HackMotion 2.0 - 2024 Forum Review

[GolfSpy_APH]

Are you ready to take your golf game to the next level? We're annoucing a unique opportunity for four passionate golfers to test and review the new HackMotion 2.0!

About HackMotion

HackMotion is working hard to revolutionize golf training through advanced technology and innovative design. Founded with a passion for helping golfers of all levels improve their skills, HackMotion provides cutting-edge solutions that deliver precise, real-time feedback on swing mechanics. 

Straight From HackMotion: “Our mission is to empower golfers with the tools they need to achieve their full potential, combining the latest in wearable technology with user-friendly software. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, Hackmotion is here to help you master your swing and elevate your game.”

Product Overview

HackMotion 2.0 is their latest innovation in golf swing analysis technology. This wearable device provides detailed insights into your swing mechanics, helping you identify areas for improvement and track your progress over time. With enhanced accuracy and user-friendly features, Hackmotion 2.0 is designed to cater to golfers of all skill levels.

Key Features:

• Real-time feedback on wrist angles and swing positions
• Detailed analytics and performance tracking
• Intuitive app interface for easy data review
• Personalized training recommendations
• Suitable for all levels of golfers
• 

Please welcome and congratulate our testers

@vandyland 

@NotScratchYet 

@Glenmore5 

@Will A

[vandyland]

About Me:
I live in Tennessee and I have been playing golf for 6 years (also turned 40 this year). With multiple children and a job, this is about my only hobby so I take it fairly seriously from a practice/technique standpoint. I am of the opinion that if I am going to take 4-5 hrs per week away from hanging with my kids, I should at least be the very best I can be at this sport. I spend a lot of time analyzing my swing with and without an instructor and one of my issues is wrist angles and movement in the swing. My handicap swings from 1.5 - 5.5 and seems to be heavily dependent on my full swing. Typical ball flight is a pull draw which I presume comes from clubface that is closed to the path too much (have confirmed this on Trackman) so I typically need to have a more open clubface (relative to path). 

Onto the HackMotion, I believe this training device will be good for both the "dojo" (more on that below) and the range. I plan on getting baseline results (for wrist angles) that I will insert into this post and see how much improvement I can obtain in a few months. As a side note, I am a disciple of Monte Scheinblum who teaches a wrist "cast" from the top but also is a big proponent of the HackMotion device so it should be congruent with his instruction. I have some fairly good surface level knowledge of this product as I have watched a number of Scott Cowx and HackMotion videos on the unit's functionality. I can also use Trackman to note changes in my path/face angle etc. I am very excited to finally have data on the correct wrist angle "feels" as I have had to try to undo the initial teachings I had that taught a "toe up" position in the back swing which is, ultimately, a club face that is quite open. I have a fairly long and detailed practice thread on this forum so I am not stranger to working on my swing and to have this kind of technological guidance is truly a tremendous blessing. 

My expectations: I anticipate that this device will (a) train my wrists on being set correctly in the backswing and through impact (b) I believe this will help my ball start more on the target line or slightly right of it rather than left of target and (c) lead to more consistent contact through impact. While I don't expect it, I will be curious to see what happens to my path/face to path/spin/carry through this process. 

The Dojo (aka my practice setup in the courtyard of my house):

The range were I practice 2-3x per week:

First Impressions (9.25 out of 10):
Pictures will do more than my words mostly but the HackMotion comes in a compact carrying case that could easily fit into a bag. There are not a ton of pieces which is helpful if you have a habit of losing things. All in all there is the sensor which can be attached to either a golf clip or a palm strap depending on how you want to affix the HackMotion sensor to track your movements and the sensor is connected to a wrist strap. Also a charging cord (USB) and all are in a fairly neutral black finish with some light blue mixed in. Carrying case has some structure to it which would protect your sensor somewhat from getting crushed if you bag rolled in the back of your car but won't survive you sitting on it (not that it should). The securing system is adjustable and velcro based and feels like it will somewhat hold up over time. The sensor connects VERY easily to your app once it is downloaded and paired and glows BLUE when it is on. I have used the sensor in about 6 sessions so far and have had ZERO disconnects. My only detracting points are the wrist strap feels a tad bit flimsy but I have had no issues getting it secured and fitting snugly so I may be judging harshly here. 

The overall method with the sensor is to track the movement/angles of your wrist throughout your swing in 3 Dimensions. Flexion/Extension, Ulnar/Radial Deviation and rotation which are explained thusly:

The crux of the HackMotion is that their standard ranges are based off your position at setup and from there you have a certain range you can/should deviate from that setup at position. The range is not incredibly restrictive and will work if you have a strong grip (you will be more in "extension" at setup), neutral grip or weak grip (close to zero extension and possible slightly in "flexion"). The app is fairly easy to navigate so far and has a clean appearance. 

