| In an effort to reduce golf turf damage the traditional metal
spike golf shoe has been redesigned, but shoe-ground biomechanical
evaluations have utilised artificial grass surfaces. Twenty-four golfers
wore three different golf shoe traction designs (traditional metal
spikes, alternative spikes, and a flat-soled shoe with no additional
traction) when performing shots with a driver, 3 iron and 7 iron.
Ground action forces were measured beneath the feet by two natural
grass covered force platforms. The maximum vertical force recorded
at the back foot with the 3 iron and 7 iron was 0.82 BW (body weight)
and at the front foot 1.1 BW approximately in both the metal spike
and alternative spike golf shoe designs. When using the driver these
maximal vertical values were 0.49 BW at the back foot and 0.84 BW
at the front foot. Furthermore, as performance of the backswing and
then downswing necessitates a change in movement direction the range
of force generated during the complete swing was calculated. In the
metal spike shoe the vertical force generated at the back foot with
both irons was 0.67 BW and at the front foot 0.96 BW with the 3 iron
and 0.92 BW with the 7 iron. The back foot vertical force generated
with the driver was 0.33 BW and at the front foot 0.83 BW wearing
the metal spike shoe. Results indicated the greater force generation
with the irons. When using the driver the more horizontal swing plane
associated with the longer club reduced vertical forces at the back
and front foot. However, the mediolateral force generated across each
foot in the metal and alternative spike shoes when using the driver
was greater than when the irons were used. The coefficient of friction
was 0. 62 at the back and front foot whichever shoe was worn or club
used.
KEY
WORDS: Club,
friction, grass, handicap, swing, turf.
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