Advancements in agronomy, course maintenance and grass grooming tools made the golf course itself more uniform, and more playable. So it makes sense that the next advancement would be in teaching and the analysis of the golf swing. Intensive golf “camps” help some players immerse themselves in improving their game. Some teachers use video from several angles to take students to the next level. But the real next level is available through computer analysis.

That’s where the MATT system excels.

I visited the Taylor Made-adidas facility in Carlsbad, California this summer for a chance to see their golf club production line, a whiff of their research and development center and a sneak preview of the 2007 apparel line.

The bonus came when I was invited to “The Kingdom.”

Across the street from the production warehouse, the Kingdom looks and feels like a high-end country club, with the clubhouse appointed in dark woods and leather. It has a club building area and a practice tee, but the centerpiece is the MATT system. MATT stands for Motion Analysis Technology by TaylorMade. I know you’ve seen one of those behind the scenes “here’s how they make a video game” shows and that’s just what I felt like.

I was ushered into a room that felt like part television studio part practice range. Dressed in parts of one of those black suits with the white balls on it, including a hat and bands on my feet, the large garage-looking door opened in front of me to reveal a sun-drenched practice facility with green grass and target greens galore. After a few practice swings to warm up, I was instructed to take a six iron and hit some balls off the mat in the middle of the room. Easy enough. And after a few swings, a driver replaced the six iron and those swings were recorded as well.

What I saw next I wasn’t expecting. In the darkened room projected on a big screen was a computer version of me. Really me. “Does that look like you?” the technician asked. “I’ve seen my swing enough to know that is me,” I answered somewhere between a chuckle and being amazed.

Each of the swings was recorded, showing movement to the smallest detail. You can get a lot of that anywhere. But when he started to shift the image and show it to me from any angle, that’s when I really started to understand the power and the difference the MATT system brings.

“You do the hardest thing,” the tech said. “You hit it from the inside but you still fade it.” I know enough to know what that means, but seeing it from the front, the top, from underneath, behind and any other angle I wanted really brought it home.

Combine the image with the data displayed that included swing speed, angle of attack and launch angle and I was hooked. “I can see I have two major problems,” I offered looking for advice. “Sure,” the tech responded, "but you do so many other things well that you could increase your distance and consistency pretty quickly with some work.”

He was right I knew. But nobody gets to practice or play as much as they want. Still, I could see how this could make me better, faster. When he punched the stats into the computer, a complete list of what clubs and shafts I should be playing down to the stiffness and weight of each iron and metal wood popped up on the screen. Loft, lie and length (plus 1 3/8 inch) were also included. Luckily, most of that was already in my bag. He handed me a printout of the day’s work, plus a DVD copy of my computer generated swings and I was on my way.

Could I put this tool into action on my own? That was my biggest question and the answer is an emphatic yes. I was able to look at my swing and head to the practice tee with new information in hand. Working on my two major flaws (I tend to cup my right wrist taking it back and cross over the line at the top) I started hitting it longer and straighter with more consistency than ever before.

I was really surprised, and stoked at the same time.

Research estimates show that one lesson with the computer model is equal to about eight regular lessons and I believe it. The ability to see your own move to the ball from any angle and any speed (real time, frame-by-frame or anywhere in between) can’t be over stated.

The MATT system is available to the public and if you’re serious about getting better, there’s no better way. Find the MATT center near you at: http://www.taylormadegolf.com/matt.asp.