Golf Training Aid Part II
By: Brent Walter

A golf training aid can improve every part of your game. Here is information about which golf training aid will improve your putting and strength. This article is the second part of the Golf Training Aid article that explained which golf training aids would improve your swing.

Putting Trainers

    There are many options for putting golf training aids.  Each one is designed differently but has the same goals in mind: straight, accurate, consistent stroke. It will be hard for you to find a golf training aid that will help you with every aspect of putting. So, find the golf training aid that has strengths in the areas you need the most work.  

Putting Greens: The only way to improve your putting is by practicing, and to get the most out of your practice time you need a golf training aid.  If you are serious about improving, consider a practice putting area.  There is a wide variety of options to choose from with equally varying prices.  The key is to choose one that fits your needs and interest.  For example, the Accelerator Deluxe Mat has an automatic ball return, 3 squaring lines at various distances from the hole and back stroke and acceleration marks. It costs around $35 (break90golftrainingaids.com).  In contrast, the Tru Break Putt n Hazard has motorized adjustable breaks with an electronic controller and an electronic ball return. It costs around $130 (golftrainingaids.org).  There are more than enough putting mats to choose from. One will fit your requirements and budget.

Inforgraphic Credit: Meghan Carter
Form and Technique: Whether working on your pendulum motion, hitting the sweet spot, squaring your clubface or keeping your arms in the triangle position, there is a golf training aid for your putting technique. If you want to perfect the pendulum stroke, you should consider an arm bar.  For example, the Putting Connection, a bar that holds your upper arms in the correct position, ensures that you have the proper triangle between your shoulders, arms and grip helping you utilize your back and torso (golftrainingaids.com).  Putting tracks straighten your swing and clubface and teach the optimum stroke length and acceleration. For example, the High Tech Putting Track, a bowed track that gives you visual and physical feedback, forces your putting stroke and clubface straight. If you aren't putting in a straight line or your clubface rotates, you can easily see it and fix the problem (break90golftrainingaids.com).  There are also golf training aids that attach to your putter, ensuring proper alignment and swing path.  For example, SINKIT magnetically attaches to your putter and guides you into the perfect stroke by giving you visual and physical cues (intheholegolf.com).

Strength and Conditioning Trainers


    Golf is mainly about technique, but getting your body in golfing shape is also important. Strength, flexibility and balance are keys to a better swing. A golf training aid will maximize your potential by improving your physical abilities.

Weighted Clubs: The core of your body generates most of the force used to drive a golf ball. The coiling and uncoiling action creates a whip-like force that snaps the ball toward the hole. Using modified clubs, whether weighted at the head, evenly weighted, designed for wind resistance or filled with water, can force your body to exaggerate its normal golf-swing motion. That exaggeration strengthens your muscles, increases your flexibility and reinforces correct form. For example, Gary Player's Heavy Hitter Driver has a weighted club head and shaft that strengthens your golf muscles, lengthens your swing and develops a full shoulder turn (break90golftrainingaids.com).

Exercise Equipment: Weighted balls, power cords, grip presses, wrist rollers and gym balls strengthen different areas of your body used during each swing. For example, the Portable Golf Gym comes with stretch, power cords that can increase your club head speed, accuracy and shot distance while reducing your chance of injury (golftrainingaids.org). Another strength training aid, the Golf Swing Ball, is a six-pound ball that is secured between your hands with wrist straps. It develops trunk stability and strength, as well as sharpens technique (intheholegolf.com). If you are serious about improving, incorporate a well-rounded, golf-specific workout into your practice routine.  There is a golf training aid for every area you need strengthened.

Instructional Books and Videos

    Many golf training aids come with their own instructional materials.  Often, DVDs or videotapes accompany them. If you are looking for additional information to help you improve your game, there are numerous books and videos available. There are a variety of different types of books and videos from general instructions to focused, skill-specific guides. Make sure to select information appropriate for your skill level. To simplify the selection process, know exactly what area of your game you want to improve, and get the book or video that specifically addresses it.  

    The right tools and information will make your practice time more efficient and effective. With the right golf training aid, you will be swinging better and putting straighter in no time.


Additional Information:

If you were unable to find the right training aid for you, check out our related article Golf Teaching Aid, which tells which golf training aid works best to help each part of your swing -- from your address to your follow-through.

You can also look at our related article Golf Teaching Tool, which tells you which training aids correspond with each part of your body, including your wrists, elbows, posture, legs and feet.

For a more in depth look at Golf Impact Indicators read our article Golf Impact Indicator to find which type will work best for you.


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