Training the proprioceptive and propulsive function of the foot for improved technique and enhanced performance of the golf swing: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND

The proprioceptive and propulsive functions of the feet-despite their essential role in stability, movement initiation, and efficient bottom-up energy transfer along the kinetic chain-are largely overlooked in conventional golf physical and technical training. To address this gap, we developed a novel approach to golf athletic training and swing technique that embeds foot mechanics as a fundamental driver of performance enhancement.

METHODS

Twenty-five experienced golf players completed three separate swing sessions: the first before a specific foot-proprioceptive intervention (time t 0), the second immediately after the intervention (time t 1), and the third three minutes after the end of the second session (time t 2). In the second and third sessions, participants were instructed to modify their swing technique by integrating the sequence of foot actions practiced during the proprioceptive intervention. Club and ball kinematics and vertical ground-reaction force (vGR) under each foot were recorded and compared across sessions.

RESULTS

Lead-foot peak vGR increased from t 0 to t 1 but did not increase further from t 1 to t 2. Club speed increased from t 0 to t 1 and continued to rise, albeit to a lesser extent, from t 1 to t 2. Ball speed did not change significantly from t 0 to t 1 but increased from t 1 to t 2. The observed changes following the foot-focused intervention and the corresponding modifications to the swing technique suggested a progressive propagation, with practice, from the feet to the club and, ultimately, to the ball.

CONCLUSION

These acute findings suggest that the proposed exercises may facilitate a progressive refinement of swing technique through greater integration of foot function, consistent with the observed improvements in swing-performance variables.