P3ProSwing sells golf simulators and swing analyzers … as well as all the software and accessories you need to create a home-based unit or a commercial set-up with all the bells and whistles. Jay Russo, Managing Director of P3ProSwing, describes the company’s high-tech products in the following interview. For more detailed information, visit the P3ProSwing web site.
Jay Russo
Golf Conversations: What’s your background as a golfer?
Jay Russo: I caddied in high school and college during the summers. In fact, that’s one of the reasons I started a golf simulator company. We used to make fun of the guys that had “million dollar clubs, but a ten cent swing.”
GC: How long has P3ProSwing been in business?
JR: We started up research and development about six years ago, and took a year to develop the P3ProSwing. It was a major collaboration of hardware designers, software designers, and lots of testing for accuracy. The P3ProSwing hit the market in time for the holiday season five years ago this November.
GC: Do you use the P3ProSwing system? If so, how has it helped your game?
JR: I use the P3ProSwing all the time. I have one here at the office and also one at home, set up in my bonus room over the garage. I’ll practice a few swings around lunch time every day, and every Thursday night during the winter I have an informal golf league at the house. I have a couple of my neighbors who are golfers over and we play one of the courses. It’s a nice way to unwind after a long day. Practicing so frequently on the P3ProSwing helps me keep good form – and I’m always working on improving my muscle memory. I’m a member of one of the golf clubs in my area, and out of the green grass course, it’s easy to slip into bad habits. When you’re working or playing on the simulator, you’re seeing exactly where your swing is slipping, and you’re able to correct easily it as it happens.
GC: What percentage of P3ProSwings are purchased by individuals as compared to teaching professionals, club fitters and commercial customers?
JR: I’d say it’s about 50/50, personal and business. Regular golfers buy P3ProSwing for game improvement because it’s affordable and entertaining, and pros buy because of the accuracy and the wealth of information you get with each swing.
GC: How much space would an individual need to set up a golf station at home, or in the garage or basement?
JR: Well, you need at least enough space to swing a driver. For the average golfer, that’s about 9½’ of ceiling height. Other than that we have several golf studio packages available that are able to fit almost any type of space.
GC: What kind of technology does the P3ProSwing system use?
JR: We use infrared technology. There are 65 optical elements that read the bottom of your club as it moves through the impact zone: 5 inches before the ball, at impact, and 6 inches after the ball. The sensors measure angle of attack, face angle, in/out swing path, sweet spot deviation, club speed, swing tempo and toe and heel heights. From these measurements, an algorithm is applied to calculate hit distance and carry distance. Because we measure the club and not the ball, the P3ProSwing is 99.9% accurate.
GC: What is the difference between P3ProSwing and other systems?
JR: We decided to go in a different direction with our technology than other golf simulator companies. We took the path less traveled, so to speak. All of our technology is bundled in a “sensor unit” which is about the size of a laptop. The size of the technology makes it extremely portable, so pros can bring the technology with them to lessons, and business executives can have it right in their office – most just hook it up to their laptops and take a few practice swings at lunch.
GC: Are software updates included with the purchase price?
JR: Each new sensor unit comes with the most current version of our P3ProSwing software.
GC: How many different P3ProSwing models are available?
JR: We have two models: the CLARET and the Golf Digest Simulator Analyzer.
GC: How long does it take to receive a P3ProSwing after it has been ordered?
JR: We pick and pack your golf simulator within 24 hours of receiving your order. You receive it within 1-5 business days as long as you’re in the US. Obviously, international orders take longer because of shipping time and customs.
GC: How long does it take to set it up?
JR: If you get a sensor unit only, it takes 15-20 minutes to install the software onto your computer and plug in the unit. If you get golf studio options along with your P3ProSwing, the studio will take longer to set up. We provide complete step-by-step illustrated instructions with each order, so it’s pretty easy. A couple of hours at most, again depending on how big of a studio you ordered.
GC: Does P3ProSwing need to be “tuned” or “calibrated” to keep it in proper working condition?
JR: No calibration is necessary, ever. The P3ProSwing is 99.9% accurate right out of the box, and can be picked up and moved to any level surface anywhere – and it will maintain its accuracy.
GC: If something is wrong with the unit, how would an owner get it fixed?
JR: We have more than 8,000 units in the field – and over the course of five years, less than 1% of them have had to come in for repair. 99% of the time we can troubleshoot right over the phone. We have a phenomenal support staff. If we can’t fix it over the phone, all it takes is a quick call to get a return authorization number, and then you ship the unit back to our manufacturing facility. We fix the unit in-house, in the United States. We can also send you out a free loaner if you don’t like to be without your P3ProSwing.
GC: Do you know of any touring pros that have P3ProSwing in their homes?
JR: I’d rather not mention names, due to privacy concerns.
GC: Does the P3ProSwing system work better with Windows 7 versus earlier versions of Windows?
JR: Our software is designed to work equally great with all versions of Windows.
GC: Does it work with a Mac?
JR: No. It was cost prohibitive to design the software for two operating platforms, and as of 2008, only 3% of total computer sales were Apple products. So we went for the 97% majority of computer owners who use PC based systems.
GC: Is P3ProSwing similar to systems used at golf club Demo Days or in some golf retail stores?
JR: P3ProSwing is installed in each new Sports Authority store; we are up to more than 100 units installed in Golf Day sections around the United States.
GC: Do most people who have a P3ProSwing in their homes enjoy it more for swing analysis or for playing simulated golf?
JR: In homes, we find that most golfers use P3ProSwing for game improvement. The course options are also popular, which is why we are so excited to be able to offer our 37 new courses now. These include some of the most famous golf destinations in the world. Of course, you get complete swing analysis on each swing on the courses, so it’s not like you’re giving up one for another. You can have your cake and eat it too.
GC: How can a golfer use the data from P3ProSwing to help with his game?
JR: The best way is to work with the P3ProSwing with your pro. A pro can tell you the correct numbers that you’re looking for in each swing. Ideally, on any swing you want to aim for a square face angle and a square in/out swing path. Other swing metrics really depend on the type of swing you’re taking. If you’re using an iron, you want to have a downward angle of attack – you want to get under that ball. But for a powerful drive, you want to have a slight upward angle of attack to make the ball fly.
GC: How can playing golf courses on P3ProSwing improve someone’s game?
JR: Each stroke you take on the P3ProSwing golf courses is analyzed. You can see how hitting the ball in different ways affects ball behavior. Practicing different techniques in different situations in a controlled environment and experimenting with your swing is a powerful way to improve your game. Plus, who doesn’t like to play on world-famous courses? Playing a famous course, for instance the oldest and most distinguished golf club in Scotland, is sure to have you playing and practicing more in the off season. And as we all know, practice makes perfect.
