Motion sensing for golf……
Motion sensing for golf is changing the way golf is taught. Technology like BodyTrak, K-vest and other technologies have helped golf instructors understand swing mechanics on a different level. The next phase of golf instruction and player performance measurement seems to be tied with 3D mapping. The technology is good and getting better and easier to use.
Companies like GEARS, MySwing professional and more have really done a great job of developing 3d technology to help players and coaches understand the golf swing better. You can find more information on these companies at https://gearssports.com/ and https://www.myswing.com/
These two companies use sensors on the player and track motions during the swing. They track all this motion and covert it to images and data giving a teacher the ability to see and learn things about the golf swing that just can’t be done with regular video or by normal eye sight.
Tim Mitchel at Pelican Hill just invested in a myswing unit and had me come by to be his guinne pig. Tim started strapping small sensors to me and my golf club. They are velcroed or strapped to your feet, shins, thighs, forearms, biceps, belt, chest and head. As you can see you can swing the club with the sensors connected and it really is not uncomfortable.
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It takes about five to ten minutes to get everything strapped and velcroed on. After you are all hooked up and the sensors sink with the unit you’re ready to go. You then line up and hit a few shots. It tracks an immense amount of data on every swing, almost too much data and produces charts, graphs and a 3D image or your swing. Since I was the test student I took one swing and we noticed that my right shoulder was starting to low at address and my lower body was moving very poorly through impact.
I am not a great player but over the last several months my scores have ranged between 65 and 73 so I didn’t think I needed much help. I always have had a little bit of a cut off follow through that has led to hook shots. I have tried to improve that motion over the years without great success. After looking at myswing Tim and I discussed how poor my lower body motion was and possible fixes. We decided that I should try to move my left hip a little differently on the down swing. So I tried to move my left hip socket a little more towards the target at the start of the downswing and then raise it about 2″ higher at impact. It was amazing what an effect this had on my swing, see below.
After one swing we re-tested and the swing sequences and speed completely changed as you can see in the video. I did nothing more than try to change the position of my left hip socket and as you can see the speed of my swing changed dramatically. We then went to flight scope and took some measurements. My club head speed with a 6 iron went from 82 mph up to a maximum of 91 mph. The same happened with my driver. It is not often that you take one swing, make an assessment and then make a change on the next swing that works. I believe without using MySwing professional or simular technology this wouldnot have been possible.
I think these kinds of results will be more common for many golfers in the future using 3D mapping.
The use of 3D mapping is a game changer in golf. Find someone near you to map your swing to accelerate your improvement. If your in Newport Beach, CA and near Pelican Hill you should make an appointment with Tim Mitchel, PGA 866-921-3139.
Jim Hartnett, PGA
www.myhome4golf.com
