Swing speed training for golfers: an acute comparison of the stack system vs. driver in NCAA Division 1 players
Article
Bishop, C. and Turner, A. 2025. Swing speed training for golfers: an acute comparison of the stack system vs. driver in NCAA Division 1 players. Professional Strength and Conditioning.
| Type | Article |
|---|---|
| Title | Swing speed training for golfers: an acute comparison of the stack system vs. driver in NCAA Division 1 players |
| Authors | Bishop, C. and Turner, A. |
| Abstract | The aim of the present study was to compare the acute effects of a maximal swing speed potentiation protocol using a speed sticks product vs. a driver, in high-level NCAA Division 1 male (n = 6; age = 19.7 ± 1.5 years; height = 186.8 ± 7.8 cm; body mass = 93.1 ± 25.8 kg) and female (n = 8; age = 20.7 ± 2.2 years; height = 168.2 ± 2.7 cm; body mass = 69.8 ± 11.3 kg) golfers. Each golfer performed baseline golf shot data using their own driver, where clubhead speed (CHS), ball speed and carry distance were recorded using a Trackman 4 launch monitor. For testing session one, a 3 x 3 maximal effort swing protocol (without hitting a ball) was employed using the Stack System product, with subsequent shot data recorded at 0-, 4-, 8- and 12 mins. For testing session two, the same protocol was repeated, but each player used their own driver to undertake the 3 x 3 potentiation protocol, without hitting a ball. The mass of the Stack system and each player’s driver were equated. Given the volume of data points, comparisons were made back to baseline, with trivial to small non-significant changes evident for either protocol, in any metric (males: g = -0.40 to 0.41; p > 0.05; females: g = 0.01 to 0.23; p > 0.05). Individual data analysis was also conducted comparing the change in golf shot data to the baseline measurement error, enabling an understanding of ‘true’ changes at the individual level. In male players, true changes were evident for CHS (Stack System: n = 11; driver: n = 18), ball speed (Stack System: n = 4; driver: n = 12) and carry distance (Stack System: n = 8; driver: n = 10). In female players, true changes were evident for CHS (Stack System: n = 8; driver: n = 16), ball speed (Stack System: n = 9; driver: n = 14) and carry distance (Stack System: n = 4; driver: n = 5). Despite the lack of meaningful group differences, individual differences were evident more frequently after the driver protocol. Although one aim of using speed sticks in golf is to manipulate the load to gain either an overload (when heavier) or overspeed (when lighter) effect; when mass is equated, some individual golfers who use their own driver may be able to elicit greater acute responses to maximal swing speed training. |
| Sustainable Development Goals | 3 Good health and well-being |
| Middlesex University Theme | Health & Wellbeing |
| Publisher | UK Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA) |
| Journal | Professional Strength and Conditioning |
| ISSN | 1757-5834 |
| Publication process dates | |
| Accepted | 08 Dec 2025 |
| Deposited | 09 Dec 2025 |
| Output status | Accepted |
| Accepted author manuscript | File Access Level Open |
https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/30q884
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Accepted author manuscript
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