Camcorders are very useful golf swing aids – if used together with suitable golf swing software, they are an unbeatable combination to improve your golf swing.

What does golf swing software do?

Different golf swing software differ in their capabilities. In general, they provide several tools to help you analyze your swing after you capture it with your camcorder. The most basic of these are usually the drawing and comparison tools, helping you to study your golf swing techniques in depth.

Using golf swing software with your golf instructor

An increasing number of golf instructors are starting to use these software in their teaching. They capture their own swings on video, analyze their golf swing mechanics using the software, and use it to demonstrate important points. Some instructors also capture their students’ golf swings for analysis, pointing out critical mistakes.

As an example, he may analyze your swing plane – showing deviations from the correct one-plane swing or two-plane swing. Your stance during the swing may also be analyzed, as well as the direction your club head faces at impact. More advanced software also lets him analyze your swing speed at various points in the backswing, impact and followthrough. He may also be able to do a side-by-side comparison between your swing and that of another golf pro, showing you what is right and wrong in your swing.

The best software to buy is the same one your instructor uses. Ask him to show you how to use the software, so that you can continue to analyze your own swing after his lessons end.

Using golf swing software on your own

Learning to use golf swing software on your own is a bit difficult. It is best to start with a software which is cheap and simple. For beginners, another problem is that you may not know what is wrong with your swing.

However, these software can be useful for low-handicap amateurs. They have a good idea of correct golf swing mechanics, and can analyze their golf swing techniques to find out what is wrong. An experienced golfer can study his technique in depth to build a picture of what he is trying to achieve. The software helps him to see where he falls short of perfection.

Beginners and high-handicappers should spend their time and money on golf swing lessons instead of software.

Free substitute for golf swing software

Not everyone can afford to buy golf swing software. On the other hand, some golfers buy them but find them too difficult to use. Here is a free substitute using the free editing software which comes with your camcorder, your computer and printer, and some tracing paper:

• Play the video of your swing in slow motion.
• Capture the still images of all the important points in your golf swing technique.
• Open the still images in Microsoft Paint (comes free with your computer) and edit out the background. Just select the biggest brush and paint the entire background white. You do not need to do this step, but it makes your analysis easier later on.
• Print out each image.
• Choose one of these images as your baseline, and trace out the movement of your club from all the other images.
• Super-impose the tracing on your baseline, and Voila! You have a simple-to-analyze picture of your golf swing.

Golf swing software is most useful in the hands of more experienced golfers. Used together with your camcorder, they are one of the most useful tools to improve your golf swing.

New rules have been introduced in the game of golf that limit the groove volume on golf clubs that have a loft equal to or higher than 25 degrees. This generally speaking will be anything above a 5 iron. The rules mean that there is a limit on groove edge sharpness on the clubface and the shape of the grooves has therefore been redefined.

The new rules only really apply to all golf clubs manufactured after 1 January 2010. Any golf clubs manufactured before this date that previously met the regulations will still be valid until at least 2024. Pre 2010 models can still be manufactured until the end of 2010.

The new groove regulations mean that it is likely to be harder to hit a shot from the rough and get as much spin on it than was previously possible. They are implementing this change because they feel that golfers should be more highly rewarded for fairway accuracy than is currently the case. It will effectively penalise those that do not stick to the fairway.

From 1 January 2010 all professionals and amateurs qualified to play in professional tournaments are affected by this ruling. The ruling will apply to lower level professionals and elite amateurs from 2014. It is likely that the ruling will be applied to all golfers with effect from 2024 but this will be reviewed in 2020.

So, if you are an everyday golfer then you don’t really need to worry about these rules as they stand now. You can still use your existing clubs but keep in mind the changes if you are looking to change your clubs in the next few years and make sure you get ones that conform to the new regulations so that you are not restricted as to how long you can use them for.