My Personal Golf Trainer Coming to Nintendo Wii
Posted September 1st, 2009 by Justin L. Pucheu
Leadbetter give you personal lessons for less than $1000 per session!
Ever wanted to be able to say that your personal golf trainer is David Leadbetter? Now you can without having to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Coming this October, we will all have the chance to get some of Leadbetter's best tips and drills, along with his swing analysis, from the comfort of our own living rooms.
This year at the annual E3 gaming convention, Data Design Interactive unveiled their latest development, targeted towards golfers and their never-ending quest to get better. For players looking for alternative ways to better their game, Data Design Interactive enlisted world renowned coach David Leadbetter in producing an exciting new game titled "My Personal Golf Trainer." This new game makes use of the Nintendo Wii's motion capturing controllers (known as the Wii MotionPlus and Wii Balance Board) to help guide your way to a better swing. Hit the jump to find out more about this upcoming release!
Let me preface this entire column by first saying this is not a substitution for proper lessons from your local PGA teaching pro. Nothing comes close to proper lessons from a living, breathing pro, regardless of how good the technology is. This game does, however, have the potential to be a great way to reinforce the teachings of your pro.
Game Overview
"My Personal Golf Trainer" takes advantage of the Wii Balance Board and the Wii MotionPlus controller in order to provide analysis of all the facets of your swing, including swing speed, weight transfer, swing path, and more. The game incorporates David Ledbetter's 7 Steps to a Better Golf Swing and gives personalized feedback according to Ledbetter's 7 steps. It also provides drills and videos to enforce the changes recommended by the game. The player's swing gradually improves as each of the basics are addressed. The game can then progress to the driving range, and then later to a full 18-hole round. During the round, Ledbetter can be summoned to provide feedback and suggestions. Your entire swing will be tracked and recorded in 3D using the balance board and Motion Plus controller.
Once a swing is recorded, you have the ability to analyze your swing and see the faults, just as if someone were there videoing you. Wanna see where you're at during impact? Now you can. Shanked a shot into the pond on the right? Ledbetter can help identify why, and then suggest ways to eliminate the faulty movement. When you consider that parts of the swing such as tempo, balance, and weight transfer can be practiced without an actual club, you can see how this game could really help your game.
You could spend thousands of dollars on other devices that will give you some of the same information My Personal Golf Trainer does, but they're not going to give you feedback from one of the most highly regarded instructors in the world. Game content such as the instructional videos and the drills are most likely worth the cost of the equivalent Leadbetter DVDs.
Pricing & Availability
The game itself will be available for right around $50, but there is more to it than just the game. The Wii Fit bundle, which includes the Balance Board, is going to run around $90 at most major retailers. The MotionPlus controller can be had for $20-$25. As you can see, if you're a newcomer to the Wii's motion-sensitive controllers, you'll have to spend a little bit before you can take advantage of "My Personal Golf Trainer." If you already own a Wii, and the previously listed hardware, you're ready to go! Look for the actual game to make its way to stores this coming October.
Final Thoughts
I believe this is an amazing use of technology, and can be a great help, especially for those that live in areas where the weather prohibits golf during the quickly approaching winter season. The concept is great, but as I said before, this is not a substitution for formal lessons. It could, however, serve as a tool to give the golfer a lot of positive reinforcement.
The only issue I see is the controller itself. Without the full weight and length of a club in your hands, it's going to feel a bit different, and may lead you to swing differently than you would normally. Still, I see this as a great way to practice good tempo, weight transfer, and other components of the swing. With alternative methods of controls, such as the Nintendo Wii's MotionPlus, and the recently announced Project Natal from Microsoft, an entirely new form of training is possible. I personally believe we are just seeing the beginning of something great!
Feedback
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Expressed opinions are not necessarily the opinions shared by others on The Sand Trap or The Sand Trap itself.
Posted 01 Sep 2009 at 2:58pm #
That sounds pretty cool! I agree about the controller though. When I am playing Tiger with my step-son, I have to swing with one hand because it feels so awkward. I wish they would come up with some sort of real club solution
Posted 01 Sep 2009 at 3:04pm #
Not too sure about this one..... Many people take wonderful practice swings without a ball present. Then put a ball down and you will see something entirely different. Another concern with this product is that you are swinging a controller........
