It's high time to start the discussion about common denominators of the greatest ballstrikers that ever lived and see what really matters in the game of golf from the scientific point of view. Anatomy, physics and geometry (exactly in this order of importance) will be taken into account only. Prior to it, however, we need to choose a method to do so. I am of the opinion that the most important factor that must be taken into account is anatomy of a human since the objects of the study are humans that are limited within their bodies anatomical capabilities. Next we would need instruments of basic Newtonian physics to depict reality everyone is committed to move within. Lastly, geometry would be an useful additional measure to find some interactions.
I would argue that the simplest and most effective method of finding common denominators is analyzing the motion step by step in all three main anatomical planes of a human body:
A slight difficulty can be found when trying to determine which of the three planes deserve to be analyzed as first but, after a deeper thought on the subject, I came into conclusion that in fact it does not matter since it is simply impossible to izolate implications, i.e. what would be observed as deserved in one plane would affect what happens in the other two and vice versa.
While thinking about who of the golfers should be honoured to be chosen to the group that will be analyzed the criterium that appears to be the most reasonable is taking into account and benefitting from overall opinions of knowledgeable people (mostly their tour companions but also analysts using modern equipment as in case of today's players) that labelled the players on the list as ones of the very top ballstrikers in the history of game. And, let's name the most prominent names in a sort of chronological order:
- Harry Vardon
- "Wild" Bill Mehlhorn
- Bobby Jones
- Byron Nelson
- Sam Snead
- Ben Hogan
- George Knudson
- Moe Norman
- Lee Trevino
- Mac O'Grady
- Nick Price
and today's:
- Jim Furyk
- Sergio Garcia
- Joe Durant
- Lee Westwood
and finally a lady:
- Mickey Wright
We shall name the common denominators as well as discuss some aspects of them in the next part.
