Golf shots

[Stooge_UK]

I have been photographing some golfers as they tee off in practice for a photographing an event next week at my local club.

Through expermintation I have found that around 1/1500 shutter speed, ISO 400 and aperture around 5.6 seems to give the best results (depending upon light but shutter speed is the important one I believe). Any othe golf photographers out there have any other suggestions on settings...

Am using 20D with 70 to 200 f2.8 is as the main camera for this, 4gb card and shooting on continous so I get around 3 to 4 shots of the swing. I am standing side on about 30 degrees in front of the golfer...

Anything else I could try

Thanks
Stu

[Boxer_kidd]

Funny you should ask as i'm also thinking about taking some golf shots. try going a click down on you Stop.

[dave13]

Keep shooting through the swing, that way you can get an expression facial shot. It could be surprise, anger, disappointment...it all depends on how the ball flies and where it lands. I'd reccomend a longer lens if you have one. My 2 favorite lenses I have used for golf are the 35-350L and the 100-400L. I've found the 70-200 makes you have to get closer to the golfer which sometimes adds as a distraction to them.

[Moppie]

I shot a work golf day useing a 20D with a 70-200 2.8, didn't have nearly enough light to get 1/1500th though, it was all 1/60-1/200 handheld at F2.8 depending on how much rain there was.

I got the best shots from a 3/4 angle facing the golfer, this way you get the ball, the club, the swing, and the facial expresion.
Some of my best shots showed the ball leaving the tee (usualy several meters away) and the golfer just as they have looked up to follow the ball at the end of thier follow through.
Don't be afraid to shoot practice swings either, gives you an idea of how the golfer is going to follow through (when they will look up), and how much you can see at each point during thier swing.

[Stooge_UK]

Hi

Thanks for advice, I will have the 100 to 400 in the bag as well so might give that one a go as well. Actually might put the 100-400 on the 10d and take that as well...
My postion is hard up against a fence so am limited in how far i can get back, light could be an issue the first group tee off at 07:30 the last around noon...

Will just have to see how it goes and hope for good weather...

Stu