trigger action is represented by ? – 0(Jorgensen, 1994). This angle is maintained constant and the equations can be decomposed to:

? = ? = -?_b/ I.

This formula is applied in the circumstance of representing the inertial moment of the entire biomechanical energy transmission which is focused around the center (Jorgensen, 1994).The direction of the golf club when it impacts the ball is reliant on the intensity of the combination force which is applied at the center, in addition to the wrist trigger action, backswing and angles of release. The aspect of synchronicity is important in the biomechanical golf swing analysis (Penner, 2003).

Golfers are normally trained to maintain the body’s center stationary around the golf swing. Notwithstanding, the majority of golfers shift their centers of gravity downward in the direction of the ball in the process of the downswing. In the model which was applied by Jorgensen (1994) the values for center torque of 77.3 Nm was sustained, in addition to an angular position of one hundred and sixty six degrees. In the process of the back swing, the primary wrist trigger angle was maintained at one hundred and twenty four degrees and the angle of release was applied (Jorgensen, 1994).

The linear acceleration at the center was assessed at 14.4 m/s² in the primary one hundred and sixty millisecond period of the downswing. This motion was immediately followed by an adverse acceleration of 15.4 m/ s²(Jorgensen, 1994).

In the research which was conducted by Jorgensen (1994), the energy transmission from the golfer’s should to the ball is modeled. The research which has been conducted by the dual pendulum swing in theprocess of the downswing by the musclesused in the hub combination of the transference of energy will exert a force which has a direct component of ?_o – ?. In the swing which was modeled, 71% of the comprehensive kinetic energy is transmitted by the muscle combinations which are working to transfer energy from the golfer’s body to the club to the ball. Thirteen percent of the energy which is transmitted is attributed to the decline in the gravitational energy. Sixteen percent of the energy is derived from the writs trigger action (Jorgensen, 1994)

Conclusion

The study of biomechanics with regards to the golf swing can be applied in order to improve the efficiency of the energy which is transmitted to the golf ball by means of the golf club. The increase in the efficiency of the power transmission adds to the angular velocity of the shoulder, arm and wrist. The increase in the review of the biomechanical components of the golf swing enables a more effective golf swing. The effective production and application of energy can enable the athletes to increase their competitive capacity and reduce sports injuries.

References

Jorgensen, T. P. (1994) The physics of golf. USA: American Institute of Physics Press.

McGinnis, P. (2013). Biomechanics of sport and exercise. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Penner, A. R. (2003). The physics of golf. Reports on Progress in Physics, 66: 131- 171.