Golf Glossary
Swing analysis
In short
A swing analysis is a focused examination of your golf swing. Usually a coach films the swing from two angles and reviews it in slow motion. Radar systems such as TrackMan add data on club and ball. That shows what happens in the swing and which change will have the greatest effect.
Swing analysis in golf: the meaning explained
The golf swing lasts only about a second. So much happens in that time that most of it cannot be seen by the naked eye. A swing analysis makes the swing visible. It shows how body and club move and why the ball flies the way it does.
In German, golfers also say Schwunganalyse or Videoanalyse. In everyday use all three terms mean the same thing: recording and evaluating the swing, usually together with a PGA professional.
An analysis is not a test that you pass or fail. It is a stocktake. The coach recognises what already works and picks one or two points to work on. The goal is a swing that suits your body, not the swing of a tour professional.
Video analysis in golf: how it works
Video analysis is the best known part. The coach records your swing with a camera and then reviews it in slow motion. Two viewpoints are usual:
- Face on: the camera is in front of you. It shows weight shift, hip movement and head position.
- Down the line: the camera is behind you on the line to the target. It shows swing plane, club position and alignment.
With software you can create still frames, draw lines and angles, and compare two swings side by side, for example before and after. Professional systems record at more frames per second than normal video, which lets you examine fast movements such as impact more closely.
The video mainly shows body movement and club position. What happens to the ball you only see indirectly.
Data, not just pictures: swing analysis with TrackMan
A radar system such as TrackMan complements the video. It measures what happens at impact and supplies numbers for club and ball. These include, for example:
- Club head speed and ball speed
- Attack angle: is the club moving up or down?
- Club path: is the club moving from inside to outside or the reverse?
- Face to path: how does the clubface relate to the club path?
- Launch angle, spin rate, carry and dispersion
Video and data answer different questions. The video shows how your body moves. The data shows what that produces at the club and ball. Only together do they give a complete picture. A coach can then see why the ball flies right and at the same time see where in the swing the cause lies.
What coaches typically check in a swing analysis
A coach looks at the swing in key positions. These include the set-up, the top of the backswing, the start of the downswing, impact and the finish.
Typical findings in practice are:
- Over the top: the downswing starts from outside and often leads to a slice or pull.
- Early extension: the pelvis moves towards the ball in the downswing and takes space from the swing.
- Chicken wing: the lead arm collapses after impact.
- Sway: the body drifts sideways in the backswing.
This glossary explains these terms in their own entries. The key point: not every one of these findings is a fault. Some players compensate and still strike the ball well. The coach always judges whether a quirk makes the result worse. Only then is it worth changing.
Practical example: the slice in video and in data
A player hits the driver with a strong slice to the right. In practice TrackMan shows a club path of −5 degrees, so the club is swinging from outside to inside. The clubface is 2 degrees open to the target at impact. The difference between face and path, the face-to-path value, is therefore +7 degrees. That explains the strong right-hand spin.
The video from behind shows the cause: the shoulders open too early and the club comes from outside. The view from the front also shows weight staying on the back foot for too long.
The coach gives two simple drills: the player should bring the club in from the inside in the downswing and close the face a little. After ten shots the path averages −2 degrees and the face-to-path value +3 degrees. The slice becomes much weaker. The example is a simple model. How quickly progress comes depends on your game.
Filming your own swing with a smartphone
A smartphone is enough to start. Many devices have a slow-motion mode at 120 or 240 frames per second. A few rules make the footage usable:
- Use a tripod or prop the device firmly. Shaking makes pictures worthless.
- Set the camera at about hip height, in landscape format, so your whole body and the club stay in the picture.
- Film two angles: once face on, once down the line. Lay a club or an alignment stick on the ground as a direction aid.
- Always film from the same distance and angle so recordings stay comparable.
- Hit several balls and pick typical swings, not the best or the worst.
Evaluating alone is difficult. Comparisons with professional swings on the internet easily mislead because bodies and mobility differ.
Common mistakes and comparison
Common mistakes in swing analysis are:
- Changing too much at once. Choose only one or two points.
- Trying to copy the swing of a professional.
- Judging single swings instead of averages.
- Overrating a 2D video. A camera shows only one plane, and depth and rotation are hard to judge.
Comparison with related terms:
- Swing analysis: examining the swing with video and data.
- Club fitting: adapting clubs to swing and body.
- Technique training: the targeted practice after the analysis.
- Golf lesson: the shared session in which analysis and training take place.
A swing analysis is worthwhile for beginners and advanced players alike. Beginners learn early how to avoid faults. Advanced players find details that do not show in the mirror.
Try it at Golf Lounge
At the Golf Lounge in Hamburg-Moorfleet you book a one-to-one lesson with a PGA pro online. The lesson lasts 60 minutes and is available every day by appointment. The coach analyses your swing using TrackMan data, with V1 Pro video analysis also available. A club fitting is possible on request. Besides individual lessons there are short impulse sessions on a single topic, such as the short game or putting, as well as couples' and group training. The lessons take place all year round on the covered range.
Frequently asked questions
What is a swing analysis in golf?
A swing analysis examines your golf swing in a targeted way. Usually a coach films the swing from two angles and reviews it in slow motion. Systems such as TrackMan add data on club and ball. That lets the coach see where the cause of a ball flight problem lies.
How does video analysis work in golf?
The coach records your swing from the front and from behind on the target line and evaluates it in slow motion. With software he draws lines and angles and compares swings side by side. The video shows body movement. Additional data shows what happens to the ball.
Can I analyse my swing with a smartphone?
For a first impression a smartphone with a slow-motion mode is enough, ideally on a tripod. Film from the front and from behind and always from the same distance. Evaluating alone is difficult. A PGA professional recognises causes that you may not notice in the video.
Which data does a swing analysis with TrackMan show?
TrackMan measures club head speed, ball speed, attack angle, club path, face to path, launch angle, spin rate, carry and dispersion, among others. The values explain why the ball flies the way it does. Together with the video they give a complete picture of the swing.
Who benefits from a swing analysis?
Beginners and advanced players alike. Beginners avoid faults early that are hard to correct later. Advanced players recognise details they cannot feel. An analysis can also make sense before a club fitting because it shows what your swing really looks like.
As of: October 2026