| Camcorders are very useful golf swing aids - if used | | | | with your swing. |
| together with suitable golf swing software, they are | | | | However, these software can be useful for |
| an unbeatable combination to improve your golf | | | | low-handicap amateurs. They have a good idea of |
| swing. | | | | correct golf swing mechanics, and can analyze their |
| What does golf swing software do? | | | | golf swing techniques to find out what is wrong. An |
| Different golf swing software differ in their | | | | experienced golfer can study his technique in depth |
| capabilities. In general, they provide several tools to | | | | to build a picture of what he is trying to achieve. The |
| help you analyze your swing after you capture it with | | | | software helps him to see where he falls short of |
| your camcorder. The most basic of these are usually | | | | perfection. |
| the drawing and comparison tools, helping you to | | | | Beginners and high-handicappers should spend their |
| study your golf swing techniques in depth. | | | | time and money on golf swing lessons instead of |
| Using golf swing software with your golf instructor | | | | software. |
| An increasing number of golf instructors are starting | | | | Free substitute for golf swing software |
| to use these software in their teaching. They capture | | | | Not everyone can afford to buy golf swing software. |
| their own swings on video, analyze their golf swing | | | | On the other hand, some golfers buy them but find |
| mechanics using the software, and use it to | | | | them too difficult to use. Here is a free substitute |
| demonstrate important points. Some instructors also | | | | using the free editing software which comes with |
| capture their students' golf swings for analysis, | | | | your camcorder, your computer and printer, and |
| pointing out critical mistakes. | | | | some tracing paper: |
| As an example, he may analyze your swing plane - | | | | - Play the video of your swing in slow motion. |
| showing deviations from the correct one-plane swing | | | | - Capture the still images of all the important points in |
| or two-plane swing. Your stance during the swing | | | | your golf swing technique. |
| may also be analyzed, as well as the direction your | | | | - Open the still images in Microsoft Paint (comes free |
| club head faces at impact. More advanced software | | | | with your computer) and edit out the background. |
| also lets him analyze your swing speed at various | | | | Just select the biggest brush and paint the entire |
| points in the backswing, impact and followthrough. He | | | | background white. You do not need to do this step, |
| may also be able to do a side-by-side comparison | | | | but it makes your analysis easier later on. |
| between your swing and that of another golf pro, | | | | - Print out each image. |
| showing you what is right and wrong in your swing. | | | | - Choose one of these images as your baseline, and |
| The best software to buy is the same one your | | | | trace out the movement of your club from all the |
| instructor uses. Ask him to show you how to use | | | | other images. |
| the software, so that you can continue to analyze | | | | - Super-impose the tracing on your baseline, and Voila! |
| your own swing after his lessons end. | | | | You have a simple-to-analyze picture of your golf |
| Using golf swing software on your own | | | | swing. |
| Learning to use golf swing software on your own is | | | | Golf swing software is most useful in the hands of |
| a bit difficult. It is best to start with a software | | | | more experienced golfers. Used together with your |
| which is cheap and simple. For beginners, another | | | | camcorder, they are one of the most useful tools to |
| problem is that you may not know what is wrong | | | | improve your golf swing. |