Understanding the Kinematic Sequence
In the modern era of golf technology, modern golf teaching has seen a strong shift in thought. There is the “old school” style of teaching where students are taught to analyze swing technique mainly through the use of divots. Thus, teachers inefficiently taught their students while using debatable ball flight laws when communicating with their students. With the progression of slow motion video, teachers became reliant on 2-Dimensional video to teach their students. As the 21st century came, teachers were able to change the way they taught their students.
As Advanced Motion Measurement (3-Dimensional Technology) TrackMan and individualized conditioning programs were created, coaching golfers was no longer a guessing game. Instead coaches were able to point out any potential body limitations that their students may have, while measuring a students’ swing efficiency. Today it is easier for a golfer to improve than ever before. AMM3D and Trackman have allowed us to discover the truth about ball flight, while discovering which swing characteristics are unique to great golfers. While video allows us to see which swings are pretty, modern day technology allows us to assess swing efficiency like never before. Thus, students now improve quickly and efficiently.
If video shows people what the human eye cannot see, 3-Demensional Advanced Motion Measurement Software (AMM3D) shows people what video cannot see. The software produces the a biomechanics report that documents the golfer’s swing capabilities and limitations, while providing the necessary information needed to improve while reducing the potential for injury. AMM3D is the best way for golfers to gauge how efficiently they transfer their energy during the downswing. In doing so, AMM3D easily detects any prevalent swing faults or movements that can make golfers prone to injury. Instead of analyzing what “style” each golfer uses, AMM3D tracks the efficiency of a golfer’s swing.
Through the use of AMM3D technology, bio-mechanists have discovered that players with unorthodox swings such as Jim Furyk, John Daly and Ernie Els may each swing differently, yet they have remarkably similar ways of transferring their energy into the golf ball. The sequence that these professional golfers share in common is known as the kinematic sequence.
During a golf swing, energy is transferred from the ground up. Energy transfers from the lower body, to the torso to the arms and eventually to the club. This sequential energy transfer is known as the kinematic sequence.
Once the lower body pelvis (red line) begins to move in the opposite direction, the thorax, core body (green line) fires, then the arms (blue line) is followed by the golf club (maroon line). At the top of the backswing, when the club begins its change of direction, the golfer’s pelvis, core body thorax and arms have already changed their direction. Each part of the body builds upon the previous segment: early muscle firing segments beginning with the pelvis, reach their peak speed and then decelerate just as the next body-part in sequence begins to accelerate. While the golf club continues to accelerate during the downswing, different areas of the body accelerate and decelerate separately and in sequence during the downswing for maximum swing performance.
Improper swing mechanics, physical limitations (strength and flexibility), and improperly fit equipment are the three main causes of swing inefficiencies or breakdowns in the kinematic sequence. Throughout the past ten years, the development of the kinematic sequence has changed the way we analyze the golf swing. As AMM3D inventor Greg Rose states, the kinematic sequence is probably the number one most important piece of information that we use in assessing any golfer.
How Does AMM3D Work?
The AMM3D system uses small sensors that are placed on the golfer’s body to record every movement the golfer makes during the swing. The system analyzes all six ways that the body can move during the golf swing. During the golf swing, golfers move forward/backward, up/down, and left and right while turning, bending vertically and laterally. Unlike video, AMM3D gives the golfer an exact measurement for how much the golfer moves in each direction.
One of the most useful features of the AMM3D system is the biofeedback mode. When working on a swing change, tones can be set to indicate when the golfer is performing their new motion properly or improperly. Regardless of the sound of the tone, the system displays real-time numbers that give the golfer a feel for how to obtain and adjust to the correct swing position. The AMM3D system surpasses the analytics possible with conventional video and accelerates the learning process for any golfer.
Photo credit: Titleist Performance Institute
