Golf Swing Training FAQs

Purchasing a SwingSmart Golf Analyzer

Q: Why should I buy a SwingSmart Golf Analyzer?

The SwingSmart Golf Analyzer was invented to give both the casual and committed golfer the opportunity to train like the professionals. For the very first time, golfers can get INSTANT, objective feedback on every swing they take. It's like having the perfect swing coach with you at all times.

Q: Is there a membership fee or annual fee with SwingSmart Golf Analyzer?

Never, never, never! There are no membership fees or yearly dues. The updates will always be free and come automatically to your smartphone or tablet.

About the SwingSmart Sensor Module

Q: How does SwingSmart Golf Analyzer attach to a golf club?

The SwingSmart attaches to the club using our patent pending two-piece adapter plate and sensor module system. The adapter plate and sensor module should be attached approximately ¼” from the bottom of the grip. When the leading edge of the club head is flat to the ground, the position of the adapter plate and sensor module should be directly underneath the club shaft with the lighted logo on the sensor module closest to the grip. Note that the adapter plate has a small etching of a golf club on its face. The orientation depicted on the etching should match the orientation of your actual club. Wrap the strap around the golf shaft and secure it on the hook on the opposite side of the adapter plate. After the adapter plate is secured, slide the sensor module onto the adapter plate. You should hear and feel a “snap” when the sensor module is fully engaged with the adapter plate. Swing away!

Q: Won’t the weight of the SwingSmart sensor module affect my swing?

The SwingSmart sensor module weighs only 19 grams -- less than ¾ of an ounce. The vast majority of golfers will be unable to feel a difference in their club weight when using the SwingSmart sensor module.

Q: How many clips (adapter plates) do I get with Swing Smart? Can I buy more adapter plates?

Your SwingSmart Golf Analyzer comes with two adapter plates. You can purchase additional adapter plates in packs of two, for the ease of having an adapter plate pre-installed on several clubs. That way, you can just slide the SwingSmart sensor module out of the clip on one club and onto the clip on another club.

Q: Is the SwingSmart Golf Analyzer waterproof?

No. Though The SwingSmart is water resistant and was designed for the elements found on a golf course, much like your smartphone or Bluetooth headset, it’s not meant to be used in the rain or submerged in water.

Q: Is SwingSmart Golf Analyzer USGA-approved to use on the golf course?

As much fun as it would be to have the SwingSmart Golf Analyzer with us to get us fixed on the golf course, you cannot use the SwingSmart sensor module for a round that you are submitting your score for handicap.

Q: How long will the battery last between charges?

Depending on how many swings you take during a round, we expect the SwingSmart sensor module to remain charged for a least a full round of golf and a 2 hour practice session.

Q: What is the lifespan of the battery?

The battery used in the SwingSmart is the same quality and design as those used in Cellular headsets. It will last for years of service.

Q: What is my warranty?

The original purchaser can return the SwingSmart Golf Analyzer for a full refund within 30 days of purchase. The warranty for the original purchaser is 90 days parts and labor. The full warranty is included in the "Product Information Guide" included with the SwingSmart Golf Analyzer, and is available for viewing here.

Q: Can I replace my battery?

No. The rechargeable lithium polymer battery is not serviceable by the customer, but you will likely never have to worry about this due to the lifespan of the battery.

Q: How long does it take to charge the battery?

The initial charge could take up to 90 minutes. After the initial charge, subsequent charges should take about an hour. The LED will tell you where it is in the charge cycle:

Blinking Amber = 1/4 tank full

Solid Amber - 1/2 tank full

Blinking Green - 3/4 tank full

Solid Green - Completely full

You can take your SwingSmart off the charger anytime you like and continue to use it - you don't have to wait until it's fully charged.

Q: What happens if I forget to shut-off my SwingSmart? Will it run down?

Don't worry - we forget stuff, too. So, we made your SwingSmart cool enough to shut itself off if you haven't taken any swings in ~1 hour.

SwingSmart Golf Analyzer Technology

Q: What’s the technology that makes SwingSmart Golf Analyzer work?

The SwingSmart System uses advanced avionic chips which translate your movements into positional data about your golf club throughout your swing.

The data is transmitted wirelessly from the SwingSmart sensor module via Bluetooth to your iPad or iPhone. We designed our own Bluetooth radio from the ground up to be used in the rigorous golf environment to ensure a better and faster connection.

Q: Does the SwingSmart™ work for left hand golfers?

Yes. In fact there is no work that needs to be done. The SwingSmart will automatically sense that you are a lefty. When you enter 3D SwingView™ you will notice the golfer animation has become a lefty too. Our head of Research is a lefty, so he wouldn't have it any other way!

