It is always fun when technology and innovation make an idea possible. That is the case with HackMotion and their design aimed at helping golfers correctly identify and correct one of the most common swing flaws, the breakdown of the lead wrist. The key to a good training aid, however, is its ease of use and just how digestible the info which it provides really is. How does HackMotion stack up there? Read on to see.
Quick Take
This is undeniably the most impressive and comprehensive golf training device dealing with the proper wrist angles in the swing that I have ever seen. The setup is easy, the feedback in correspondence with the app is essentially real time, and the potential of application for improvement of all skill levels is absolutely front and center. That said, it is deep in both the information it provides as well as the amount of information depending on the level being used.
HackMotion
Prior to THP receiving HackMotion in-hand, I had been eyeing it for some time through feedback of various golf instructors and their online platforms. As I saw it mentioned more and more, the curiosity grew exponentially. You see, the impact of the lead wrist has been a constant struggle for me in my game. There are many very simple and effective training aids that I, or my instructors, have had me use over the years but seeing as I also love to geek out about technology, this got my full attention.
Once I got HackMotion in hand I immediately knew two things to be absolute in my mind. First, was that this is an insanely cool device with incredible potential. Second was that it can be a lot to digest. Before digging into that though, I have to give kudos to the company because even though when you unbox HackMotion it looks like it will be super complicated to set up, it really isn’t at all. After you download the app it takes you through every single step lightning fast. How fast? I timed how long it took me to go from box to hitting shots and recording data, it was 3.5 minutes.
When you get past setup, you are given the opportunity to dive right in, and since this was for a review I had access to all three levels of info/data where typically you would purchase one of them (Core, Plus, Pro). Let me say, through those three levels you can take things from mild to wild. All three offer the same feedback and data for wrist angles as well as clubface control, but Plus adds putting and Pro brings another level of metrics (like ulnar and radial info, for example).
In terms of how the information is digested, the actual recording and display is top tier from HackMotion. It is not only given in easy to view metrics with plus/minus scoring and red/green (good/bad) zone feedback to help you get within a neutral and consistent range, but it is absolutely real-time. Fortunately for me, I have a pretty good understanding about much of the data through my coaching, but thankfully HackMotion also has one heck of a database online and via the app to get more clarity.
There is the rub of all this though, while the amount of slide-driven information points and drill/breakdown videos available are nothing short of impressive, this is still very dense information to digest. With that, I think most amateurs would do fine with the Core model and the info it provides on screen and through long term session tracking as it is clear and concise about your positions and how you can improve. The deeper versions and data charts in my opinion should be used in conjunction with an instructor as they can keep you on track and increase the value of these numbers many times over.
In terms of use, this is surprisingly intuitive. You set it up, and you swing, and the device recognizes impact to know that a swing was completed. Within that you get all the information of your lead or trail wrist depending on what you selected at setup. Personally, I have always battled a cupped wrist at the top that doesn’t get back to neutral at impact, and while I know that, actually seeing the amount through the swing was eye opening. The app info allowed me to work in real time to get within the “normal range” that HackMotion recommended and that opened up a huge change in ball flight. An even cooler part of HackMotion is the ability to turn on an audible tone during recording that plays when you are in good position.
One final feature I do want to touch on is available in the upper two tiers and it is putting. When I was researching before the review, I honestly didn’t give it too much thought, but I have to admit, it’s pretty cool. If you have read THP for any time, you know that I have always been a major proponent of stability in the putting stroke and HackMotion leans into teaching how that is achieved through the role of the wrists as well as their impact on face control.
The Details
All in all, HackMotion has achieved a level of depth I haven’t seen from other wrist based measurement devices, but perhaps that is because they have stayed so refined to their focus. If they continue to add videos and descriptions for users to better understand and digest it all, the potential here is practically limitless. That said, with such effective technology, there is always a price, and it is not a light one with HackMotion. Each tier comes at a different price point with Core at $295, Plus for $495, and Pro sitting at $995. While there will be heavy focus on the price, and rightfully so, I’ve yet to see a device that can provide the depth of data that HackMotion does, so as always, it all comes down to the individual and their wants/needs.
For more information, check out their website at www.hackmotion.com.
