Wrist Mechanics: Differences Based on Handicap

Today’s topic: Wrist Mechanics!

Today’s post will be mainly a summary of a 2011 study published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport entitled “Differences in wrist mechanics during the golf swing based on golf handicap” [1], with some supplemental information worked in. Wrist cocking (bilateral wrist radial deviation with some trailing wrist extension) is a vital aspect of the golf swing and major determinant of club head velocity. One study has attributed 70% of the linear segmental velocity of the golf swing to the wrist compared to 20% to the shoulders and 10% to the spine and hips [2]. Another study attributed about 60% of the variance in club head velocity between golfers of varying abilities to wrist cocking [3].

This study involved 28 male right-handed golfers (average age 26 years old). Participants were divided into lower handicap group (5 or below) vs higher handicap group (greater than 10). 3D kinematic data was collected with 8 camera motion capture system. The following were analyzed from top of the backswing to ball contact: bilateral wrist flexion and extension, bilateral radial deviation and ulnar deviation, peak angle of descent, and angle of descent when forearm is parallel to ground. Angle of descent was defined as the angle between club shaft and the horizontal axis.

Key results:

1) Statistically significant difference in angle between club shaft and forearm at forearm parallel to ground (during the downswing) – an average of 86 degrees in the lower handicap group vs average of 70 degrees in the higher handicap group.

2) Statistically significant difference in lead wrist radial deviation between the two groups at ball contact – an average of roughly 8 degrees in lower handicap group vs average of 15 degrees in higher handicap group.

Conclusion:

Unexpectedly and in contrast to what is otherwise accepted, this particular study found less wrist cocking in lower handicap golfers at forearm parallel compared to higher handicap golfers, data the authors suggest could have been skewed by the degree elbow flexion in high handicap golfers. It’s worth bringing in other studies here and the general consensus that professional players typically demonstrate more wrist cocking at forearm parallel [4-6].

Tying all this together, lower handicap golfers both demonstrate a greater lag/loading of power/wrist cocking/radial deviation on the downswing at forearm parallel to ground and are superior at unloading this power/uncocking their wrist at ball contact.

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Sources:

1) Fedorcik GG, Queen RM, Abbey AN, Moorman CT, Ruch DS. Differences in wrist mechanics during the golf swing based on golf handicap. J Sci Med Sport. 2012;15(3):250-4.

2) Milburn PD. Summation of segmental velocities in the golf swing. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1982;14(1):60-4.

3) Hume PA, Keogh J, Reid D. The role of biomechanics in maximising distance and accuracy of golf shots. Sports Med. 2005;35(5):429-49.

4) Springings, E.J., Neal, R.J. An insight into the importance of wrist torque in driving the golfball: a simulation study. J Appl Biomech. 2000;16:356–366

5) McLaughlin, P.A., Best, R.J. Three-dimensional kinematic analysis of the golf swing. in: A.J. Cochran, M.R. Farraly (Eds.) Science and golf. II. Proceedings of the 1994 world scientific congress of golf. E&FN Spon, London; 1994:91–96

6) Robinson, R.L. A study of the correlation between swing characteristics and club head velocity. in: Science and Golf. II. Proceedings of the 1994 world scientific congress of golf. E&FN Spon, London; 1994:84–90