Look long enough, and you’ll find numerous opinions on golf swing teaching aids, and the comments–from professionals and weekend golfers alike–are all over the map. Some golfers swear by teaching aids, and many feel that only traditional practice is helpful. Many teaching pros use homegrown teaching aids that cost little or nothing–hula hoops, shoe boxes, mailbox reflector strips, basketballs–to help their students who are looking to learn how to golf swing, and to give them a mental image that can help them keep the swing grooved when they’re out on the course.
Numerous Varying Approaches
As you can already tell, golf swing teaching aids come in lots of price ranges and varieties. There are wrist and arm braces that help you key in on proper positioning during the swing; there are computerized gadgets that can tell you about clubhead speed, club face position, and other things; there are special hinged clubs or other clublike instruments that help you get the feel of a proper–and improper–swing. You’ll even find simple gadgets like specialized grips.
But Nothing Compares to . . .
The big thing is to recognize that there is no silver bullet–there is no single golf swing teaching aid that will instantly fix your game. Realistically, there is no teaching aid that will even improve every part of your swing. Rather, each aid plays a small role in what eventually makes up your entire swing. But that’s okay, as specialization and focus are key to really absorbing these motions into muscle memory.
The other important thing to realize is that you must use common sense in selecting and purchasing golf swing teaching aids. The bottom line, however, is that lasting improvement will come through repetition and practice. A golf swing teaching aid can help, but it’s up to you to apply it properly to your game.
For that matter, before spending a penny on aids, you will likely gain the most benefit from plain old exercise and a video camera. Exercise that specifically works your core will do wonders for your swing and distance, especially over the course of a round. I’m not talking about crunches and the like, but a full core workout, e.g. using Pilates or a physioball. And the video camera can correct a multitude of swing problems without a fancy teaching aid. Put together all of these puzzle pieces, and you’re beginning to look like a contender!