The HackMotion has a few different "modes" which I am showing below and will also have links to detailed posts on each (see appendix at the bottom of post):

Aesthetics (8.5 out of 10):
The device itself and the app are clean and straightforward in design and look. Not a lot of superfluous branding on the device itself and very easy to tell if it is on or off and connected via the large diode on the wrist sensor. The strap allows it to fit a variety of wrist sizes so multiple users can use this device (which is especially helpful for a coach). The storage case is fairly sturdy with a zipper closure that so far has held up well to being moved in and out of golf bags, cars, desks, etc. 

I have deducted several points due to the issue I encountered with the strap. It has small velcro ovals glued to it in order to accommodate different wrist sizes. I had a strap where those ovals came off within about a month of having the device. I requested a new strap which was provided promptly and free of charge by HackMotion but I am a bit concerned about the long term life of these straps. It does not appear as though you could easily glue back on the velcro nor could you use a watch band strap (as far as I could tell) so you will, seemingly, have to get another strap from HackMotion. Again, they provided it promptly but the short amount of time that the last strap lasted gives me pause on its durability. 

The Numbers (18.5 out of 20):
Off the top, the numbers are reliable as far as I can tell. The HackMotion is measuring your starting position, top of the backswing and then impact and helping you interpret what types of differences are acceptable and which are not. On the "Flexion/Extension" there is a nice training setup for issues if you are out of range and this comes with the core package. I think this is the heart of the wrist sensor and monitoring these angles is its key focus. There are also numbers for ulnar/radial deviation and rotation which has less "guidance" associated with them. There is not a training regime for you if you struggle to consistently match these off at impact vs setup. Also, chasing ulnar/radial and rotation numbers without really being a qualified coach can be a frustrating exercise. I will talk about that more in "play it or trade it."

Specifically on the "Flexion/Extension" numbers, I have found that I struggled to be within their ranges. I have a fairly bowed wrist at the top which is generally on the edge of acceptable and many times out of the range. Trying to fix that has been a series of fits and starts. The challenging thing is I am actually hitting the ball fairly well at the moment so it is hard to really want to put more extension in my position at the top because that has lead to some flares to the right that I don't normally see. There are drills that help you find that sweet spot, slowly, and then build into the full swing but I just haven't really married good ballflight with those wrist positions as yet. 

The numbers on putting really surprised me. I thought putting was going to be an afterthought but the numbers from the HackMotion led me to change my ball position (slightly) and my grip (completely) in search of a more stable rotational number. Even without any real coaching, I think the putting is the easiest to interpret and change because the actual stroke is fairly simple. I implemented a grip change basically overnight after testing it against my standard grip. That was quite amazing. 

On Course (18 out of 20):
This device is simple to setup and use. Starting a session, calibrating and starting to hit balls probably takes 30 seconds, tops. I discussed trying to play an actual round with the HackMotion device but ultimately decided against since that is fairly far outside of the bounds of what this device was used for...so the "on-course" here refers to practice on the range, simulator or putting mat/green. I enjoyed using it however, at times, I was unsure if I had it setup exactly the same each time. For example, at times my setup numbers (extension, primarily) would be dramatically different than the previous session. I chalk that up to just getting used to setting it at the same place on my wrist at all times. There is a wrist clip for a glove but I preferred the strap across my bare hand for accuracy's sake. I definitely prefer this as a wrist monitoring device instead of those wrist angle devices that stop you at a certain point. If you want that kind of feedback, you can get that via the sound/vibration feature which is nice. 

Biggest change I have seen in my swing/ballflight is that I determined through the "Free Practice Mode" is that I was rotating way too much coming into impact and after impact. My rotation number post impact was almost double that of my rotation 1/2 down in the backswing so I was kind of "saving it" at the bottom which led to some big hooks when I over did it. I have since reduced the forearm roll through the ball and my ball flight has straightened out, most notably with my driver. Now I have almost a slight fade with the ball (mostly straight) vs my previous life as a hooker (sorry mom). This also carries over into my pitching and chipping which was also improved as you don't probably want a lot of forearm roll in that pitching and chip motion. 

Another significant change that has carried over from the HackMotion to the course is my putting grip! I used the HackMotion putting analyzer (see appendix below for links detailed posts on putting tests) and determined that my standard putting grip was making it hard to return to square at impact. After testing out several grips, I found that the "claw/saw" grip was the most stable for me...by a clear margin. I moved on from the standard grip right away and started putting with the claw/saw and while it is early days the putts stay on line much longer and feel more solid. As someone who hates putting practice, this actually makes it a bit of a game to try and stay really stable and consistent. Who knows, HackMotion might make me a decent putter yet!

The Good, the Bad, the Inbetween (17 out of 20):
The good is you cannot "trick" this device with a crazy swing. One thing I tried was to see if I could do a really really flat swing where I got all my wrist angles right, but the HackMotion wouldn't register it as a backswing. Same with an EXTREMELY upright golf swing. It can measure your wrist in space and knows when you are not making a reasonable effort at a golf swing, I think that is actually a fairly sophisticated feature. It logs all your prior data sessions which you can name and put notes on and has dates and time stamps. Also, you can bookmark good (or bad) swings for later that you can name and put notes on also. This is helpful for measuring progress and "feels" I think. 

