Inclusion of Lower-Body and Upper-Body Power Exercises Acutely Improves Distance-Related Measures in Golf Driving Performance

Abstract

Brennan, A, Murray, A, Johansen, M, Couglan, D, Xu, J, Turner, A, and Bishop, C. Inclusion of lower-body and upper-body power exercises acutely improves distance-related measures in golf driving performance. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2026—The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of including upper-body and lower-body power interventions on distance-related swing measures in high-level amateur golf players. Eighteen male golf athletes completed 2 acute interventions, separated by 1 week. Golf shot data were recorded at baseline, immediately postintervention, and at 15-, 30-, and 60-minute intervals. The upper-body intervention resulted in statistically significant, albeit trivial to small improvements in ball speed ( g = 0.13–0.21), carry distance ( g = 0.29–0.36), and smash factor ( g = 0.14–0.27) across multiple time points, with no significant changes observed in clubhead speed (CHS). By contrast, the lower-body intervention demonstrated statistically significant improvements across all golf metrics, including CHS ( g = 0.14–0.18), ball speed ( g = 0.26–0.36), carry distance ( g = 0.26–0.31), and smash factor ( g = 0.16–0.35). In conclusion, both interventions elicited acute improvements in distance-related swing measures, with the lower-body intervention demonstrating a slightly superior influence on CHS. These findings suggest that low volume power exercises may be effectively integrated into prepractice or precompetition routines. However, practitioners should also consider the potential cumulative effects of combining both upper-body and lower-body power methods, as demonstrated by significant improvements in distance-related swing data across multiple time points. This suggests that practitioners can feel confident when implementing low volume power training interventions before golf practice or competition.