Posted 01 Sep 2009 at 4:46pm #
Just another reason why I should get a Wii.
I live in Iowa and have to drive at least an 2 hours to get to an indoor range, so this could be a small advantage to keep the swing going thoughout the winter months. I enjoy playing Tiger on a friends Wii, but I agree, the controller acting as the club feels odd when you already have a pretty good swing. Although, my buddy, who just started, has seen a fair amount of improvement in his overall golf game. He has a better understanding of all the facets involved in making a good solid golf swing. If Tiger can help, Lord knows what Leadbetter's tips could do....
Posted 01 Sep 2009 at 6:53pm #
I have to say I'm pretty skeptical. I love video gadgets and these type of things but without a realistic club, I don't see how it'll be beneficial. As Steve mentioned, put a ball in front of someone and you can see an entirely different swing.
Posted 01 Sep 2009 at 8:22pm #
It would be interesting to see a full club solution for a controller. I would have to believe though that most people won't have the necessary space in their house / gameroom for a full club swing, I know I wouldn’t without raising my ceilings.
Posted 02 Sep 2009 at 7:09am #
Yup, the controller will be the bad spot. However, I'm gonna find a way to mount the controller to a real club. The balance board brings you off the ground a good 2 inches. Gonna need a swing board as well to bring the green off the ground 2 inches as well.
Gonna be a fun project
Posted 02 Sep 2009 at 10:12am #
David Leadbetter: Not Only Ruining Professionals Careers Anymore!
This seems pretty cool, maybe with some sort of innovation.
I could see some pros coming along and using motion tracking IN golf clubs to prove if people are on plane or not.
Posted 02 Sep 2009 at 11:02am #
The secret to Tiger Woods on the Wii is to use your left hand to hold the controller. The one arm swing is productive if you simply move the controller to your left hand, that lets you focus on all of the swing attributes that really matter. I will buy this new product and I hope it will be helpful.
Posted 02 Sep 2009 at 5:03pm #
What a dumb idea. If they incorporated both the balance board and the MotionPlus controller into a game like Tiger Woods' or some other golf game, that would be a really neat addition to a game like that... it would make it darn close to virtual reality, rather than being able to hit 340 yard drives with a lazy swing of one arm...
But as a tool for actual improvement on the golf course? Please. I guarantee this product will groove more bad habits than anything.
Sounds pretty neat in theory, but as several other people pointed out, without the feel and weight of your actual club and without a ball actually in front of you, it doesn't seem like it will work.
Posted 02 Sep 2009 at 6:10pm #
This product will likely make you good at video game golf, but that is all. There may be some good drills in here and this might help you in that way but I wouldn't expect anything too remarkable in this.
Wouldn't it be cooler if there were small sensors you could stick onto a club? You could use wiffle balls to complete the illusion.
This is just the latest in a long line of golf gimmicks that won't really help your game I feel.
Posted 02 Sep 2009 at 11:01pm #
Not a huge Leadbetter fan and I am a little skeptical of this given it is on the Wii. With that said, if this came out for the XBox Live Natal and you got to swing a real club and hit a ball then THAT would be cool. Until then, I'll wait and just use my own camera.
Posted 03 Sep 2009 at 1:30pm #
Mostly valuable as a sign of the tools and training methods we may use in the future.
Posted 03 Sep 2009 at 10:34pm #
Somebody just needs to invent a device that allows you to clip the wiimote to your club! At least it would be a start...
Posted 04 Sep 2009 at 6:20pm #
Do you think this program will provide "audio" comments on the swing instead of text one has to read?
They mention...David will "tell you" exactly how you are positioned, leaning to the side or back to far etc
Posted 01 Nov 2009 (3 weeks ago) at 9:09pm #
ok it is now november and have not seen it anywhere. any info anyone?
Posted 07 Nov 2009 (2 weeks ago) at 2:22pm #
I'll be getting this. I saw somewhere that it's now slated to be released at the end of the year...
Posted 16 Nov 2009 (5 days ago) at 3:53pm #
When will this be realeased? My dad wants it for Christmas this year.