Forces & fundamentals — the foundation
Chapter 1 establishes the physical principles governing all motion in the golf swing: Newton's laws, torque, rotational force, and the mechanical chain from ground to club head.
Physics & biomechanics — applied to golf
The Physics & Biomechanics of Golf Understand Your Ideal Swing
180 pages of rigorous, research-grounded analysis — covering forces, muscle physiology, proprioception, kinematic sequencing, and swing analysis. Written for golfers who want to understand the science, not just the cue.
Get the book — £29.99
Hardback · Free UK delivery · Also on Amazon
180 pages
10 chapters
Research-grounded
The problem
You've been given general technique cues. Not personalised biomechanics fact.
Most golf instruction tells you what to do. Very little explains the physics and biomechanics behind why it works — or why it doesn't for your body.
Feel ≠ Real
The disconnect between perceived movement and actual kinematics is the most significant barrier to lasting improvement. Understanding the physics closes that gap.
Template thinking
Generic swing models ignore individual physiology, flexibility, and force production capacity. Biomechanics provides the framework for individualised analysis.
40+ years
Of accumulated knowledge from half a century of available academic research, input from golf professionals, and engineering-led analysis — consolidated into a single practical reference.
The framework
Physics and biomechanics give you a lens that does not change with coaching fashion. The same principles apply from beginner to tour professional.
What's inside
The science behind every element of the swing
Ten chapters covering the complete physics and biomechanics of the golf swing — from foundational forces to practical analysis and making changes.
Muscle physiology — what your body can actually produce
Chapter 2 explains muscle fibres and contraction, force-velocity relationships, exercise misnomers & misunderstanding and the physiological constraints that determine how power is generated and transferred through the kinetic chain — applied directly to the golf swing.
Proprioception — why feel misleads
Chapter 4 examines some of the neuroscience of body position awareness — explaining why golfers consistently misread their own movement, and how to work with proprioception rather than against it.
The physics of golf — club, ball, and impact
Chapter 5 applies classical mechanics to the golf club and ball: moment of inertia, angular momentum, impact dynamics, and how physiology and club parameters interact with swing characteristics.
Wedge theory — the geometry of loft, lie, and face
Chapter 6 dissects wedge play with the same rigour applied to the full swing — covering attack angle, dynamic loft, spin and the physics governing trajectory and stopping power and the exploitable relationship between smash factor and carry distance.
Analysis & making changes — the practical framework
Chapter 10 brings theory into practice: how to identify mechanical root causes, prioritise corrections and apply the biomechanics framework to your own swing analysis with or without expensive technology — the framework that powers SwingTrace AI Pro's biomechanics analysis engine.
Drills & practice — applying what you've learned
Chapter 9 provides proprioceptive drills & exercises, practice structure, and a sound methodology for translating biomechanical understanding into repeatable on-course improvement — grounded in what the research says actually works.
Pairs with SwingTrace AI Pro
SwingTrace AI Pro is built on the same biomechanical framework documented in this book. Use the two together: read the theory, then apply it to your own swing data. The analysis terminology is shared throughout.
The chapters
180 pages. 10 chapters. One complete framework.
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Forces and Fundamentals
The physical laws governing all movement in the swing. Newton's laws, torque, angular momentum, ground reaction forces, and the mechanical chain that connects every segment of the body to the club head.
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Muscle Physiology
Muscle fibre types, force-velocity relationships, stretch-shortening cycle mechanics, and the physiological basis for power production in the golf swing.
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Physiology and Biomechanics
How individual physiology constrains and shapes biomechanical output — explaining why the same technique cue produces different results in different golfers.
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Proprioception in Biomechanics
Why feel without physiological awareness is an unreliable guide to actual movement — and how to train proprioceptive awareness to close the gap between intended and actual kinematics.
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The Physics of Golf
Isaac Newton, moment of inertia, ground reaction forces, dynamic torque generation, opposing pressures, the importance of lag, an introduction to smash factor, and the fundamental forces of Golf.
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Wedge Theory · Tee Adjustments · Short Game · Drills · Analysis
Chapters 6–10 apply the theoretical framework to specific areas of the game — covering wedge geometry, driver adjustments, pitching and bunkers, practice structure, alignment, and a complete framework for identifying and correcting mechanical faults.
Get the book — £29.99
Hardback · Also available on Amazon UK
What readers & SwingTrace advocates say
From golfers and coaches who use the framework
"This has really helped enhance my biomechanics background. It also allows a speedy improvement plan to be built around what the numbers show."
"Used the framework to assess a number of my players. The detailed analysis identified efficiency gains and helped drive up club speed."
"The biomechanical insights provided the exact roadmap I needed. My ball-striking reached an entirely new level of consistency — contributing to a top 3 finish at the SWAC conference."
Get the book
Available now — hardback.
Order direct from golfbiomechanics.net, worldwide via Amazon, or via IngramSpark for US & UK distribution.
Recommended
Direct — golfbiomechanics.net
£29.99
Introductory price · £4.99 UK delivery
- 180 pages · 10 chapters
- Full references section
- Pairs with SwingTrace AI Pro
- Research-grounded analysis
- Covers forces, physiology & kinematics
- Applicable from beginner to professional
IngramSpark
$39.99
Hardback · US & UK · + delivery applies
- 180 pages · 10 chapters
- Full references section
- Pairs with SwingTrace AI Pro
- Research-grounded analysis
- Covers forces, physiology & kinematics
- Applicable from beginner to professional
Amazon
£44.99
Large format hardback · Worldwide · + delivery applies
- 180 pages · 10 chapters
- Full references section
- Pairs with SwingTrace AI Pro
- Research-grounded analysis
- Covers forces, physiology & kinematics
- Applicable from beginner to professional
Questions
Common questions
The book is written for golfers at all levels who want to understand the physics and biomechanics of the swing. No prior science background is required — the content builds progressively from foundational principles. Coaching professionals, competitive amateurs, and beginners all benefit from the same framework.
Most golf instruction books prescribe technique. This book explains the physics and biomechanics behind technique — why certain movements produce certain outcomes, and what the research says about force production, proprioception, and kinematic sequencing. It is a reference framework, not a set of drills.
The book is 180 pages, organised into 10 chapters — covering forces and fundamentals, muscle physiology, physiology and biomechanics, proprioception, the physics of golf, wedge theory, tee adjustments, short game, drills and alignment, and swing analysis and making changes. It also includes a full references section.
Barrie Van Proctor is a golf biomechanics practitioner with a background in architectural and engineering design. He is also the creator of SwingTrace AI Pro. The book consolidates over 40 years of knowledge from academic research, professional golf coaching acquaintance, and direct application of physics principles to the golf swing.
Yes. SwingTrace AI Pro is built on the same biomechanical framework documented in the book. The analysis terminology, kinematic benchmarks, and sequencing principles are consistent throughout both. Reading the book provides the theoretical grounding for interpreting what SwingTrace shows you. Try SwingTrace AI Pro free.
Yes. International orders are best placed via Amazon UK, which ships worldwide. UK orders with free delivery can be placed direct at golfbiomechanics.net.
Available now
Stop guessing why.
Start understanding how.
The Physics & Biomechanics of Golf gives you the scientific framework to analyse, understand, and improve your swing — grounded in physics, biomechanics research, and 40 years of applied knowledge.
Get the book — £29.99
Hardback · Free UK delivery · Also on Amazon