3D Biomechanics

Biomechanics is the study of how the body moves both normally and pathologically. It is also the study of “ideal” movement patterns given a certain activity (such as a golf swing). Biomechanics generally includes study of the neuromuscular system, bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments.

Recent advances in 3D sensor technology now allow us to measure, accurately and reliably, the subtleties and complexities of a golf swing, as well as some aspects of golf fitness. As with the 3D biomechanical study of the golf swing, the study of golf fitness is a relatively young endeavor. Even at the tour level, there was little acceptance of “working out” in a golf specific way until Tiger Woods made his presence known.

The Physics of Golf
"Advances in technology have given us the opportunity to understand the physics and biomechanics of golf. If golf is just another rotary sport (albeit a difficult and complex one) then the physical laws of motion that create golf rotation are no different than those for throwing a softball, hitting a baseball, or serving tennis."
- Ben Shear

What is 3D Motion Analysis?
With this technology, we can view the golf swing from nearly any angle – e.g., front, back, top, below. We can measure the true angles of any body segment or golf club – e.g., forward bend, side bend, and rotation. These measurements are the true angles of any joint – abduction/adduction, pronation/supination, bowing/cupping (flexion/extension). We can also measure accurately the 3D velocities and accelerations both linear and angular and at x, y, z axis, both absolute and relative, as well as throughout the swing at specific points (e.g., address, top, impact, finish, halfway points).

Other measurable parameters include wrist angles (flexion/extension, radial/ulnar, deviation, and pronation/supination); linear positions (sway, lift, and thrust of every segment, including the head and neck area); club head and shaft parameters (swing plane angle, face angles at impact). We can also graph those measurements.

Especially important is the kinematic sequence, which is the graphical representation of the different segments of the body relative to one another with regard to position, joint angle, linear and angular velocity, and acceleration. 3D allows us to measure and see the kinematic sequence, transition order, speed, and acceleration, weight shift patterns, forces, and torques at the feet.

Why 3D?
With 3D, we can develop a scientific training program that can help improve performance efficiently and help prevent injury. You can also develop golfer specific swing drills and golfer specific strength, flexibility, and conditioning programs. Measurement also allows creation of databases for comparison where you can highlight out of range elements of the swing. Real- time motion feedback can also speed and facilitate learning.

We can save your swing and its numerical values digitally, so we can compare it to a future swing. Even if you are playing well, it could be the best time to take a lesson and really understand why. This knowledge becomes especially important when your game hits the skids.

Another important aspect of our 3D system is its “biofeedback capacity”. We can help accelerate your learning process by using audio tone feedback. For many players, this capacity is crucial to feel the changes you are trying to make. Our focus at 3D Golf Labs is comprehensive, one-on-one training. To accomplish this task, we have integrated under one roof the latest in diagnostic technology to help us in measuring what you need to do to improve and lower your scores. Whether it is your full swing, short game, fitness, or equipment, we strive to integrate all facets of your game. From this information, we put together a comprehensive, goal-oriented plan that is manageable and attainable for you.

Moreover, it is not enough just to take lessons; you also have to make the necessary changes. Thus, we have created a learning environment that not only uses the latest in diagnostic technology, but also affords you the opportunity to practice in our facility with this technology in order to reinforce what you learned in the lesson. You cannot only take a 3D biomechanics lesson, but you can come in to the facility (with the purchase of a coaching program) and use state-of-the-art 3D biomechanics sensors. You will also have access to the Power Groove™ training system, the Pure Balance machine, 2D video, the Putt lab, and a host of other training tools.

Golf is not easy. However, it is learnable. Your goals of lower scores become attainable when the diagnostics of what you need to do are accurately measured, understandable, and affordable.

One of our main goals is to help you take your game from the indoor studio to the range to the course. To achieve this goal, we not only train you physically, but mechanically in our year-round indoor facility. We don’t stop there however. WITH EVERY COACHING PROGRAM, OUTDOOR TRAINING AND PLAYING LESSON(S) ARE INCLUDED! (Greens fees and/or cart fees are not included.)

Whether it is your short game or long game, we realize that golf is an outdoor activity and that teaching “on range” and “on course” is complementary to teaching and training in the studio.

Learning to move more efficiently and safely in your golf motion so that performance improves can be a daunting task. Motor skill repatterning can be difficult and does require dedication and hard work. To this end, we believe you will be more successful if you take advantage of our coaching programs. This method of instruction offers several advantages over conventionally structured lesson programs. Coming in for at least a weekly session is a more efficient and accelerated form of learning. It is much like learning to play a musical instrument: you don’t take a music lesson four or five times a year expecting to play Beethoven.

History of Biomechanics
Biomechanics can trace its historic roots back to the nineteenth century and the advent of photography. During the 1870’s anatomist Wilhelm Braune and the mathematician, Otto Fisher, reported measurements of body segment movements to calculate joint forces and energy expenditures using Newtonian mechanics. This early work was motivated by military applications related to improved efficiency of troop movement.

The study of golf biomechanics is a much younger endeavor than gait analysis. It dates back to the 1960s when Alistair Cochran and John Stobbs conducted their research, which eventually resulted in the publication of The Search for the Perfect Swing. Much of the scientific work, however, started in the late 80’s and 90’s with the path breaking studies done by Dr. Frank Jobe, Rob Mottram, Mike McTeigue, and Dr. Robert Neal.

Accuracy
"If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time."
- Claude Harmon Sr.