Golf Swing Evaluation How to Assess Your Strengths And

Overview

golf swing evaluation how to assess your strengths and weaknesses is a structured process that helps you find repeatable positives and the highest-impact faults in your swing. This guide shows concrete tests, recording methods, metrics to track, and drills tied directly to specific faults so you can improve efficiently and lower scores.

What you’ll learn and

why it matters:

you will learn how to record baseline swings, analyze body and club motion, measure impact and ball flight, choose corrective drills, and validate improvement with repeat testing. This matters because small measurable improvements in consistency, contact, and alignment translate to lower scores faster than unfocused practice.

Prerequisites and time estimate: basic golf equipment (set of clubs, practice balls), smartphone or camera, tripod or clamp, alignment sticks, a mirror or net, and optionally a launch monitor or smartphone launch app. Plan 60 to 90 minutes for the full initial evaluation and 10 to 20 minutes for each focused recheck session.

Step 1:

golf swing evaluation how to assess your strengths and weaknesses

Action to take: record a baseline set of swings from multiple angles using a smartphone or camera. Capture at least 10 swings with a 7-iron, 5 swings with driver, and 10 wedge swings if short game evaluation is desired.

Why you’re doing it: video is the foundation of objective analysis. Multiple angles let you see grip, posture, takeaway, rotation, swing plane, and impact. A baseline allows repeatable comparison after drills.

Commands, tools, and examples:

• Use 60 fps if available for smoother slow-motion. On iPhone set Camera > Record Video > 1080p HD at 60 fps. On Android use Open Camera and set Video Resolution to 1920x1080 60fps.
• Apps: Hudl Technique, V1 Golf, or CoachNow for frame-by-frame review.
• ffmpeg example to trim and slow-motion a clip:

# Trim first 15 seconds and create slow motion at 50% speed
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -ss 00:00:00 -t 00:00:15 -filter:v "setpts=2.0*PTS" -c:a copy slow_clip.mp4

Expected outcome: clean, multi-angle video library labeled by club and date, ready for analysis.

Common issues and fixes:

• Camera too close: move back so whole swing fits in frame; use tripod ~8-12 feet from player.
• Shaky footage: clamp phone or use tripod; enable camera stabilization.
• Frame rate too low for slow-motion: set to 60 fps or 120 fps when available.

⏱️ ~10 minutes

Step 2:

Analyze grip, setup, and posture

Action to take: use your front and down-the-line videos to evaluate grip, hand position, spine tilt, knee flex, and ball position. Make a checklist and mark pass/fail for each item for 10 swings.

Why you’re doing it: correct setup is the highest-leverage area for consistent contact and ball flight. Faults here create compensations later in the swing.

Commands, examples, and checkpoints:

1. Grip: check V shapes formed by thumb/forefinger point to trailing shoulder.
2. Posture: hips back, spine tilt from the shoulders, chin up.
3. Ball position: 7-iron slightly forward of center; driver off front heel.
4. Weight distribution: 50/50 at address or slightly more on front for longer clubs.

Example checklist format:

1. Neutral grip? Yes/No
2. Relaxed hands? Yes/No
3. Spine tilt correct? Yes/No
4. Ball position correct? Yes/No

Expected outcome: a prioritized list of 2-3 setup fixes.

Common issues and fixes:

• Overly strong or weak grip: rotate grip incrementally and test ball flight.
• Hunched posture: stand taller, push hips back, hinge at hips.
• Ball position errors: use an alignment stick to mark proper placement.

⏱️ ~10 minutes

Step 3:

Evaluate swing plane, takeaway, and rotation

Action to take: analyze down-the-line video frame-by-frame for the first move, backswing top, transition, and downswing path. Look for early extension, over-the-top moves, or flat takeaways.

Why you’re doing it: plane and rotation determine path and face angle at impact, which control direction and curve of the ball.

Commands, tools, and examples:

• Use drawing tools in V1 or Hudl to draw shaft lines at takeaway and at the top.
• Key checkpoints: club shaft at 45 degrees at mid-backswing, hip rotation at top, lead shoulder under chin on downswing.
• Quick checklist:

1. One-piece takeaway? Yes/No
2. Club on plane at top? Yes/No
3. Hips rotate and clear? Yes/No

Expected outcome: identify whether you are “over the top” (outside-in) or “inside out” and whether rotation is sufficient.

Common issues and fixes:

• Over-the-top path: drill - swing with towel under lead armpit to hold connection.
• Lack of rotation: practice step drills that rotate hips and shoulders sequentially.
• Flat plane causing hooks: emphasize upright takeaway adjustments with an alignment stick.

⏱️ ~10 minutes

Step 4:

Assess impact, contact quality, and ball flight

Action to take: use impact video (face-on and down-the-line) and ball flight observation to evaluate strike location, divot pattern, launch angle, spin, and side spin. Use a launch monitor if available or smartphone apps for ball speed and launch.

Why you’re doing it: impact is where swing meets ball; small changes in face angle or low point lead to big distance and direction changes.

Commands, tools, and examples:

• If you have a launch monitor: record clubhead speed, ball speed, launch angle, spin rate, and dispersion.
• Smartphone options: Blast Motion sensor, SwingU, or FlightScope Mevo if available.
• Manual impact check: mark clubface with impact tape or foot powder to see strike location.
• Example metrics to log in a spreadsheet:
• Avg ball speed
• Avg launch angle
• Strike bias (toe/heel/high/low)
• Left-right dispersion

Expected outcome: a clear impact profile: e.g., “tends to hit high on face with toe strikes and slightly weak loft, producing low launch and left miss.”

