Weight distribution patterns among golfers of different skill levels

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine whether a significant relationship existed between the skill level of golfers and the weight distribution patterns exhibited during the putting stroke. A differential research design was utilized to place thirty six male subjects into groups of low (0-5), medium (6-14), and high (15-25) handicap (hdp) levels. Subjects performed ten trials over ten and fifteen foot putting distances. A 3 X 2 (groups by distances) analysis of variance with repeated measures on the second factor was used to determine whether kinetic measures and total putting accuracy scores were different across groups. The normalized vertical force F(l,33)=9.03, p=.005, and the final ball position (degrees) were found to be significantly different for each putting distance, F(l,33)=27.31, p<.001. The effect of skill level on the final ball position (degrees) was dependent upon the distance of the putt, F(2,33)=6.83, p=.003. The low and medium hdp groups were successful with a significantly greater number of putts than the high hdp group, F(2,33)=6.67, p=.004. All groups made more putts from the ten foot distance than the fifteen foot distance, F(l,33)=67.94, p<.001. No significant relation existed between the total excursion, r=.005, and the normalized vertical force, r=-.022 with the putting accuracy scores. Similarly, there was no significant relation between the total excursion, r =.004, and the normalized vertical force, K =.096 with the skill level of subjects. A stepwise multiple regression analysis determined that no dependent measure was a significant predictor of skill level at a critical level of .05. The hdp groups were significantly different with regard to the age at which they started playing golf, F(2,33)=5.723, p=.007, the average number of three putt greens per game, F(2,33)=3.488, p=.042, and the number of tournaments entered each year, F(2,33)=4.318, p=.022. All other kinetic measures were nonsignificant.