Routledge International Handbook of Golf Science

Golf is one of the world’s major sports and consequently the focus of world-class scientific research. This landmark publication is the most comprehensive book ever published on the science of golf, covering every sub-discipline from physiology, biomechanics and psychology to strength and conditioning, youth development and equipment design.

Showcasing original research from leading golf scientists across the globe, it examines the fundamental science underpinning the game and demonstrates how it can be applied in practice to improve and develop players. Each chapter provides a definitive account of the current state of knowledge in a particular area of golf science, addressing the limitations of existing research, presenting new areas for development and discussing the implications for coaches, players, scientists and the wider golfing public. Truly international in scope, the variety of topics explored include:

• biomechanics and equipment
• skill learning and technology
• performance development
• psychological techniques for success
• the golfing body.

This is an essential reference for any student or researcher with an interest in the game, or any coach or professional looking to improve their knowledge.

Martin Toms is a senior lecturer in the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation at the University of Birmingham, UK. He has a PhD in Youth Sport and Developmental Socialisation from Loughborough University and focuses upon the youth sport and talent experience. In golf, he has worked across the world in golf education and has been involved in European projects exploring occupational standards within the golf industry, as well as teaching and researching talent development in the game. He has been working with the PGA (GB&I) since 2000 on their education programmes, and currently has over a dozen postgraduate students researching social scientific aspects of golf. Martin is a board member of the World Scientific Congress of Golf and a regular speaker at academic and golf-related conferences. He is also involved with universities across the world in the development of academic content and golf-related courses linked to PGA programmes. He is currently Editor-in-Chief of The International Journal of Golf Science. His PhD (Loughborough University) is in the field of youth sport.

Sasho MacKenzie is an associate professor in the Department of Human Kinetics at St. Francis Xavier University, Canada. He holds a PhD in biomechanics from the University of Saskatchewan, which focused on 3D forward dynamics simulation of the golf swing. His research focuses on golf biomechanics, equipment optimisation, and the most advantageous training techniques. He consults for several entities in the golf industry including Ping and FootJoy.

Sam Robertson is head of research and innovation for the Western Bulldogs Australian Football Club and an associate professor in sport science at Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia. He is also the leader of the Analytics and Technology research group within the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living.

Marc Lochbaum is a professor of sport and exercise psychology at Texas Tech University, USA, and studies elementary school physical activity programming, achievement goals in sport and physical activity, and meta-analyses in sport and exercise psychology. He maintains a visiting position at the Olympic Research Institute in Jyväskylä, Finland. To date, his research funding totals over four million USD. He is an avid golfer.

Kieran Kingston is a senior lecturer in sport psychology and research methods in the Cardiff School of Sport at Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK. His interests in teaching and research are in the development and maintenance of confidence and motivation in sport and their links with psychological well-being and performance. He has worked as a consultant with team and individual athletes, and as a category 1 golfer for the past 30 years, he has a particular interest in the psychology of golf.

Andrea Fradkin is an associate professor at Bloomsburg University, USA, and has been researching golf for 18 years. She received her PhD in epidemiology and preventive medicine at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh. Her research is an amalgamation of epidemiology, injury prevention, performance improvement and biomechanics.