ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to find out whether one particular swing change—widening of the on-plane backswing arc of the right arm during takeaway—can produce significant improvements in distance, direction and trajectory. Seventeen right-handed amateur golfers, 13 male and 4 female, of ages ranging from 10 to 62 years, and handicaps from –6 to –20 participated in this study. They attended 3 consecutive one hour sessions and used their 5 irons, off a tee. Subjects were divided into two groups depending upon their swing Type—A or B, and specific instructions were given to each group. The clearance angle, a measure of the first wide position of the right arm as it passed the right side of the body was noted, and compared with increase in distance. Results for swing Type A showed an average distance increase of 8.5 yards and accuracy increase of 0.8 yards. For swings of Type B, the average distance increase was 2.8 yards with an accuracy increase of 0.8 yards. From the results of this short-term study it was concluded that the one particular simple instruction imparted yielded an overall average distance increase of 6.16 yards with a marginal increase in accuracy of 0.76 yards.
