The renowned Danish shoemaker ECCO is sponsoring three pieces of cutting-edge training technology recently installed at the PGA National Training Academy. Together, these three technologies – a Force Platform, Motion Analysis System and Launch Monitor – form a system that has been constructed in the PGA’s Golf Science Lab and will allow instructors to perform holistic analysis of golfers’ swings. Primarily an educational tool for assistant professionals and other students studying at the PGA Academy, the system will also be used for research purposes.
“This system allows us to provide comprehensive analysis of the golf swing in a contemporary and user-friendly manner,” says Dr. Kyle Philpotts, PGA Director of Training and Education. “Its installation makes the PGA National Training Academy one of only a handful of centres in the world with access to equipment of this kind.”
ECCO’s sponsorship of the PGA National Training Academy includes on-sight logo presence in the form of two plaques, two free-standing ECCO display units in the training area and a full range of ECCO golf shoes for students to experience. ECCO and The PGA National Academy are also co-producing course materials on the wider aspects of foot care and health to be widely distributed. www.eccogolf.com.
For a free demonstration video on the new technology featuring PGA Master coach Denis Pugh, please visit www.pgapro.tv (no password required) and a detailed description appears below.
Force Platform
A large metal plate featuring six key sensors that monitor changes in pressure or downward force. Allows instructors to pinpoint key parts of the golf swing, such as the top of the backswing, weight transfer point and impact, and then measure the forces generated by a golfer at these phases.
Measures of ground reaction force read by the platform can also be used to determine measures of the force being experienced through a golfer’s ankle, knee and hip joints. This information can help in preventing injury and be valuable coaches altering swing technique.
Motion Analysis System
A three-camera video analysis system that records the golf swing in three dimensions, the GASP (Golf Analysis System for Professionals) allows video to be saved and referenced at varying speeds to allow a longitudinal perspective of how a golfer’s technique is progressing.
Key parameters obtained include joint and body angles during the swing, temporal patterning of the phases of the swing and comparisons of consistency of the swing over time. The system also has archive files of a selection of elite golfers currently on the Tour, providing instructors with the ability to make comparisons across a variety of different swing mechanics.
Launch Monitor
Known as the ‘Golf Achiever’ this sits next to the force platform and measures key parameters of the overall outcome of the golf shot that has been played. These include ball speed, launch angle, spin rate and shot distance. Integration with the force platform and motion analysis system allows for comparison between force and movement data and how successful a shot actually is. This helps pinpoint the optimum force and motion for the golfer’s ‘perfect shot.’