The impact of physical preparation on clubhead speed in youth golf

Over recent years, the emphasis placed on the physical preparation of golfers has drastically increased. Players now hit the ball farther, courses have become longer, and the relationships between driving distance and golf score have become more prominent. Recent literature has identified strong relationships between strength and explosive strength characteristics with golf performance. Both warm-up and training interventions have shown positive impacts on golf performance in adult golfers. As a result, many junior golf programmes have also begun to implement strength and conditioning support. However, research into the impacts of warm-up, the relationships between physical characteristics associated with higher performance and impact of training on youth golf performance is minimal. The purpose of this thesis was, therefore, to assimilate the background golf strength and conditioning literature, establish the impact of warm-up on youth golf clubhead speed (CHS) and perceived shot quality, identify physical characteristics which relate to youth golf CHS and establish the impact of resistance training on youth golf CHS and ball speed (BS). Findings from three systematic reviews led to subsequent interventional and cross-sectional research. These investigations examined the topics outlined in the research purpose. Throughout the process, existing literature as well as experiment helped to identify golf performance and physical dependent variables which the warm-up and resistance training interventions were designed to enhance. Strength and conditioning practitioners were kept in mind when designing experimental chapters. Warm-ups were, therefore, time-efficient using minimal equipment and resistance training interventions demonstrated positive effects with realistic dose frequencies. This thesis was thereby able to demonstrate value in encouraging youth golfers to engage in a warm-up and resistance training for CHS and BS enhancement as well as for improvements in perceived shot quality. Resulting in practically appropriate interventions to support in this goal. Due to the relative infancy of work in this area, this thesis offers numerous specific suggestions for future research throughout.