Correlation of Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Level 1 Movement Screens and Golf Swing Faults

• Published in: Journal of strength and conditioning research 2014-02, Vol.28 (2), p.534-539
• Main Authors: Gulgin, Heather R, Schulte, Brian C, Crawley, Amy A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Athletes; Athletic Performance - physiology; Biomechanical Phenomena; Correlation analysis; Female; Golf; Golf - physiology; Hip Joint - physiology; Human performance; Humans; Male; Movement; Muscle Strength; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Postural Balance - physiology; Task Performance and Analysis; Thigh; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1064-8011; 1533-4287
• DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e31829b2ac4

ABSTRACTGulgin, HR, Schulte, BC, and Crawley, AA. Correlation of Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) level 1 movement screens and golf swing faults. J Strength Cond Res 28(2)534–539, 2014—Although some research in the past has examined how physical limitations in strength or flexibility affect a golferʼs performance, the performance outcome most measured was driving distance. Currently, there are no data that have examined the relationship between selected strength and flexibility variables and golf swing faults. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) level 1 movement screen variables and 14 common golf swing faults. Thirty-six male and female golfers (mean age, 25.4 ± 9.9 years; height, 175.9 ± 16.2 cm; mass, 76.2 ± 14.6 kg; handicap, 14.2 ± 10.4) participated. Twelve physical tests of strength, flexibility, and balance were assessed using the TPI level 1 golf fitness screening tool. Golfers then hit 4 golf shots (with a 5-iron) while being videoed, and those were then analyzed for 14 different golf swing faults (using V1Pro software). Three significant associations between a physical limitation and a particular golf swing fault were foundtoe touch and early hip extension (p = 0.015), bridge on right side with both early hip extension (p = 0.050), and loss of posture (p = 0.028). In addition, an odds ratio showed that when a golfer could not overhead deep squat or single leg balance on left side, they were 2–3 times more likely to exhibit a early hip extension, loss of posture, or slide during the golf swing, as compared with those who could perform a correct overhead deep squat. Based on our findings, it is important for the golf fitness professional to particularly address a golferʼs core strength, balance, and hamstring flexibility to help avoid common golf swing faults, which affect a golferʼs ball striking ability and ultimately their performance.