The Bad is the aforementioned durability of the strap in my experience but also the price of this device. I think almost $1000 for the full device is quite steep and hard to imagine many amateurs buying the "Pro" version. For a coach that fully understands that, it probably makes all the sense in the world. But having just the core model for $300 is still fairly expensive AND you are just teased by knowing all the other information that is behind the paywall. I understand this is nothing new in the software world and a tiered pricing structure allows the individual buyers to decide what they want to pay for but I will say this is on the expensive side of the training aid market for sure. The Pro mode does give you access to all the putting information which turned out to be way more valuable to me than I originally thought but even so, spending that kind of money to find that out when I could potentially discover that in a session with a pro and a putting analyzer like HackMotion or a competitor would possibly have yielded the same result. 

The inbetween is hard for me to describe but I will put it like this "What do you do when you are hitting the ball well but outside the ranges on flexion/extension?" And then making moves back to be within the ranges yields a bad ballflight or impact sensation? Do you chase that or do you just keep what you have? I am in that boat right now. I am playing (for me) good golf but I am a bit outside the range at the top (I am too flexed or "bowed" for the devices' liking) on about 30% of my swings. When I make an effort to be more extended I start losing the ball right (fades/slices). So do I chase that or stick where I am? I feel like a coach almost has to make that call. There are a number of coaches that use and understand HackMotion and I believe HackMotion can refer you to coaches as well. So again, I think trying to fly completely solo with the "Pro" version is probably going to be quite overwhelming for most amateurs. 

Play it or Trade It (16 out of 20): 
I believe I will continue to use the HackMotion, particularly with my putting stroke, but there is a limit to how much I will rely on it vs actual ballflight and impact feel. Being within all the ranges and hitting a terrible shot is going to be less impactful to me than being slightly outside of the ranges and flushing it. It is still good to use for position checks and I think the "biofeedback" feature (it vibrates or makes a sound or both when you are "in range") is great because it keeps you from checking behind you or in a mirror which can lead to the nasty habit of moving your eyes during your ACTUAL swing. So why the lower rating? Well, simply put it is a very expensive piece of kit and I hope/expect them to build out some additional training modules. There is is something to be said that the HackMotion admits not all tour swings fit in their ranges so I think I want to stay in the general vicinity without being wholly committed to ALWAYS being in range on it. Again, I had some positive changes and takeaways from the device and my overall experience has been positive. This is an amazing amount of information...but it must also be interpreted and I wasn't always up to that task. 

Conclusion
With great power comes great responsibility. This device does EXACTLY what it claims to do which is it measures wrist positions throughout the swing in a repeatable and comparable manner. What it does not always do is tell you "Ok now is this good or bad and how do you fix it" for those numbers other than Flexion/Extension. Some items you can infer what to do, like I did with putting, and that proved to be very impactful to how I putt now AND made putting practice more enjoyable (I hate putting practice). I still maintain this is probably more useful for a coach (namely the "Pro" version) to use with students than for an amateur to just turn loose on by themselves but I think there is a ton of potential in this device. I was impressed by it and I think if they can pair it with more customized interpretation and guidance for the other metrics it could be a homerun. 

Final Score: 87.25

APPENDIX -- APPENDIX -- APENDIX -- APPENDIX -- APPENDIX -- APPENDIX -- APPENDIX -- APENDIX -- APPENDIX -- APPENDIX

These are links to more detailed posts within this thread....

Guided Practice (is available on all versions of the HackMotion - core, plus and pro) - Runs a diagnostic on your swing and then recommends drills from there. Only focuses on "Flexion/Extension" which HackMotion prioritizes over the other metrics listed above - full swing analysis -- LINK TO DETAILED POST ON GUIDED PRACTICE!!! --> https://forum.mygolfspy.com/topic/65910-hackmotion-20-2024-forum-review/?do=findComment&comment=1116268

Also you can do specific drills as well if you already have done the diagnostic a lot and need to train one specific pattern or range:

Putting Experience (only available on plus and pro, only pro has "rotation" which is think is most important honestly) - Shows you data on your putting stroke. Will give you flexion/extension, ulnar/radial, rotation, tempo and there are benchmark tour player graphs for different length putts. For me, if you are using this for putting you must have rotation data for face opening and closure through impact. That is the single most important metric (to me) and it is not even close. There is not really any diagnostic or training to help you if you have a crazy looking stroke but you can glean some things from the data. I also experimented with ball position and had some interesting results in terms of wrist movement -- LINK TO DETAILED POST ON PUTTING EXPERIENCE --> https://forum.mygolfspy.com/topic/65910-hackmotion-20-2024-forum-review/?do=findComment&comment=1116987

Putting Grip post -- https://forum.mygolfspy.com/topic/65910-hackmotion-20-2024-forum-review/?do=findComment&comment=1131624  -- this builds off of the Putting experience post where I experimented with different grips to see if standard vs saw grip vs left hand low yielded less wrist movement. 

