How to Set Up Your Phone at the Driving Range

The best camera angle for golf swing analysis is face-on — directly facing you, at hip height, 8-10 feet away. Here's how to set it up at the range in 60 seconds.

Position

Place your phone on a tripod or lean it against your bag, directly in front of you. The camera should be at hip height (about 3 feet off the ground). Too high catches too much sky. Too low distorts body proportions.

Distance

6-10 feet from the ball. Your full body — head to feet — needs to be visible in the frame, including your club at the top of the backswing. If the club gets cut off, move the phone back.

Lighting

Face the sun (or have it behind the camera). Backlighting kills pose detection — your body becomes a silhouette. Morning and late afternoon are ideal. Midday works if you're not facing the sun.

The two views

Face-on (recommended): Best for shoulder turn, hip turn, X-Factor, weight shift, sway detection. This is what most coaches film from.

Down-the-line: Best for swing plane, spine angle, club path. Set the camera behind you, slightly inside the target line.

Start with face-on. It gives the most data. Add down-the-line later when you want to check specific things.