Learn to Video

One of the biggest advancements in golf instruction over the past ten years has been the use of video. It allows for instructors to pinpoint flaws and for pupils to better understand the cause/effect relationships in their golf swing.

One of the biggest reasons why video analysis is so great is because what someone feels, or thinks they are doing in the swing, is not always what occurs. Video will tell the story. Also, with a more advanced system, you can compare your swing to a great player’s swing and instantly understand what you need to do to improve.

If you can video your swing once every few months the benefits will be innumerable. You don’t need a fancy system with the ability to draw graphics on a screen and do side-by-side comparisons. Any old camcorder will work fine. You also don’t need to have an expert eye to review your footage. You just need to be aware of a couple basic things, which is something anyone can do.The following is a good, simple approach to videotaping your swing. There are three angles to shoot and a couple of things to look for from each angle.

Down the line – This is the angle standing behind the player. It is the most common one you see on television. This angle will give you a clear understanding of:
1. Your takeaway
2. Top-of-swing position
Watch to see if your clubhead stays outside your hands for the first few feet of the swing. This will keep your club from whipping to the inside. Also, take note of your clubface at the top. It should be parallel with your left forearm (for right-handers). If the toe is down, it’s open. If the clubface is pointing toward the sky, it’s closed.

Face on – This is the angle pointing directly at the player's belt buckle. It is a good angle to watch for:
Head movement
Hip movement
On your downswing, you should see that your head stays to the left of the ball (on the screen). Many amateurs get their head moving laterally to start the downswing, which is a mistake. Also watch for the hip "bump." Your hips should shift laterally to start the downswing, then turn out of the way.

In front – This may be the best angle to look at. It’s also the least used; perhaps because your video camera could be in danger. The idea is to set the camera out in front or you about 25 feet so it looks back at you. You will be hitting right over the top of it. Place it a couple of feet off the ground in a range basket, or something else, to protect it. Chances are that you won’t even come close to hitting it anyway.

From this angle, watch where your clubshaft:
Comes out of your body
Re-enters your body
On your backswing, it should come out of your shoulder or just below it. On your downswing, it should re-enter just below that point, around the middle of your back or "lat" muscle. This is the most important part of the swing. Most high handicappers would have the complete opposite look.

Don’t get obsessed with video analysis. Use it every now and then to see where your swing is. This will no doubt speed up the time it takes to improve.