The Golf Coach and Strength and Conditioning Coach Interface: Understanding Individual and Mutual Aspects of Training and Supporting Golfers’ Development

Introduction
Strength and conditioning (S&C) is a widely recognised discipline forming part of a golfer’s overall development process, and guides for golfers and golf coaches to successfully utilise S&C have recently been published[1]. S&C aids golfers by supporting the development of various aspects of physicality that influence the determinants of golf. Substantive empirical evidence demonstrates that, at the elite level, stronger golfers produce higher clubhead speeds[2]. Increasing clubhead speed supports improvements in drive distance and this aspect of golf performance is a critical aspect of successful play, with longer hitters having lower handicaps at amateur level [3] and better scoring at elite level [4].

However, the introduction of S&C to the golfer’s overall performance plan is not without challenge. Recent evidence demonstrated that while golfers often pursue S&C as a strategy to improve their on-course performance, their practices and perceptions of how to effectively utilise S&C in their development can be misaligned with best practice or training theory [5]. Similarly, golfers employ Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) qualified coaches to support their development. However, PGA professional coaches and S&C coaches have areas of interest that overlap and it may be unclear where responsibility and accountability should be directed for the development of these performance aspects. The perceptions of PGA professional coaches of S&C for golf shown that while golf coaches value and use S&C services, they may not include S&C coaches in important developmental processes such as performance planning and practice scheduling [6].

These areas of mutual and shared interest and professional responsibility are potential sources of conflict. The golfer, S&C coach and PGA professional have been encouraged to work collaboratively to ensure optimal and efficient support for golfers [6,7]. However, a framework to support this has not been developed. Therefore, this study aimed to create a visual model that describes aspects of a golfer’s training and development and which aspects of performance require increased PGA professional coach input, S&C coach input, or where these responsibilities interface and shared responsibility can be viable.

Methods
A visual model of PGA professional coach and S&C coach responsibilities as pertains to supporting a golfer’s development are displayed in Figure 1. It is recognised in the model that certain aspects of a golfer’s development will have a greater natural fit with either coach, but there exists a central interface, an area of overlap where both coaches can support the golfer. It is these areas where the greatest opportunity for mutual collaboration exist, but conversely, this interface can be a source of potential conflict.
Results

Figure 1: The PGA Professional coach and S&C Coach Interface. Developmental aspects on the left side of the diagram represent an increasing PGA Professional Coach responsibility. Right side is increasingly the S&C Coach remit, with the central interface or crossover being areas of shared, mutual interest and responsibility.

Discussion and Conclusions
The interface between PGA Professional Coach and S&C Coach is one that represents an area of mutual interest and responsibility and affords opportunities for increased multidisciplinary golfer support. Conversely, if mismanaged, the developmental aspects that interface can create opportunities for conflict and disagreement which should be avoided to ensure the golfer’s development is not impacted.

References
1. Bliss A (2022). Strength and Conditioning for Golf: A Guide for Coaches and Players. Routledge, UK.
2. Wells JET et al. (2022). Relationships between highly skilled golfers’ clubhead velocity and kinetic variables during a countermovement jump. Sports Biomechanics. 28(1): 1-13 https://doi:10.1080/14763141.2022.2041709
3. Fradkin AJ et al. (2004). How well does club head speed correlate with golf handicaps. J Sci Med Sport. 7(4): 465-472 https://doi.org/10.1016/S1440-2440(04)80265-2
4. Hellstrom J et al. (2014). Drive for dough. PGA Tour golfers’ tee shot functional accuracy, distance and hole score. J Sport Sci. 32(5): 462-469 https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2013.832353
5. Bliss A & Langdown B (2023). Integrating strength and conditioning training and golf practice during the golf season: approaches and perceptions of highly skilled golfers. Int J Sport Sci Coach. 18(5) https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541231166288
6. Bliss A & Langdown B (2023). Integration of golf practice and strength and conditioning in golf: insights from professional golf coaches. Int J Sport Sci Coach . Online first. https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541231199657
7. Bliss A & Brooks D. (2022). Strength Training for Golfers. In Bliss A (2022) Strength and Conditioning for Golf: A Guide for Coaches and Players. Routledge, UK.