Free Practice/Full Data Mode - (this is radial/ulnar data on full swing along with the flexion/extension which is only available on Pro, you can still do free practice on the other modes you just won't get this data) - this is where you can get lost in the weeds (and I did). This is ALL the data but you really only get coaching on the flexion/extension at the moment.   

 

 

Edited September 29 by vandyland

[NotScratchYet]

HackMotion 2.0 - Official MGS Forum Review by NotScratchYet

Introduction

About Me

Hello spies! Congrats testers.  I am a rapidly aging 47-year-old with an 8-ish handicap with continuing dreams and aspirations to reach scratch golf.  Married with three busy kids, golf is my passion.  Started the game in my late teens and took a step back from the game when my kids were babies.  I now practice daily thanks to my garage setup (amazing wife) which allows me to practice in between …well, life. 

I have been exercising regularly and just completed my first round with the stack speed system failing just short of my clubhead speed goal of 115mph at 114.6mph.  My game in order from best to worst is driving, ball striking, short game, and putting.  Maybe HackMotion 2.0 is the missing piece to scratch golf, and finally shoot a round in the 60s.

 

Location

I play golf in the SW portion of the Virginia mountains on most occasions.  Hilly terrain, tight tree-lined holes, with some courses in the area being long (7k +).   This past week we played at the Norman course in Barefoot Landing at Myrtle Beach.  Our goal is to get better over the next few years and bring home the championship golf bags from the Father-Son golf tournament in Myrtle but mostly have fun.

My son this week @ Barefoot Norman Golf Course.

I was looking into this device during the first iteration when it was released and was curious to see if the claims of improving ball striking were accurate.  I also wanted to test the differences between the Core, Plus, and Pro versions.  

Most of my testing scenarios consisted of me hitting into my net into the garage.  This is where I record my swing and test adjustments using the Flight Scope Mevo +.

What does HackMotion2.0 measure?  Well, here it is....

         

These are the key ingredients of the device and what it is checking.  For the first few times working with this tool, I had to check these images often to make sure I understood what was being displayed.

First Impressions : (10 out of 10)

I love the look of this device and the included carrying case.  The blue interior offers a great contrast to the dark exterior and contents making it easy to locate the few contents inside.  

The first thing I noticed was there was no power block included.  This is to be expected as very few companies include the actual power block anymore.  

Aesthetics: (10 out of 10)

Device and App:

Setting up this device and getting it ready for use is one of the fastest and easiest times I have had with technology.  The application and connectivity to the device just works...period.  I cannot state this enough.  I was extremely impressed with the connection to the app and the lack of issues when connecting the device to it.

Device fitment:

The portion of the strap with the blue border goes around the forearm and is easily adjustable.  With my meaty hands, the strap that goes around the palm is also adjustable and fits fine.  I found over time I preferred to have the strap on the tighter side to prevent excess movement when training with HackMotion 2.0.  This did not deter or hinder my swing in any manner which I was surprised by.  I originally thought I would prefer the clip that goes on the velcro of the glove but mostly kept the included palm strap on for most sessions.  Changing from the strap to the clip is easy and just takes a couple of minutes.

  No issues with hairy arms either!!

The Numbers: (19 out of 20)

HackMotion2.0 divides the golfer into 3 different patterns (A, B, and C).  When learning it is important to understand which release pattern you fall into as the instruction type follows that pattern.  Being a type A pattern, HackMotion quickly diagnosed me with the issue of too much flexion at impact.  

HackMotion will show an example of what you are doing and then offer a guided practice session to correct this issue.  I found that I did not utilize the guided practice often but would use HackMotion to check my positions when I strayed too much.

For me, the setup, use, and processes to understand your swing pattern helped me greatly in the translation between feel and real.  I initially focused on rotation as that was far off from the Pro swing graphs available to compare your numbers to.  This ultimately was not my main issue as reducing the amount of radial and flexion difference from address through my swing resulted in improved ball striking.  Oddly enough, my rotation numbers increased without focusing on that aspect.

Battery life and charging:  

Battery life is surprisingly long.  Out of the box, the battery had enough charge available for me and my son to go through a discovery and practice session.  Once plugged into a power brick (not included) it was fully charged in less than an hour.

Other facts:

I did not seek outside advice on how to utilize the device.  I think this is a long-term plan.  Although I found something in my swing very quickly that I felt improved my contact I believe it will be a great tool to use when things feel off.  You can review prior training sessions to see when you were hitting it well to what you may be doing wrong now.  One reviewer made an important note that you can log notes during practice sessions to review later. 

