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kfarkle
USA
248 Posts |
 Posted - June 24 2009 : 5:02:47 PM
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All the swing plane discussion and pictures have had me scratching my head...I can check myself with film, could maybe use the old angled shaft trick. Would like to have one of those full circle trainers but that's getting awful spendy, even for a PVC kit of sorts.
Then I stumbled into this video and the light bulbs started going off, this looks like something that could work well with SPS. Maybe not as fancy, but it seems like it would do the job.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll89rGo_M7o
There's some ready to go products that bundle instruction, but they don't give those away either. Why not just use some pipe or an old club or shaft? Mount a laser on it and check yourself with it. Did a search on ebay (GOLF SWING LASER) and picked up one of the metal bullets for $21 bucks. There may be something cheaper out there as well, but this looked like a good little unit and the only purchase I would need to make.
I've got an old 4 iron already cut down for the kids...looks like they just outgrew it. Think I'll just put a new grip on it and attach this unit to it. It's short enough to swing indoors, and I'll just pull out a 25' foot tape to simulate the target line on the carpet. I could grip it by the head to check Joe's takeaway position and then grip it normally to check the top and see if I'm getting laid off or to upright.
Has anyone else here experimented with a laser before? Would be interested in your thoughts as this seems like an easy and inexpensive way to diagnose and train your swing plane.
Best,
kb
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flopper
Sweden
320 Posts |
Posted - June 24 2009 : 6:15:10 PM
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sounds like a nice idea.
In the topic of swingplane, I might have gotten it right to the end.
I started to get more power and hit some drives way far today.
all due to get the swing at least what i could notice, where it should be.
best drive I hit to far (straight) and lost ball.
Had one 250yard drive and the best one was a killer.
The laser sounds however to be a good way and inexpensive to check that with much ease.
Giving up trying to meet goals and outcomes this year.
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als
80 Posts |
Posted - June 24 2009 : 7:18:31 PM
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Hi Kurt
Good link, but boy, is his lead wrist bent or what
Cheers
Alan |
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kfarkle
USA
248 Posts |
Posted - June 25 2009 : 06:29:57 AM
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Don't know what to make of that guys instruction, Als...would rather have Joe or Mike explain that for sure. But the laser has got my gadget gear wound up, curious to see how it works.
Cheers,
kb |
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kfarkle
USA
248 Posts |
Posted - June 30 2009 : 12:49:52 PM
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The laser showed up last week and after our family camp I had a chance to get started with it. This particular unit has a threaded screw on the removable cap that taps into the vent hole at the end of the grip and attaches to your club of choice. It also takes three LR44 batteries that come supplied with it, as well as a simple instruction page.
It attached securely to an old 8 iron, tried to be careful with it and twist it in straight so it stayed aligned with the shaft. It looked pretty good just eyeballing it, but I can see how this could maybe get kind of tricky. I had to play with it a bit to get it lined up on a driver, but it again attaches fairly securely once it's threaded in. Don't think it will wobble.
Inside it works great, I used the rug and an extra alignment aid to establish my target line and can easily track the light. Outside in the afternoon sun I couldn't track it on a 'turf' mat. Moved onto the driveway slab and followed an expansion joint with it and that didn't work to bad, pretty well in the shade, but indoors seems the best for my eyes.
At first I discovered that my takeaway was to handsy...setting my wrists early, lifting the club and taking it inside. The light was cutting across my line outside to in. Started getting close by working on that, but it seems the real killer may be my back leg/hip. When I let the leg straighten up and make a poor lower body turn over the back hip the light pulls to the inside as well. Off plane big time.
What I found was by adhering to the instruction, I can pretty much keep my takeaway/downswing right on plane. Rock and lock or T-lock stance, good lower body turn, power triangle and a flat left wrist.
Boom...the light is right on the line. The big key seems to be keeping my right/back leg bent and stationary. Duh...Joe's been on me about this since I first sent him video for analysis.
Sunday night I started doing kind of a slow pump drill with the laser. Start on the line at address, swing to the top and come back down to impact. Repeat. Go slow and watch the light track the line. Once I figured out how to correct my plane I started tracking the line both directions. I can also tell if the clubs gone to far back by where the light stops/transitions on the carpet when my hands are at the top and then looking up into a mirror to check the club position. Something else Joe has tried to get me to fix.
Got a round in yesterday, haven't played much in a while so it was kind of wild with some lost balls and three putts. Ouch. But I just tried to watch that back leg and make a good turn...that little bit of practice really seemed to help and the ball was jumping off the clubs. Hit through a couple of doglegs and had to back down a club as things are starting to dry out here. I will definitely be adding a few minutes of swing plane check to the practice with the laser, and wouldn't hesitate recommending this kind of training aid to anyone.
