Cole, M.Grimshaw, P.2010-06-012010-06-012009Journal of Quantitative Analysis in Sports, 2009; 5(1):1-91559-04101559-0410http://hdl.handle.net/2440/58607It is often postulated that an increased hip to shoulder differential angle (`X-Factor') during the early downswing better utilises the stretch-shorten cycle and improves golf performance. The current study aims to examine the potential relationship between the X-Factor and performance during the tee-shot. Seven golfers with handicaps between 0 and 10 strokes comprised the low-handicap group, whilst the high-handicap group consisted of eight golfers with handicaps between 11 and 20 strokes. The golfers performed 20 drives and three-dimensional kinematic data were used to quantify hip and shoulder rotation and the subsequent X-Factor. Compared with the low-handicap group, the high-handicap golfers tended to demonstrate greater hip rotation at the top of the backswing and recorded reduced maximum X-Factor values. The inconsistencies evident in the literature may suggest that a universal method of measuring rotational angles during the golf swing would be beneficial for future studies, particularly when considering potential injury.enJournal article002009688810.2202/1559-0410.113434768Grimshaw, P. [0000-0002-3359-1375]