The excerpts from Henrik Jentsch of Golf Academy 360° introduce the SensorEdge pressure mats as an advanced tool for golf coaches and ambitious players. Jentsch emphasizes that this technology allows real-time visualization of weight transfer and ground reaction forces during the golf swing—something that was previously missing from golf instruction.
These wireless mats work seamlessly with mobile devices and provide precise data on pressure distribution, helping coaches analyze swing patterns and give players understandable, immediate feedback. By comparing their own movements to professional pressure traces, players gain a better understanding of how to optimize their mechanics. This leads to more efficient swing techniques and ultimately results in greater power and consistency.
When combined with other technologies such as SportsBox AI 3D, which tracks body motion in 3D, SensorEdge enables a comprehensive analysis of the golf swing.
What fundamental insights into golf swing mechanics do SensorEdge pressure mats offer regarding force production?
SensorEdge pressure mats offer foundational insights into the mechanics of the golf swing—particularly in the area of force production—by visualizing weight transfer and ground reaction forces in real time. Before this technology, these concepts were often discussed, but rarely demonstrated with clarity.
Here are the key insights made possible by SensorEdge pressure mats:
Dynamic Weight Transfer (Center of Pressure):
The mats track the exact movement of the golfer’s center of pressure throughout the swing, showing how weight shifts laterally (left to right), front-to-back (heel to toe), and from the trail foot to the lead foot.
Phases of Force Application:
In skilled players, the data typically shows a clear dynamic load into the trail side during the backswing, followed by an early and rapid shift to the lead side before the club starts its downswing. This timing is critical for effective force generation.
Efficient Use of the Ground:
The mats make it clear how elite players use the ground to their advantage—first by “loading” into the trail foot, then transitioning to the lead foot before exploding off the ground. SensorEdge allows coaches to teach this principle clearly to players of all skill levels.
Timing and Rhythm:
The visual pressure maps reveal the importance of sequencing and rhythm when applying ground reaction forces. It's not just about strength—it's about coordinating the phases of the swing precisely.
Improved Understanding for Players:
Seeing their own pressure movement in real time—and comparing it to a pro’s movement—helps players better understand how their mechanics work. It gives them the right “feel” for the motion, and helps explain issues like lack of distance or inconsistency.
Powerful Feedback for Coaches:
Coaches receive exact data that supports their instruction. With the ability to overlay swings and compare pressure patterns, they can identify key issues and guide the player toward lasting improvements.
Integration with Motion Analysis Technology:
When combined with motion capture systems like SportsBox AI 3D, which records how the body moves, SensorEdge offers a full picture of how the body and ground interact. It’s a biomechanical feedback loop—what the body is doing and how it's using the ground to generate energy.
In summary, SensorEdge pressure mats make the once abstract concepts of weight transfer and ground reaction force tangible. By delivering real-time visual and numerical feedback, they empower both players and coaches to develop a deeper understanding of how to create efficient, powerful, and repeatable golf swings.