Posted By Brad Redding on January 13, 2012
Swingbyte is a wireless three-dimensional swing analyzer that puts the answers to a better golf swing in the palm of your hand – and in the cloud. The 1-inch by 2-inch golf instruction device, which weighs less than one ounce, fits on the shaft of a golf club and transmits a digitized version of a golf swing along with key swing metrics to a smartphone or tablet. The swing information and graphics can be viewed by golfers and instructors and archived for future reference.
Swingbyte will be introduced at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla., later this month.
Using a lightweight sensor, an advanced mathematical algorithm and Bluetooth connectivity, Swingbyte digitizes a golfer’s swing and communicates in real time key swing metrics – including club head speed, swing path and impact angle. Golfers and their instructors can view the information on Apple and Android smartphones and tablets to analyze the swing and make adjustments.
“Swingbyte is personalized golf instruction for the digital age,” said Brian Payne, a former PGA Professional who is vice president of business development for Chicago-based Swingbyte. “It’s the most objective, convenient and affordable way golfers can learn about their swing and improve their game.”
Swingbyte is aimed at occasional as well as avid golfers who want to get the most out of the time and money they invest in practice and game improvement.
Golfers can use Swingbyte while practicing on their own and during lessons. They also can share their swing information online with professionals who can be accessed through the Swingbyte website.
Swingbyte complements the personal instruction teachers provide, according to Dr. Jim Suttie, who owns the Jim Suttie Golf Academies at Cog Hill G&CC in Lemont, Ill., and The Club at TwinEagles in Naples, Fla.
“You can make a swing look as pretty as you want, but if you don’t really know what’s happening at impact it doesn’t really matter how good that swing looks,” said Dr. Suttie, a former PGA of America Teacher of the Year who is ranked 15th among America’s 50 Greatest Teachers by Golf Digest. “You need something to verify what you as the instructor believes needs to be corrected, and that’s what Swingbyte gives you.”
Dr. Suttie said Swingbyte also extends the benefits of video. “Video will take you only so far. It will show you a lot about your swing, but it doesn’t give you enough information about impact conditions.”
Tim O’Neal, a PGA Master Professional and head golf professional at North Shore Country Club in Chicago, said the “immediacy” of the Swingbyte feedback helps golfers develop consistency. “When you can see exactly what the club is doing during your swing, and then tee up another ball immediately, you’re going to develop a swing you can repeat and you’re going to get to that point faster.”
Golfers who purchase a Swingbyte device can choose to work with nationally respected instructors and club professionals who are part of the Swingbyte network. Participating PGA Professionals will share in the revenue created by golfers who choose Swingbyte’s premium content option.
Swingbyte, which will be available beginning April 1, can be ordered through the company’s website. The introductory price of $149 includes the Swingbyte unit and access to premium content and service for one year, a $49 value included at no charge during the introductory period. Premium options include historical data storage, upgraded instruction and the ability to send data to instructors for review.
Swingbyte officials worked with the St. Petersburg University of Aerospace Instrumentation in St. Petersburg, Russia, to develop the patent-pending algorithm that enables the Swingbyte device to capture swing metrics with an extremely high degree of accuracy.
Prior to its launch, Swingbyte received the top award from Chicago-based Clique Studios, a digital design and marketing agency, who in partnership with the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and the Illinois Small Business Development Center presented the local start-up with a $100,000 promotional services contract. The University of Chicago Booth School of Business also recognized Swingbyte among its top three selections in its 15th annual New Venture Challenge, one of the nation’s premier business plan competitions.
At this year’s PGA Merchandise Show January 26-28 I will be testing this and sharing my findings. I’m looking forward to this as I believe it might be the next best thing for both instructors and students.
About Swingbyte
Swingbyte is a patent-pending three-dimensional golf swing analyzer that helps golfers improve their golf swings, whether they are working by themselves or with an instructor. Swingbyte captures key metrics from a golf swing and wirelessly transmits the information and a visual representation of the swing to a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth technology.
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I get a lot of questions about my philosophy and phrase “Staying On Plane.” It goes much deeper than just the golf swing. It deals with all aspects of your game. This would include, putting, chipping, pitching and bunker play. There are no straight lines in any golf shot. Since the ball is on the ground and to the side of us on all golf shots (including putting) you need to swing the club on an arc that goes up and down and around. The aspect of Staying On Plane envolves your attitude on the golf course. Being calm and committed in every shot. Never getting to high or too low. Staying on a consistent “plane” mentally.
