No matter your skill level, the quest for golfing improvement is as endless as a par-5 fairway. Thankfully, there’s a vast array of practice aids on the market, each promising to fix your swing, improve your putting, or boost your chipping game.
What’s more, lots of these golf training gadgets can be used at home. Let’s dive into ten of the best golf practice aids, and see if we can’t knock a few strokes off that handicap of yours!
Why Use Golf Training Aids?
Ok, it is ultimately so that you can get better at golf and reduce your handicap. What are the wider benefits of carrying out golf training using practice aids?
Golf training can be a fantastic stress reliever for many reasons. Firstly, it encourages you to step outside and immerse yourself in the tranquil and picturesque environment that golf courses often offer. Being in nature, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, is an excellent way to promote mental wellbeing. The calm and serene surroundings can work wonders in easing your mind and allowing you to focus on the moment, a practice known as mindfulness, which has been shown to reduce stress levels significantly.
Secondly, golf training also provides an engaging physical challenge that can help release built-up tension in your body. Concentrating on your swing, grip, stance, and alignment encourages a strong mind-body connection, drawing your attention away from stress-inducing thoughts. Moreover, golf training prompts the body to produce endorphins – the body’s natural mood elevators. These ‘feel-good’ hormones are released during physical activities like golf, leading to a sense of relaxation and positivity post-training. This combination of mental focus and physical exertion makes golf a uniquely effective form of stress relief.
10 Golf Training Aids that you Need
PuttOut Pressure Putt Trainer: £19.99 – Amazon
The PuttOut Pressure Putt Trainer is a game-changer for your short game. Designed to simulate real putting conditions, this trainer features a unique parabolic design that rewards good putts and returns bad ones, giving instant feedback on your putting accuracy and control. Its compact size allows for easy portability, enabling you to practise anywhere, anytime. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned golfer, this training aid will help you develop a consistent and reliable putting stroke.
SKLZ Gold Flex Swing Trainer: £90.94 – AMAZON
The SKLZ Gold Flex Swing Trainer is a versatile aid that offers a comprehensive workout for your golf swing. Its weighted head and flexible shaft promote a flatter swing plane, while the exaggerated flex encourages a lagging motion, teaching tempo and balance. Ideal for pre-round warm-up or off-season practice, this swing trainer can serve as an excellent tool for golfers eager to build strength, flexibility, and swing speed.
Eyeline Golf Speed-Trap: £93.56 – Amazon
The Eyeline Golf Speed-Trap offers a novel approach to perfecting your swing path. Its adjustable ‘speed rods’ allow you to monitor your swing path and clubface alignment at impact. Whether you’re battling a slice or hook, or just seeking more consistency, the Speed-Trap provides clear visual feedback, aiding you in making essential corrections to your swing.
Callaway Home Range Practice System: £405.00 – Amazon
Callaway’s Home Range Practice System brings the driving range to you. The set includes a hitting net, launch zone hitting mat and a pro caddie ball feeder. The net’s easy assembly and takedown make it perfect for garden practice sessions. Its durable netting allows you to practice with real golf balls, offering you the freedom to work on your full swing at your leisure.
At £405.00 this is at the more pricey end of the golf training aids but it is worth it. It is built to last and will no doubt improve your game.
PuttOut Pro Golf Putting Mat: £72.00 – Amazon
The PuttOut Pro Golf Putting Mat provides a premium surface that simulates actual putting greens. It’s designed with printed alignment guides, target points, and distance markers. The mat’s heavy-duty rubber backing minimises creases, ensuring a flat roll-out and reliable ball roll.
This durable, rollable, and portable putting mat is an excellent investment for golfers who wish to practice their putting skills at home or in the office.
The SUQ Golf Smart Ball: £12.99 Amazon
The SUQ Golf Smart Ball is an innovative golf training aid that addresses a common swing flaw – the lack of connection between arms and body. The inflatable, lightweight ball connects to an adjustable lanyard to fit anyone. When used correctly, the Smart Ball encourages a unified body and arm swing, promoting better swing tempo, consistency, and control.
SKLZ Tempo and Grip Trainer: £38.99 – Amazon
The SKLZ Tempo and Grip Trainer is a handy device for golfers focusing on mastering grip and swing tempo. The moulded training grip ensures proper hand placement and positioning, and the weighted end simulates actual golf club weight. With this tool, you can work on your swing mechanics anytime, enhancing your overall performance on the course.
Orange Whip Full-Sized Golf Swing Trainer: £126.94 Amazon
The Orange Whip Full-Sized Golf Swing Trainer is a highly beneficial tool for flexibility, balance, and strength. Its distinctive counterweighted system encourages a smooth swing motion and promotes better sequencing in the swing. The flexible shaft and counterweighted design aid in syncing your arms and body while swinging, creating a harmonious and efficient swing.
Wellputt Start Putting Mat: £129.00 – Amazon
The Wellputt Start Putting Mat is an engaging and effective way to improve your putting. It boasts a high-quality material that ensures a consistent roll, emulating the conditions of a real green. Its printed visual guides assist in developing accuracy and control. The associated Wellputt app provides valuable feedback and creative games, making practice sessions more interactive and fun.
Izzo Golf Smooth Swing: £11.75 – Amazon
The Izzo Golf Smooth Swing is a straightforward yet highly beneficial training aid that encourages a better connection between your body and arms. Its elastic band fits comfortably around your upper arms, maintaining the right amount of tension during the swing. This simple tool helps golfers of all levels to promote a smoother, more controlled, and efficient golf swing, leading to better ball striking and lower scores.
Get that Handicap Down Fast!
So there you have it, folks! Ten top-notch golf practice aids to help you shave those pesky extra shots off your game. As we’ve seen, it’s not all about flashy gear or complicated devices. Sometimes, it’s the simplest tools that bring the biggest improvements. Happy practicing, and here’s to seeing your handicap tumble!