Video Golf Swing Analysis

STEP 1. PREPARE YOUR VIDEO

1. IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A VIDEO OF YOUR SWING

If you already have a video of your swing and think that it represents your typical swing, we can use that. If you are a high handicapper we should be able identify improvements that will take you to the next level.

If you have a lower handicap I would suggest that you make a video per below if you are not certain that your existing video is representative.

2. HOW TO MAKE AN IDEAL GOLF SWING VIDEO

The first step for getting an analysis of your golf swing is to set up your camcorder, preferably on a tripod, and record about 12 swings. You can record more if you feel that I will need more to fully understand your swing. If your camera records sound, that will help a lot. If you are using plastic balls, make sure the wind isn't blowing your shots around. Your videos don't have to be perfect, just representative, so don't labor away; just enjoy your movie making.

IDENTIFY YOURSELF

If you will using YouTube.com or MotionBox.com or another video sharing service (see Step 2.) there probably will be no problem in correlating your name and your video since your name and URL will be on the INFO form (Step 3.) which should correlate directly with your video. If you are mailing, please print the INFO form and put it in the packaging, making sure I have your email address. It would be good to announce yourself on your video, especially when using TransferBigFiles.Com. Set your camcorder up as follows:

SHOOT WITH DRIVER FACING CAMERA

Set up your video camera level directly across from your ball position about belt high. Include the ball and your entire body in the shot. The club head should be visible during your setup and take away. Include, at least once, your set up procedure, i.e. what you're doing in your pre-swing routine, just like you do on the golf course. Have your camera person zoom in on your hands at least once so that I can see your grip clearly. Make about 3 takes, more if necessary, hitting the ball with your driver. After each swing, verbally record the result of your shot. Description should be something like one of the following or a combination, in your own words.


- Topped
- Popped Up
- Hit behind Ball (fat)
- Hit on toe of club
- Hit on heel
- Started left of target, curved right
- Started left, stayed straight left
- Started left, curved further left
- Started right of target, curved further right
- Started right, stayed straight right
- Started right, curved left
- Down the middle, nice loft
- Low flight

5 OR 6 IRON FACING

Repeat the same procedure as above. You could also hit a wedge, especially if it gives you trouble.

DRIVER FROM REAR

Set up your camera level, back of you, focused between your ball position and your foot line, about belt high with your entire body visible in the shot. Make about 3 swings repeating the procedure as above.

5 OR 6 IRON FROM REAR

Repeat the now familiar procedure

OPTIONAL

Repeat the above procedure with a club that gives you fits if you like.

A WORD ABOUT YOUR VIDEO

If you're an old hand at using camcorders and computers you don't need any of my amateur advice (I'm a golf pro, not a technology whiz) so the following is for the less initiated.

With an assistant operating your camcorder, things will go smother if you pause quickly after each take and short verbal description of the shot, so that there isn't a lot of non-essential footage to manage.

It's a good idea to make sure you have the most current version of video editing software on your computer. For instance for Windows XP, if you are updated to Service Pack 3 you should be all set and you will have the easiest to use procedures, i.e. Movie Maker 2. As soon as you connect your camcorder and turn it on, the easy to use software will come up. For each time your camcorder has been paused, the video editing software will create a new clip, which is fine. The clips can be trimmed and put together into one longer clip if you wish. There is no trimming on YouTube. On MotionBox, there is editing and mixing so that you can trim your clips and create one video out of several clips.