Serious golfers may think nothing of spending $500 for a new driver or putter, but a business that bills itself as Jacksonville’s first integrated golf performance studio says it can help customers shoot better scores without necessarily purchasing new equipment.
Audens Golf Performance’s DARI Motion 3D functional movement screening is designed to detect flaws in a golfer’s swing. If the technology finds issues, a staff trainer or physical therapist can work to strengthen muscles, increase range of motion and refine mechanics to improve a player’s technique.
The studio is at 3653 Regent Blvd., Suite 204, near the St,. Johns Town Center.
The Dynamic Athletic Research Institute, based in Overland Park, Kansas, developed the DARI technology. The Jacksonville Jaguars use a version of it to improve players’ performance, said Audens Golf Coach John Mousley, a PGA master professional.
“It is useful for any rotational sport, for sure. It’s useful across the board, even outside of sports,” he said.
“These are sports-specific, not golf-specific, movements.”
Some businesses offer the scan as part of their health package as a diagnostic aid for employees with joint pain, Mousley said.
Audens Golf also has taken the DARI Motion system on the road to country clubs where members have had the analysis performed, he said.
The Gears 3D Motion Capture offers a 3D hitting bay that uses nine cameras to track every aspect of a swing. It records the player at 1,000 frames per second, then compares the swing with that of a golf professional of the same height and body type. The technology also is used to properly fit a player with clubs best suited for the player’s swing.
“The old expression is it’s the archer, not the arrow. I can’t tell you how many times golfers’ arrows are messed up,” Mousley said.
Nic Catterall, founder of Audens Golf Performance and Professional Tours, is a trainer who instructs LIV Golf professionals Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman and PGA Tour members Adam Scott and Karl Vilips. Catterall opened the Audens facility in October and now is providing services to amateur golfers, said Kevin Bane, athlete service manager.
The staff is rounded out by Mac Carnell, a strength and conditioning specialist, and Jacob Evanich, a doctor of physical therapy with advanced orthopedic and performance certifications.
For amateurs, a swing-and-scan evaluation costs $1,000. Players are provided the results for reference after the session.
Audens staff assigns exercises, golf training and practice drills to be performed for several months before completing a second scan and evaluation to track progress.
Audens offers a monthly membership for $950 per month that includes two visits monthly, as well as the ability to have an online video meeting with an instructor.
As players immerse in the technology, Mousley advises them not to focus too much on the data.
“There’s a lot of information to remember. Nobody is going to remember all of it. Find your keystone concept. Find one or two things that start a positive chain reaction in your golf swing,” he said.