Kinematic and Kinetic Analysis of the Soft Golf Swing using Realistic 3D Modeling Based on 3D Motion Tracking

Kinematic and kinetic analysis has been performed for Soft Golf swings utilizing realistic three dimensional computer simulations based on three dimensional motion tracking data. Soft Golf is a newly developed recreational sport in South Korea aimed to become a safe and easy-to-learn sport for all ages. The advantage of Soft Golf stems from lighter weight of the club and much larger area of the sweet spot. This paper tries to look into kinematic and kinetic aspects of soft golf swings compared to regular golf swing and find the advantages of lighter Soft Golf clubs. For this purpose, swing motions of older aged participants were captured and kinematic analysis was performed for various kinematic parameters such as club head velocity, joint angular velocity, and joint range of motions as a pilot study. Kinetic analysis was performed by applying kinematic data to computer simulation models constructed from anthropometric database and the measurements from the participants. The simulations were solved using multi-body dynamics solver. Firstly, the kinematic parameters such as joint angles were obtained by solving inverse dynamics problem based on motion tracking data. Secondly, the kinetic parameters such as joint torques were obtained by solving control dynamics problem of making joint torque to follow pre-defined joint angle data. The results showed that mechanical loadings to major joints were reduced with lighter Soft Golf club.