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.