The Camera Doesn't Lie: What 25 Years of TV Taught Me About "Feel vs. Real"

By Mary Lengle Founder, Signature Golf Experiences (SGE) | Business Strategist & Former Media Producer

For over 25 years, my career has been defined by what happens on a screen.

As a producer and communications strategist working with top outlets like The TODAY Show, Good Morning America, and Oprah, my job was to help experts and authors deliver segments that resonated with millions of viewers.

Whether we were prepping for a live segment or reviewing a taped interview, the rule was always the same: If it isn’t on the monitor, it didn’t happen.

It didn't matter if the lighting felt right to the crew standing in the room. It didn't matter if the expert felt like they nailed the answer. All that mattered was what the lens saw. The monitor was our source of truth. It wasn't there to judge us; it was there to guide us to the best possible result.

When I transitioned into the golf world to help build Cogorno Golf, I noticed a fascinating parallel. I saw dedicated, hardworking golfers struggling with the exact same thing we struggled with in the studio: the gap between perception and reality.

In golf, there is a famous saying: "Feel is not Real."

You might feel like you are making a massive change to your swing. To you, it feels like your hands are in a completely different time zone. But then you look at the video, and the swing looks exactly the same.

It is one of the most frustrating feelings in the game. But I want you to know… it’s also completely normal.

Why We All Need a "Monitor"

I remember talking to Eric Cogorno about this early on. I assumed that because he was a Professional, he always knew exactly what his body was doing.

He laughed and told me a story that changed how I view instruction forever. He said:

"Mary, I tried to change my swing for about a decade with no feedback, and I got about nowhere. I was working hard, but I was guessing. Once I started using video feedback, I changed my swing way faster. The reality is, what you feel and what is actually real are two different things."

Hearing that was such a relief. If a Pro can spend ten years spinning his wheels because he was relying solely on feel, then the rest of us shouldn't feel bad when we struggle to make changes on our own.

The camera isn't there to criticize you. It is there to save you time.

Ready to stop guessing and start seeing? Check availability for our March & April golf schools.

The "Dailies" Approach to Your Game

In the movie business, the director and producers watch "dailies"—the raw footage from the day's shoot—every evening. We do this to ensure we captured exactly what we intended. We don't wait until the movie is finished to check if the scene worked.

At Signature Golf Experiences (SGE), we treat your game with that same level of care. We don't want you hitting balls for two days hoping it's right. We want to know it's right.

We use video analysis as our "dailies." It is the most compassionate tool we have because it eliminates the confusion.

• It validates your effort: When you finally make that move, and it feels awkward and strange, the video is there to say, "Yes! That’s it! Look at that position!"
• It builds trust: It’s hard to trust a new feeling when the ball flight hasn't caught up yet. The video gives you the confidence to stick with the process because you can see the mechanics improving with your own eyes.

Fast-Tracking Your Progress

The goal of using technology isn't to get bogged down in lines and angles. The goal is speed. As Eric says, when you use feedback, you can "expedite the process."

We want you to spend your time enjoying the game, not endlessly searching for a swing thought. By using video to bridge the gap between what you feel and what is real, we can help you make permanent changes in days, not years.

You deserve to have confidence in your game. Sometimes, you just need a "producer" next to you, watching the monitor, helping you get the shot just right.

We would love to be that team for you.

We have 8 spots open for our Spring 2026 Golf Schools. Click here to learn more.

Join Us This Spring

Our upcoming 2-Day Schools are designed to be high-tech, high-touch, and incredibly supportive. We handle the "production" so you can focus on the performance.

• March 12-13 (Boca Raton, FL)
• April 23-24 (Boca Raton, FL)
• May 7-8 (Boca Raton, FL)

Let’s get your swing on tape, and let’s get it right.

>>View Details & Apply Today<<