The HackMotion Golf Swing Analyzer is a step beyond the more basic training aids by using a clever, interactive sensor system to help you engrain the correct wrist angles during the various stages of the golf swing and in turn hit better golf shots thanks to a more neutral and stable club face. So, is the device as useful as advertised? I took it out for a thorough practice session to find out.
I feel like it’s worth noting at this point that I tested the HackMotion Pro package ($995). This gives you the ability to do some ‘free practice’ as well as the option of a practice putting feature, which are features that you will not receive with the core package ($295). There is a third option called the Plus Package ($495) that sits in between these two packages that would be worth considering.
So what exactly does the HackMotion Pro package offer? To start, the device comes in a sturdy, protective case that is easily small enough to slide into one of the pockets of your golf bag. Once you’re set up with the device around your wrist, which takes just a few seconds, and you have the HackMotion app downloaded, the device connects via Bluetooth instantly. To keep the sensor attached and in place, it simply slots onto the back of the Velcro strap on your golf glove.
Calibrating the product was fairly straight forward but in order to gain reliable data, is a crucial part of the set-up procedure. There is real-time feedback and absolutely no lag which really shows how cutting edge the technology that powers the device is. I have only seen this immediate feedback through the likes of the Bal.On Smart Kit - another one of the best golf gadgets on the market for improving your understanding of how you swing the club.
The app interface is extremely user friendly and gives you a step-by-step process in setting up your device, asking exactly what you want to get out of your practice so it can tailor drills to you specifically. There are short videos on the app which really help you understand how to analyse the data collected and there is even the ability to look at comparative data collected by the average PGA and DP World Tour players - such as wrist angles while hitting a driver or even a putt.
Be aware that the HackMotion Pro does provide a lot of information but as standard practice I would primarily focus on the wrist angles at the top of the backswing and then at impact. The full data mode gives you access to both of these as well as at address. If you get both of these nailed down, it really won’t matter what the rest of the golf swing looks like. The visual indicators and numbers make it very easy to digest whether your angles are correct or not with the green being the good and red colored boxed indicating you have some work to do.
Obviously not everyone swings the golf club in the same way and so there are numerous built-in profiles but the standard swing will suit most amateur golfers. You can be more precise with what you want to achieve with your wrist angles through the app. For example, if you tend to have a more open club face and want to strengthen your club face for a little extra power, you can program this so your left wrist (as a right handed golfer) is encouraged to become a little more bowed than flexed at the top of the backswing.
While practicing, I quite like to put my phone away and focus on my task for that session and so if looking at your phone is likely to be a distraction, you can add audio cues to help indicate whether you are in the right position at whatever point in the swing you are working on.
If you purchase one of the two more advanced HackMotion packages, you will also gain access to the putting feature, which will benefit golfers who are particularly 'wristy' throughout their putting stroke or just want to know if their technique is to blame for poor performance on the greens.
The HackMotion Golf Swing Analyzer is certainly worth the investment if poor wrist angles are the main downfall in your golf game or if you value to ability to get realtime feedback on how you move during the swing. It certainly isn’t a cheap investment for a device that specifically targets just one of the key fundamentals. For example, how each golfer grips the club will also play a massive role in clubface control and ball flight, of which the HackMotion device really can’t do much about. If you’re serious about improving your game and are looking to make changes with your wrist angles to hit more consistent golf shots, you’ll be hard pushed to find a more effective training aid than the HackMotion.
For November only you can now purchase HackMotion at a reduced rate. The savings see the core model drop from €295 to €245. The Plus package from €495 to €395 and the Pro package from €995 to €795. The following savings can be taken advantage of through the following link. https://hackmotion.com/golfmonthly
