Golf: Woods goes mobile with his instruction

Tiger Woods is now giving lessons on mobile phones.

Woods launched a mobile application Wednesday called, "Tiger Woods: My Swing," for the iPhone and iPod touch geared toward helping golfers of all skill levels improve through video analysis and instruction.

The cost is $NZ13.99, which is significantly higher than other such applications - Paul Azinger has an instruction app for $NZ1.29 - but Woods said his share of the proceeds go toward the Tiger Woods Foundation.

Woods said he would not have done the app except that it benefits his foundation, specifically with college scholarships.

So which swing is it?

Woods and his foundation came up with the idea six months ago, right after Woods embarked on his fourth swing change as a pro and began working with Sean Foley. The video was taped over two sessions at his home course of Isleworth and at the Tiger Woods Learning Center in southern California.

"It allows a player to use the same technology I use on a daily basis," Woods said. "People ask me all the time - because Sean is not there every day - 'What are you working on?' And I say, 'The same stuff.' We use this every day."

Woods said a friend at Isleworth will tape his swing and it downloads to his phone.

The mobile app was produced by Shotzoom, which has a ``Golfshot'' community of more than 500,000 active members. One aspect of the app is that golfers can videotape their swing and compare it with Woods.

The three components allow users to capture their own swing on video; study Woods' swing with every club in the bag, and watch video of Woods. The 14-time major champion serves as the virtual coach, showing golfers how to use angle lines to make sure their swing is in the right place. It also includes personalized videos of Woods answering fan questions.

Woods said he has been using videotape since he began working with Butch Harmon, although it was mainly from a hitting station. Asked if he had become too technical by relying so much on tape, Woods said it was all about what's "feel" and what's "real."

"What you feel and what you're actually doing usually are the same thing," Woods said. "It's a great feeling when you marry up the two. What Sean is getting me to do and what I'm feeling that I'm doing ... when they're in line, then we've got something."

Woods said the app is based on how he practices.

"I've rebuilt my swing a number of times over the years and use this development to gauge my development and help with my swing transitions," he said. "I'm excited that through this app, I can take this technology on the road with me, and that golfers around the world can now do the same to improve their game."

The app is available in 12 languages.

Woods said plans are under way to make it available on the iPad and Android.

- AP