Hitting a sweeter spot

A Norwegian-designed system could help the world's estimated 61 million golfers improve their swing.

Golfers wanting to improve their skills often use video filming to study their balance and correct their movements. But there is more to an optimal stroke than just balance.

With this in mind Norway's Initial Force has developed a force platform custom-made for golf training, called the Swing Catalyst. The company is located in the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) Innovation Centre at Gloshaugen in Trondheim and co-operates closely with the university's programme in Human Movement Sciences. Designed specifically for professional instructors, the first prototype of the platform is now being tested in NTNU's movement analysis laboratory.

The system consists of two main components working together - the force platform and video analysis software.

The golfer enters the platform - which can be adjusted to suit the individual - and strikes the ball. The platform registers the golfer's every movement, and a camera films the swing of the stroke.