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Best Golf Training Aids 2023
Do you head to the driving range lugging your golf bag and dragging a small wagon overflowing with golf training aids and golf swing trainers?
We get it. The hope of getting better in golf can really make any training aid seem worth the money.
But all golf training aids are not created equal.
Just like golf clubs, the best golf training aids must offer value and improve your game. Here are our picks for the best golf training aids and some insight into how and why they can help you.
Orange Whip (Best for Flexibility, Speed and Strength)
The Orange Whip is a weighted and flexible shaft with a heavy orange ball on the end. With the Orange Whip, you don’t hit golf shots. Instead, you take swings and work on your swing tempo, a little swing plane and a lot of timing.
Orange Whip won’t necessarily put you on the proper swing path but, with the way the device is designed, if you are not on the path, you are going to feel it and you are going to lose speed.
Work with this tool enough and you will train your golf muscles to load and release a golf club.
Pros
Comes in a few different sizes for juniors, professionals, average golfers, etc. It can be kept in the golf bag as an easy way to warm up. Will help increase swing speed. Will improve overall flexibility.Cons
Doesn’t do much to get your backswing on plane. Won’t help too much with increased accuracy on golf shots.Tour Striker PlaneMate (Best for Swing Plane)
If you have ever purchased a training aid and quickly realized you had no idea what to do with it, the Tour Striker PlaneMate could be one of the best options. The training plan included with the Tour Striker PlaneMate makes a big difference when it comes to taking your long and short games to the next level.
Essentially, the Tour Striker PlaneMate is a set of resistance bands that connect to your body and your golf club. These bands sort of force you to swing on the proper plane. The concept is to build muscle memory, improve rotation and, ultimately, hit the ball with a square club face.
Pros
Can be used by newer players as well as experienced golfers. Comes with a training program. Easy to throw in the golf bag Promotes consistency.Cons
Priced a little high unless you are committed to using it regularly. Can be a bit difficult to learn and feel initially. Doesn’t help with issues regarding clubface alignment or accuracy.Tour Striker Smart Ball (Best for Connection of Arms and Body)
If you like simple feedback for left- and right-handed golfers, the Tour Striker Smart Ball is the way to go. One of the great things about this aid is that you can wear it while you hit shots to get instant feedback.
The Tour Striker Smart Ball has been spotted on the PGA TOUR. Professional players like the connection the Tour Striker Smart Ball provides, as that is truly its most important benefit.
With the Tour Striker Smart ball being inflatable, it is also versatile. Inflate the ball to various positions to work on different swing fixes.
However, if you are tired of the flying elbow in the golf swing, the fully inflated Tour Striker Smart Ball will get rid of it for good.
Pros
Very easy to use and used by professional golfers. Can work for chipping and pitching in addition to full swings. Portable design fits in the golf bag.Cons
Not customizable for individual player’s needs. Can be uncomfortable for the first few strokes.The Stack (Editors’ Choice)
Sometimes the simplest-looking training aids can have the most profound impacts. The Stack is our Editors’ Choice and it made it onto our 2022 Best in Golf list. Matt Fitzpatrick is a big supporter of The Stack and credited it with helping him win last year’s U.S. Open.
The Stack is a speed-training device with five milled Stack weights, giving you combinations between zero and 300 grams of additional weight. The key, though, is the training. Again, most of us need some help when it comes to knowing how to use training aids.
The dynamic speed training was formulated by Sasho MacKenzie, a Canadian biomechanics professor and accomplished amateur golfer. You get guided workouts, custom speed metrics, and even access to the Stack Putting training.
Pros
Comes with a complete training app. Significantly improves clubhead speed when following the program. Customizable based on individual players’ biometrics.Cons
Must purchase a speed-measuring device (launch monitor) for it to work. Potentially better for better players who have the basics down.ProSENDR (Best New Training Aid)
With more data about the golf swing being continually collected, we are learning exactly how the upper body, lower body, hands and arms all work together. The ProSENDR is all about getting your wrists into the right position.
If you have been told to “leave your wrists out of it,” that may be exaggerated. Sean Foley and the team at ProSENDR would say you are better off getting your wrists in the right position.
The ProSENDR promotes a flat left wrist at the top (for right-handers) and helps you shallow out the backswing and the downswing. The ProSENDR is not restrictive and comes with a Compression Sphere to improve overall ball striking.
Pros
Encourages “Tour-level” ball striking. Can be worn while hitting shots Used for chipping, pitching, putting and the full swing.Cons
Newer release with not much feedback available. Feels a bit like wearing a grip trainer when you are swinging; takes some time to get used to.Lag Shot (Best for Tempo and Timing)
If you struggle with rhythm, timing and tempo in your golf swing, the Lag Shot is a great option to consider. The Lag Shot is a very flexible golf shaft with a heavy head designed to help you feel the sensation of creating lag in your golf swing. With the proper use of the Lag Shot, you should improve overall club head speed.
