If you’ve ever recorded a great golf shot only to watch the ball disappear from the video almost immediately after impact, you’re not alone.
Golf balls are notoriously difficult to see on camera.
That’s exactly why shot tracer apps have become so popular with golfers and golf content creators.
A shot tracer app adds a visible line to your golf video that follows the trajectory of the shot, making it much easier for viewers to see whether you’ve hit a towering draw, a low fade or a drive that’s heading three fairways to the right.
The effect was once something you’d mainly associate with professional golf broadcasts.
Today, you can create a similar effect using golf footage recorded on your phone.
If you want to try it yourself, you can use our golf shot tracer to add a tracer to your own golf videos.
What Is a Shot Tracer App?
A shot tracer app is software that adds a visual representation of a golf ball’s flight to a video.
The tracer generally begins around the point of impact before following the approximate trajectory of the golf ball through the air.
Depending on the software, the tracer may be generated using:
- Automatic ball detection
- Computer vision
- Manual positioning
- Trajectory prediction
- A combination of automatic and manual tracking
The end result is the familiar line you see following golf shots in television broadcasts, YouTube golf videos and social media clips.
If you want a more detailed explanation of the technology behind it, read our guide to how a golf ball tracker works.
Why Use a Shot Tracer for Golf?
The main reason is simple:
Golf footage is much better when you can actually see the golf shot.
Consider a normal video filmed from behind a golfer.
The golfer swings.
The ball launches.
For a fraction of a second you can see a tiny white dot.
Then it’s gone.
Unless someone behind the camera tells you where the ball finished, you may have absolutely no idea what happened.
Add a shot tracer and the same video immediately becomes easier to understand.
The viewer can see:
Impact → launch → ball flight → peak → descent → landing direction
For golf content creators, that’s a major improvement.
How to Add a Shot Tracer to a Golf Video
The exact process depends on the shot tracer software you’re using, but the basic workflow is relatively simple.
Step 1: Record Your Golf Shot
Start with a clear video of the golfer and the initial ball flight.
For the best results, position the camera behind the golfer looking towards the target.
You don’t need expensive camera equipment.
A modern smartphone can produce excellent golf footage when positioned correctly.
Step 2: Upload Your Golf Video
Once you’ve recorded the shot, upload the video to your chosen golf shot tracer app or software.
You can create your golf shot tracer here using your own footage.
Step 3: Identify the Start of the Shot
The next important point is impact.
This establishes where the tracer should begin.
The tracer should appear naturally from the golf ball rather than suddenly appearing somewhere above the golfer.
Step 4: Establish the Ball Flight
Depending on the software, the trajectory may be automatically detected or manually adjusted.
A useful way to represent the flight is to establish three important areas:
Start: Where the golf ball is struck.
Peak: The highest point of the trajectory.
Finish: The approximate landing position or final visible point.
These points can then be used to construct a natural-looking golf shot.
Step 5: Adjust the Tracer
This is where a good tracer starts to look much more realistic.
The trajectory may need to be adjusted depending on whether you’ve hit a:
- Draw
- Fade
- Hook
- Slice
- High shot
- Low shot
The tracer should represent what actually happened rather than simply creating the same generic curve for every golf shot.
Step 6: Export Your Golf Video
Once you’re happy with the tracer, export the completed video.
It’s then ready for YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook or simply sending to your mates.
Automatic vs Manual Shot Tracer Apps
One of the biggest differences between golf tracer apps is how the trajectory is created.
Automatic Shot Tracking
Automatic tracking attempts to detect the golf ball and follow it through consecutive video frames.
When conditions are good, this can make tracing golf shots much faster.
The difficulty is that golf balls are incredibly challenging objects to track.
After travelling only a short distance, the golf ball may occupy just a handful of pixels on screen.
It can then disappear against:
- Clouds
- Bright skies
- Trees
- Fairways
- Shadows
- Background objects
This makes completely automatic tracking difficult.
Manual Shot Tracing
Manual tracing gives the user greater control over the trajectory.
Instead of relying entirely on the camera to see the golf ball, you can tell the software where important sections of the flight occur.
This can produce better results when the ball becomes difficult or impossible to see.
Assisted Shot Tracking
A combination of the two can provide a useful middle ground.
The software can assist with the trajectory while allowing the golfer to correct the shot when required.
We’ve explained these tracking challenges in more detail in our Golf Ball Tracker guide.
What Should You Look for in a Golf Shot Tracer App?
Not all tracer apps produce the same result.
If you’re choosing software for your golf videos, there are several things worth considering.
Easy Video Uploads
You shouldn’t need to completely change the way you film golf.
Ideally, you should be able to record a shot using your normal phone or camera and then upload that footage.
Simple Tracer Controls
Adding a tracer shouldn’t require professional video editing experience.
The process should be simple enough that you can quickly position and adjust the trajectory.
Natural Ball Flight
This is one of the most important features.
A driver doesn’t fly like a wedge.
A low punch doesn’t fly like a towering seven iron.
And a 40-metre slice certainly doesn’t look like a straight drive.
The tracer should be adjustable so the finished video resembles the actual shot.
Draw and Fade Adjustment
Golf shots move horizontally as well as vertically.
Being able to represent draw and fade allows the tracer to show the actual shape of the golf shot.
Good Export Quality
There’s little point recording beautiful golf footage if the final export destroys the quality.
Golf creators should pay particular attention to the resolution and quality of the finished video.
Fast Workflow
This becomes increasingly important if you’re creating long-form golf content.
Adding one tracer isn’t a big job.
Adding tracers to every tee shot and approach shot in an 18-hole golf vlog is very different.
The easier the process, the more practical the software becomes for regular content creation.
