Remember the scene from the movie "Tin Cup" where Dr. Molly Griswold (Rene Russo) walks into Roy "Tin Cup" McAvoy's (Kevin Costner) trailer and finds him strapped head to toe in an assortment of ridiculous training aids that McAvoy confiscated from Griswold during her first lesson? McAvoy, in a desperate attempt to cure a case of "the shanks" that cropped up days before the U.S. Open, has resorted to the very "waste of money" he ridiculed only a few short weeks earlier.
Well, that's how I feel about golf training aids. Rather than buying some goofy looking training aid, I've always felt that I was better off spending my money on a lesson with a pro, or going to the range, or hitting the practice green, or just playing some golf.
So . . . how the @#$% did I end up with all of these golf training aids scattered around my house?!? Where is the disconnect between what I think (opinion) and what I do (fact)? And which is right?
Well, first let's start with how it happened. I'm no expert on the human mind (or any other species of mind), but I play one on the internet . . . so here's what I think.
I think it's a slow progression. It's a disease that infiltrates us in tiny, innocent appearing doses. By the time we finally realize that we have been infected, it's already too late. Oh sure, we start out looking at the massive offering of training aids as a whole - and they look like a big pile of plastic, metal, and velcro junk. At the beginning, it's the craziest looking contraptions/torture devices that stick in our mind.
As a result, temptation is negligible. Besides, you don't need them. Your swing/stroke is just fine and those things don't work anyway. Except . . . it's not . . . and maybe, just maybe, they do.
Then, unexpectedly one day, some golf "accessory" catches your attention. Maybe it's because your instructor mentioned it, or because a friend gave it a good review, or because no matter what you do, you can't stop that @#$%ing little white ball from slicing into the woods. So, you start to think "
Hmmm, now that device isn't completely stupid looking. That thing might actually help with this one little hitch in my swing/stroke."
Does that sound familiar? If not, then how about this:
"I know that I really shouldn't buy that box of Thin Mints from the girl scouts at my door . . . but it's for a good cause and I'll only eat a couple. I'll just give the rest away at the office tomorrow. In fact, those little girls are so cute and they are working so hard, maybe I'll buy a box of Tagalongs and a box of Do-Si-Dos too." An hour later, you've eaten all three boxes for dinner and your stomach is revolting in the most revolting manner.
Training aids . . . same thing. Instead of a sweet tooth, you're trying to cure a banana ball. Maybe the overdose takes longer than with Girl Scout Cookies, but you are definitely feeding a need you denied having. Hey, is anyone else hungry now?
As for whether individual training aids work for you . . . well, only you can decide that. I can only give you my opinion on the ones that I have tried. And so here they are. It's the great training aid roundup review of Spring 2008.
1. The Boomerang Putting System.
Date of Purchase: Fall 2006
Why I bought it: I had read universally good reviews on various golf message boards, it was on sale, and it was something I could do in my living room while watching golf on TV.
Description: A variation on the classic ball-return putting cup. The Boomerang is an adjustable sloped ramp with round depression. The object is to putt one ball and have it stay in the depression, then putt another ball and knock the first ball out of the depression, causing both balls to return to you using only gravity.
The Verdict: This one is still set up in my living room (I'm single - if you are not, your mileage may vary) and I use it frequently. It's moderately fun to use, it works the way it's supposed to, and the balls (usually) roll back to your feet on missed putts (unlike those battery operated cups which frequently malfunction and shoot the ball in random trajectories, or not at all.) In my opinion, anything that makes you practice your stroke is a good thing. This makes me practice my stroke.
Where to buy: 2. Impact Bag
Date of purchase: Spring 2007
Why I bought it: I have a problem with casting my club (flipping the club instead of maintaining wrist angle through impact). The impact bag is one of the few training aids I've seen (in one form or another) in almost every teaching pro's arsenal. After my pro had me swing at an old tire to help stop me from my casting, I bought an impact bag to use at home. Also, they are relatively cheap.
Description: It's a big, round, vinyl, pillowcase with a zipper at the top where you stuff in towels to add weight and resistance. Then you swing at it with your club. It forces you to hit the bag square with the shaft and club face.
The Verdict: It works as far as forcing the correct club position at impact, but I don't use it as often as I should. Anything that I can't use while actually hitting balls doesn't work as well for me because I need to feel the impact of the ball and see my ball flight. If I took it to the range with me and smacked it a few times and then hit some balls, maybe it would be more beneficial for me. But, it's sort of loud when you smack it, and the last thing I want is more attention at the driving range for my swing faults. Bottom line, it stays at home because I'm embarrassed to drag it out with me. If I could get just over myself and use it more, it might actually do some good.
Where to buy:(note, I have the Izzo brand version, but there are many brands available and as far as I can tell, they are all basically the same)
3. Those little plastic whiffle balls.
Date of Purchase: Summer 2006
Why I bought it: 99 cents for a 4 pack.
Description: Little plastic whiffle balls for hitting in the back yard.
The Verdict: Next.
Where to buy:
4. Big 8' Pop-Up Hitting Net
Date of Purchase: Winter 2007/08
Why I bought it: It was mispriced and I got it for $49 when it was supposed to be $179.
