Investigating the effects of a training aid on golf putting mechanics

Please note this is a MPhil project.

Golf is a popular recreational activity as well as an elite sport. It’s relatively low musculoskeletal and particularly cardiorespiratory demands make it an effective medium for maintaining exercise and mobility in the elderly population. However, personal performance is a strong motivation in both elite and amateur/recreational golfers and subsequently there exists a diverse array of training devices or aids that aim to enhance the mechanical performance of the golf swing or putting stroke through structured training. However, relatively few devices have been subjected to rigorous testing using modern biomechanical methods. In this MPhil project, the student will investigate the effect of a custom-made putting aid on the mechanics of the putting stroke in amateur golfers. While preliminary data suggests putting with the training aid has the desired effects on the mechanics of the putting stroke, it is unknown how different practice routines influence longer-term changes in a golfer’s putting mechanics. We will therefore carry out a longitudinal study to test the effectiveness of different training routines on the device using three-dimensional motion capture and other standard gait laboratory techniques (e.g. force plates) to compare changes in the mechanics of the putting stroke.

The ideal student would have a keen interest or background in biomechanics, sports performance and potentially human anatomy, but training will be provided in all techniques to be used. The student will be based with Dr Bates in the Evolutionary Morphology & Biomechanics Group at Liverpool. The project will involve regular interaction with the company that designs and manufactures the putting aid.