Swingmate Help

[Thunder]

This was originally posted on ITG and I was asked to post it here for the "Newbies" benefit.

Just wanted to give some recommendations on using the swingmate.
: wait until you are warmed up before turning it on.
:Keep fresh batteries inside, good ones, alkaline type
:Place swingmate on top of its box.( this will help a great deal, it did for me)
:Find the right distance away, @ 3 feet, + or -.
:Mine seems to work best in warmer temperatures, 80 plus, I live in Texas.
:When I change my swing plane, attemp to lag, swing "harder", wrist snap, Longer  back swing, hip rotation, pivot, all these changes will affect swing speed.The more extreme the deviation from your "A" swing, the greater the speed difference.
: In my experience there are 10 mph jumps and falls. To me they are obvious. When they happen more frequently, I shut it off and turn it on again.
: From what I've heard others say, it's less accurate the higher the swing speeds, over 135mph?
I am a senior who swings @ 128 - 135mph. I have used my swingmate comparing different weight and length clubs to check my speeds. I think it is fairly accurate, and gives me a good general idea. I would'nt bet on it though. I also use it when I work out with my POWERCHUTE. Again, I think it is generally accurate.
I started the year out at about 115 to 117mph. I went to Q school and my performance was dismal, as was my distance. The school part was great as I listened and talked to as many longdrivers as possible. I was hungry and desparate for more distance. When I went home I knew I needed to at least triple my preparation for longdrive. I needed to get the right shaft and right Head combo in my hands, that was costly!. As I did these things my swingspeed began to slowly climb as did my distance's. All I can say is the Swingmate let me know where I was at in mph( generally) and was a source of encouragement. It was only one of the tools to help get me to the World Finals.
There are others factors that affect distance other than swing speed. I will yield to and recommend anything Ben Witter has has posted on this topic.
I hope this encourages someone.
One question to everyone. What helped you get the next 5 MPH?

Dennis Trammell
LDA #848
Fort Worth TX.

[salty]

I need to get one of those. There alot cheaper than a launch monitor. Salty

[CRaley9]

Sorry Salty you're a week too late. I traded mine with my dad for a BOM head.
I found the swingmate screwed with my mind more than helped me. Just my opinion.
Bob "NoWAY" Jensen (I believe) just posted something in the grid about a new swingspeed meter that can read ball speed as well. Might be worth a look.

[salty]

Has anybody tried that new meter yet. It sounds really cool. Salty

[TimS]

Chris is right.  Looking at in inaccurate meter to find out your swing speed is not a good idea... it really isn't necessary to know your swing speed at all.  Ball speed might matter when testing clubs, but you have to make sure it's accurate or you might end up doing more bad than good.

Dennis, the more I hit the longer I get.  I'm starting to work out with a kinesiologist, and I'm real excited at how it might help me.

[JNP]

For a portable device the Bel works ok.  As with anything, you can't take the readings literally every single swing.  Sitting the device on it's case alittle to the inside seems to give better readings.