Coaches' perceptions of golf swing kinematics

Using a computer-based videotape analysis system, a randomized series of go lf swings was presented to 10 professional and 10 amateur golf coach-es in an attempt to determine differences in their internal model of golf swing k inematics. A global measure was obtained by having coaches independently in spect the swings of eight golfers and estimate their golf handicaps. A micr o level of analysis was undertaken by requiring participants to indicate wh at they considered to be 'ideal' swing characteristics using 17 predetermin ed limb, club, and body position angles for various phases of the swing. Vi deotaped swings for a highly skilled and beginner level golfer were used fo r this task. Although the training requirements for professional coaches ar e much more demanding and their playing ability higher evidence of internal model differences was not found in the handicap estimation task. It was al so established that a golfer's swing may be perceived to have deficiencies but still produce sufficient accuracy to engender a low handicap, On the se cond task, on l, one of the 17 estimated swing angles showed a significant difference between the coach groups, When, however, the two coach groups in dicated their preferred angles for the highly skilled golfer and the beginn er 6 of the 17 angles were significantly different. The implications of the se findings are that the two coach. groups bad similar ability to identify fundamental characteristics of the golf swing, but their model of the ideal swing was influenced by the observed golfer's skill level.