One warning: the Lag Shot is hard to work with at first. The angle of the clubface is challenging to maintain as you come through impact because of the flexibility of the shaft. However, once you get it down, it works quite well.
Pros
Can hit actual shots with the Lag Shot. Gives an instant feeling of what lag is. Improves tempo and timing.Cons
Hard to work with at first. Won’t improve distance for all players.PuttOUT Pressure Putt Trainer (Best on the Greens)
You didn’t think we would forget about your putting stroke, did you? If you want to make more putts, our favorite golf training aid is the PuttOUT Pressure Putt Trainer. The PuttOUT Pressure Putt Trainer only accepts a perfect putt.
If you want to learn precision on the greens, this is the tool.
The parabolic ramp will return putts the same distance they would have gone past the hole. If you are tired of three putts, this is a great tool to use.
The newest design of the PuttOUT Pressure Putt Trainer also includes a place to put alignment sticks to stabilize the unit.
Pros
Fun and entertaining way to practice. Replicates a golf hole and allows you to practice anywhere. Can be placed in the golf bag after a practice session. Available in several colors.Cons
It’s a little frustrating to hit a perfect putt—but that’s golf!What To Look For In The Best Golf Training Aids
There are hundreds of training aids out there. Here are some of the criteria for choosing a training aid that is the best for your golf game.
Versatility
Can you use the aid only on the putting green or does it translate to the full swing as well? If you can avoid having multiple training aids and instead have two or three that really help you hone in on a skill, it’s a smarter decision. Choose wisely.
Portability
Throwing your aid back in the golf bag after a range session and having it there for you the next time is convenient. Not every great golf training aid can fit into your golf bag but it’s a positive to keep in mind.
Area of the Game
Which facet of your game needs the most help? Take a lesson with a professional and narrow down where your struggles are in your golf game. Use technology like launch monitors and video to pinpoint the issue and then choose a training aid that focuses on that.
Adjustability (Room to Grow)
If you are a mid-handicapper, will the aid you purchase work as you become a low-handicapper? Having room to grow with the training aids you purchase can improve their overall value.
Pricing
Golf training aids cost anywhere from a few bucks to hundreds of dollars. The more expensive training aids generally bring more technology and that increases the price. The key to getting your money’s worth out of your training aid is to use it. If you plan to practice with it once or twice a week, it’s worth the money. If it will sit in your golf bag or basement, skip it!
Do Swing Trainers Actually Work?
Now that we have sorted through some of the best training aids on the market, let’s address the elephant in the room: Do these things work?
The answer is yes and no. Training aids don’t work for everyone and there are two reasons why.
The first is that the user is trying to correct the wrong problem. If you are using a training aid to correct your setup but can’t control the clubface, you won’t have much success.
The second instance of golf training aid failure is improper or infrequent use. As great as our favorite training aids are, you must put in some time for them to work. These aren’t magic game changers. They are aids to help you in your journey to becoming a better player.
Who Needs Golf Training Aids?
Many golfers think training aids are designed for beginners but that is untrue. In fact, many touring professionals regularly use some of our top picks.
You can never stop learning and improving in golf.
Are Training Aids Better than Golf Lessons?
Training aids are not a replacement for golf lessons. In fact, before investing in training aids, it’s helpful to take some golf lessons and understand your issues. A golf professional can break down the skills needed to improve your game and use training aids to reinforce this learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Orange Whip is worth it if you are trying to improve your tempo and increase your flexibility in your golf game.
A swing plane trainer like TourStriker PlaneMate can help you if your club has a hard time staying on the proper plane. If you find that alignment rods placed in the ground on an angle are not enough to help you get the feeling of the correct plane, a swing plane trainer can give you that feel and feedback you need.
Because of its highly flexible shaft, the Orange Whip will help create lag in your golf swing. However, the Lag Shot is more specifically designed to improve lag whereas the Orange Whip focuses on tempo, balance and flexibility.
If you are playing according to the Rules of Golf, a training aid is not allowed during the round.
The two devices have similar properties, but they aren’t the same. The Orange Whip has a weighted ball on the end of it, whereas Lag Shot has an actual clubface that can be used to hit golf balls. All in all, both look to work on your tempo and work great as warmup devices before your round.
Wrapping it Up: The Best Training Aids
Now it’s time to head to the driving range and work on your game. Whether trying to increase distance, improve accuracy or both, these best golf training aids will help you get there.
Looking for more tools to help sharpen your golf game? Check out the best golf rangefinders and best golf simulators.
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