The O-factor

Ryegolfer,

I'm glad that this seems to be helping you but I find pro's making "discoveries" like this really amusing. (cool) I guess after McLean's success with the X-factor (which was explicitly described (just not named) in 1957 in "5 Lessons,") it shouldn't have surprised me that some other pro is using the Alphabet soup - Factor to try and make a name for himself.

The PGA I believe did research on this back in the early 1990's and measured the swings of 100 pro's. They took data on hip tilt, hip rotation, shoulder tilt, shoulder rotation, spine tilt and a few other things. My recollection is that the average pro had their hips open 42 deg. at impact and shoulders 26 deg. open!!! Far more than high handicappers. There is actually a company with facilities around the country (their name escapes me at the moment) that uses these concepts by strapping students into a vest that measures all of these angles and calculates how far off they are from the norm. They use this in every studio session.

Maybe I should copywrite the "S-Factor" and do an article where I describe how the shoulders of all the great players is actually open and not square at impact like we've all been led to believe!

Next thing you know, I'll be showing her my 'O' factor! Oh, oh, oh!!!

There is actually a company with facilities around the country (their name escapes me at the moment) that uses these concepts by strapping students into a vest that measures all of these angles and calculates how far off they are from the norm. They use this in every studio session.

GolfTEC?

Yes, that's right, it is Golftec. They have a site: golftec.com. I've seen their demo at a golf show but never been to their studio. Very interesting concept! Curious if anyone out there has some experience with them?

I had a 3_D swing analysis done last October. This provides you with all your position and swing sequence information. It was done with 3 cameras, but I've worn the vest as a training aid after that. You will know how far and when your swing or swing sequence deviates from a composite of thousands of pro swings.

This gives you all the info you need about how to improve your swing. You may need a flexibility and fitness program to have any chance of getting in the correct positions or just need swing lessons/practice. You will be able to talk to your swing coach and know exactly where to change your swing before he even sees you swing. If you are overwhelmed with conflicting swing advice as I was this is the solution......knowledge is power.

After really working on my flexibility and controlling my core (x-factor, etc) and then taking some lessons this winter I'm primed to make big improvements when I can get some consistent practice time in when the weather changes. So far indoors I am seeing big improvements in ball flight and distance.

Eanna Rushe in Greenwich CT did mine. Here is a link to his web page:

http://www.biosporttechnologies.com/html/biomechanics.htm

Cool website and technology! I'm like to see when people use science and good measurement tools to help in our understanding of the golf swing. I think it's great that this has helped you.

My only concern with this kind of technology is how it's used. I see that Golftec and "Modelgolf?" use data from many different pro's to create a "composite golfer" and compare you to this model. The concern I have is that this composite must be an average of both 1-plane and 2-plane golf swing techniques and great and mediocre (by PGA standards) ballstrikers. It would seem to me that it would make more sense to take a composite average of the greatest ballstrikers in history that have used similar swing styles. For example (if data were available, which I'm sure it isn't) why not create a composite of Hogan, Snead, Nelson and Mickey Wright as your 1-plane model and maybe Watson, Nicklaus, Hale Irwin, etc. as the 2-plane model?

That said, I'm sure that for the vast majority of golfers, a blended composite will work just fine as they would be nowhere near either ideal model.

how much did the golftec swing analysis cost?

I am currently taking Golftec lessons...and have been doing so for a little over a year. The technology is great and it really works. My handicap has gone from 12 to 4 in the last year. The price is a little steep (around 60ish for 30 minutes) but it is more efficient that normal lessons when using the video capture equipment onsite and your web based practice sessions/drills/review. i've recommended the lessons to a number of people and everyone has been thrilled with the results so far.

A Golfsmith just opened in town and you guys are making me want to take some lessons from GolfTec. I'm a computer geek and I love the looks of the technology on the website.

if you need convincing...i could send a video clip from my first lesson and my most recent. still not good enough to post it on here though!

if you need convincing...i could send a video clip from my first lesson and my most recent. still not good enough to post it on here though!

i am a member of Golftec, its a fantastic golf resource. PM me if you have any questions about it

Brian