Angular motion: Beta component
Figures 10, 11, and 12 illustrate the beta component
of the angular velocity, angular acceleration, and
torque respectively for the selected subjects. The
beta angular components indicate the pitch motion
of the club. While the beta motion is the smallest of
the angular motions, Figures 10 and 11 show that it
is still significant. Since the path of the grip and club
head define different planes (Figure 3), pitch motion
of the club must take place. As the speed of the club
increases, so must the beta motion as is indicated in
Figure 10. The large variations in beta velocity
curves among subjects further emphasize the relative
difference in hand and club head paths taken to
impact. The scratch golfer had the least pitch motion
up to impact and the lowest beta angular velocity at
impact. All four subject exhibited a stabilization of
the pitch motion as indicated by the low beta angular
accelerations at impact (Figure 11).
