SwingMate Golf Swing Speed Measurement Device

swingmate home | features | specifications | faq | manual | beltronics home


SwingMate Owner's Manual

SwingMate is a portable, battery operated device that provides you with immediate and accurate feedback on an important aspect of your swing - your clubhead speed. SwingMate will bring a new level of understanding to your golf game.

Whether you're a scratch golfer, or just learning, SwingMate will help you achieve a more consistent and powerful swing by recording your swing speeds automatically - and calculating the distance the ball should travel.

Calculate Your Optimal Swing Speed

SwingMate lets you review your last 10 swing speeds, check the variance in your speed and calculate your average speed. Once you've minimized the variance in your swing speed, you can once again compute the average and store it as your optimal swing speed. Using this optimal swing speed (providing it is computed using a driver) SwingMate will now determine the appropriate club for you to use for all of your approach shots.

Use SwingMate indoors, on the driving range, or on the course, and watch your game improve!

Please read this entire manual to ensure that you receive full benefit from all SwingMate has to offer.

For questions concerning the operation of SwingMate, please call 800-341-2288 (M-F 8am-6pm Eastern).


 To table of contents


Profile of Features

SwingMate

  1. Power Button: Pressing the power button and holding for two seconds turns SwingMate on and activates the digital display. The unit is now in the speed mode and ready to measure your swing speed.
  2. Dist / Club Button: Pressing the distance button will display club selection (iron & wood) and provide the distance the ball should travel based on your swing speed.
  3. Memory Button: Pressing the memory button will cycle through your swing speeds. Ten memory locations are provided. The average of these swings can be calculated by continuing to press and hold the memory key down for 3 seconds. This can then be stored as the optimal speed.
  4. Digital Display: Communicates club speed in miles per hour, club selection (iron & wood), distance in yards, and indicates when battery requires replacement.
  5. Antenna Opening: This end of SwingMate must be facing the direction of your swing in order to calculate a speed measurement. Do not block this area.
  6. Auto Shut-Off: If SwingMate is left on for a period longer than five minutes, and no swing or button activity is made, the unit will automatically shut itself off to conserve battery power.
  7. Battery Compartment: SwingMate operates on a 9-volt battery that fits into the compartment situated at the top of the back end of the unit. The image of a battery will illuminate when power is insufficient to accurately measure your swing speed.

 To table of contents


General Guidelines

SwingMate provides you with four basic benefits to improve your golf game.

  • Accurately determines your swing speed with any club
  • Determines distance ball should travel based on swing speed in an ideal situation
  • Memorizes swing speeds an computes average or optimal swing speed
  • Lets you use your optimal swing speed to help select clubs for various distance shots

SwingMate may be used in any location where you can safely swing a golf club - with or without a ball. You may find SwingMate is most useful on the driving range. Of course, SwingMate may also be successfully used in your yard, indoors, on the tee-off area, or on the fairway.

Wherever you use SwingMate, keep in mind the following:

  • Do not place SwingMate in front of your swing, always behind (approximately three feet) directly in line with the ball.
  • Do not place SwingMate in wet or tall grass that may cover the antenna portion of the unit (figure A); speed readings can be affected. We recommend placing SwingMate on top of the protective carrying case in these circumstances (figure B).

    Avoid wet or tall grass

  • Do not place SwingMate in any situation where there is a danger of it being hit.
  • Do not place SwingMate in a situation where it is susceptible to shock or vibration while in use, such as an area rug; speed readings can be affected.
  • Always store SwingMate in its carrying case to protect the unit against damage.
  • Remember! Golf is a game that involves certain etiquette. Do not use SwingMate in such a way as to violate any rules such as slowing your play down appreciably.

Battery Information

SwingMate has been packaged with one 9-volt battery placed in the battery compartment (see below for installation). The performance of SwingMate is not affected by battery type, however, battery type does affect the length of operating time. A regular alkaline battery should provide a normal seasons use. We do not recommend using nickel-cadmium rechargeable types (commonly called "NiCad") or general purpose carbon-zinc batteries

Caution: Don not leave SwingMate in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time. Exposure to extreme heat can damage goth the battery and your unit. Warranty will be void in this situation. Return your unit to its protective case when not in use.

Battery Installation:

  1. With the unit turned off, slide the compartment lid out in the direction indicated by the arrow.
  2. Connect the 9-volt battery by attaching it to the battery clip. Press the battery down into place.
  3. Replace the battery compartment lid.

Battery life will vary with each type used. Listed in the Battery Types / Information section is information on both alkaline and lithium type batteries. Review of this section will provide you with a better understanding of the advantages of each battery type.