1 week into utilizing HackMotion my mid-long irons were vastly improved, but my driver and short irons had a setback.

On-Course: (17 out of 20)

Has the HackMotion translated to better performance on the course?  I think so, I feel I have a better understanding of my swing and tendencies when I am not swinging well.  I have not utilized the HackMotion while playing a round of golf.  My utilization of this tool is during practice sessions mostly in the comfort of my garage.  

*A key feature I enjoy with this device is using it at a public range.  You can change the feedback from audible to haptic (vibrations).  This allows you to use the device without disturbing others on the range.  Que the discussion of music on the course,

The Good, the bad, the inbetween: (16 out of 20)

My goal this year was to produce a round in the 60s for a PB.  I have not achieved this but have not given up hope.  I feel the HackMotion has put a focus on my wrist positions which has translated into better ball striking.  My driver and short irons are starting to dial in a bit more but currently, I am going long on most of my wedge shots from 70-120 yards.  Is that a good thing that I need to dial in more?  I am not sure.

Overall I have seen great improvements in striking but mainly consistency.  

I tried to get it to help with my putting, I've watched videos provided by HackMotion, compared graphs, and practiced a lot.  I do not think I have seen much improvement in this area.  What I have learned from the research and using HackMotion, is every putting stroke is not the same.  Consistency is key.  I'm just not there yet.

Play it or Trade it? (18 out of 20)

I mentioned it prior, but I believe this to be a long-term tool.  Also, I believe I will utilize it as a checkup intermittently on my golf swing.  I think HackMotion provides immediate feedback on understanding "Your Swing".  The ability to help translate feel and real is another viable option in addition to videoing your swing.  HackMotion fits in well in this regard.

Although, after saying that does the Pro version fit most golfers?  No!  I do not see the need to spend $1000 for most golfers on the pro version.  While the pro version offers some interesting data and Graphs to compare against Pro players.  I do not see that fitting into my budget.  I have a similar feeling towards to Pro version.  The core would be the sweet spot for most, even though for me, that is on the pricey side as well.  

Suggested improvements: Tempo training.  There is a tempo reading that is displayed during certain practice sessions but it seems underutilized in the application.

I think the Pro or Plus version is better suited for teaching professionals.  While the feedback, training videos, and information provided are excellent, I think it takes some greater understanding of the golf swing to fully unlock and understand the potential of this tool. 

Conclusion (TLDR):

Core version - possibly

Pro version - Probably not

Pro version - No, although pretty cool information

The device is great in translating feels and reals.  I "think" I have improved my swing and ball striking.  The claim of lowering handicaps quickly...kind of.  If I were to average my scores pre and post HackMotion I have shaved some strokes off my game.  Is this due to more practice, swing speed training, and increased concentration on the course or HackMotion2.0?  I think all of it has contributed to me shaving 3-4 shots off every round I play. 

There is so much to the golf swing, pivot, concentration, alignment, weight transfer, wrist conditions, and tempo.  HackMotion does a great job in one of these areas.  

Final Score: (90 out of 100)

 

 

 

Edited September 29 by NotScratchYet

[Glenmore5]

 

 

Ok...here goes with my initial intro of myself and expectations...

I am a septuagenarian and live in the Lower Blue Mountains of Sydney Australia..After hanging up my soccer boots,my wife suggested that I take up golf...my response....you are kidding....that game ?.....that was some 40 years ago...I was hooked and now play 3 times a week...vets/open/weekend comps...I play at a links course @Mulgoa...we have 27 holes and play '2' of those...a white course rated 137 and a blue one rated 148...

Have repped in various match play's for the club..vets (over 55's)...Masters (over 50's) and Super Seniors (over 65's)..

Enough about me....I am very excited about "Hack Motion"....entering this with my eyes open...until I read up on the offer...I had never heard of this training aid...

Am working on my swing plane...so this seems and ideal opportunity..

Will advise further once when the aid arrivesPlace...

 

 

On 8/16/2024 at 6:34 AM, Glenmore5 said:

Its now Friday 16/8/24..2.28pm in Syd Aus and the unit has arrived...Easy to set up and use....As this is a training aid...I cannot use it in my match play semi final tomorrow (Sat) and will go out on Monday for a test run..

 

Pics follow...

 

Official MGS Forum Review by Glenmore5

General

This training aid..‘HackMotion’ has audio and vibration feedback and gives you options on whether you play a signal at various times of the swing…contact for one and you definitely know when you are in the right zone..

This is the ‘Pro’ v and also allows you to check on your putting stroke..

Testing Grounds

Initially tested this in my back yard on a number of occasions…probably 20 mins sessions…amazing how you think your swing looks compared to the actual..PS…haven’t posted vids to avoid embarrassment….

Of course couldn’t hit balls…just hard practice swings taking a lot of divots…

Then progressed to the driving range…..went there half a doz times..1 hr each session..

