When it comes to the golf swing, many can get drawn in to looking for perfection. When watching the professionals on the television, we often marvel at the power, speed and flexibility they generate, asking the question 'how do I do that?'
Of course, it is unlikely that you will ever be able to replicate their swings, especially as everyone is different. However, what the individual can do is maximize the potential from their own swing and, thanks to the wonders of technology, it's almost easier than ever to ingrain an improved movement pattern, with help from a golf swing analyzer tool.
First and foremost, we would recommend seeing your local professional if you are either taking up the game of golf, or if you are looking to overhaul and make a drastic change. Crucially though, following the aforementioned lesson, it comes down to practicing your new swing and making sure you don't fall back into old habits. Here is where a swing analyzer comes in, as not only does it allow you to see your changes, but gives you useful feedback presented in various styles to suit your needs.
Below, we have taken a look at the best products currently available, with these items working well in tandem with the best golf training aids, as well as the best golf launch monitors.
The Quick List
The HackMotion Golf Swing Analyzer is one of the best training aids on the market if you’re a golfer who struggles with ball striking and general inconsistency. The extensive demo videos and data you can view on the app is a sure-fire way to help improve your game.
The Dewiz costs a similar amount to a personal launch monitor, so it’s ideal for golfers that are more interested in what their body is doing versus what the ball is doing and it should lead to more effective swing changes for the golfer looking to improve.
A clever device for driven golfers looking to improve all elements of their swing and ball striking. While a few things need to be ironed out from a user experience point of view, the Blast Golf Swing Analyzer has the potential to transform the way you practice.
If you're serious about putting, this sensor and app can give you instant feedback on every aspect of your putting stroke, letting you know where you need to make adjustments to be more consistent.
A clever training aid that will certainly benefit those who struggle to move efficiently when swinging the golf club. The free app is easy to pair with the device and provides instant feedback.
When combined with an Apple Watch the new Swing ID from Golfshot is like having your very own Trackman which will definitely make your practice sessions more productive.
Best Golf Swing Analyzers
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HackMotion Golf Swing Analyzer
My first pick is a training aid because let's face it, all golfers want to get better right? Well I have picked the HackMotion Swing Analyzer off the back of a recent review by my colleague Sam De'Ath. So what is it? Well it uses a clever sensor system to help you learn and implement correct wrist angles throughout the golf swing, which will then help you hit better golf shots thanks to a neutral, stable face.
In testing, the calibration of the device was simple and obviously a crucial part of the set-up procedure. Once done, the feedback was instantaneous which just shows how cutting-edge this device is, whilst the app experience was user-friendly as well. It gives easy to understand processes, and asks what you want to get out of your practice as well so it can pick out specific drills for you.
It is worth mentioning there are three packages to choose from: Core, Plus and Pro, each of which come with varying degrees of information and features, whilst also coming with different price points. But overall I think this device is worth the investment if you struggle with wrist angle, or you want instant feedback on how you move during the golf swing.
- Read our full HackMotion Golf Swing Analyzer Review
DeWiz Training Aid
Trusted by five major champions, including Bryson DeChambeau, Vijay Singh and Annika Sorenstam, DeWiz is one of the most reliable swing analyzers in golf. It costs a similar amount to a portable launch monitor, and is ideal for golfers that are more interested in what their body is doing versus what the ball is doing and it should lead to more effective swing changes for the golfer looking to improve.
The wristband you receive is a sleek and stylish device that will look great paired with any outfit. It combines with a unique and easy to use application, which lets you see, view and record all of your swing data in one easy to read system. The unique learning stimuli feature gives you instant feedback via an electronic pulse should you stray from certain preset parameters, encouraging you to repeat your new movement. From our testing, we found the DeWiz to be a highly effective tool that gives players real-time feedback on whether they are implementing changes in movement, perhaps prescribed by their coach.
- Read our full Dewiz Training Aid Review
Blast Golf Swing Analyzer
Practice anywhere, any time, on any part of your golf game with the Blast Golf swing trainer. This is a clever device for driven golfers looking to improve all elements of their swing and ball striking. While a few things need to be ironed out from a user experience point of view, the Blast Golf Swing Analyser has the potential to transform the way you practice allowing you to work on your angle of approach, impact speed and angle all using it's easy to use application and club sensors.
Firstly, attach the sensors to your golf clubs and get ready to start swinging. As you play you'll see a wide breadth of data accumulating in the Blast Golf app. And some of it is seriously impressive, but I found it initially quite an overwhelming experience. The speed of the feedback, the accuracy of the data and the way it feeds it back is incredibly intuitive. When you're swinging, a simple red, amber and green banner lets you know when you’re in the right part of a specific metric. It’s a fantastic way to practice with some intent on the range, as opposed to aimlessly hitting balls.
- Read our full Blast Golf Swing Analyser Review
BioMech Putt Sensor
While it may not be the most discreet analyzer on this list, the BioMech Putt sensor and app, are without a doubt one of the best trainers for those looking to iron out any yips in their putting game. And if you're serious about working on your putting, the BioMech Putt sensor and app can give you instant feedback on every aspect of your stroke, letting you know where you need to make adjustments to be more consistent.
