Wii to be new swing trainer???

[Outfoxed]

http://leadbetter.com/academy_news.html

Has the time come for in-home swing lessons from a gaming console? Sure looks like it is coming. No idea about the technologies here. But the idea of "working" on my game at home is appealing when weather or time is wrong for real practice or play. Hmm, spend $300 for a Wii or build a hitting area for more money (including radar) and have wife torment all on how she would better use the space?

They are even saying there will be a real-time coach available 24/7.

Obviously, this will not come close to replacing real coaches and instructors. But if it helps your game...

What do you think?

[zac_369]

Looks pretty sweet

[MasterP]

Unless there is a weighted attachment that mimics a real club the wii-mote isn't going to simulate anything. You're swing is going to be different without the resistance and weight of a club. I guess you could groove your air-golf swing, not sure it's going to translate to your real-life swing though.

If they get that, then it would be pretty solid, even better if you could hit real balls into a net or something.

[justincredible]

Unless there is a weighted attachment that mimics a real club the wii-mote isn't going to simulate anything. You're swing is going to be different without the resistance and weight of a club. I guess you could groove your air-golf swing, not sure it's going to translate to your real-life swing though.

Would be cool if it came with an attachment that allowed you to attach a wiimote to a club of your choosing. Not sure how the added weight of the wiimote would affect your swing, though.

[Dub]

Wonder how well it gauges vertical misses?

I think I'd get more from hitting pine cones in the backyard.....and much cheaper.

[drglew]

i'm skeptical. Owning both Wii Sports Golf and EA's Tiger Woods golf (both of which i've heard some say can "help" your swing & rhythm), i'd agree they're both fun -- but have almost no relationship to a real swing, and my 8 year old can do a 360* and then swing his arm around as fast as he can and sometimes hit a better shot than me simulating my actual swing (or maybe i should incorporate a 360* into my preshot routine...hmm).

MAYBE it would work with some way to attach the remote to a real club, but again the weighting would be off.

[GaijinGolfer]

Im skeptical. My parents have a Wii and Ive played the golf game that somes with Wii Sports and its nothing like swinging a real golf club. Also, Ive talked to some people who spent the winter playing TW and Wii Sports golf who claim that those games ruined their swing.
I'll stick to going to the heated driving range, thanks...

[Outfoxed]

I agree to the skepticism. The Wii's capabilities go only so far. The interesting thing here is David Leadbetter getting involved. Why would a teaching pro get involved in a game? Could be something to watch develop.

[Woodtek]

Optishot

[ncb09]

dus look quite cooool, just like bin sed before its not gonna help on grip, one weight of the wii remote!
Id like to have a go tho!!

[treebound]

I clicked thru and down to the order page. It does not work for lefties so you left handed golfers will have some adjustment to deal with. It does include an hour of video instruction and some training tips. So I'm thinking that if someone looks at it only for those aspects and ignores using the Wii controller as a functional swing analysis club then it might be okay to some extent. Then think of the swing analysis aspect or function as just something to play with if you have dinner or BBQ guests over.

We have a Wii at home but don't have the footboard thing yet. I played some of the Sports Golf recently, never got off the couch, and didn't have to move anything more than my forearm, wrist, and hand. Fun? Sure. A substitute for swinging a real golf club? Nope.