==================================================== Newsletter - Issue 141 Date 06/27/10 ==================================================== ==================================================== Equipment - Books - DVD's - Instruction ==================================================== This is a fairly lengthy review because the product merited it. Keep in mind that I get no commissions on sales that may result from this review, it's done objectively. I have been testing the ProPlay Sports Video Camera http://www.proplaysports.com/ for several weeks, and I'm impressed. At first I thought that this was a system designed for someone who wanted to play around with video, but this system is the real deal for anyone that's serious about analyzing their golf swing. As a golf teacher, it gives me everything I need to analyze a students swing in a small, weatherproof, transportable package. As a player it would be all you need to record and analyze your own swing - at the range or on the course - without worrying about a rain shower while you are recording. First of all, the whole system comes in a handy, small, and durable ProPlay carrying case - like the larger versions used to transport expensive video equipment. Second, everything you need to get rolling is in the case. It comes with a handy little tripod that will let you set up to record your shots while you play a round of golf with hardly any loss of time at all. I used it while playing nine holes, and here's what was involved: I had the camera with the supplied mini 5”-10” collapsible tripod attached laying on the seat next to me in the cart, and as I got out of the cart I approached my shot from behind like I usually do. While getting a general aimline, I placed the camera and tripod a few yards behind the ball and pressed record. Occasionally I placed the camera to the side instead of to the rear to get a face on view. I took my shot, replaced my divot, picked up the camera and pressed the stop button. That's how it went for nine holes, I didn't record any putts, just tee and approach shots. It fell off the cart once while I was driving down a fairway playing my fourth hole. No harm done. I cleaned off the dirt and the screen had no scratches, and there were no performance issues at all. None. The screen is supposed to be scratch resistant and it was, although I didn't plan on rolling it down the fairway to find out. Playing and filming on every hole took me hardly any extra time, if any at all. I played nine holes in 55 minutes - by myself, with a cart - which is about average for me very early in the morning. I think that if I was playing with a foursome, it would not take me one extra minute of time - but keep in mind that I usually play ready golf. At the end of my round, I pressed play and viewed my swings ( some to my amazement, some to my dismay ). The battery in the camera allows for a ton of recording time, another feature that really appeals to me. The real fun started later on when I connected the camera to my computer and accessed the software provided with the camera. The program was actually easy to use! I reviewed my swings and was able to draw lines, make boxes make circles, etc. to help me look at what positions and angles I need to work on for my own swing. Here's another useful feature about this camera for those of us living in the NorthEast. I emailed Chris Garcia, VP of Marketing for ProPlay Sports and asked about using it in the rain, and he replied that it was designed for use that way. He encouraged me to test it in the rain and I did. So ... we had a particularly rainy day here in Batavia NY, and I set up to hit some AlmostGolf balls into a net I hang in front of my garage door and set the camera up in the rain. I recorded for about 20 minutes and the camera performed flawlessly in a steady rain. This bodes well for recording in weather likes ours that can change in a heartbeat. You don't have to worry about any damage to the equipment, it holds up. Here's another bit of great news. The updates to your camera and software are truly easy to install. I just did it in under 5 minutes today with easy to follow instructions provided in an update email. No kidding - it was really easy. I think that's one of many features that separates this camera from less expensive imitators - it will stay current. You won't be stuck with an obsolete tool like we all experience with cell phone upgrades! For a comprehensive description about what the camera does click here: http://www.proplaysports.com/proplay_system.html everything you read there is true - of course there's a little marketing hype - but the performance details are reliable. I'm giving this system it two thumbs up for performance and value - there's a lot of it in a small package and it should have a long, productive life. Enjoy, Tom ==================================================== TCT Quick Tips - Ball Positioning ==================================================== If you consistently make good wedge swings with no slide and no significant collapsing of your hands and wrists, the bottom of your swing will occur at a spot about two inches forward of the center of your stance. To verify this low point take a swing and see where the divot begins and ends. Between those two points, at the bottom of the divot, is the low point. Note an exception on the exact location would be different for those players that choose to play wedge shots with their weight mostly left at setup, but even then it will bottom out forward of where the divot starts. The fact that the perfect swing does not bottom out at the center of the stance surprises many golfers. The low point is forward of center because the body transfers weight forward during the downswing, moving your center of mass slightly forward through impact. Why is this important? Because your ball must be positioned at the start (not the center) of where your divot starts to avoid hitting it fat or thin, and to allow you to develop a consistent ball flight and distance control. Enjoy, Tom ==================================================== Golf Tip: Tour Player Swing Averages ==================================================== Please note that these are averages and that individual players may hit the ball longer or shorter than the average. For example, Phil Mickelson hits his driver with a typical clubhead speed of 119 mph with a ball carry of 292 yards which is considerably higher than the average for Men tour professionals. Typical Men PGA Tour Player Averages: Driver Club speed 112 mph Ball speed 165 mph Solid Hit Factor 1.49 Ball Carry 269 yards 5 iron Club speed 94 mph Ball speed 132 mph Solid Hit Factor 1.41 Ball Carry 194 yards TypicalWomen LPGA Tour Player Averages: Driver Club speed 94 mph Ball speed 132 mph Solid Hit Factor 1.47 Ball Carry 220 yards 5 iron Club speed 79 mph Ball speed 112 mph Solid Hit Factor 1.42 Ball Carry 161 yards Enjoy, Tom