Shaft Flex as Seen on Camera (Photos or Video) - Rolling Shutter Illusion

[steviesouthpaw]

I can't figure out how to post the picture but anyway, I have a picture of impact with a 7 iron and the shaft is bending away from the target. Seems to make zero sense but I'm dying to understand the physics or know that it's just an odd photography glitch. What's going on here? Does a golf club really flex like this at the bottom of the swing?

[kennay92]

its an optical illusion made when capturing the video/ photo. http://i81.servimg.com/u/f81/14/11/35/31/tigers10.jpg

[steviesouthpaw]

You're positive about that?

[kennay92]

You're positive about that?

99.9%

.

[iacas]

its an optical illusion made when capturing the video/ photo.

Yes, you'll see it on some cameras but not on others depending on how they read out the data. If they read top to bottom, you get an image like that one.

[kilbyman]

If the shaft bends the other way (in a still or video), is this still a data issue or a weak shaft?

[kennay92]

If the shaft bends the other way (in a still or video), is this still a data issue or a weak shaft?

what do you mean?? like the head of the club beding away from the ball? its supposed to bend that way lol.

[Zeph]

Yes, you'll see it on some cameras but not on others depending on how they read out the data. If they read top to bottom, you get an image like that one.

I recall you once recorded a video which showed a lot of flex with a 7 iron, the right way though, away from the ball. Was the conclusion that the camera read top to bottom or did it really flex a lot?

[mchepp]

This is known as a rolling shutter effect. iacas is correct, the majority of CMOS image sensors capture data one row at a time from top to bottom. CCD cameras use what is called a global shutter where the image is exposed at the same time and stored.

There are some great videos on youtube if you search jello effect, rolling shutter, or global shutter on this topic.

Some high-end CMOS cameras will use global shutter, but they are not typically sold in retail.

[iacas]

I recall you once recorded a video which showed a lot of flex with a 7 iron, the right way though, away from the ball. Was the conclusion that the camera read top to bottom or did it really flex a lot?

That camera reads the sensor at the same time (see the post just above mine). It doesn't read top to bottom or bottom to top. The shaft flexed that much.

[ncologerojr]

I currently hit Callaway X18r's with unified steel shafts. I have been struggling lately hitting consistent shots, now that i have been progressing and upping my swing speeds a bit. I found this reciently after recording my swing. Is this normal flex? Or can this be the cause if my problems? This is actually mild flex compared to some other video clips I have shot. Thx in advance for any input.

http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x412/ncologerojr/e12190f9.jpg

[Stonecold]

This may be an optical illusion caused by the camera...

http://toimprovegolfswing.com/golf-shaft-flex-distortion/

Check it out

[jamo]

This may be an optical illusion caused by the camera...

http://toimprovegolfswing.com/golf-shaft-flex-distortion/

Check it out

This. Most cameras read top to bottom, so you can get images like that.

[Paradox]

def. an optical illusion.  If the flex of the shaft were too weak for you, it would be bent in the other direction because the drag on the clubhead would be pulling it causing more shaft bend

[iacas]

Optical illusion. Camera scans lines from top to bottom so by the time it scans from the grip to the clubhead, the clubhead has moved farther forward.

Not all cameras do this (scan in one direction), but the vast majority do.

[broombroom]

Its probably most likely optical illusion however the reason why your probably being inconsistent is because you are releasing the club to early/ your hands arent ahead of the clubhead through the swing towards impact.  Your hands and left arm should be well ahead of the ball at the last seconds with the clubhead whipping into the ball at impact in a straight line with your left arm.  Here you can see that without the distorotion the club head is probably level or slightly behind your hands.  Take a look at the picture of tiger here you can see his left arm and hands pulling the clubhead down and then the clubhead whips in at impact making a straight line with your left arm.  You are probably releasing too early and losing a lot of distance and consistency because of that, this would actually cause the club to bend the way shown in the picture but it still could be an illusion.  Focus on keeping that box you make with your arms and club for as long as possible.  You can clearly see the box in the picture of tigers.  Yours is breaking down to soon.  If your clubs are too weak you will hit the ball a lot higher with a draw.  IF they are too stiff lower with a fade.

in picture one thats with a wood as well with an iron it will probably be more because you need to hit down on it more.

http://perfectgolfswingreview.net/TigerAccumulatorRelease.jpg

[Master Pickles]

Hey all,

New guy here. I was reviewing some swing videos of myself and I came across a frame that shows a counterintuitive downwards bend. This appears to be happening in nearly every swing with different irons. Is this normal? Could it be an optical illusion from the video camera? I just don't get how the shaft is bending with the head in front, it seems it should be the other way around. FWIW the shaft is a Cushin JZ stiff and the camera is the one off of the iphone 4. Thanks in advance for the help.

.

[iacas]

Camera illusion based on the way the camera films. It exposes rows of pixels at a time and since the club shaft is moving at a fast rate of speed, and the pixels are exposed over a period of time (albeit a short one), this is caused.

In some instances it's called the jell-o effect or something like that (that's with movies).