Golf meets Science - Dr Robert Grober's Sonic Golf

[GC7]

For those who can get the NY Times online, there is a video on the front page near the bottom left (http://www.nytimes.com/)

The Science of Swinging - when science meets golf

That was filmed at Yale and includes video of the range at my home course.

This device by Sonic golf invented by physicist Dr Gruber measures club position and speed 1000 times per second and translates that into sound whose pitch changes as the speed changes.  It is used to develop proper tempo by training you to repeat the sounds made from your good swing.  It will be made available for purchase sometime soon and would seem to be a much more sophisticated device then those Suumoto watches and not more expensive.

Watch the video and comment.

[stryper]

I watched it...I think it seems kinda gimmicky, as I can hear the woosh of my swing just fine.

[GC7]

I watched it...I think it seems kinda gimmicky, as I can hear the woosh of my swing just fine.

I don't think you can hear your takeaway and transition at the top.  That's where you can ingrain tempo by reproduction of the sound made from your good swings.  I'm sure it is not necessarily good for everyone as learning is induced by different cues in different individuals.  I have seen it at work with Grant Waite (touring pro) on the range at Yale and it seemed to provide useful positive feedback on swings. I'd like to try it myself as tempo and transition are the main causes of my bad ballstriking rounds.

[GC7]

Just noticed this article to go with the video

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/06/sports/golf/06golf.html?_r=1&ref=sports&oref=slogin

enjoy

[bl8d]

I have always been a firm believer in using sound as an assessment tool of a swing.I think he has valid reasoning/engineering  principles behind his.A consistently executed swing will repeat the same harmonics.

Just a simple feed-back test anyone can do is to tie one or two 15" long gift-wrap ribbons to the shaft.

[GC7]

I have always been a firm believer in using sound as an assessment tool of a swing.I think he has valid reasoning/engineering  principles behind his.A consistently executed swing will repeat the same harmonics.

Just a simple feed-back test anyone can do is to tie one or two 15" long gift-wrap ribbons to the shaft.

What kind of equipment ho does something so simple? 

Does it have to be candy lime green ribbon? 

[bl8d]

 A cheap equipment Ho thats who. 
Any colour ribbon will do,as long as the gift' detached[smiley=laugh.gif]

[stryper]

I watched it...I think it seems kinda gimmicky, as I can hear the woosh of my swing just fine.

I don't think you can hear your takeaway and transition at the top.  That's where you can ingrain tempo by reproduction of the sound made from your good swings. 

Maybe, but I think the lack of sound on my backswing followed by the woosh on my downswing accomplishes basically the same thing.  But I'm not necessarily saying it's a bad thing.  If this were an episode of Fore Inventor Only I might give this guy's idea a second look.

I'd like to try it myself as tempo and transition are the main causes of my bad ballstriking rounds.

Along these lines, I'm sure you've given the whole "Tour Tempo" thing a good look too.  If so, I'd like to hear your feedback, because that's something that does appeal to me. 

[GC7]

I watched it...I think it seems kinda gimmicky, as I can hear the woosh of my swing just fine.

I don't think you can hear your takeaway and transition at the top.  That's where you can ingrain tempo by reproduction of the sound made from your good swings. 

Maybe, but I think the lack of sound on my backswing followed by the woosh on my downswing accomplishes basically the same thing.  But I'm not necessarily saying it's a bad thing.  If this were an episode of Fore Inventor Only I might give this guy's idea a second look.

I'd like to try it myself as tempo and transition are the main causes of my bad ballstriking rounds.

Along these lines, I'm sure you've given the whole "Tour Tempo" thing a good look too.  If so, I'd like to hear your feedback, because that's something that does appeal to me. 

I have the tour tempo book and CD. It drives me nuts and totally messed up my swing. I think there is a major difference between the two theories.  With tour tempo you are forced to alter your tempo to fit one of their predetermined 3:1 ratio sound clips.  With Sonic Golf the sound generated is from your own swing.  You get audio feedback that you use to reproduce the tempo that gives you the best results. I think that is a critical distinction. 

I know that everyone learns best through different feedback mechanisms.  The key is finding what works for you.

[CDBomb]

GC7 - I agree with you.  Seems to me to be legit science, and a sensible approach to swing technique.
Dr. Grober is also featured in the current Golf Digest that was mailed to subscribers this week.

I recall one of the best "Playing Lessons From the Pros" episodes with one of my favorite golf professionals on any tour, Lara (Philo) Diaz.  She was doing the same thing as a training drill -- grabbing the clubhead by the head, and swinging the handle end so that it made its "swoosh" sound just after impact.  Trying to drill an accelerating ballstrike.

Cheers, my friend!

[bl8d]

Dr.Grober is featured on Science of Golf(power Part 3)near the 4:20 mark on youtube.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7005911649071040877&q=science+of+golf&t