Abstract
Introduction to Research Question: The objective of this independent research project was to evaluate the resulting effects of KinesioTape© (KT©) application to the external oblique on club head velocity and total driving distance on low-handicap collegiate golfers. Methods: Twenty-eight golfers participated in this study (registered USGA handicap of below 12). Each of the participants received all three conditions (KT© application, segmental KT© application, and no tape) and acted as his/her own controls. Each participant completed a total of nine swings, i.e. – 3 swings with each variable, in the FGCU Professional Golf Management performance lab. Trackman© was used to collect data regarding club head speed and ball distance under each of the three conditions. Results: The results confirm there were no statistically significant differences in performance, as measured by club head speed (p = 0.46) or ball distance (p = 0.94), when KT© or segmental KT© is applied, as compared with no tape. Discussion: Questions remain whether a greater sample size or different research methodology would have affected the data measuring the impact of KT© application on improving club head velocity and resulting distance. Conclusion: The results yielded no statistically significant difference between KT©, KT©seg, and no tape application. Despite the results, it is the authors’ belief that KT© still may have beneficial performance enhancements for the golfing population.