Golf Drive

Clubhead Speed is More Associated with Hip Extension Strength Than Trunk Rotation Strength

Study

A recent study examined the relationship between clubhead speed, trunk rotation strength, and hip extension strength. Hip extension strength was measured using a countermovement jump and medicine ball BOMB throw, and trunk rotation using a BIODEX SYSTEM 4. Positive correlations to clubhead speed were associated with countermovement jump peak power and BOMB throw distance but were not associated with the trunk rotation.

Recommendation

Training the strength qualities to improve clubhead speed should focus efforts on the hip, ankle and knee extension muscles.  Exercises for this would include squat and deadlift variations as well as kettlebell swings.  One limitation to this study was that trunk rotation was measured concentrically (muscle shortening phase).  Since hip rotation precedes trunk rotation in the swing it is hypothesized that if trunk rotation is to be trained, it is suggested that it is trained with an emphasis on the eccentric (muscle lengthening) phase of the movement such as rebounding a medicine ball with the emphasis on the change in direction.

Source

Suhara et al., “Relationship of Clubhead Speed With Explosive Power and Muscle Strength of the Hip and Trunk Joints of Elite Golfers.” Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Vol. 37, Issue 4, April 2023, pp.859-865, DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004345