What is Instant Swing Playback?

Instant Swing Playback is an automatic golf swing recording and replay tool inside 18Birdies that lets golfers instantly review swings without manually pressing record.

Using motion detection, Instant Swing Playback captures each swing, plays it back within seconds, and resets so you can continue practicing without interruption.

Instant Swing Playback is designed to make golf practice faster and easier by removing the need to manually start and stop recordings between swings.

Where can I find Instant Swing Playback?

Open the 18Birdies app
Tap the Improve tab at the bottom
Tap Instant Playback
Set up your phone and start swinging

Once set up, recording and playback happen automatically.

How does Instant Swing Playback work?

Instant Swing Playback uses motion detection to automatically capture your swing and replay it within seconds.

Each time you swing:

Your motion is detected automatically
Instant Swing Playback records your full swing (address → follow-through)
The clip is trimmed to show only the swing
Playback begins shortly after impact
You’ll see:
- 1 replay at full speed
- 1 replay in slow motion
The screen resets and waits for your next swing

This creates a continuous loop: swing → review → adjust → repeat

Instant Swing Playback is designed for continuous practice sessions, allowing you to take as many swings as you’d like while Instant Swing Playback automatically records, replays, and resets between swings.

Note: If you swing again before playback finishes, Instant Swing Playback will prioritize capturing your next swing.

How do I know when I can swing?

The screen will show visual indicators that let you know if it is properly capturing you and your swing. These frames show the status or your position:

White frame: Instant Swing Playback is trying to find you in the frame. Adjust your position until it turns green.
Green frame: You’re properly positioned and ready to swing.
Blue frame: A swing was detected.

Use these indicators to confirm proper setup before swinging.

How do I Review, Save, and Share Swing Videos?

Your most recent swing appears in the bottom-left corner of the screen.

Tap the replay window to review your last swing
Adjust playback speed (0.5x, 1x, or 2x)
Tap Save to store your golf swing video in your camera roll

Once saved to your camera roll, you can easily share your swing videos with friends, instructors, or coaches through text, email, social media, or your preferred messaging apps.

Each new swing replaces the previous one, so be sure to save any swings you want to keep before continuing your practice.

What are tips for the best results?

Make sure your full body and club are visible in the frame
Keep your phone stable
Use consistent lighting and avoid heavy shadows
Stand out from your background for better detection

Instant Swing Playback can be used almost anywhere you have enough space to move and keep your full body in frame. Whether you are at the driving range, on the golf course, practicing at home, or even taking practice swings at work, ISP is designed to automatically capture and replay your motion wherever you train.

What are the Premium Features for Instant Swing Playback?

Instant Swing Playback is available to every 18Birdies user. Premium includes additional tools to help you analyze your swing in more detail and make more precise adjustments.

See More Detail

High-definition video provides clearer visibility of clubface position, body alignment, and movement throughout your swing

Analyze Your Swing

Use built-in annotation tools to evaluate key mechanics directly on your replay:

Draw lines to check alignment (shoulders, hips, feet)
Visualize your swing plane
Track head position and posture throughout the motion

Annotations stay visible during playback, making it easier to compare positions from setup to follow-through.

To use annotation tools, tap your swing in the bottom-left corner, open the replay, and select the pencil icon in the toolbar to annotate.

Get Additional Feedback

Send swings directly to AI Swing Analyzer for instant feedback
Upload swings to Pro Swing Analysis for a personalized review from a certified coach. This is available to all users, with a discounted rate for Premium members

Frequently Asked Questions

Why didn’t my swing get detected?

Make sure your full body and club are visible in the frame and that the frame turns green before you swing. Lighting, shadows, or blending into the background can affect detection.

Where should I place my phone for the best swing recording?

For the most accurate detection, place your phone about 7 to 10 feet away. You can set it up Face On (facing your chest) or Down the Line (behind you, looking toward the target). Just ensure your entire body, from the ground to the top of your backswing, is visible on the screen.

Does Instant Swing Playback work at indoor ranges or into a net?

Yes. As long as there is enough light for the camera to see your movement and enough space to fit your full body in the frame, Instant Swing Playback will automatically detect and replay your swing. It’s a great way to make practice at home more productive, and you can even use it for shadow swings without a club.

Can I use Instant Swing Playback without an internet connection?

Yes, you can use Instant Swing Playback without an internet connection. As long as your phone’s camera is working and you have the 18Birdies app installed, you can continue recording and replaying swings during your practice session. Whether you are at a remote driving range, practicing on a course with poor service, or working on your swing in the middle of nowhere, Instant Swing Playback can still help you review your motion and dial in your game. Some connected features, such as AI Swing Analyzer uploads or other online services, will be temporarily unavailable until your device reconnects to the internet.

How do I see my past swings during my session?

After each swing, your most recent replay appears in the bottom-left corner of the screen. Tap the replay window to watch your swing again, adjust playback speed, or review your motion in more detail.

Keep in mind that Instant Swing Playback only keeps your latest swing available during the session. Once you take another swing, the previous replay will be replaced automatically. If you want to keep a swing for future review or comparison, make sure to save it to your camera roll before continuing your practice session.

Why did my swing disappear?

Each new swing replaces the previous one. Your most recent swing is always available in the bottom-left corner of the screen. If you want to keep a swing, make sure to tap Save during or after the replay before hitting your next shot.

Can I compare two swing videos side by side?

Currently, Instant Swing Playback does not support side-by-side swing comparison within the app. The best way to compare two swings is to save both videos to your camera roll and swipe between them to easily review the differences in your setup, movement, and swing positions.

Can I listen to music while using Instant Swing Playback?

Yes, you can listen to music while using Instant Swing Playback. Simply open your preferred music streaming app, start your music, then return to 18Birdies and use Instant Swing Playback as normal. Your music will continue playing while still allowing you to hear the audio cues from Instant Swing Playback.

Do I need a tripod or special equipment to use Instant Swing Playback?

No special equipment is required. While a tripod can help with stability and angle, you can also use a golf bag, range bucket, or bench to prop up your phone. As long as your phone is stable and your full swing is visible, you’re good to go.

Can I use Instant Swing Playback while using TrackMan or other range tech?

Yes. You can use Instant Swing Playback at the same time. Keep Instant Swing Playback open on your phone while TrackMan or other range tools run in the background.

Does this work for putting or short game practice?

Currently, Instant Swing Playback is optimized for half to full swings. It’s perfect for wedges, iron play, woods, and driver sessions. We are focusing on these higher-speed movements to ensure the auto-detection triggers reliably every time.

Does Instant Swing Playback work on iOS and Android?

Instant Swing Playback is currently only available on iOS. Android support is coming soon.