MIchelle Wie’s Favorite Swing Analyzer Just Got Better

Swing analyzers, swing trainers, whatever you want to call the technology, the digital side of golf is evolving rapidly. So rapid is the evolution, in fact, that the Zepp Website actually changed while I was using it. That is to say that I left it up last night, and when I came back to the computer this morning, the site had been overhauled to celebrate the arrival of Zepp 2 (the next generation).

As you’ll recall from last year’s Swing Analyzer Test, we’re big fans of the first generation Zepp product. It’s the easiest to use of the current crop of 3D swing analyzers, and that makes it exceptionally golfer-friendly. It provides enough data to be useful, yet not overwhelming, and its suite of tools make addressing the swing flaws detected by Zepp manageable.

Basically my mom could use. Well, not my mom, but maybe yours could.

While there’s nothing truly revolutionary in Zepp 2, it builds on the already solid foundation of the original, while leaving the door open for significant expansion of its capabilities in the not so distant future.

Introducing Smart Coach

The most noteworthy addition to Zepp’s feature set is what the company calls Smart Coach.

If Smart Coach works as advertised, after you’ve taken three or ten swings (the app gives you an option), the software intelligence will analyze your swing and provide you with a detailed lesson plan (videos featuring Michelle Wie, Keegan Bradley, Rick Smith, and Pat Shea). As you work your customized program, the app will track your progress over time.

There is also a fitness training component with drills and exercises designed to help increase flexibility and core strength. Zepp’s goal is to make you a more well-rounded athlete, or at least a less round athlete.

Again, a good bit of this is just a refined approach to what Zepp already does, and the good news is that Smart Coach will available to users of the original Zepp.

It’s Still Easy

 

As with the previous model, Zepp 2 can measure the following aspects of your swing.

• Club Speed
• Club Plan
• Hand Plane
• Backswing Position
• Tempo
• Hip Rotation

3D and video analysis carry over as well.

The easy-to-digest data presentation and simplicity of use carry through as well.

New Hardware

More promise and intrigue than beneficial reality at this point is Zepp 2’s updated form factor. The new circular sensor features two accelerometers, two gyroscopes, is Bluetooth LE compatible, and offers twice the battery life.

In addition to the hardware upgrades, the sensor is designed to more easily embed into equipment…and that’s where things could get interesting.

Looking at the Zepp 1 vs. Zepp 2 comparison chart, you should note that the new version is Smart Equipment Ready.

What does that mean?

Imagine what might be possible if you could take the Zepp sensor off the glove and embed it into a club grip, maybe clip it to the shaft, or potentially affix it to the sole of a driver or the cavity of an iron. Possibilities are limitless.

Zepp’s vision of the future involves and open-source, industry-standard sensor solution that can be integrated into all kinds of devices. Thus far the only real-world example is the Mike Trout Old Hickory Smart Bat Powered by Zepp. Using the Smart Bat as a proof of concept, it doesn’t take much imagination to see how Zepp could expand its reach into the golf world.

There’s infinite potential here. We’ll just have to wait and see what comes of it.

Zepp Golf 2 retails for $149.99. More information is available at Zepp.com.