Initially couldn’t seem to get into the groove….my strength is my short game and after hitting numerous wedges and flushing them…HM was telling me that I didn’t have ‘Enough flexion in transition’…weird…then tried practice swings only…and boom….got the ‘Green’ light…

Then to the putting green..again my strength…HM was again telling me that I was not within guidelines…even though the roll and putting speed was excellent….

Grading

Overall grading is 95

First Impressions (7 out of 10)

I have attached pictures of my sessions above.

This aid (IMO) is good for those who are extremely technically minded and want to work on their angles/set up (which are important) etc….I am a feel player not one that needs to work out whether I am in the right space to hit the ball…don’t get me wrong….I often work with my pro to make sure that I have the right angles to hit the ball where I need to..just that if you follow this aid to the letter…it MAY put you in the wrong space for your game.

Perhaps use this aid with your pro to see if it suits your game or where you want to go.

Aesthetics (10/10)

Overall Aesthetics is excellent…great fit for my hand and size..quality of unit and case is first class.

The Numbers ( 20 out of 20)

Setup:

Took me a while to understand ‘Flexion and Radial/Ulnar Deviation’…

Charging is quick…I charge after each session (as I do with most devices).

The online answers are fine to comprehend. Feedbacks are welcome and usually answered by the tele team within a reasonable time frame.

Have had a vid call with HM (Raimonds) and he and his colleague were very interested in the outcome of my initial testing..

They also took on board my query about the lack of feedback on well struck shots.

I found their metric about incorrect extension extremely useful and have concentrated on this since…I am now more aware to of extension at impact and now know when I have done that correctly…

 

On-Course ( 20  out of 20)
 

The positives of this aid was that I didn’t have to think about it on my wrist..ie;; other than trying to get the right plane etc…which didn’t end up being difficult.

It isn’t obtrusive and no different to wearing a gps watch.

The Good, the bad, the in between ( 20 out of 20)

As I have suggested earlier…great aid to find out where your angles etc are.Certainly has highlighted where improvement is needed in my game…suffice to say that I am more conscious of the extension angles and shaft lean..

Play it or Trade it? ( 18 out of 20)

I would play this only to keep and update on the important angles needed in a golf swing.

Not convinced that the asking price (presume $1k) warrants the aid.

Certainly useful for the majority of golfers.

Was hoping for a desktop option for my Mac…unfortunately not…

Conclusion

Great training aid…and I emphasize ‘AID’.

Use this with your pro to make sure your angles are on track and maintained.

Perhaps a reduction in the price could attract more buyers.

 

Final Score ( 95 of 100)

 

 

Edited August 11 by Glenmore5
Placeholder intro..

[Will A]

Introduction

Hello, fellow golf enthusiasts! I'm Will (very original handle) and I'm excited and honored to bring you my insights on the latest golf equipment. As a golfer approaching forty, I've spent many hours on the greens and fairways of some of Bluegrass State's finest courses. With a very honest handicap of 27, I approach the game with a blend of passion and humility, always eager to improve and enjoy every round.

Golf hasn’t always been a significant part of my life. I played daily in my youth but gave up on the game for over a decade before picking it back up about five years ago.  This adult reuptake has offered both challenges and moments of pure joy. As a former collegiate distance swimmer (DIII – I’m no Katie Ledecky!), I am competitive and athletic, but lack a certain amount of hand-eye coordination and, increasingly, range of motion.

In this product test, I'm pumped to be evaluating the HackMotion 2.0 to see how it performs in real-world conditions.  With a young family, consistency has been a struggle, and I hope the HackMotion will aid in improving the immediacy of feedback and efficiency of my practice sessions.

I currently use the Golfshot app paired to my Apple Watch and iPhone, which has some swing statistics and feedback, so it will be particularly interesting to see how the two compare.  One of the things I’m most looking forward to is the drills built around the sensors’ capabilities.  I think there is some real potential here to help with some of my common misses.

Whether you're a fellow high-handicapper or just interested in the latest gear, I hope my insights will help you make informed decisions for your own game.

Let's dive in and see what this equipment has to offer!

First Impressions - 9 out of 10

The box was smaller and lighter than I’d expected.

That’s largely because there’s practically nothing in there but the essentials consisting of a case (about the size and weight of a sunglasses case), the sensor with your choice of attachment (hand strap or glove clip), a charging cord, and a folded slip of paper with basic instructions.

I may technically be a millennial, but I still love the tactile sensations of well-designed promotional literature.  In full recognition that it saves on design, printing, and shipping costs (and the obsolescence that comes with updates), I deducted a point for the spartan contents.  If I’d dropped a grand on this gadget, I’d expect more.

With that negative out of the way, everything else is fantastic!  If you can’t manage to download an app and press the one button the sensor, you shouldn’t be buying this device.  A few quick questions about your game and goals, and you are on your way.

