#201 Golf Pelvis Sway: Measurement and Analysis

Henrik Jentsch from Golf Academy 360° explains pelvis sway in the golf swing in a podcast, measured using the Sportsbox 3D Golf App. He defines pelvis sway as the lateral movement of the center of the pelvis, with the address position serving as the zero point. A properly timed sway can increase clubhead speed, while excessive sway can lead to inconsistent shots. Using graphs and average values from tour professionals, the typical movements of the pelvis during the backswing, impact, and follow-through are described, with increasing movement toward the target.The analysis shows that elite golfers move slightly away from the target during the backswing, but then shift early toward the target and continue this motion through the end of the swing. The presented average values and standard deviations illustrate the range of pelvis sway among professional golfers.The main aspects of pelvis movement in the golf swing, explained and analyzed in detail in this source, are:Definition and Measurement of Pelvis Sway:Pelvis sway is defined as the lateral movement of the pelvis center, which is considered the midpoint between the left and right hip joints. Measurement is conducted using the Sportsbox 3D Golf App. The reference point is the address position (Z zero), and all swing movements are measured from this point.Influence on the Golf Swing:A well-timed sway can increase clubhead speed, while excessive sway may result in inconsistent or weak swings.Swing Phases and Pelvis Sway:The text describes how pelvis sway changes throughout the different swing phases: backswing, downswing, and follow-through. A graph illustrates time along the horizontal axis and the amount of sway (in inches) along the vertical axis. Negative values indicate movement away from the target; positive values indicate movement toward the target.Movement Patterns of Professional Golfers:It is observed that professionals slightly sway away from the target during the backswing, but already begin moving toward the target during the backswing—often before pelvic rotation starts. At the top of the backswing, they may already be back at the address position or even further toward the target. During the downswing, the movement toward the target accelerates. Around impact, many tour pros stabilize briefly. In the follow-through, movement toward the target continues until the end position.Averages and Standard Deviations:The source provides average sway values for male and female tour pros at key swing positions: maximum backswing, top of the backswing, impact, and end of the follow-through. For each of these positions, the average distance from the address position (in inches) and the standard deviation are listed, illustrating the variability of pelvic motion among elite players.Conceptual Model:The speaker summarizes pelvis sway with the terms: load away, move towards, stabilize, and finish. According to the Sportsbox App, pelvis sway refers to the lateral movement of the pelvis center, defined as the midpoint between the left and right hip joints. The address position (Z zero) serves as the reference point for all measured swing movements. The measurement is conducted using the Sportsbox 3D Golf App.www.Golf247.eu