Q: Should the LED be pointing towards the grip or the clubface after my SwingSmart is attached?

When the sensor module is oriented correctly, the LED indicator will be pointing towards the grip. By the way, with our next release of the SwingSmart App, you won't even have to worry about which direction it's pointed - we'll just figure it out. Watch your iTunes app store updates for the free update.

Q: How important is it that the module hangs underneath the club shaft?

The SwingSmart uses very advanced swing detection algorithms to detect many aspects of your golf swing, including the start of your swing. We try to make sure that false movements do not trigger the SwingSmart so we rely on measuring the movement knowing that the module is hanging underneath and pointed directly to the ground.

Q: How does the SwingSmart communicate with my smartphone or tablet?

The SwingSmart communicates with your smartphone or tablet via wireless Bluetooth technology. The first time you use your SwingSmart™, you will be asked to pair the SwingSmart™ with the device you would like to use.

Q: How do I connect my device with the SwingSmart?

Your SwingSmart connects to your smartphone exactly the same way a Bluetooth Cellular headset does. First, make sure the SwingSmart is fully charged and turned ON. Find the SETTINGS icon on your smartphone or tablet and tap it to enter. Tap the GENERAL section and then the BLUETOOTH section. Make sure the BLUETOOTH slider is turned ON. Once the Bluetooth is ON, you should see a list of the Bluetooth devices that are in range and discoverable by your smartphone or tablet.

You will notice that the SwingSmart™ is listed as a device and it is “Not Paired.” Tap on the SWINGSMART area and your smartphone or tablet will initiate the pairing with the SwingSmart. After it is completed, the status will change to “Connected” on the Device list. Every subsequent time you go to connect your SwingSmart to that device, you'll see the SwingSmart device on the BlueTooth menu go from "Not Connected" to "Connected" automatically when you turn your module on.

Q: What's the difference between pairing and connecting, and why should I care?

We agree you shouldn't have to care about what "connecting", "pairing", or even "BlueTooth" means. It's confusing and has nothing to do with what you really want to do - work on your swing! However, we all have to bow to the Wireless Gods and trudge through some of the claptrap they force on us.

The way it works, is that every time your smartphone has it's first "meeting" with a new BlueTooth device (like a wireless headset, keyboard, or SwingSmart) it needs to have an initial "introduction" (called pairing) where the devices exchange their "phone numbers." From then on, the devices are considered to be in a "relationship" (paired). Every time you turn your BlueTooth device Off, the "relationship" gets put on hold (not connected). If you turn it back on, however, since the devices were already introduced once, they know each other so they can just start talking (connected) right away.

If, for some reason like you moved the devices too far away from each other, or you shut-off the BlueTooth on your smartphone, the two devices have a temporary "break-up" and need you need to help them smooth things over. So, you just encourage them to start talking again by tapping the SwingSmart name on the smartphone BlueTooth menu, which will get them agreeing with each other again.

If we ever want to permanently end the relationship between the devices (sadly, sometimes relationships just don't work out), you can force your smartphone to "forget" their former partner. In the same BlueTooth menu on your smartphone, tap the little blue arrow on the SwingSmart name and then tell it to, "Forget this Device." (Fair warning: that little blue arrow is crazy hard to hit if you've had any coffee!! If you miss and the spinning wheel starts, just wait until it's done and then try again with a steadier hand)

The good news is that, although the two devices are no longer in a relationship, they can reconcile anytime you want them to by pairing again. Don't you love happy endings?

Q: Can I pair my SwingSmart with multiple iDevices at the same time?

Not yet. If that is something you'd like to be able to do, please drop us an email and say so.

Q: So once my SwingSmart is paired, how do I unpair it and pair it with another device?

That’s real easy. On your phone, pad or pod merely select the Settings icon, tap the General section and then the BLUETOOTH section. Then select the right arrow in the SwingSmart portion in the Devices list and press the Forget This Device button. Your device will ask you to confirm this decision by pressing the red “Forget Device” button. Now your SwingSmart is a “free agent”, ready to pair with another device.

Q: Why does the Bluetooth connection go from connected to disconnected to connected when I first pair?

We like to test the Bluetooth connection before we leave the pairing mode, so we bounce back and forth one time to ensure that a strong connection is established with your phone, pad, or tablet

Q: I can’t seem to get my SwingSmart connected with my iPhone/iPod/iPad. What do I do?