Next, you calibrate the device, which simply involves holding your forearm and wrist horizontal, then raising to 30-45 degrees and hitting a button in the app.  Then the magic happens!

I have experienced seen some augmented reality art installations that were pretty cool, but watching a robotic arm appear on the screen like a cyborg mirror of your own arm is wild!  Guffaw and grin-inducing, for sure.

First real test was some putting practice on the mat in my basement.  The HM gives instant feed back on whether your wrist angles stayed in the desired range, and gives you lots of metrics to review.  This year, I’ve averaged 39.4 putts per round, which is about average according to published stats for my handicap.  If my home course didn’t have notoriously challenging greens that routinely stimp in the 11-13 range, I’m sure that number would be lower.  I have confidence in my putting stroke, just not my green-reading or distance control.  Initial tests with the HM confirm that I have a pretty solid putting stroke. 

I haven’t yet figured out if, or how, it will give analysis or recommendations for putting drills.  But just having something to remind me if my movement is jerky or out of range will be helpful.

I’ve just barely dipped into the swing analysis so far, but initial results are encouraging for the possibilities.  The sensor needs the vibration of a ball strike to recognize and analyze a swing. 

Unfortunately, I haven’t had time to make it to the course/range yet.  However, through trial I found that it will (sometimes) pick up the vibrations from a whiffle-type practice ball that the neighbor’s kid routinely leaves in my backyard.  After 10 measured swings with a spare wedge (aimed at the back wall of my house, since I don’t have a net), the app was ready to make some recommendations.  Unsurprisingly, this high-handicapper’s swing could use some work.

I can’t wait to start trying the drills and developing better swing habits.  My expectations are high, and I will be disappointed if this device doesn’t lead to several strokes off my handicap in short order!

 

Aesthetics (8 out of 10)

The device was well-designed, if simple. About the size of an Apple Watch. One button. One charging port. Not much to get confused about or to mess up. Sleek, modern, minimal. 

There was no potential for customization; but why would one want to customize a sensor anyhow?

Durability and built quality are average. The sensor is quite light and doesn’t seem of a particularly strong build. Use the sunglasses case with custom foam insert and you should get several years out of it. Throw it in the bottom of a pocket on your bag and I’d except less. 

The wire holding the sensor that attaches to the back of your glove or palm strap reminds me of an iPhone charger, and that is not a compliment. It will be a failure point. See above about storage conditions. 

Speaking of the palm strap, I wasn’t a fan. I much preferred the glove clip. But I appreciate them giving the user the option, especially for putting and green-side practice, or even working on non-dominant hand angles. Other companies might charge $10 extra for a $.10 strap, so I’ll give them credit. 

I did not have a failure issue like VandyLand had, but I can see it happening. Rather than a full patch of Velcro, they glued or fused on small strips. His experience isn’t surprising. 

The storage case is fine. Small, light, durable enough. The mesh pocket is a good place to keep the USB charging cord or glove clip. No complaints. 

 

The Numbers (15 out of 20)

One thing that’s hard to know is how accurate these sensors are. When measuring fractions of degrees of rotational differences based on sensors strapped for your wrist and the back of your glove, I have to assume there is some serious deviation. I don’t question the value in the repeated numbers, however; 

The numbers are clear, but as I’ve said elsewhere, they are not the easiest to understand or to make use of. I think this is ultimately a tool best used by or with the assistance of someone with a deep understanding of the biomechanics of the golf swing. But that’s no different than any other golf tech. Owning a Trackman probably wouldn’t do a lot for the average amateur without the guidance of how to make meaningful adjustments.

Battery life was never an issue for me. I charged it before each session and never had a problem. If a teaching pro or swing coach were using this with multiple clients a day, it could be a concern. It just never was one for me. 

The analytics built into the system certainly focus on the extension/flexion metric, almost exclusively. Rotation and ulnar/radial deviation are measured but not emphasized. 

 

On-Course (18 out of 20)

I only used the sensors during practice sessions on the range. This was for two reasons:  (1) I don’t think this product would be appropriate to use on-course under the rules and (2) I use an Apple Watch based app to give me distances and track my scoring. I guess you could wear an Apple Watch and the sensors, but it would be awkward. 

I found the sensors to be a great addition to my warm-up routine when playing. A few laps through the dynamic swing drills with the haptic feedback turned on seemed to really help me find my swing. This seemed to follow me on-course. 

 

The Good, the bad, the inbetween (15 out of 20)

After the initial thrill of seeing a cyborg arm on a screen mimicking my arm movements wore off, I am not sure if I can say I particularly enjoy wearing it. There is so much data it can feel overwhelming. But I do enjoy what it’s done for my game. 

My favorite part of the system is the haptic feedback during swing drills. I cannot emphasize enough how helpful it is for building muscle memory to feel that vibration when you are “in-range” while working those drills. Especially for a beginning or intermediate golfer like myself, it would cost a fortune to pay a pro to constantly correct your swing positions. Being able to move yourself into the correct position while working these drills is a great value. 

