Can AI coach you to a perfect golf swing? What a loaded question. Is the perfect swing even attainable? Look at the pros — Tiger Woods and Scottie Scheffler have two very different swings but both are champions. Most golfers have had that one “perfect” shot somewhere when everything just came together ——the swing, the shot, the moment, and the memory that keeps golfers coming back for more. But there is no one “perfect” swing and like your waistline, your swing will change through the years requiring practice, fitted clubs, in-person lessons and now AI has been added to a golfer’s quest for perfection.
AI is everywhere and can be a polarizing topic of conversation. Whether you embrace AI or fear it, it’s here and rapidly evolving. What is AI? AI, is an artificial intelligence trained to recognize patterns across large amounts of data. When used to improve your golf game AI offers instant swing analysis and diagnosis anywhere at any time.
How do I use AI?
Using the AI apps is pretty simple. Golf apps like GolfFix, Mustard, and Sportbox use camera-based skeleton tracking to detect body joints and club positions throughout the swing. Bringing golfers data-driven performance benefits to improve swings and help choose the right equipment. For most of the common apps you can either upload a video from your phone or record one live on the app. There are step-by-step instructions for uploading your video making the process painless even for technically challenged individuals. Most of the apps use 3D AI technology to analyze 2D video and provide 3D data-driven feedback. For instance, the app GolfFix can recognize posture issues and causes and how the issues affect your swing offering solutions and drill suggestions.
Most of the apps are pretty affordable. Mustard is a prescription service costing $25 per month or $150 for a year. The app can watch a video of your swing and deliver a customized lesson plan. Mustard golf gives you an overall swing score and rates your body and hands in the backswing and downswing. It then recommends an improvement plan. Using data-driven by some of golf’s best coaches.
Arccos Golf is an automatic, AI-powered shot-tracking system that uses sensors embedded in club grips to record every shot in real-time via a smartphone app. Super easy to use, you twist in the sensors at the top of your grip and make sure you have downloaded the app and have synced your sensors (easier than it sounds) and play golf and record your score. After your round you will get a full breakdown of where you gained and lost strokes. Arccos is an example of an AI model trained on a real course. Therefore, it seems more like coaching than just stats.
When asked if AI could coach you to a perfect swing Larry Salsman, PGA Master Golf Professional and Director of Operations for Osage National Golf Resort said the short answer is no. “I do not think that AI can coach you to improve your golf swing,” said Salsman. “Seeing a proper golf swing is not enough, and being told what you are doing wrong does not correct the issues you have. You will need hands-on manipulation to put your swing in the correct positions. As well as observations to confirm that you are reaching the correct positions or making the necessary changes. Nothing replaces hands-on, real-world, experience learning in almost every situation. Stockbrokers to engine mechanics. I drive a car, but can AI make me a racecar driver?” said Salsman.
As always there are some cons to AI such as coaching limitations, no human touch, misdiagnosis leading to incorrect advice, and the potential to overcomplicate with too much data. AI is making a significant impact on the game with real-time feedback, personalized drills and progress tracking. It is probably best used as a supplement, not as a replacement for an in-person lesson.