Don’t panic- you’re not alone! Connecting a Bluetooth device to an Apple product can sometimes take a few steps. First, follow the tutorial that’s available on your SwingSmart App through either the Settings menu, or by tapping the SwingSmart logo in the center of the home screen. If that doesn’t work, sometimes the iDevice may need to have its Bluetooth function powered off and back on. Just go to the “Settings” menu on your Apple device, tap “General” and then “Bluetooth.” Slide the Bluetooth switch to “Off”, wait a few seconds, and then slide it back to “On.” Then, turn your SwingSmart off (by pressing and holding the button until the light goes off) and then back on (by pressing the button again until the light comes on). After a bit, you should see your SwingSmart as a device you can now pair with. If that still doesn’t work try powering down your Apple device (by pressing and holding the power button on the top of the Apple device until the “slide to power off” prompt appears, and then sliding the prompt). Then, power up your Apple device and try pairing again with your SwingSmart. If all this fails, send us an email at support@SwingSmart.com and we’ll be happy to help!

Q: How do I turn on my SwingSmart?

Just press and hold the button on the side of the sensor module until the light comes on (about 1 second).

Q: How do I turn off my SwingSmart?

Just press and hold the button on the side of the sensor module until the light goes off (about 2 seconds).

Q: I left my SwingSmart plugged into my computer over night but it didn’t charge. Is it broken?

Nope! It’s much more likely that your computer “went to sleep” and in sleep mode most computers don’t charge devices that are plugged into them. One way you can confirm this is to look at the light on the SwingSmart when your computer goes to sleep. If the light goes out on the SwingSmart, it indicates the computer has stopped charging the SwingSmart.

Q: Will it hurt my SwingSmart if I charge it for long periods of time like overnight?

No worries. When it’s plugged in, your SwingSmart completely charges the battery, indicated by the light being “solid” green, and then continues to trickle charge the battery if it needs it as long as the SwingSmart is plugged in.

Q: My SwingSmart won’t pair with my smartphone while I’m charging the SwingSmart. Is it broken?

Nope. To be sure your SwingSmart charges in the shortest time possible, it temporarily ignores your smartphone. However as soon as you’re done charging the SwingSmart, just turn it back on and it will reconnect with your smartphone.

Q: What is my warranty?

The SwingSmart™ can be returned for a full refund by the end-user customer within 30 days of purchase. The warranty for the end-user customer also covers 1 year of parts and labor. The full warranty is included in the "Product Information Guide" included with the SwingSmart™ and available for viewing on our website, www.SwingSmart.com. But, please contact us at support@SwingSmart.com before you return your SwingSmart. We're dedicated to helping you out and will get in contact quickly to get things straightened out for you.

Q: How many adapter plates do I get with SwingSmart™?

Two, but you can buy more on our website, www.SwingSmart.com.

Q: My SwingSmart seems to be acting strangely. What should I do?

No worries! First, does it need to be charged? Try plugging it into your computer or an AC-to-USB converter and charge it up. If that doesn’t work, check to be sure everything is OK with your Apple device. Is the iPod/iPhone/iPad Bluetooth mode ON and is the device paired? If all else fails, we suggest you power down your iDevice and then turn it back on. Sometimes we've seen the iOS devices "hang-up" and need to be restarted.

Q: I was using my SwingSmart, but I got too far away from my phone and it disconnected. What do I do?

Just reconnect the phone with your SwingSmart through the phone’s Bluetooth menu. You can use the SwingSmart tutorial on the App to help walk you through it.

Q: I hit the ground pretty hard with one of my swings, and the SwingSmart twisted on the shaft. What should I do?

We’ve all had some bad shots we wish we could take back! Your SwingSmart was designed to handle most every type of swing and stay put on your club. However, if an impact caused the module to twist from its original position, remove the adapter plate rubber strap, and reposition it where it to its correct position. Please don’t twist the adapter plate once it’s attached to the club, since that may loosen the special grip material used to hold it in place.

Q: My SwingSmart doesn’t seem to recognize some of my swings. Is it broken?

We hope not!! It’s likely one of the items listed below will help you out. If they don't please contact us at support@SwingSmart.com and we'll help you out:

1) Check that the module is attached in the proper orientation - refer to the tutorial for the correct placement.

2) Select swing mode on the home page if you are hitting a ball; otherwise select training mode.

3) Check that you’ve selected the proper club.

4) Verify that SwingSmart is "listening" for your swings, which is indicated by the blinking green ring around the golf ball in the upper right corner of the app.

5) Make sure that you address the golf ball as you normally would before starting the backswing.

6) Double-check that the club face is addressing the ball squarely and that you’re starting your swing from this proper position.