At the Pro level, the app allows you to measure your swing against a library of swing profiles, or even to your own “good” swing. What I would love to see is the ability to set the ranges inside the haptic feedback drills to your preferred range. Not everyone has the same swing, and it would be nice to not have to fit your swing to the system’s preferred pattern. 

I also wish the drill library were bigger. It focuses exclusively on extension/flexion. I would like to see some that look at ulnar/radial and rotation, as well. 

 

Play it or Trade it? (20 out of 20)

While I may sound negative about this product, let me emphasize this point:  my handicap dropped from 26.7 to 22.3 in a few weeks of using this system a little less than weekly. This improvement has largely come from better iron play. Interestingly, the changes made to my swing seem to have hurt my driving distance a little. If I can get my driver back in form, I expect I’ll be in the upper teens in no time. 

There’s no competition for one of 14 slots in my bag, so there’s no doubt I will “play it.”  I really appreciate the one-time purchase model. A software subscription model would be much harder to answer. 

 

Conclusion

At the end of the day, this device has a lot to offer golfers looking to understand and improve their swing dynamics. At current pricing, the Core ($295) is a great value for the beginner and intermediate golfer. The features available at this level are where I spent most of my time. 

I saw little value in the putting features, so would not spend extra for the Plus package ($495). My putting stroke is solid (even if my green reading isn’t). YMMV. 

The Pro level ($995) adds the full suite. It’s a big number that I wouldn’t justify, but for those who want to really nerd out on swing analytics or for a pro working with clients, I can certainly see the value. 

 

Final Score (92 out of 100)

Edited September 29 by Will A
Final Review

[GolfSpy_APH]

Will be following closely to decide if it is right to upgrade or not. I hear they have a lot of cool things coming with HackMotion.

[TJ Hall]

Congratulations testers!  Really interested to hearing your thoughts on this!

[Rearviewmirror]

Congrats to the testers! I'll be very interested to hear how this goes. Particularly of interest to me is whether you feel like it helps with consistent takeaway in terms of path/face angle.

[rkj427]

Congratulations to this group of testers.

Looking forward to seeing the improvements/enhancements of this version.

[TSauer]

Congrats, testers! I'm curious on this one. I used something similar called Zepp many, many years ago so this stuff intrigues me.

[ejgaudette]

Congrats testers should be an interesting and fun test.

[Shrek74]

18 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Please welcome and congratulate our testers

@vandyland 

@NotScratchYet 

@Glenmore5 

@Will A

Congrats to the testers!! I have the gen 1 version and am very interested in hearing your opinion about the gen 2 and if it's worth me upgrading. Good luck!!

[xOldBenKenobiX]

Congrats testers

@vandyland, @NotScratchYet, @Glenmore5 and @Will A

 

[Yorkie07]

Congratulations. Excited to hear the feedback on the 2.0

[Yorkie07]

Congratulations. Excited to hear the feedback on the 2.0

[Yorkie07]

Congratulations. Excited to hear the feedback on the 2.0

[Yorkie07]

Congratulations. Excited to hear the feedback on the 2.0

[golfinnut]

Congrats everyone!  I've wondered if this actually works or not 

[vandyland]

Very honored and excited to test out the product! Been re-reading the previous Hack Motion review thread and looking to see how the developers have improved upon the previous product and trying to learn from the OG testers. Seems like there is a fairly steep learning curve on the charts but I am diving into the Scott Cowx and Hackmotion YouTube channels to try to get a headstart on interpreting the charts. As someone who has owned a smart-ball, swing setter, dwnundr board, Bender stick and Blast motion putting sensor.....I like swing/training aids as a way of learning the correct motion feels/patterns. Pumped!

[SVCRATES]

Looking forward to reading what the testers report on this system.  

[Bohnson]

Congrats, seems like great tech! 

[Josh Parker]

Congrats testers!  Can't wait to follow along and see how this device helps your game.

[BradM]

Can’t wait to hear the feedback in this device. 

[3Putt4Double]

Congrats testers!!

[GolferXY]

Congrats to the testers!  Very cool opportunity for the inside scoop on what I think is awesome, even ground breaking tech.  Looking forward to your findings, Spies!  This looks like something that would help my game.

[Patrick Dawes]

Congrats would like to hear how well this works.  Been trying to work on my wrists to get the face closed and this looks like it could help.

[Ejgorka]

Really curious about this one. Enjoy testers! 

[DarthTakko]

Congrats! Looking forward to the results, held off on 1st gen because I wanted to see the product mature 

[Coulter]

Congratulations!!

[MGSMGSMGSMGS]

One thing I've struggled with is the whole concept of feel vs real.   I'll try to make swing changes and record myself and just can't seem to nail certain positions.

The idea of real time feedback with the hackmotion seems like such a huge game changer for folks like myself.   Super interested to read the feedback from the testers!