3D Motion Analysis of Golf Swings Development and validation of a golf-specific test set-up

The aim of this paper is to describe applications and limitations of 3D motion analysis in golfing. The following five golf-specific error sources were identified: Occlusion of markers, high velocity of hands, club and ball, inaccuracies in the determination of body segment rotations, vibrations at impact, accumulation of high numbers of markers in a small area. A specific test set-up that minimizes the effect of these error sources was designed (12 camera motion analysis system, f=250 Hz, accuracy < 1.5mm, some markers were placed on sticks). In order to validate this set-up, additional devices were used to determine clubhead velocities, ball velocities and launch angles for 55 golf swings performed by two experienced golf players. Results indicate that this set-up can help to reduce these errors. However, markers placed on extension sticks were subject to significant vibrations and need to be constructed differently in the future. A high correlation of three parameters calculated from 3D motion capture data with parameters from alternative devices indicates that these values can be determined accurately by the 3D motion capture set-up presented. 3D Motion Analysis, Golf, Markerset, wand markers