PhD Student

Course Start: September 2013

Director of Studies: Dr Iain Fletcher
Supervisor Dr Laura Charalambous

Working thesis title

Establishing preferential training modalities aimed at maximising golfers’ clubhead speed.

Abstract

The ability to drive a golf ball over greater distances is an important ball flight characteristic linked to successful performance within the game of golf (Hellström et al., 2014). Inextricably linked to drive distance is the notion or developing clubhead speed at the moment of impact between the golf ball and golf club.

While there is a growing body of research seeking to further our understanding of how strength and conditioning (S&C) strategies can benefit a golfers’ performance, these are typically field based protocols (Read et al., 2013, Hellström et al., 2009).

Whilst ecologically valid, these procedures are limited in the extractable biomechanical variables such as ground reaction forces. Establishing if a relationship exists between ground reaction force variables and clubhead speed will help to guide strength and conditioning practitioners as to the pertinent mechanisms and training modalities linked to success within the game of golf.

About me

Currently, I hold the position of lead sport scientist for the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA), with a specific interest in S&C having become an accredited S&C specialist with the UKSCA.

I’m involved with the development and delivery of cutting edge sport science material aimed at developing golf coaches understanding of how the body and mind are important components linked with success in the game of golf. I have presented my research at the World Scientific Congress of Golf in St Andrews along with the World Golf Fitness Summit in San Diego and I am also a reviewer for the International Journal of Golf Coaching Science. I play a number of sports including golf, cricket, badminton and squash, however my main sport is hockey and I have been fortunate enough to represent the England men’s side.

Research Questions

• Establishing the validity and reliability of the TrackMan and Bel SwingMate as measures of golfers clubhead speed
• The relationships between ground reaction force variables and clubhead speed in highly skilled golfers
• The relationship between ground reaction force symmetry and clubhead speed in highly skilled golfers

Contact Information

E: jack.wells@pga.org.uk
Twitter: @jackwells009
Linked in: Jack Wells

I would be very interested in people taking part in my research. The main criteria is that you will need to have a handicap lower than 5.