Experts in 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ: Technology in golf – all we need to know

ResearchTechnology91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ
the latest logo for the experts in sport podcast with a focus on golf

After Europe regained the Ryder Cup over the US in stunning fashion, the technological planning of golf players’ technique and performance is likely up for debate among avid recreational players.

But how do biomechanical factors influence the development of technologies used by players and coaches?

Dr Stuart McErlain-Naylor hosts this week’s episode of the Experts in 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵs podcast with guests Dr (Head of Performance Research at PING) and Dr Aimee Mears to discuss the latest developments in golf equipment and sports-related technology.

This includes how manufacturers and researchers can work together to benefit players and the transfer of performance decisions and research findings from recreational to elite players.

Dr Jonathan Shepherd is Head of Performance Research at Ping Golf, achieving a PhD in 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵs Engineering at Griffith University in Australia and subsequently researching in various universities across the world. He is now based at 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ at the PING Performance Research Centre researching human equipment interaction in golf.

Dr Aimee Mears is a Senior Lecturer in 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵs Technology at 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ, having studied 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵs and Exercise Science at the University of Bath and pursuing a career in biomechanics. She studied a PhD at the 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵs Technology Institute at 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ.

Conversations include biomechanics in golf informing decisions around coaching, golf fittings using launch monitor technology and adaptations to players’ clubs. Guest discuss the various technologies used to measure and regulate many aspects of golf, including preventing the club head from rotating, keeping centre on the right plane and ensuring energy from the golf ball is transferred in the right direction.

Gender differences are also discussed in conjunction with the variability of human performance between shots and the reliability of golf club testing, along with metric-driven technology and how long-term adaptations to players’ clubs may change their technique.

Listeners of the podcast can subscribe and download the latest episode by visiting iTunes, Spotify, and TuneIn. All subscribers will receive an alert once new episodes are published.

The Experts in 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ podcast is a regular series that brings together experts from across 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ with external thought leaders to discuss the latest research and hot topics in sport and academia with new episodes launched regularly.

Notes for editors

Press release reference number: 23/150

91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.

It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2023 QS World University Rankings – the seventh year running – and University of the Year for 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2022.

91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ is ranked 7th in The UK Complete University Guide 2023, 10th in the Guardian University League Table 2024 and 10th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.

91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’, and in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 over 90% of its research was rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally-excellent’. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.

The 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.