How to Analyze Your Golf Swing on Video (Even Without a Coach)
Whether you're filming your swing for the first time or trying to fine-tune a new move, video feedback is one of the most powerful tools in golf. But once you hit record and take a few swings, a big question comes up:
What on Earth am I really looking for?
You don't need a Trackman, a tour coach, or a technical degree in biomechanics to review your own swing. You just need to know where to focus and how to build awareness over time.
Here’s how to break it down so you can be your own coach on the range.
Always With Your Setup
Setup is where everything starts. And for most golfers, it is also where subtle mistakes sneak in over time. When reviewing video, pause before you start your swing and ask:
- Are your feet, hips, and shoulders aligned to the target?
- Is your posture balanced and athletic?
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Is the ball positioned where you intended?
You might be surprised how quickly your setup can drift from what you think you are doing. A sway or poor alignment here can set off issues throughout the entire swing. This is the first checkpoint every player should learn to evaluate.
Here’s a great example of Tiger Woods at address. Notice the symmetry and balance in his setup. It is simple and repeatable, which is exactly what you want.
Check the Top of the Backswing
Once the club is at the top, freeze the video and observe a few things.
Look at your lead arm. Is it extended or collapsing? Look at the club face. Is it pointing where you expected? Look at your spine angle. Are you staying centered or leaning off the ball?
This is where many golfers lose structure, especially under pressure or when trying to create extra speed. The goal here is not to copy a tour pro but to build awareness of your own tendencies and patterns.
Below is Rory McIlroy at the top. While not everyone can swing like Rory… watching how stable and connected he remains at this point in the swing gives you something to aim for.
Watch Impact Closely
Impact is where the ball reacts to everything you have done before. When watching your swing, slow the video down and look for a few key details:
- Are your hands slightly ahead of the club head at impact?
- Is your body still rotating, or are you stopping and flipping through the ball?
- Are your feet grounded, or have you started jumping early?
The answers to these questions tell you more than ball flight ever will. Many golfers feel like they are compressing the ball when in reality, they are losing posture and speed through impact.
In this frame, Rory delivers the club with perfect sequence. The hands are leading, the hips are clearing, and the club is traveling down the target line through the strike.
Track Patterns Over Time
The real magic of video feedback is not in analyzing a single swing. It is in tracking what changes and what stays consistent.
Over the course of a few weeks or months, you can start seeing patterns. Does your takeaway start drifting inside? Does your ball position move forward over time? Are your short game swings more handsy when you are tired?
Recording your swing regularly lets you catch these things early. Even small adjustments can make a massive difference when you are trying to lower scores or build consistency.
Make Filming Easy and Repeatable
One thing that holds many players back is inconsistency in how they film their swing.
Pro golfers film from the same two angles every session: face-on and down the line. They make it a habit. You should, too.
Use a tripod to keep your camera steady and positioned at the right height. Leaning your phone against your bag or a water bottle not only produces a bad angle, but it also makes reviewing your swing harder. You want every frame clear, stable, and repeatable.
A proper tripod designed for golf helps you capture those swings consistently so you can focus on your game, not your camera. If you’ve been looking for one, here’s a great site to check out the easiest and most durable tripod on the market: https://strivongolf.com
STRIVON POD: The Smartest Way To Film Your Swing
Final Thoughts
Improving your swing doesn’t start with feel. It starts with seeing what is really happening. Your swing might not look how it feels right now. That is okay. In fact, that’s normal. Awareness is the first step.
Film your swing. Review it slowly. Look for the checkpoints. Over time, you will start to notice things that used to slip past you.
And that is when real progress begins!
— STRIVON Golf