Common issues and fixes:

• Inconsistent strike location: work on low-point control drills (step-on-tee drill, half swings to maintain angle).
• Excessive spin or low launch: check angle of attack and compression; adjust ball position or tee height.
• No launch monitor: use video and impact tape to approximate strike location and consequences.

⏱️ ~10 minutes

Step 5:

Build a drill plan tied to measured faults

Action to take: convert the prioritized faults into a weekly drill plan with daily micro-goals, reps, progression, and feedback methods. Select 2-3 drills maximum per week.

Why you’re doing it: focused, small-bite drills with measurable targets produce faster improvement than random practice.

Commands, examples, and a sample 4-week block:

Week 1: Setup and impact

• Drill A: Alignment stick setup routine, 50 reps with mirror feedback.
• Drill B: Impact tape practice, 30 aligned 7-iron strikes.

Week 2: Plane and rotation

• Drill C: Towel-under-arm swings, 3 sets of 10.
• Drill D: Step-and-rotate 50% speed to ingrain sequencing.

Progression example:

1. 3 sets of 10 slow reps with feedback
2. 3 sets of 8 at 70% speed
3. 2 sets of 6 full speed focusing on feel

Expected outcome: measurable reduction in miss direction, improved strike location, and more consistent launch numbers.

Common issues and fixes:

• Doing too many drills: limit to 2-3 drills per week.
• No feedback: use video, a coach, or an impact tape after each session.
• Skipping progression: ensure speed and difficulty increase gradually.

⏱️ ~10 minutes

Step 6:

Practice with feedback loops and tempo control

Action to take: practice with immediate feedback using video, impact markers, a metronome, or a launch monitor. Set tempo limits and rep goals for each session.

Why you’re doing it: feedback loops accelerate learning by reinforcing correct motor patterns and stabilizing tempo which improves consistency under pressure.

Commands, tools, and examples:

• Metronome settings: try 60 bpm for slow, 80 bpm for medium tempo. Count “back-and-through” to synchronize swing.
• Simple Python metronome (requires Python and simpleaudio):

# simple metronome beep every 0.75 seconds for 80 bpm
import time
bpm = 80
interval = 60.0 / bpm
**for i in range(40):**
 print("Tick", i+1)
 time.sleep(interval)

• Session structure:

1. Warm-up: 8-10 swings with light clubs.
2. Drill block: 3 sets of 10 focused reps with feedback.
3. Transfer: 15 full swings focusing on outcomes.

Expected outcome: stabilized tempo, more repeatable impact, and predictable ball flight under practice conditions.

Common issues and fixes:

• Becoming tempo-obsessed: use tempo as a cue, not a rigid rule; prioritize feel.
• No immediate feedback: record short clips after each set or use a coach app.

⏱️ ~10 minutes

Testing and Validation

How to verify it works with checklist: retest the baseline sequence weekly and compare measurable metrics.

1. Record 10 swings from the same angles as baseline.
2. Check strike location with impact tape and compare to baseline.
3. Compare two key metrics (e.g., dispersion left-right and average ball speed or launch angle).
4. Confirm 70% of swings show target correction (for example, strikes closer to center).

If metrics show improvement in strike location, dispersion, or launch consistency, the plan is working. If not, reassess drills and reduce variables until you isolate the cause.

Common Mistakes

1. Trying to fix everything at once: focus on 1-2 high-leverage faults and ignore small aesthetic changes.
2. Lacking objective feedback: relying on feel alone leads to slow progress; always record or use impact data.
3. Overdrilling at full speed too early: build mechanics at reduced speed, then increase pace.
4. Skipping re-assessment: without re-evaluation you will not know if drills transfer to better ball flight or scoring.

Avoid these by using short, measurable cycles and keeping a practice log of reps, drills, and outcomes.

FAQ

How Often Should I Perform a Full Golf Swing Evaluation?

Perform a full baseline evaluation every 6 to 8 weeks, or after any coaching change. Short rechecks can be done weekly to validate drill progress.

Do I Need a Launch Monitor to Do an Effective Evaluation?

No. Launch monitors speed up data collection, but video, impact tape, and ball flight observation give meaningful insights for most golfers.

What If My Swing Feels Better but Ball Flight is Worse?

Trust measurable outcomes over feel. If ball flight worsens, stop the new change, re-record, and isolate whether setup or timing changed. Use impact checks to find the cause.

How Many Drills Should I Work on at Once?

Limit to 2 or 3 drills per week. Mastery comes from focused repetition with feedback, not from juggling many corrections at once.

Can I Self-Coach Using This Guide?

Yes. This guide is structured for self-coaching, but a coach accelerates progress by providing external observation and nuanced drills.

Next Steps

After completing this evaluation and the first drill block, schedule a short on-course test. Play 3-6 holes focusing on one correction and note score, fairways hit, greens in regulation, and short game performance. Continue weekly rechecks, iterate drills based on data, and consider a coach session every 4 to 8 weeks to refine higher-level movement patterns and course management.

Further Reading

• Golf Swing Videos Slow Motion Analyze Your Form Like The
• Golf Swing Down the Line How to Film and Analyze Like a Pro
• Golf Swing Radar Best Affordable Launch Monitors For
• Golf Swing Camera Best Options for Recording and Analyzing