Note: Removing the battery at any time will not erase the memory.

Auto Shut-Off Warning

The Auto Shut-Off feature is provided to conserve battery life in the event your unit is accidentally left on. SwingMate will automatically shut off if no swing or button activity is made in any five minute period.

Low Battery Warning

SwingMate will indicate to you when battery power is low via the illumination of a battery symbol on the digital display. Accuracy of the unit will be reduced if the battery is not changed within a reasonable amount of time from when the battery symbol first illuminates.

Setup / How to Use

SwingMate is useful in several possible situations. A typical use would be at a driving range. Each golfer has a swing speed that would be the optimum of speed and control. By practicing with SwingMate you can determine what speed gives you the best distance while still maintaining proper control of the club. Proper control of the club implies that the club hits the ball squarely in such a way as to give good elevation without hooking or slicing.

Each time you turn your unit on, SwingMate will be in the speed mode and ready to measure your swing speed. For optimum results, place SwingMate approximately three feet directly behind the golf ball tee-off position and in line with the direction of the club stroke.

Place approximately 3 feet behind the ball

Proceed with your normal swing and the club speed will be calculated and displayed. An audible "beep" will sound to confirm a speed reading has been taken.

 To table of contents


Description of Features

Power On / Speed Mode

Pressing the power button will turn SwingMate on and place the unit in the speed mode. The digital display is preset to 100 mph. SwingMate is ready to record your swing speed, which can be saved in a total of 10 storage locations.

Dist / Club Button

SwingMate can approximate the distance the ball travels if the speed and golf club type are known. This distance is computed assuming a "normal" set of conditions including squarely hitting the ball, no wind, etc.

Club Selection

SwingMate will measure the swing speed of any club. To select your club, press the distance key repeatedly, or hold the distance key down until the desired club is displayed; release your finger when you reach your desired selection. The clubs will be displayed in the order of WOOD 1, 3, 4, and 5, followed by IRON 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and P for pitching wedge. You will notice that the display will slowly "toggle" back and forth between the swing speed (100 mph if nothing has been saved in memory) and the approximate distance the ball will travel (in yards) based on your swing speed. Pressing the distance button once again will bring you back into the speed mode.

Memory Button

SwingMate will record your last ten swing speeds automatically. This information will enable you to develop swing consistency through practice. The more you practice with SwingMate, the more you will improve your consistency and driving distance. To cycle through your memorized speed readings, press and release the memory button until all ten measurements have been displayed via a "rolling" format. As you cycle through the speed readings, no miles per hour designation will appear in conjunction with your speed readings. You'll hear a "beep" as each of the memorized speed readings appear on the display. (The first reading in the display will be "0" if no optimal speed has been calculated.) Continuing to press the memory button and receiving no audible beeps indicates the end of the memorized speed measurements.

Calculating Average Swing Speed

The memory function also allows you to compute the average of all your measured swing speeds (all the "memory locations" don't have to be full to get an average) and stores it as your optimal speed. Your user speed will now appear each time SwingMate is turned on.

Note: This optimal speed must be your average speed using a driver, since this speed is used for club selection (see below).

Club Selection

With your optimal speed saved, press the memory button. Now press the distance button and the display will cycle through distances from 200 to 100 yards in decrements of 10. Release your finger when you arrive at your desired distance and the proper club selection will be displayed. Receiving two "dashes" with the club selection of a 3 wood signifies an undershoot. Conversely, two dashes appearing with a pitching wedge indicates an overshoot.

Memory Erase

You can erase the 10 memory locations at any time. With the unit turned off, simultaneously press the memory and distance buttons followed by the power on. The unit will now power up with 100 mph in the display and all memory locations will be cleared.

 To table of contents


Battery Types / Information

Battery Type Comments
Lithium 9-volt Provides maximum number of operating hours. Not widely available.
Alkaline 9-volt Provides approximately half the operating hours a the lithium battery type. Available in most drug stores and supermarkets.

Note: Whether you choose lithium or alkaline battery types, the result is the same performance.

Important

  1. We recommend using fresh batteries purchased from a high volume retailer. Some brands indicate shelf life expiration.
  2. Battery life is maximum at room temperature. Temperature range for both lithium and alkaline is 0°F to 150°F (17°C to 65°C).
  3. Do not leave the battery in SwingMate for prolonged periods of time without operating the unit. The warranty for SwingMate is void for units damaged by battery leakage.
  4. Please be environmentally conscious when disposing of used batteries. Many cities have domestic waste disposal centers. Check to see if your city has such a disposal center.

