Opinion & Analysis

Golf swing videos: What you absolutely need to know

Published

8 years ago

May 20, 2018

Let’s start with a game. Below are 5 different swing videos. I want you to study them and decide which of them is the best swing. Take your time, this is important…

Video 1
Video 2
Video 3
Video 4
Video 5

Please, write your answer down. Which one was it?

Now, I am going to tell you a little secret; they are all the exact same swing filmed simultaneously from 5 various positions. JM1 is on the hand line but higher, JM2 is on the hand line but lower, JM3 is on the foot line, JM4 is on the hand line and JM5 is on the target line. Same swing, very different results!

So, what did we learn? Camera angle has an enormous impact on the way the swing looks.

“If you really want to see what is going on with video, it is crucial to have the camera in the right position,” said Bishops Gate Director of Instruction and Top 100 teacher Kevin Smeltz. “As you can see, if it is off just a little it makes a significant difference.”

According to PGA Tour Coach Dan Carraher: “Proper camera angles are extremely important, but almost more important is consistent camera angles. If you’re going to compare swings they need to be shot from the same camera angles to make sure you’re not trying to fix something that isn’t really a problem. Set the camera up at the same height and distance from the target line and player every time. The more exact the better.”

For high school players who are sending golf swing videos to college coaches, the content of the swing video is also very important. You have 5-15 seconds to impress the coach, so make sure you showcase the most impressive part of your game. For example, if you bomb it, show some drivers and make sure the frame is tight to demonstrate your speed/athleticism. Likewise, if you have a great swing but not a whole lot of power, start the video with a 5 or 6 iron swing to showcase your move. Either way, show coaches your strengths, and make sure to intrigue them!

Now that you have something that represents your skills, you need to consider how to format it so coaches are most likely to open it. I would recommend uploading the swings to YouTube and including a link in the email; a link allows the coach to simply click to see the video, rather than having to mess with opening any specific program or unknown file.

When formatting the email, always lead with your best information. For example, if you want a high-end academic school and have 1550 on the SAT lead with that. Likewise, if you have a powerful swing, lead with the YouTube link.

Although these tips do not guarantee responses, they will increase your odds!

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B.M. Ryan

B.M. Ryan, an entrepreneur and scientist, is a passionate golfer who loves his local muni. Armed with a keen interest in the game, a large network of friends in the industry, Brendan works to find and produce unique content for GolfWRX.

9 Comments

TeeBone

May 21, 2018 at 3:03 pm

When recording video, make sure club doesn’t travel outside of the frame. And when presenting videos, trim off excess. Great swing, though.

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Leftshot

May 21, 2018 at 12:56 pm

I’m sure this is good information for high school seniors sending videos to golf coaches at universities. But it doesn’t do much for the rest of us. This article was all over the map. The headline suggested I was going to learn something about golf swing videos in general. The first half of the article built a case for there being a proper and improper setup for shooting a swing video for diagnosis purposes, then abandoned that topic without providing anything useful other than (be consistent). Then there was this abrupt switch to talking about how to compose a golf video when you are a high schooler pitching for a spot on a college team. That was right out of the blue.

How about sticking to a topic and seeing it through.

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Dave Tutelman

May 21, 2018 at 11:35 am

Very good article! Several people I’m going to send a link, either who need to know this or who know it and should be reinforced that others do as well.

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Rpryor

May 21, 2018 at 1:50 am

This is the worst article u numnuts have ever written.

Reply Report comment
MW

May 20, 2018 at 8:13 pm

Several of them could have been about 20 seconds shorter as well.

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jnotrom

May 20, 2018 at 4:54 pm

I get your point, but they aren’t the same swing filmed simultaneously, possibly 1&2 are, and possibly 3,4,5 are, but thats doubtful also, based on looking at the divot pattern, as well as a different amount of balls in his stack, on the ground, and on the range…

so unless the divot and balls are photo shopped each time to trick people they aren’t the same swing. period.

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- Bobalu
  
  May 20, 2018 at 6:20 pm
  
  Nice observation
  
  Reply Report comment
- Pete Repeat
  
  May 20, 2018 at 8:20 pm
  
  Fake News
  
  Reply Report comment
josé

May 20, 2018 at 1:53 pm

Okay, watched JM1 video and I believe you the other views are the same swing. It’s a robotic cookie cutter swing but it doesn’t ensure a well managed course strategy. Brawn plus brains beats brawn versus brains.

Reply Report comment

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Opinion & Analysis

AVL: My U.S. Amateur local qualifying experience

Published

5 days ago

Jun 5, 2026

Andrew Von Lossow

This past Monday, I played in the U.S. Amateur local qualifier at Rock Creek Country Club in Portland, Oregon. A full tee sheet from 7:30 a.m. to 1:55 p.m., the top 11 scores would make it to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying.

I teed off at 10:48 a.m.. With the 7:30 am tee time, you can get a feel for the leaders’ pace, and they were off and running on the challenging setup at Rock Creek.

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Getting to the highlight of the round on the par five 17th, a drive up the left side and 212 yards left to the front hole location. I took out a 5-iron with plans of middle of the green. The ball ended up 8 feet left of the hole, pin high. A slight downhill putt dropped in for an eagle 3 on the 17th. With the cut line looking to be anywhere from -2 to even par. This was the boost I had been waiting for all day.

With making par from the trees on 18, it was time to wait for a potential playoff with a posted score of one under par 71.

Three hours later, it was playoff time. 8 players for 6 spots. I made par on the playoff hole, which was good enough to advance to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying in July. USGA qualifiers sure deliver on all of the emotions in golf!

Club Junkie

Building my 2026 gamer WITB: Ranking the contenders and new putter projects – Club Junkie Podcast

Published

7 days ago

Jun 4, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

The annual What’s In The Bag build is underway, and on this episode of Club Junkie, Brian breaks down the clubs currently leading the race for a spot in his 2026 gamer setup. From drivers and fairway woods to irons, wedges, and shafts, he ranks the equipment that’s performing best and explains what’s separating the front runners from the rest of the field.

Brian also heads into the workshop to discuss several putter projects currently on the bench. From head options and shaft choices to build ideas and testing plans, he shares what he’s working on and which putters could become serious contenders for the bag this season.

If you’re a gear junkie who loves equipment testing, club building, and the never-ending pursuit of the perfect setup, this episode is for you.

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Club Junkie

Tour Edge Exotics mini driver review + TaylorMade Spider ZT Max first look – Club Junkie

Published

2 weeks ago

May 28, 2026

Brian Knudson

On this episode of Club Junkie, I put the new Tour Edge Exotics Mini Driver to the test and break down the performance, forgiveness, distance, and where it fits compared to a traditional driver or strong fairway wood. If you have been curious about adding a mini driver to the bag, this one is worth a look.

I also dive into the new TaylorMade Spider ZT Max putter that was recently spotted and discuss the growing zero torque putter trend. Plus, there is a closer look at the new Project X Titan Yellow shaft showing up on the PGA Tour and what makes it different from other profiles currently out there.