Some aids look and perform like gimmicks while others really help. One company, Golf Around the World, specializes in distributing 240 different training aids at www.trainingaids.com. The owner recommends the new Speed Whoosh which is a different take on the previously popular Speed Stick, endorsed by PGA Pro Vijay Singh. The new golf club has an oversized plastic ball that slides up and down when the club is swung, giving the feel of a proper release of the club, increasing swing speed and may ultimately improve driving distance by 20 to 30 yards.
Putting alignment devices are abundant with some looking as simple as the ruler on your desk. The Putting Alley (www.puttingalley.com) stood out at the International PGA Show as an effective practice tool for home or office. It is short and attractive but with interchangeable channels to emulate varying distances.
PSP’s Little One (www.pspgolf.net) is an iron with a mini club face requiring more precise contact with the ball. When used in practice, accuracy in chipping and full swing with real clubs improves.
Many pros use alignment sticks. While regular golf club shafts can be laid out, they aren’t as colorful. A new version at www.fixitsticks.com fold up small and click together like legos for more stability.
It may have been Tiger Woods’ sports psychology training that made him number one, until he lost that mental edge. Swing Thought (www.swingthought.com) believes that the power of persuasion is as simple as seeing a thought on your wrist as you look down to swing. So while many wristbands on the market claim magnetic or other powers, theirs have imprinted swing key words such as focus, tempo, etc. The subliminal thought should create a perfect swing execution.
With the mind under control, for physical strength, Forbes Riley, inducted into the National Fitness Hall of Fame and a cohort of the great but recently deceased Jack Lalanne, reinvented the gyro toy to create resistance strength training in just 5 minutes! This is very effective, impacting the windup, grip, core and arm strength. www.MySpinGym.com
Of course there is a whole library of books and videos, demonstrating techniques by golf experts, new and old, including Dave Pelz’ new Golf Without Fear. With all the training aids available, golfers have no excuse not to improve.
Alice and Danny are the founders of Butthead Covers, Inc., now writing about golf, business and leisure, while coaching others to launch their businesses and live the American Dream.
