V1 Digital Coaching System
allows immediate feeback -- online

By Kiel T. Christianson,
Senior Writer

Wouldn't it be great to have your own video instruction system at home? You could tape your swing, download it onto your laptop, and use all the snazzy graphical tools to dissect your stance, swing-plane, follow-through, etc., etc., etc.

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And wouldn't it be even greater to be able to e-mail your video to your instructor, so she or he could give you personal feedback any time? Better yet, you could e-mail your video to a number of instructors, and get feedback from all of them.

If this sounds like a pipe-dream, then you haven't heard of the V1 Digital Coaching System. V1, based in Livonia, Michigan, boasts over 1,700 teaching pros across the nation - including Butch Harmon - who use the company's kiosks in their teaching. The company recently introduced a system that everyone can use, right on their own home computers.

The V1 Swing Analysis Software consists of software that allows you to view and analyze your swing in the same way that the teaching pros do. With a digital camera, you can download your own video directly onto your own computer (analog cameras can be used, too, via a USB converter).

Arguably the best feature of the system, however, is the fact that a huge number of golf instructors around the world (including some VERY big names) are partnering with V1 to provide videos of their students' swings at no extra charge. Here's how it works:

You go to one of the participating schools, such at The Kendall Academy of Golf (734-973-9004) located at Miles of Golf in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and take a lesson. Director of Instruction Dave Kendall or one of his staff works with you during a normal lesson, and video tapes some swings.

Afterwards, the instructor sends your videos to a video "locker" which you can later access (again for free) at the Internet Golf Academy (www.v1home.com) and download your swings. Then you can analyze them with the V1 home software.

Quite frankly, it's one heck of a clever system. And it's affordable, too. The home software costs just $89.95.

The software is well designed: intuitive user interface, good quality sound and video (recorded at Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Mich.), and a functional array of tools for analyzing the swing and self-diagnosis of problems. A DSL or other high-speed connection to the Internet is recommended for downloading videos from the V1 website, but a dial-up connection also will work.

John Czyrka, Director of Business Development at V1, stresses that the system is good for both instructors and students. "Some golf pros worry it will take business away," says Czyrka. "But actually, it gets golfers excited because they get immediate feedback through viewing."

Even more importantly, it provides you with a far better way to visualize your swing than the bathroom mirror.

More Information

V1 Digital Coaching

The Kendall Academy of Golf