How to film your golf swing for analysis (without making these 3 common mistakes)

How to film your golf swing for analysis

How to film your golf swing for analysis (without making these 3 common mistakes)

Recording your swing seems simple enough. You grab your phone, lean it against your golf bag, and hit a few shots. But then you look at the footage and realize you can’t see your clubhead, or worse, the angle makes it look like you’re swinging like a completely different person.

If you want SwingGrade (or any coach) to actually help you, the quality of your video matters more than the quality of your camera. You don’t need a film crew; you just need to follow a few basic rules so the data is actually useful.

1. The "Hand Height" Rule

The biggest mistake people make is putting the phone on the ground. When you film from the grass, the perspective is warped. Everything looks flatter than it is.

Instead, find a way to get your phone at hand height. Use a tripod or a specialized phone mount on your bag. It’s the only way to get a true view of your swing plane. If the camera is too low or too high, you’re just guessing.

2. Line it up with the target

For a Down the Line shot, placement is everything. Don't just point the camera at the ball. If you do, the angle will be slightly skewed. Instead, imagine two parallel lines on the ground: one for the ball and one for your feet. Your camera should be right in the middle, directly behind your hands.

Why? Because this is the only angle that gives you a true view of your swing plane. If the camera is too close to your body, you’ll look like you’re swinging 'flat'. Too far behind the ball, and you’ll look like you’re coming 'over the top' even when you’re not. To get data you can actually trust, line the lens up with your knuckles at address.

3. Lighting and Frame Rate

Most modern phones are great, but golf clubs move fast. If you can, use a "Slo-mo" setting or ensure you’re filming at 60 frames per second (fps). If it’s too dark or the frame rate is low, your club will just be a blurry ghost on the screen.

Pro tip: Make sure the sun is behind the camera, not behind you. If you’re a silhouette, we can’t see what your wrists are doing at the top of the swing.

Why this matters for SwingGrade

We built SwingGrade to take the guesswork out of your practice. But even the best tools—like our drawing lines and swing planes—only work if you have a clear view of what’s happening. When you provide a clean, well-angled video, your analysis becomes surgical. You stop wondering if you’re "over the top" and start using the circles and lines to see exactly where the path breaks down.

Next time you’re at the range, take thirty seconds to set up your phone correctly. It’s the difference between a wasted bucket of balls and a genuine breakthrough.