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Manchester Ship Canal - Golf

Before the GPS technology was in use, people would use 'yard books' on the course to gauge what golf club to use next.

Steve McCarthy has been a golf coach at Lymm Golf Club for the past 20 years. The club is situated right on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal with its 6th hole actually built on earth dug up when the canal was built. But in a sport associated with 'old school' traditions and in a game played at a historic golf course, coach Steve is using modern technology to radically improve the experience of the club's patrons.
Before the GPS technology was in use, people would use 'yard books' on the course to gauge what golf club to use next. This book would give information about how far the putting greens were away from various points on the course. A lot of guesswork would be involved, often meaning choosing the wrong club for the shot.
The GPS device known as 'Snooper' looks like an iPod and pinpoints exactly where on the course the golfer is, how many yards they are away from various points on the green, and what the problem areas are that need to be avoided such as bunkers, water hazards, trees etc. By using the Snooper golfers can dramatically improves their accuracy.
The swing analysis technology involves filming a golfer's swing. The footage is then put into a computer and processed through software slowing down the moving image. Frames can be frozen on the screen and Steve can draw lines onto the screen, highlighting the player’s alignment and making sure positioning throughout the swing is correct.

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4 minutes

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