Golfers can be a vulnerable bunch. And desperate. We invest a lot of time, energy, and money in playing this game, and we want results from that investment. When the results don’t come, we begin looking for answers. Golf Training aids often promise to give us those answers. Unfortunately, they usually fall well short of those promises. Here’s how to navigate the training aid space (dare I say swamp) to make sure your time and dollars aren’t wasted.
Manage Your Expectations
For starters, don’t be suckered in by sensational claims. It’s very unlikely a new golf gizmo can “fix your slice in five swings” or “add 20 yours in just ten minutes.” That doesn’t mean dismissing every promotion you see; these entrepreneurs are trying to get your attention after all, and they may have a solid product lurking behind their claims. Quick-fixes and magic elixirs in golf are few and far between however, so be wary of any training aid promising instant results. Even with the best tools, you still must put in the work.
Who’s Doing the Work?
Speaking of work, pay attention to who’s doing that work with a given training aid: you, or the aid? Generally, if a Golf training aid holds you in a position or forces a certain motion, it’s unlikely to translate to your golf swing. On the other hand, if a training aid requires you to make a motion or hold a position, that motor learning is far more likely to stick when the aid comes off.
For example, consider the uber-popular Smart Ball from Tour Striker. Martin Chuck’s tour-proven gem is comprised of an inflatable ball suspended from a lanyard worn around the neck. Golfers hold the ball between their upper forearms and make full swings, the ball teaching a more synchronized and connected swing between the arms and body.
Now compare the Smart Ball to other gadgets that try to teach that same arms-and-body connection but do it by holding your arms in place. Sure, when the training aid is strapped on it will work fine. But take it off and the feel is far less likely to make it to your swing, and certainly to the course. That’s because the aid did the work, not you. Buy training aids that make you do the work.
The Right Prescription
There are a lot of ways to hit a slice. Sure, all slices are a result of an out-to-in path and a clubface that’s open relative to that path. The variations of swing mechanics that put your club in that position are plentiful, however. Maybe your upper body tends to out race your lower body, or maybe you early extend and raise the handle at impact. The point is, whatever your swing fault, it’s a very hit-or-miss proposition to buy a training aid in the hopes of fixing your ball flight. Your best option: ask a professional. The best training aid experiences come from lessons, where a good instructor can see why your ball flies like it does and prescribe a fix, including the right tools to help.
Tour Use
Buying golf clubs based on tour use is generally a bad idea. Chances are slim you’ll get the best fit for your game if you buy clubs because Scottie plays them. Training aids are another story, however. Matt Fitzpatrick gave a lot of credit to The Stack System for fueling his speed gains and ultimately a US Open win. Justin Rose, Max Homa, and Rory McIlroy are just a few of the many top professionals who’ve been seen using the Smart Ball on tour driving ranges. If a tour professional trusts a device to help their game, it’s a safe bet it will be beneficial for your game as well.
You Get What You Pay For
One final word of advice: avoid the knockoffs and get the real thing. Significantly cheaper versions of most training aids are out there. With the end of the de minimis exemption (a now defunct rule that let imports valued under $800 into the US tax and duty free), it’s become a lot harder to undercut the original product, but not impossible. Temu is alive and kicking after all, and you can find a “bargain version” of just about any training aid if you look for it. Resist that urge. For one, you might consider rewarding the small business entrepreneur that conceived of the product rather than be a part of ripping him off. Secondly, cut rate products take their savings from somewhere, and it’s usually in materials and build quality. Pay the extra buck or two and get the real thing. You’ll be glad you did in the long run.
Golf Training aids can be a valuable tool in helping golfers improve. They can also be a maddening source of wasted funds, energy and time. Spend your dollars on quality training aids that are right for you and put you to work to see appreciable gains on the course.