Description: Big pop-up hitting net.
The verdict: Again, I'm not a big fan of anything that doesn't let me see my ball flight. I would rather just go to the range and pay to hit a bucket of balls. However, I plan to use this net in conjunction with a camcorder to record my swing in the privacy of my own back yard. I believe that video review is invaluable in differentiating between what you think you are doing with your swing, and what you are actually doing. So the verdict is still out on whether this net is a worthwhile purchase. But in terms of the net itself, the Callaway 8' Quad Net I bought is relatively portable, easy to put up, sturdy, and works exactly the way it's supposed to. I am very happy with it. I just wish my basement ceiling was higher so I could keep it up and set up a permanent indoor swing studio.
Where to buy:
5. The Power Angle Pro
Date of Purchase: Spring 2008
Why I bought it: My pro suggested it. He uses one.
Description: Reminder grip on an aluminum tube bent all to @#$%.
The verdict: Oh dear. This is one of those training aids that just plain looks silly. If it hadn't been for my pro's recommendation, I wouldn't have looked twice at this thing. (Well, maybe twice for an extra chuckle.) Especially considering that it retails for $69.
But here's the thing: my biggest swing problem is an over-the-top move. Instead of dropping into the slot at the start of my downswing, I rush my hands and end up with an outside-in move. The Power Angle Pro does one thing - it forces your arms into the proper position.
I can't say I'm thrilled with this device, but I also can't say it doesn't work. I do use it occasionally, and it definitely lets you feel the proper position at each stage of the swing. I would even be willing to admit that it has probably helped me a little. But overall, my issue with the Power Angle Pro has been translating the feeling with the training aid in my hands into the feeling with a club in my hands. As I've mentioned several times in this post, I prefer practice that lets me feel the impact of the ball and see actual ball flight. But if you are someone who can easily convert abstract muscle memory into your swing, this product might work for you. For me, it sits next to my couch and I pick it up and use it whenever I see it. Sometimes I even take it to the range with me. But like a not-quite-hot "friend with benefits", I try to keep it out of the view of anyone who might recognize me. (
Not that I would personally know anything about those types of FWB arrangements. But I hear things. I'm just sayin' . . .)
Where to buy: 6. The Inside Approach
Date of Purchase: Spring 2008
Why I bought it: To help correct my over the top move, and because it was on sale for $18. My pro had me working on the same drill during a lesson using an old shaft stuck in the ground at an angle. I would have just done the same thing with an old shaft or a fiberglass driveway marker from Home Depot (the ones designed to let snowplows know where curbs, driveways, parked cars, etc. are buried - you frequently see touring pros using them at the practice range.) Except that my local range uses mats, not grass, so I needed an alternative for my daily practice.
Description: PVC pipe and foam rubber contraption that makes you swing your club in an arc path. If you swing "over the top" (i.e., outside-to-inside path) you hit the foam rubber portion of the contraption and the whole thing comes apart and goes flying in a minimally impressive display of destruction. The box also includes a DVD, which I have not watched.
The verdict: This is a training aid that originally retailed for $79, now sells for $39, is available at Target for $25, and was (is?) on sale for $18 at Target. A homemade version can also be built for considerably less from materials available at any well-stocked hardware store. But for $18, it was worth it to me to avoid a trip to the Home Depot, and the construction time thereafter.
As for the effectiveness . . . to my surprise, the darn thing seems to work. For the first time ever, I am suppressing my over-the-top move and I am hitting straighter and more consistently. This is my favorite training aid at the moment and, because I can hit balls and see my ball flight, I take it with me to the range every day. It may look silly (especially when I occasionally revert back to my over-the-top swing and send the foam rubber piece flying 10 feet onto the range in front of the morning range crowd), but it seems to work.
My only concerns with The Inside Approach are related to its durability. The foam rubber padding/sleeve has suffered serious damage on the few occasions when I have struck it "head on" (i.e. the club head strikes the circular portion of the foam rubber sleeve that faces down the target line.) I recommend wrapping the end of the foam cylinder with duct tape before use to prevent pieces from being sliced (no pun intended) off. And for Pete's sake, use black duct tape when you do this. That, or find a local hardware store and buy a length of similarly sized pipe insulation that you can use as a replacement as needed. If necessary, call the makers of the product. I found them to be extremely friendly and helpful when I emailed and called.
Where to buy:
Conclusion: The main thing to keep in mind with any training aid is that YMMV ("your mileage may vary"). I highly suggest finding a teaching pro you like, take some lessons, and talk to him/her about whether you might benefit from a particular training aid. There are some crazy devices out there, but there are also some that seem to actually help.
Episode 3, and no eliminations yet. But the show promises that someone will go home today. I've made no secret about who I think should go, and watching the "confession" videos on the Golf Channel website (another Big Break related guilty pleasure I've acquired), I can truthfully say that I am not alone. All of the players have acknowledged at some time that they are baffled at how Cirbe even managed to make it onto the show. But having watched 3 previous seasons, I know that there are numerous ways in which a bad player can manage to stick around.
* * * * Warning: Potential Spoilage Below * * * * 
