Improving Golf Instruction with the iClub Motion Capture Technology

A new 3D motion capture technology is changing Golf instruction and research, bringing us closer than ever to understanding the complex yet coordinated motions involved in a successful Golf swing. This paper highlights a study undertaken by the Golf Advantage School at Pinehurst using this new technology. Two separate drills were examined for how effective they were at increasing the total Hip Rotation in the backswing of normal Golfers. These two drills were the ``Feet Together" drill and the ``Right Foot Back" drill. Using equipment provided by iClub(TM) Inc. and performing the statistical analysis with StatXact® 8 software, we show that the ``Feet Together" drill increased Hip Rotation by 2.5 degrees (with a 95% confidence interval from -0.5 to 5.33 degrees), and that the ``Right Foot Back" drill increased Hip Rotation by 4.2 degrees (with a 95% confidence interval from 0.84 to 8.33 degrees). A pooled analysis of the data from both drills, stratified by type of drill, yielded a statistically significant effect (p = 0.00295, 2-sided). The results also suggest that the ``Right Foot Back" drill, which was initially developed as an easier alternative to the ``Feet Together" drill, may actually also be more effective . These scientifically supported insights are indicative of the power of the new motion capture technology to generate previously unattainable data for improving athletic performance.