Radar Chronicles Day 1 – Is Radar the next BIG THING for better golf?

Radar training is being hailed as “the next big thing” in golf instruction. Golf Channel’s Martin Hall and 2012 PGA Teacher of the Year Michael Breed said radar will “change the way we teach golf.” Every week you see PGA Tour players practicing on the range with radar units behind them.

But as yet the evidence is all anecdotal.

We decided to launch a formal study to determine the effectiveness of Radar as a teaching tool for the PGA Professional and as a feedback tool for the golfer.
Watch the first installment of The Radar Chronicles:

Every Saturday through November 2 our six Study participants will be at The Bridges driving range working with Flightscope radars. We’ll be chronicling what we learn with these video posts.

We believe radar may help on many levels. But two of the primary questions we will be investigating are:
1. Do Golfers learn faster using radar, because of the ability to precisely measure key variables like swing path, club face angle, launch angle, ball spin rates, and efficiency?
2. Does Radar facilitate awareness and feedback?  The key to learning is awareness, and the key to making change is to be able to make adjustments. We want to measure how well radar allows golfers to self-adjust using precise, shot-by-shot radar feedback.

We have developed a proprietary training methodology designed to improve specific aspects of performance using precise radar feedback on four of the most important shots in golf:
1. Driver off the tee;
2. Scoring Shots (75 to 125 yards);
3. Long-Approach Shots (190 yards)
4. Mid-Approach Shots (150 yards).

The Study will be conducted over a two-month period in September and October. It will measure improvement by golfers in these four critical shot areas as well as in overall scoring.

Our thanks go out to both Flightscope and The Bridges Golf Course for supporting the Study.