Effects of Core-Inclusive Physical Training on Clubhead Speed in Golfers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of core-inclusive physical training, either performed alone or combined with additional physical conditioning, on clubhead speed (CHS) in healthy golfers and to compare golf-specific swing-simulated core training (GSCT) with non-GSCT. Six primary electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science, Scopus, PEDro) and Google Scholar were searched from inception to June 2026 for controlled trials. Continuous CHS outcomes were pooled using random-effects models as Hedges’ g. Nine trials (220 golfers) were analyzed. Overall core-inclusive physical training showed a small, statistically significant effect on CHS (Hedges’ g = 0.290, 95% CI: 0.031 to 0.549, p = 0.028; I2 = 0.000%). Subgroup analysis indicated that interventions incorporating GSCT showed a numerically larger effect (Hedges’ g = 0.451, 95% CI: 0.073 to 0.830, p = 0.020) than non-GSCT (Hedges’ g = 0.148, 95% CI: −0.208 to 0.503, p = 0.416). However, meta-regression for between-subgroup differences did not reach statistical significance (Q = 1.31, p = 0.252). Certainty of evidence according to the GRADE framework was rated as low for overall CHS and very low for the GSCT subgroup training. In conclusion, conditioning practitioners may implement comprehensive core-inclusive physical training to enhance CHS, while considering GSCT as a promising yet exploratory strategy pending confirmation from larger randomized trials.