Slow Motion Golf Swing Analysis

Slow Motion Golf Swing Analysis
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Golf is an individual sport that requires precision -- precision in the way you stand, the way you hold the golf club and precision in the way you move the different parts of your body as you move to strike the golf ball. Golf swing analysis attempts to improve your swing. A video camera and sophisticated computer software are some of the tools used to effectively analyze your golf swing in slow motion and make corrections on the spot.

Golf Swing Secret

For a seasoned golf player, the golf swing is not a secret. It can be considered both as a science and an art. It is a science because a good swing combines the proper alignment of feet, legs, arms, and upper body, including shoulders and head. The artistic side of the swing is the continuous and seemingly effortless movement and proper coordination of all body parts, extended to the golf club. Continuous practice and precise and minute corrections in the stance and the way you handle the club are some of the most important factors to consider when you want to have a good swing.

Camera Views

Two major views are reviewed when analyzing a golf swing in slow motion: the face-line view and the down-the-line view. The face-line view shows how far you are turning when you execute your backswing and the relationship of your left arm and the shaft of the club during the downswing, the impact of the club head on the ball, and the way the club shaft has turned taken from the front. In down-the-line view, you see your position from the back to check your right elbow during the swing, the position of your hips and how the club is positioned when it hits the target.

Equipment You Need

To conduct a golf swing analysis, you need a digital video camera with a high frame rate, a tripod, golf swing analysis software and a good golf staging area with a net to stop the balls. Extra lighting must be provided so you can capture all of the movements with good clarity. While you may be able to do this single-handedly, it is best to have a professional with you to set up the video camera and the lights as you get into position to see what will be the best camera height, distance and angle to capture your full body movements and help you analyze your swing immediately.

Analysis

The video of your golf swing will be uploaded and analyzed by the golf swing analysis software frame by frame from your address, or starting, position, to your backswing and up to your downswing and the upswing. A video will be taken of you using a wood and an iron club. The computer program allows the person analyzing your swing to draw on the screen to highlight the correct and erroneous things you do with your swing. By analyzing your swing in slow motion, frame by frame, you will see how your body is positioned at address, how your body turns as you do the backswing, the position of your feet, how your club head is positioned before it approaches the ball, how your hip movements transfer your weight from one foot to the other, and how your body turns for the downswing and upswing. Adjustments to your body position and swing can be effected right on the spot when you do a slow motion golf swing analysis.

References

Article reviewed by Anne Matera Last updated on: May 31, 2011

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