Malaga-based European Tour player, Carlos Rodiles, officially opened the TaylorMade Performance Lab at La Cala Resort, Mijas, Málaga in early April. This was also the first time that Carlos used the high-tech facility, only available in Europe at La Cala. “It is a fantastic system. This machine really gives you an edge and I’m not just talking about professionals. It could give even more of an edge to the amateur golfer and could result in them losing up to four or five shots off their handicap.”
TaylorMade Performance Labs offer the same state-of-the-art computerised fitting system used by PGA, LPGA and Champions Tour players. Nine cameras track the position of fifteen special reflective markers placed on the body and the clubs to capture the motion of your swing in real-time. By measuring the position of the markers, a detailed three-dimensional animation of the swing is produced. The animation can be viewed in motion or stop action from any perspective: above, below, front, back or either side of the body. It’s an extraordinary tool that elevates swing analysis to an entirely new level and is designed to help a player pick both the perfect set of clubs and assist with instruction. In addition, a separate integrated launch monitor measures the speed of the club and ball, as well as the launch angle and spin rate.
Carlos says that club-fitting is the way to go now. “Before you didn’t have systems like this available. Now, you need to get whatever edge you can. Apart for identifying the correct clubs for you, it is also great for instruction. I will get the DVD of today’s session and show it to my coach. It is so much easier to see changes rather than just being told what to alter. In about three or four months I will come back to compare the swings. With this system I can even overlay one swing on another.”
“Comparing the TaylorMade Performance Lab system to other swing-analysis systems is like comparing the space shuttle with a hot-air balloon,” says Quintin van der Berg, Director of the David Leadbetter Golf Academy. “Both fly, but the quality of the experience and sophistication of the space shuttle is incomparable. I have been through other fitting systems; been to demo days and worked my way through clubs in fitting carts, but nothing I have experienced compares to the TaylorMade Performance Lab. Guests will see a remarkable, computerised 3-D image of their swing with instantaneous feedback.”
Carlos began as a caddie for his scratch handicap father, Carlos Snr, before going to study finance at the University of Florida where he spent four years and played for the college team. He gained a European Tour card for the first time through the 1998 Qualifying School and, although he lost it the following year, he regained his playing privileges through the Challenge Tour in 2000 and was a fixture on the European Tour for the next five years, going closest to his maiden victory in 2003 when Fredrik Jacobsen beat him in a play-off for the Volvo Masters. He lost his card at the end of a difficult 2005 away from the course but emerged joint winner of the 2006 Qualifying School.
For further information on the TaylorMade Lab call 952 66 9037 or e-mail lacala@imgworld.com to schedule an appointment.
