Golf Training Aids

Golf training aids can often give you that littleThe third pad is for the left foot and remains
extra help to improve your game of golf. Theystationary.
are available for every aspect of the game - yourThe device teaches the user to put less weight
swing, putting, aim, grip - even measuring theon the back foot. Drills are suggested which
slope of a green. There's quite an array of golftarget 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 aidscords are also available for resistance training to
to give you an idea of what to look for, startingdevelop the muscles used in the swing.
with golf aids for the swing. They're not arranged6. 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 microchipA few incorporate an auto return ball feature and
incorporated inside a comfortable golfing cap withother gizmos. They all help with alignment to give
earphones. Instant audio feedback is relayed toa straight stroke path, and a feel for slopes up or
you about your spine angle, and the tempo ofdown.
your stroke. It has an adjustable metronome and7. Putting Glasses have markings on the lenses to
motion sensor. It is designed to help you improvealign 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 ofis based on right or left eye dominance.
a good golf swing. First, that your spine angle8. Forward Facing Putter. The golfer faces the
remains constant, and second, using your ownhole with feet pointing to the target, and the
personal "tempo", which can be found byputter 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 packedcroquet. Apparantly it is easier to read the green,
in a holster. It aims to help you maintain control ofand the stroke is said to be more natural.
lateral rotation, and rotation of your trailing hip. It9. Green Readers locate the slope, and the angle
lights up, vibrates and beeps every time you areof that slope. Modern instruments provide an
not swinging correctly! It can be usd to monitorinstant 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 helpsdownhill putts. It is against the rules to use them
develop a feel for proper wrist and hingein actual competitions, but it is quite legitimate to
movement. The glove extends up beyond theuse them in practice rounds on the same greens
wrist and has a swivelling aluminium rivet sewnbefore the competition.
inside which eliminates wrist cupping and loopy10. Practice Nets come in all sizes from mini ones
swings. It forces the hand to remain in theto large cages 10' X 10' X 10'. Some have a
correct plane throughout the entire stroke. Aftertarget at the end, and others have an auto return
several uses one gets the 'feel' of a proper handdevice 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 the11. 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 methodsyou swing the club, the further the ball will go. You
teach you to memorise the mechanics, and this issimply swing the stick and read the indicator, then
often an unnecessary distraction. The methodset it to zero again.They can be used indoors and
takes the focus away from the ball, andoutdoors. A "speed gauge", calibrated in miles per
concentrates on the body and golf club workinghour, tells you what the speed is. No guesswork,
together. The large ball-like device, fits betweenand 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 twoconsistent 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 feelproper position, eliminating hooks and slices. The
correct balance, and helps achieve proper timing indevice slips onto any club.
the swing. It consists of three pads covered inThere are numerous other devices available which
artificial grass. One is the "hitting pad" on whichshould not be too difficult to find, but the old
the ball is placed. The right foot is placed on theaddage, "Practice, practice, practice" still holds
second pad which sits atop two rails, and slipsgood. Golf training aids are after all only "aids".
backwards and forwards as the stroke is made.