Coming at a fraction of the cost of what one of the big putting aids might cost you, the BioMech sensor fits to the shaft of your flat stick nicely. It weighs just 18g so you wont feel it in your swing. And the power of this sensor is clear to see, measuring everything from the tempo of your stroke to the loft of your club face at impact. It also gives you a total score out of 100 for each putt, which was a handy tool I liked that helped me become more consistent, hitting that putt again and again. For more ways to work on your putting, check out our guide on the best putting mats as well.
- Read our full BioMech Putt Sensor Review
BAL.ON Smart Kit
Next we have the Bal.on Smart Kit which, produced by automotive manufacturing giants Continental, allows golfers and their coaches to measure the amount of force applied through their feet and then into the ground while making a swing.
This takes the form of two insoles, which come in a neat case and everything inside is ready to be assembled with the simple to read instructions. Each insole is fitted with nine pressure pads which measure where force is applied throughout the swing.
Upon receiving a sample to test, the components all felt very premium and pairing to the app was seamless as well via Bluetooth. The app lets you record each swing and provides feedback on your pressure at setup, top of backswing and impact. Going a step further if there are improvements to be made in your swing then there are training tutorial videos showing drills on where and how you could improve your force output.
Overall I think this Smart kit and app was extremely useful for golfers who need better weight transfer, and perhaps those who need to work on their balance throughout the swing.
- Read our full BAL.ON Smart Kit Review
Golfshot Swing ID
A lot of people have Apple Watches these days and whilst they are undeniably one of the best gadgets anywhere, they can also improve your golf game as well, you just need to pair it with the right app. Enter the Golfshot app.
The latest accelerator and gyroscope in the Apple Watch means it can detect rapid changes in velocity and acceleration, which therefore enhances the features on the Golfshot app. For example it’s now possible to record the exact moment when the club meets the ball via the Swing-ID feature. This therefore allows you to get comprehensive data and analysis on a whole range of variables like rhythm, tempo, transition and wrist path.
This will make your practice sessions a lot more productive, giving you a far better chance to perform out on the golf course. In short it is like having a Trackman on your wrist but at a fraction of the cost!
How we test swing analyzers
At Golf Monthly we have a comprehensive testing procedure around swing analyzers. As you would expect, this involves using different models out on the course and at home, over a number of rounds and training sessions to give us an idea on how particular models operate and the kinds of data they deliver.
As the entire team are regular golfers, swing analyzers get compared to one another side by side to test for things like accuracy, waterproofing, durability and other features. That way we can give honest and insightful feedback to you. The final thing we wanted to mention in this section is no manufacturer can buy a good review. Our testing team reviews golf equipment and makes its own opinion on how good or bad the product is.
What to consider when buying a swing analyzer
Swing analyzers can be very technical products. They can also be very expensive, so if you're thinking about buying a new golf swing analyzer, you'll need to ensure you're getting the right one for you. Here are a few handy tips to bear in mind when buying a new swing analyzer.
What you're looking to test
This is a straightforward point, but there's no point in buying a Garmin TruSwing if you want to hone in on your putting game. Granted, the TruSwing might be able to help in some way, but it won't give you as reliable putting data as the BioMech simulator. For that reason, look to the attributes of each product and see which matches up best to the area of your game you want to improve.
What information do you want to obtain?
Before buying a new swing analyzer, it's wise to understand what areas of your swing, or your game, you want to improve. That'll help you better understand the information and data you need to help you improve everything from your ball striking to your club speed. For example, if you find yourself slicing a lot, you may want to get a sensor that will show you the angle of your clubface on attack. Or if you're the type of golfer looking to strike through harder, then maybe swing analyzers that deliver club speed data are the way to go.
Clip on or screw in
If you're looking at buying a sensor for your longer clubs, you can either get sensors that clip onto the shaft of your club, clip onto your glove, or screw into the top of your grip. Each can be fiddly to use and it depends on your comfort preferences as a player of what kind of trainer you want to use. Screw in sensors tend to be the most preferred option, but clip on options can give slightly cooler data showing you 3D models of your club plane.
Budget
Like some of the best portable launch monitors, swing analyzers do not come cheap. For that reason it's wise to asses your budget and what you want to use the sensor for. You may want to factor your experience level into that as well, and I'd advise against a beginner or low handicap golfer forking out a lot of money for a state of the art swing sensor.
Applications
Be also careful to check what other equipment you need to use your swing sensors. Many use applications that must be downloaded to a tablet or smartphone. Some may also require you to enter personal information in order to gain access to their software, while others may work on a subscription based service. To avoid disappointment, make sure to read the fine print before you buy your swing analyzer.
Golf technology is becoming more and more popular nowadays, so if you're in the market to kit yourself out with all the latest gear, check out our guides on the best golf rangefinders, best golf watches and best golf GPS devices.
FAQs
What do golf swing analyzers do?
Golf swing analyzers allow players to collect data on all aspects of their swing. They can then look at that data and use it to decipher how they can improve their game, by altering the way they strike the ball.
Are swing analyzers worth it?
Typically, yes, but it can often depend on your experience level. Experienced players may benefit more from a session with a swing analyzer than a beginner, who may need more time to perfect their technique before looking at the numbers behind their game.
How do golf sensors work?
Depending on the product, golfers can attach the senors to their club, usually by screwing them into their club grip, and link those sensors up to an application. All they need to do then is play a few shots and start to see the data come in on their smart device. That should show them numbers on how well they are hitting the ball as well as what they can do to improve their swing.
If you want more buying advice, why not take a look at our guides on the best golf net, or best golf mat as well.
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