Athleticism Test – Broad Jump
partner5 min
This test in the DRVN Fitness Test measures athleticism. To do that, we use the Broad Jump.
Athleticism, in this context, is simple: how well a golfer can move their own body, apply force into the ground, and accelerate themselves through space.
Those qualities matter in every explosive movement in the golf swing — from pushing off the ground to creating speed and transferring energy efficiently from body to club to ball.
Why the Broad Jump Is the Right Test
The Broad Jump removes complexity and reveals truth.
There's no barbell. No external load. Just the golfer and the ground.
This test shows how effectively an individual can:
- load the body into the ground,
- react, change direction and accelerate,
- move a maximal distance and land in balance.
That same ability underpins powerful, athletic movement in the golf swing.
What This Test Is Really Measuring
The Broad Jump isn't about jumping far for its own sake. It measures:
- acceleration capability,
- coordination of the lower body,
- and force application relative to body size.
Because the score is measured relative to body height, it accounts for differences in stature and gives a clear picture of how well someone moves their own mass. This makes the result highly relevant to both golf performance and overall athletic potential.
How the Test Is Performed
Before jumping, the golfer's body height is measured.
From the start line, the golfer prepares by:
- standing tall,
- loading through the hips,
- compressing into the ground,
- and then exploding forward.
The intent is to accelerate smoothly and powerfully, not to reach or fall forward.
The most important part of the test is not the takeoff — it's the landing. A valid rep requires:
- both feet landing together,
- stable balance on contact,
- and no loss of control or additional steps.
Safety and control always come first.
Scoring the Broad Jump
Distance is measured from the start line to the back of the heels and then evaluated as a percentage of body height.
| Score | What You'll See |
|---|---|
| 1 | Jump distance significantly below body-height benchmark |
| 2 | Jump reaches a modest percentage of body height with limited acceleration |
| 3 | Jump reaches body-height benchmark with controlled landing |
| 4 | Jump exceeds body-height benchmark with strong acceleration |
| 5 | Jump greatly exceeds body-height benchmark with explosive takeoff and stable landing |
Golfers are allowed additional attempts if needed. The best clean jump is recorded.
Athleticism Handicap — Broad Jump
Men's, Women's and Junior Golf Fitness Handicap Scoring:
| Score | Jump Distance |
|---|---|
| 1 | 20% of height |
| 2 | 40% of height |
| 3 | 60% of height |
| 4 | 80% of height |
| 5 | 100% of height |
Senior's Golf Fitness Handicap Scoring:
| Score | Jump Distance |
|---|---|
| 1 | 20% of height |
| 2 | 40% of height |
| 3 | 50% of height |
| 4 | 60% of height |
| 5 | 70% of height |
Reduced distance here is used for Senior populations due to a targeted reduction in impact.
Why Landing Quality Matters
Distance without control doesn't transfer.
A golfer who cannot land cleanly often:
- leaks force,
- struggles to decelerate,
- and has difficulty controlling speed in the swing.
A stable landing tells you the body can both produce and absorb force — critical for durability and repeatable performance.
How This Test Fits the Bigger Picture
Athleticism sits between strength and speed.
Strength gives capacity. Power expresses force. Athleticism shows how well the body can move itself.
The Broad Jump reveals whether a golfer can turn physical capacity into dynamic movement — one of the clearest indicators of long-term performance potential.
Closing Thought
The Broad Jump isn't about jumping like an athlete. It's about revealing whether the golfer already moves like one.
When athleticism improves here, movement efficiency improves everywhere else.