| Golf training aids can often give you that little | | | | The third pad is for the left foot and remains |
| extra help to improve your game of golf. They | | | | stationary. |
| are available for every aspect of the game - your | | | | The device teaches the user to put less weight |
| swing, putting, aim, grip - even measuring the | | | | on the back foot. Drills are suggested which |
| slope of a green. There's quite an array of golf | | | | target the components of the swing, and train |
| aids out there with varying degrees of usefulness. | | | | the body to move in the proper sequence. Power |
| Here's a small list of available golfing training aids | | | | cords are also available for resistance training to |
| to give you an idea of what to look for, starting | | | | develop the muscles used in the swing. |
| with golf aids for the swing. They're not arranged | | | | 6. Putting Greens and Putting Mats come in many |
| in any order of importance. | | | | shapes and sizes, with slopes and measuring rods. |
| 1. The Swing Hat is composed of a microchip | | | | A few incorporate an auto return ball feature and |
| incorporated inside a comfortable golfing cap with | | | | other gizmos. They all help with alignment to give |
| earphones. Instant audio feedback is relayed to | | | | a straight stroke path, and a feel for slopes up or |
| you about your spine angle, and the tempo of | | | | down. |
| your stroke. It has an adjustable metronome and | | | | 7. Putting Glasses have markings on the lenses to |
| motion sensor. It is designed to help you improve | | | | align the golf ball, the feet, body posture and also |
| while you are performing the swing or putt. | | | | align the track and distance to the hole. The idea |
| It's concept is based on the two basic principles of | | | | is based on right or left eye dominance. |
| a good golf swing. First, that your spine angle | | | | 8. Forward Facing Putter. The golfer faces the |
| remains constant, and second, using your own | | | | hole with feet pointing to the target, and the |
| personal "tempo", which can be found by | | | | putter is held by the side of the golfer and |
| experimentation. | | | | pushed forward. The motion is rather like that of |
| 2. The Swing Analyzer is a portable device packed | | | | croquet. Apparantly it is easier to read the green, |
| in a holster. It aims to help you maintain control of | | | | and the stroke is said to be more natural. |
| lateral rotation, and rotation of your trailing hip. It | | | | 9. Green Readers locate the slope, and the angle |
| lights up, vibrates and beeps every time you are | | | | of that slope. Modern instruments provide an |
| not swinging correctly! It can be usd to monitor | | | | instant readout. They give a good indication of |
| your putting strokes as well. | | | | how much to adjust your stroke for uphill or |
| 3. The Swing Glove. This golf training aid helps | | | | downhill putts. It is against the rules to use them |
| develop a feel for proper wrist and hinge | | | | in actual competitions, but it is quite legitimate to |
| movement. The glove extends up beyond the | | | | use them in practice rounds on the same greens |
| wrist and has a swivelling aluminium rivet sewn | | | | before the competition. |
| inside which eliminates wrist cupping and loopy | | | | 10. Practice Nets come in all sizes from mini ones |
| swings. It forces the hand to remain in the | | | | to large cages 10' X 10' X 10'. Some have a |
| correct plane throughout the entire stroke. After | | | | target at the end, and others have an auto return |
| several uses one gets the 'feel' of a proper hand | | | | device for the ball. They need a baffler if regular |
| and wrist action. | | | | golf balls are used to practice. |
| 4. The Impact Ball again provides its user with the | | | | 11. Speed Sticks help you to hit the ball further by |
| feeling of the best stroke to increase distance, | | | | increasing the speed of your swing. The faster |
| keeping the club face square. Other methods | | | | you swing the club, the further the ball will go. You |
| teach you to memorise the mechanics, and this is | | | | simply swing the stick and read the indicator, then |
| often an unnecessary distraction. The method | | | | set it to zero again.They can be used indoors and |
| takes the focus away from the ball, and | | | | outdoors. A "speed gauge", calibrated in miles per |
| concentrates on the body and golf club working | | | | hour, tells you what the speed is. No guesswork, |
| together. The large ball-like device, fits between | | | | and you can track your progress. |
| the forearms and prevents those "flying elbows", | | | | 12. A Thumb Caddie keeps your golf grip |
| "ckicken wings", scoops and slices. There are two | | | | consistent throughout your wing to give straighter |
| sizes, one for men, the other for women. | | | | and longer shots. It keeps your hands in the |
| 5. The Leader Board Swing Trainer lets you feel | | | | proper position, eliminating hooks and slices. The |
| correct balance, and helps achieve proper timing in | | | | device slips onto any club. |
| the swing. It consists of three pads covered in | | | | There are numerous other devices available which |
| artificial grass. One is the "hitting pad" on which | | | | should not be too difficult to find, but the old |
| the ball is placed. The right foot is placed on the | | | | addage, "Practice, practice, practice" still holds |
| second pad which sits atop two rails, and slips | | | | good. Golf training aids are after all only "aids". |
| backwards and forwards as the stroke is made. | | | | |