CRAIG BISHOP'S SWING LAB OF SUCCESS
Craig Bishop’s teaching studio at Golf Box Booragoon is ground zero when it comes to exploiting the latest technology to enhance every golfer’s game.
Bishop uses a state-of-the-art simulator to quickly pinpoint and improve problem areas of a mis-firing swing, and his methods have proven to be extremely successful of late.
One of Australia’s leading coaches, Bishop oversees US Amateur and Asia Pacific Amateur champion Curtis Luck, current State amateur title-holders Fred Lee and Jess Whitting, and several Tour professionals.
Bishop's teaching philosophy is "learn feel through measurable, correct mechanics", which builds on Homer Kelley's ideas in the seminal 1969 golf instruction handbook, The Golfing Machine.
Bishop has refined Kelley's scientific approach, which relies on simple physics and geometry to teach the correct mechanics of a golf swing, by analysing swing data recorded using an About Golf simulator.
The simulator extracts a wealth of information, including clubhead speed, path, angle of attack and face angle, as well as reporting the player's centre of gravity and weight transfer using foot pressure sensors.
That may sound a bit NASA to the average hacker but to the trained eye of Bishop, it provides empirical evidence about what is actually transpiring when the club is in motion.
"Measurable data makes it simple to explain where swing changes need to be made by looking at the numbers," Bishop says. "And also what doesn't need to be changed.
"It’s easy to narrow down the areas in the golf swing that need attention."
Bishop uses reference points to show his students exactly where and how they can improve their swing.
"By having a reference point we can say 'this is what the numbers need to be' and work on getting that right," he said.
“And when a player’s swing isn’t feeling quite right, we can get them into the simulator and compare the numbers from when they were hitting it well.”
Bishop has been at Golf Box Booragoon for four years and has focused on explaining in simple terms how the different parts of a golf swing interact with each other. He believes understanding that concept is the key to a consistent swing.
"Understanding the relationship between the parts of the swing, and how one part can affect the other, is easy using the simulator.”
"If you have a snap hook going, it is pretty easy to spot looking at the measurements on the simulator."
Bishop also has a SAM Puttlab at Golf Box Booragoon to provide the same level of insight into a stroke with the flat stick in hand.
The next time a playing partner's unsolicited but well-intentioned “swing tip” is received it may pay to run it through the Golf Box Booragoon simulator.
Just to make sure the numbers stack up - literally.