Learning to Walk with Video Instruction!

I had a brief discussion today with another pro concerning the use of video in golf instruction.

He has been teaching golf for many years and he is just now getting interested in the fashionable use of video as a teaching aid.
We share a sentiment that the use of video in instruction is not exactly the way to get better at the game, but a great way to pick apart your wardrobe and to try your best to dissect the meaning of the swing in as many frames per second as you can afford.

I once thought it would be helpful to have a young woman see her swing on video so that she could more easily understand what was creating the ball flight she was experiencing with her swing.   We had one of the best set ups of digital camera and computer software available.  I got her onto the mat and clicked the "record" button only to have her completely miss the ball.  I thought "boy this is gonna really help".  So we continued and I convinced her we should try to capture one that she actually made contact with.  She set up again and swung, this time making pretty good contact.  Both satisfied with what was captured, we went to review the swing.  I pulled the swing down and clipped it to show address position and the swing that hit the ball.
As I hit play I hear the quiet voice next to me say, "oh my God, those shorts make me look fat!"

I like to discuss the golf swing and learning the swing in terms of other things we learn.  For instance, could you imagine if we tried to teach our 1 and 2 year olds how to walk using video?  I have to laugh when I think about the situation and how it would take place.  "ok, Jr.,  I see you are leaning a little bit too far back and that's why you fell onto your pampered butt.  Next try just try standing a bit longer and then lean forward with your core and then bring your left leg up while pushing into the ground with the right leg.  What do you mean you don't get it?  Oh, I forgot you don't even know how to talk yet!!"

So what is the proper use of video in golf instruction?  I guess it depends on who's swing you are showing when you play it back to the student.  I always say, it's better to see what you ARE trying to do rather than making an indelible mark of poor physical movement and bad wardrobe choices on the  memory of the learner!