Shot Tracer Apps for YouTube Golf
Golf YouTube has changed enormously.
Creators are now producing full rounds, challenges, matches, course vlogs and professional-quality golf content.
Shot tracers have become an important part of that viewing experience.
Imagine watching a golf match where every drive disappears immediately after impact.
The players might know exactly where the ball went.
The viewer doesn’t.
A tracer solves that problem instantly.
It also means the person filming doesn’t have to aggressively zoom and pan every time the golfer hits a shot.
For golf YouTubers, this can make videos both easier to film and easier to watch.
Shot Tracers for Instagram and TikTok
The benefit may be even greater with short-form video.
On TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, you only have a short amount of time to capture someone’s attention.
A tracer makes the action immediately obvious.
Instead of trying to find a tiny golf ball, the viewer can concentrate on the shot itself.
This is particularly useful for videos featuring:
- Long drives
- Hole-in-one attempts
- Golf challenges
- Trick shots
- Course vlogs
- Swing videos
- Golf matches
- Driving range sessions
It can also make an otherwise ordinary swing video feel much more polished.
Can You Add a Shot Tracer to an Existing Video?
Yes.
You don’t necessarily need to record your golf shot using a dedicated tracer app.
If you already have golf footage saved on your phone or computer, you may be able to upload that video and add the tracer afterwards.
That means the process can simply be:
Record → Upload → Trace → Export
This is particularly useful for golfers who already have a library of videos they’d like to improve.
You can add a golf shot tracer to your video here.
Can You Use a Shot Tracer App on iPhone?
Yes, provided the tracing software or service supports the video format you’re using.
Modern iPhones are capable of recording high-quality golf footage, making them a practical option for creating tracer videos.
There are a few things you can do to improve the footage before tracing.
Use a Tripod
Keeping the phone stable makes the background more consistent.
Film From Behind the Golfer
This provides a clear perspective of both the swing and the direction of the golf shot.
Avoid Excessive Zoom
Zooming too far can reduce the usable quality of the image.
Use Good Lighting
A clear contrast between the ball and background gives tracking software more information to work with.
Use a Suitable Frame Rate
Higher-frame-rate footage can capture more frames during the initial portion of the ball flight.
You can find more filming and tracking tips in our guide to tracking a golf ball on video.
Is a Golf Shot Tracer the Same as a Launch Monitor?
No.
They solve different problems.
A launch monitor is primarily a golf performance and measurement tool.
Depending on the system, it may provide information such as:
- Carry distance
- Ball speed
- Club speed
- Launch angle
- Spin
- Launch direction
- Shot shape
A shot tracer is primarily a visual tool.
Its purpose is to make the golf ball’s trajectory visible within a video.
If you’re analysing performance, launch-monitor data can be extremely valuable.
If you’re creating golf videos, a shot tracer may be much more relevant.
Do Shot Tracer Apps Actually Track the Golf Ball?
Sometimes, but the answer depends on the technology being used.
Some systems attempt to identify and track the physical golf ball in the footage.
Others create a visual trajectory based on points selected by the user.
More advanced approaches can combine computer vision, tracking, trajectory prediction and manual adjustment.
The important distinction is between measuring the exact physical ball flight and creating an accurate-looking visual representation of the shot for video.
A golf tracer is generally designed for the second purpose.
If you want to understand the difference in greater detail, our golf ball tracking guide explains how tracking works and why golf balls are particularly difficult to follow on camera.
Free Golf Shot Tracer Software
Golf video editing doesn’t necessarily need to involve expensive editing software or complicated production workflows.
If your main goal is simply to make the golf ball easier to follow, dedicated tracer software can be a much simpler option.
That’s particularly useful for casual golfers and smaller creators who don’t want to spend hours learning professional video editing programs just to add a tracer.
Our golf shot tracer is designed specifically around creating the golf tracer effect.
Upload your golf footage, create the trajectory and turn an ordinary golf clip into something much easier to watch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best shot tracer app for golf?
The best option depends on your needs. Look for software that makes it easy to upload golf footage, create or adjust the ball trajectory and export a high-quality finished video.
Can I add a shot tracer to a video I’ve already recorded?
Yes. Shot tracers can be added during post-production, meaning you can use existing golf footage rather than having to record directly inside a dedicated app.
Is there a free golf shot tracer?
Free golf tracer tools and software may be available depending on the device and features required. Our golf shot tracer provides a simple way to create the effect from your own footage.
Can a shot tracer automatically follow the golf ball?
Some software attempts automatic ball detection, although tracking a golf ball throughout its entire flight is technically challenging. Other systems use manual or assisted positioning to create the trajectory.
Can I use a golf shot tracer for YouTube?
Yes. Shot tracers are particularly useful for YouTube golf because they allow viewers to follow drives, approach shots and other golf shots that would otherwise disappear from the video.
Can you add a shot tracer on an iPhone?
Yes. Golf footage recorded on an iPhone can be used with compatible shot tracer software. Recording stable, high-quality footage can improve the finished result.
Does a golf shot tracer measure distance?
Not necessarily. A video tracer is designed primarily to visualise the golf ball’s trajectory. Accurate distance measurement generally requires additional data or specialised golf tracking technology.
Create a Golf Shot Tracer From Your Own Video
You don’t need a professional broadcast team to make golf footage easier to follow.
A good shot tracer can transform an ordinary golf video by making the entire trajectory part of the viewing experience.
Whether you’re creating YouTube golf videos, Instagram Reels, TikToks or simply recording shots with your mates, the principle is the same:
If viewers can follow the golf ball, they can follow the golf shot.
For a deeper explanation of the technology, read our complete Golf Ball Tracker guide.
Or, if you’re ready to create one yourself: