The Longitudinal Development of Movement Competency in Young High-Level Golfers

The aim of this study was to longitudinally monitor movement competency of golfers in a talent development program. Thirty-six golfers were included in the study (24 males, 12 females); on entry the mean age was 14.38 ± 2.88 years and mean handicap was 6. Participants completed the Golf Movement Screen (GMS). Data was collected annually at the start of each off-season in the program, providing three testing occasions over a two-year period. Total GMS score significantly improved (all p < 0.05) year-on year from 41 ± 13 on entry, to 52 ± 13 in year 1, and 63 ± 14 in year 2. Handicap also significantly improved from 6 ± 5 on entry to 2 ± 4 in year 2 (p < 0.05). Significant improvements were found in 7 of the 10 exercises between entry and year 1, and 9 of the 10 exercises between entry and year 2 (all p < 0.05), while scores for the remaining exercise were high on entry and remained stable. The findings suggest that golfers in a talent development program are able to improve their movement competency, and that the GMS has the sensitivity to detect these changes.