Note: Battery life is dependent on many variables, including temperature, type and brand.

 To table of contents


Troubleshooting

If your unit is not receiving power or is not operating correctly, please refer to the outline below.

Problem Possible Cause Corrective Procedure
Unit not receiving power Dead battery Replace battery
Battery clip not properly connected Re-connect battery clip
Power button not properly pressed Power button must be pressed and held until display comes on
Unit not recording swing speed Unit may have been placed in wet and/or tall grass Place unit on top of carrying case
Unit is not properly placed SwingMate should be approximately 3 feet directly behind your swing and in line with your ball

 To table of contents


Consumer Warranty

Limited 1 Year Warranty

  1. This warranty covers all defects in materials and workmanship. This warranty does not apply if the unit has been subject to physical abuse, improper use, modification, or if the housing or serial number of the unit has been removed.
  2. BELTRONICS manufactures its products using parts and components which are new or equivalent to new in accordance with industry standard practices.
  3. The enforceability of this warranty is limited to the original consumer purchaser and is not transferable to, or enforceable by, any subsequent owner.
  4. In the event of a defect, malfunction, or other failure to conform to this warranty, BELTRONICS will, at its sole discretion, repair or replace the unit at no charge. You are responsible for all shipping costs in connection with warranty service pursuant to this warranty.
  5. This warranty commences on the date of retail purchase and shall be effective for a period of one year.
  6. In order to obtain warranty service pursuant to this warranty, you must return the unit to BELTRONICS, postage prepaid, insured, and in suitable packaging to the appropriate address listed in the section on Service Arrangements. Include with the unit your name, complete return address, and telephone number along with a brief description of the problem. If the Warranty Registration Card was not mailed within 10 days of the date of purchase, also include a photocopy of the dated sales receipt for the unit. Warranty service may only be performed by BELTRONICS.
  7. There are no express warranties covering the unit other than those set forth in this warranty. All implied warranties are limited to the one year period of this warranty and no warranties expressed or implied, extend beyond this one-year period. Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation may not apply to you.
  8. BELTRONICS will in no event be liable for any consequential, incidental, indirect or special damages (including, but not limited to, lost profits) arising out of or in connection with the use, misuse, or function of the unit. Some states do not allow the exclusion of limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.
  9. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
  10. We request that you complete and return the enclosed Warranty Registration within 10 days from the date of purchase. However, return of the Warranty Registration Card is not a condition to warranty coverage or performance under this warranty. If you do not return the Warranty Registration Card within 10 days of purchase, you must provide a copy of a dated sales receipt for your unit in order to receive warranty service.

Service Under Warranty

If you feel your SwingMate is not functioning properly, please review this manual. If you still feel service is required, please follow the instructions below.

  1. To obtain service during the one year warranty period, call the number below for return authorization:

    Beltronics USA
    800-341-2288
    M-F 8am-6pm Eastern time
    Return your SwingMate postage paid, insured, and in suitable packaging to:

    Beltronics USA
    5442 West Chester Rd.
    West Chester, OH 45069-2950
  2. For your own protection, obtain a proof of delivery receipt. Shipping costs are your responsibility.
  3. Enclose with your unit the following information:
    1. Your name, complete return address (no P.O. Boxes please) and written description of the problem.
    2. A telephone number where you can be reached during regular business hours.
    3. A copy of your dated sales receipt, if the Warranty Registration Card was not mailed within 10 days of purchase.
  4. The Post Warranty Service arrangements apply if the Warranty Registration card was not mailed within 10 days of purchase or a copy of your dated sales receipt is not enclosed.

Post Warranty Service

The following arrangements apply if your unit is no longer covered under warranty and service is required.

  1. Call Beltronics USA for the current out of warranty repair charges, and follow steps 1 through 3(b) in the Warranty Service section.
  2. Beltronics USA can take your credit card information when you call for Return Authorization. If you did not arrange payment by credit card, enclose a check or money order for the post warranty repair charge.

If you have any questions concerning service arrangements, please call:

Beltronics USA
800-341-2288
M-F 8am-6pm Eastern

 To table of contents


Specifications

Operating Frequency:  10.525 GHz (X band)

Radiated Power:  < 1 mw

Voltage:  9-volt battery (alkaline or lithium)

Current:  25 mA (up to 25 hours of operating life using alkaline battery)

Operating Temperature Range:  32°F to 120°F (0°C to 50°C)

Nominal Measurement Range:  40 mph to 135 mph



Specifications subject to change without notice.

 To table of contents



swingmate home | features | specifications | faq | manual | beltronics home