"She may be considered among the fortunate female golfers due to her small breast size, which does not impede her golf swing."
Revised Article:
Ever pondered how your bust size may impact your golf game? Meh, I hadn't given it much thought either since I'm flat-chested and do just fine on the greens. But a friend of mine with an ample endowment revealed some busty dilemmas!
Turns out, she's been through a 'boob lesson' due to her larger-than-life assets getting in the way of her swings. Her golf coach has been struggling to tackle her sizable problem, as it also affects her balance and backswing turn. You name it, she's experimented with various boob positions – at address, under the arms, to the side, or even squishing them in to make room for that golf club!
For years, I used to laugh with one of my mum's golf friends about her boob jokes: "It's gonna be a boob day today," or "Turn tits to target" was her favorite golf mantra. Often, women play golf with an unfair disadvantage compared to male golfers when it comes to swing dynamics.
Imagine Rory McIlroy swinging his golf club at lightning speeds with a huge torso twist, all while dealing with a pair of bouncing melons? That'd be quite a sight!
I consider myself one of the lucky female golfers. My modest bust doesn't create issues during my swing. However, I've never had a golf lesson where the topic of boobs was brought up. This might be since my chest is small, but I suspect there's also a bit of embarrassment among the golf coaches I've worked with.
Society and the media have sensationalized the female chest, turning it into an object of desire rather than considering its functionality – breastfeeding our children. I recall breastfeeding days and dealing with swollen, leaking boobs and breast pads on the golf course while my son was a baby. That's a whole other (albeit interesting) topic!
Leaving no stone unturned, Lewis Clarke, Sports Science Lead at The PGA and doctorate student in elite female golf biomechanics, delved deep into this subject. As the biomechanics expert for the PGA and a student at the University of Portsmouth, Clarke was taken aback by the lack of research on the topic of female breast health and their support in golf.
"I stumbled upon the research group in breast health at the University of Portsmouth through Professor Joanna Wakefield-Scurr," Clarke explained. "It was during our conversations that we saw an opportunity to continue research in this area."
Clarke soon discovered that the literature on the subject was dismally limited. "We have plenty of information on breasts and bras for other sports, but there was absolutely no research available on female golfers," Wakefield-Scurr added.
During 2024, Clarke surveyed tour professionals on bra usage and got their opinions on breasts in golf swings. Collaborating with both the Ladies European Tour and The R&A, the collective worked throughout the season to conduct a scoping review on breast health in golf.
The initial stage involved a survey to gauge players' perceptions and responses to bra issues in golf. They followed up by providing educational workshops for players and staff at events, including tour physiotherapists, strength and conditioning coaches, masseuses, and more. Over 170 players were surveyed.
Partnering with adidas, the research team also provided free bra fittings and sports bras to players who were fitted, with 85 players receiving the proper sports bra.
Rewired and awakened, I admit I never gave much thought to what bra I wore for golf before this research study. I simply opted for one that felt comfortable.
But now I ponder if my choice of bra is appropriate for an athletic sport like golf. I wouldn't dream of hitting the gym without wearing a sports bra or playing tennis with a conventional underwear bra. Why was I wearing a regular high street bra to play golf?
Perhaps because I didn't treat golf as a suitable athletic activity. Unconsciously, I may have been putting my body and my breasts at risk by neglecting proper support during play.
Golf, like any sport, demands an athletic move. I can't believe it took me this long to realize I should be treating my golf outfit, including my bra, like any other athletic gear.
A keen finding of Clarke's research is that golfers' knowledge about breasts and bras is abysmal compared to other sports. "Golfers' awareness about breasts and bras is extremely poor," Clarke confesses. "It's significantly lower than other sporting activities."
Yet, the tour players who were screened by the breast health team did acknowledge that the breast and bra play a role in their technique and performance, particularly in terms of their set-up fundamentals and backswing move.
In conclusion, while there's no specific research directly exploring the effects of improperly fitted bras on golf swings, ensuring proper fit and comfort in all athletic wear is essential for optimal performance in golf and other sports. A well-fitted sports bra provides much-needed support and comfort, increasing focus and consistency during the game.
So, ladies, let's level-up our breast health and golfing game by investing in a proper sports bra. Your body and your game will thank you!
- The lack of research on the effects of improperly fitted bras on golf swings is a gap in the field of sports science, particularly for female golfers.
- In golf, proper breast health and support are crucial components of an athlete's well-being and performance, yet female golfers often have limited knowledge about this subject.
- A well-fitted sports bra can provide much-needed support and comfort during golf games, potentially improving focus and consistency in one's swing.
- As a result of Clarke's research, female golfers are encouraged to prioritize their breast health and invest in a proper sports bra for optimal performance and comfort on the greens.