Best,
kb |
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simpleswing
951 Posts |
Posted - July 01 2009 : 11:04:48 AM
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Hi kfarkle,
I agree, a laser is an absolutely great tool that will really help you stay on-plane during your backswing and downswing.
I'm checking out lasers now to find one to recommend. That ones that stick in the butt of the club are easiest to use and that's a big plus. I'm still looking for one that can be used either pointing down the shaft or up the shaft. The ones that point down the shaft (past the club head) can be very helpful for making sure you initially take the club back along the Extended Target Line so you start off on plane.
Joe Davidson
Simple Golf |
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kfarkle
USA
248 Posts |
Posted - July 01 2009 : 5:59:04 PM
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Hi Joe,
This might be what you're looking for, I just saw this yesterday and might have gone this route if I had seen it first. I would like to see how secure it is, would it get past the power thumb grip. It looks like a good idea. They have them up on ebay or here at their website, along with some other laser aids.
http://golfjustlikethepros.com/GTA%20Laser%20ll.htm
The single unit I purchased is also available on ebay or through their website.
http://teamrandy.net/default.aspx
Glad someone is offering these units at an affordable price, great way to check yourself if you don't have video or some kind of plane board. I've also given my pup a good workout from the comfort of my recliner. She would chase that red dot all day!
Best,
kb |
Edited by - kfarkle on July 01 2009 6:16:31 PM |
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simpleswing
951 Posts |
Posted - July 02 2009 : 10:41:18 AM
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Hi kfarkle,
I bought that exact unit last week. I wanted to test it before I recommended it.
It hasn't been delivered yet. I'll let everyone know how it works when it arrive. From their pictures I couldn't quite see if they had a good method for attaching to the shaft or not.
Joe Davidson
Simple Golf |
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bkroon
223 Posts |
Posted - July 02 2009 : 5:40:16 PM
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Hi kb -
Now that you have received the "metal bullet" for $ 21.00
Who is the maker and do they have a website. Let us know how the one from TeamRandy.net works out.
Rob in Sunny Phoenix  |
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kfarkle
USA
248 Posts |
Posted - July 03 2009 : 01:56:42 AM
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Hi Rob,
TeamRandy is the only source for the one pictured that I could find. Generic packaging with no manufacturer listed on it. There is at least one other similar style out there that threads on like this. Photon has a clip on for your hat visor that has the same kind of switch and shape. That might be the source, I don't know. So far, so good with this one...we'll see how Joe does with his.
Best,
kb |
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bkroon
223 Posts |
Posted - July 03 2009 : 10:11:54 AM
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kb -
Guess I'm confused, comes with old age...did you get a TeamRandy or a generic ?
Rob in Ho Hum another sunny day Phoenix |
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simpleswing
951 Posts |
Posted - July 03 2009 : 11:44:14 AM
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Hi bkroon,
I bought the golfjustlikethepros laser. I haven't received it yet but I will report after I test it.
Joe Davidson
Simple Golf |
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bkroon
223 Posts |
Posted - July 16 2009 : 2:10:45 PM
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Hi kb -
Have you tested the laser yet ?
Any thoughts on it ?
Just got back from a week in Anacortes, WA so I'm catching up on forum messages. Pacific NW is great, mid 50s at night mid 60s in days. Why did I come back to Phoenix !!
Rob in Sunny !!! Phoenix |
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kfarkle
USA
248 Posts |
Posted - July 16 2009 : 3:33:13 PM
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Hi Rob,
Ahh...the San Juans...you lucky stiff!! I'd love to have a couple of weeks up there myself. Been more like your area around here, up in the 90's but it looks like we'll cool off by Sunday.
Have been playing with that laser, usually a couple of minutes a day. Here's an odd shot from up high, fumbling around with it. http://vimeo.com/5595050 Don't have any video from the beginning, but my outside/in path is getting closer to where I'd like it. Really cut across at first. I'm just using the carpet here for reference lines.
Still waiting for Joe's test of the dual light model. That may be the one to get if the tests turn out good. I'm happy with this one so far, it's a good start for me.
Best,
kb |
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bkroon
223 Posts |
Posted - July 16 2009 : 3:48:49 PM
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Very good !
I can see where use of the laser would be a great help.
Right now, the only concept I have in my mind as to the path the butt of the club should trace is........no concept at all.
This little item really makes me think about it. May have to get one.
Thanks
Rob in Sunny Phoenix |
Edited by - bkroon on July 16 2009 6:47:18 PM |
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Topic |
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Swing Plane
