New technology can show mechanics of a golf swing

January 13, 2010

By Christopher Huber

John Unck settles into his stance, relaxes a bit then rests his iron on the turf behind the golf ball. He’s wearing a black vest and belt strapped tightly around his shoulders and waist, each covered in motion censors. One also sits attached to his left-hand glove.

“Three…two…one,” counts instructor Mark Roberts as he clicks a button at the computer station. The longtime Sammamish resident winds up, swings and the ball flies — mostly straight — into the mat 15 feet away.

Almost instantaneously, a dozen or so red and green graphs, percentages and seemingly arbitrary numbers pop up on the flat screen television mounted to the wall. Roberts and Unck review the details and determine Unck’s left knee is the root of his problem — it collapses on the backswing and throws off his follow-through. Two video cameras capture the swing, too, and they eventually compare Unck’s swing side-by-side on the screen with pro golfer Fred Funk.

“This helps me because I’m a pictoral person,” Unck said. “That (image) doesn’t go away.”

It’s all a part of a new video and 3D motion analysis technology offered in Sammamish at Golf USA’s indoor instructional studio. The store is one of only a few places in Washington to offer 3D motion analysis aided instruction, said general manager Jason Schaefer.

The new technology may be useful, said Chris Lungo, golf pro at the Plateau Club, but practicing indoors means that some important aspects of training are missing. In particular, Lungo said golfers will miss out on watching how the ball flies over a distance.

“I think that ball flight is really important. I don’t think hitting into a net with video is maybe the best way to learn,” Lungo said.

He did see some real value in it, however. He said he’s familiar with the technology and figures it will only help area golfers improve their game.

“I would think more technology helps. It helps the student and helps the teacher,” Lungo said. “It definitely helps to learn visually.”

Unck is one of the first students to try the new program, which Roberts and Schaefer said adds a whole new element of understanding to learning the fundamentals of a golf swing.

Schaefer said the lack of resources in this area prompted him to bring the technology to his store.

“I got tired of directing (clients) to other places to go,” he said.

The wireless K-Vest is designed to help golfers improve their game through visual, kinesthetic and verbal (from the instructor) feedback. It measures a golfer’s flexibility and range of motion in the torso, hips and arms.

After each session, Roberts e-mails Unck the lesson feedback and data, along with still images taken from the video, to apply to his game on the course.

Yet, with all of the technology, to help correct Unck’s collapsing knee tendency, Roberts employs a low-tech method.

He has Unck hold a yellow smiley face ball between his knees as he swings. He takes it away and Unck tries a couple of swings on video. They see at least some difference in the K-Vest data and charts.

“John can see his improvement here; tangible proof of a lasting improvement,” Roberts said.

Unck said he doesn’t harbor aspirations of going pro, he just wants to get good enough at golf to not want to break his clubs in half out on the course.

“I could feel improvement, obviously. That’s what it’s all about for me,” Unck said near the end of his second lesson with the vest. “I can feel the progress.”

Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com.

Golf pro Mark Roberts, left, observes as 30-year Sammamish resident John Unck finishes a swing during a lesson with the K-Vest technology at the Sammamish Golf USA Jan. 6. Photo by Christopher Huber