Golf BioDynamics SPECIAL OFFER to all of the 3D AMM and TPI3D users.

Following the close of business by AMM, Golf BioDynamics would like to make a special offer to all of the 3D AMM and TPI3D users.

Beginning 01-Jan-2015, we will make our Ultimate (Liberty hardware), Freedom System (G4 hardware) or Biofeedback System (Patriot hardware) available, FREE OF CHARGE, for 6 months. 

Some of the features that are embedded in this software are integration with TrackMan, multiple report formats and styles, various graphs (kinematic sequence, wrist graphs, etc.), drawing tools, putting modules and of course, real-time biofeedback (up to two variables!). 

The 6 months should give you sufficient time to evaluate and use our software to ensure that it meets your needs. If you decide to continue using the software after the trial period, our normal license fees would apply. If you are interested in trying the software, please contact Dr. Robert Neal by email (R.Neal@golfbiodynamics.com) and he will respond to you directly.

The NEW GBD Freedom System!

In the second quarter of 2011, Polhemus announced the release of its latest 3D, 6DOF (degree of freedom) motion capture hardware – the G4. The G4 is a tetherless system in which sensors (the same size as the current ones) are attached by cable to a device the size of a smart phone, typically clipped to the belt. This device transmits (wirelessly) the position and orientation of the sensors to a computer. That is, the golfer will have no “tail” while wearing these sensors!

The obvious advantage to this tetherless system will be the ability to take the system out on the course and the feeling of the golfer that they are less ‘constrained’. A transmitter with power supply will still be required even in this on-course situation, but it does gives greater scope to collect meaningful data under more ‘real-life’ conditions. The sampling rate of 120Hz is less that the Ultimate System (240 Hz) and accuracy is similar at +/- 2 °.

Rob and his programmers are working hard to build the most sophisticated 3D System available in the golf market. How it will be different?

• It is of course true 3D; that is measuring movement in rotation and translation about 3 axes of motion. K-vest is an example of a 3DOF system – it measures only the rotations about these 3 axes. 

• We are looking at building three different “models” for the end user, not just one version utilizing three sensors. AMM currently is advertising their version called the Walkabout system which places sensors on the hips, shoulders and club. Our first version of the three sensor model will allow for multiple sensor locations on the body depending on your goal for the teaching session. You get to choose! This is much like our entry level 3D product – the BioFeedback System which utilizes only 3 sensors but has a ‘tail’.

• We are also taking advantage of a unique feature of the G4 that allows multiple systems to be piggy-backed. Thus, we will have three software versions that allow the use of 3, 6 or 9 active sensors depending on your price point and the degree of sophistication you are after. Thus, the 9 sensor model will be the ‘wireless equivalent’ of our Ultimate System.

Expected price? Well, of course the new hardware is going to be more expensive than that which we currently use (the Liberty Tracker for the Ultimate System). Entry level is expected be around $US10-12 000 compared to our BioFeedback System (Patriot Tracker) at around $7500.

New Software Features!

There are many new additions to the latest version of our software. It constantly evolves so that we can continue to stay ahead of our competitors. At a recent trip to Penn State to demonstrate our product/processes, staff commented that the GBD software was “by far the most advanced software for biofeedback training in golf”.

Most of the features are designed to make the Biofeedback sessions more efficient. Timing and transition graphs can be easily displayed after each swing and tracking the path of the club head is a simple but effective visual feedback tool. There is also great flexibility to display information graphically - you choose the parameter!

Saving time! Another useful addition to latest version of the GBD System software (3.0.0.6 ) is the ability to reload a calibration from file. It can save valuable minutes in a lesson situation. The calibration process provides us with a very accurate anatomical model of each client as seen in the software.

In practice, this allow the operator to reload the last calibration of a client that was completed without the need to re-digitize all the points on the clients body.

This is especially useful if you experience computer issues or a system crash while a client is ‘hooked up’. It saves a lot of time as you no longer need to recalibrate after you restart the software. This new feature is located bottom right in the pointer calibration screen - ‘Reload Calibration From File’ (see screen capture below). Click on this and the system will reload the last digitized points. This should only be used if the client has not been unstrapped from the harness. Not to be used in a new session or if any of the sensors have moved on the golfer.