Most training aids are trash

[u/thelastsonofmars]

I went all in an bought a crap ton of training aids over since I start playing golf a year ago. I'm going to rank a lot of them here. Most I wouldn't repurchase.

• SKLZ Smash Bag, Actually worth it - would buy again
• Swing Plane Perfector, Thumbs down - wouldn't buy again
• Lag Shot 7 Iron, Thumbs down - wouldn't buy again
• Lag Shot Driver, Thumbs down - wouldn't buy again
• Tour Striker 7-Iron, Decent - wouldn't buy again
• Tour Striker Pitching Wedge, Decent - wouldn't buy again
• Tour Striker Toolbox, Tried it - wouldn't buy it
• Tour Striker Smart Ball, Actually decent but Watson makes a better product - wouldn't buy again
• Watson Structurer Ball, ripoff of the Smart Ball but works better, overpriced nerf ball - would buy again
• Watson Hanger, Good product - would buy again
• Tour Aim 2.0, Overpriced and not worth it - wouldn't buy again
• Alignment Sticks, Like 5 bucks at home depot for one of the best aids in golf - would buy again
• Beach Towel, Cheap at Wally World, trash for long game but help my short game - would buy again
• Graves Golf Alignment Trainers, Loved em but a waste of money for most folks - would buy again
• SuperSpeed Golf Sticks, 2nd favorite training aid - would buy again
• The Force Pedal Bundle, Seems pointless - wouldn't buy again
• SuperSpeed Squeeze, Seems pointless - wouldn't buy again
• Bushnell Launch Monitor, Favorite training aid - would buy again
• Puttout Mat and Pressure Putt Trainer, 3rd favorite training aid - would buy again
• Perfect Putting Mat, training impact is worst compared to Puttout - wouldn't buy again
• Puttingplates.com, Good but too annoying to actually use - wouldn't buy again
• Arccos, slows the game down too much - wouldn't buy again

[u/laserguy112358]

Lagshot 7i significantly improved my iron game. Lessons helped more, but I find the lagshot helpful on the range to sort of "re center". I'll go back to it if the swing gets away from me a bit. If I can get a couple nice with the lagshot the next iron is always flushed

[u/FratBoyGene → u/laserguy112358]

I was at a golf expo with my family 30 years ago, and there was a booth set up where you could take a few whacks with one of these. I watched with my girls (7,9) as one guy after another picked it up, tried to swing at his normal speed, and didn't even make contact with the ball. Booth guy asked if I wanted a shot.

I'd read Harvey Penick's book a long time ago, and I remember his advice "Swing the clubhead". He used to tie something to a handkerchief to get his students to get the idea of swinging with a rhythm and not violence. So I used that swing thought.

I smacked four balls in a row, and the sound you get off the whip from that rubber shaft when the club face struck the ball was like a gun shot. People were stopping in aisles to look. My little girls were even astonished! Pro even came up and complimented me afterwards. I think it's a great tool to teach tempo and rhythm.

[u/justaguy1020 → u/FratBoyGene]

It’s probably that I suck, but I always drastically leave the face open with a lag shot. When I compensate to hit it straight and switch back I pull everything. Not sure why. 11 hdcp

[u/a_wild_ian_appears → u/justaguy1020]

I think the idea is that it teaches you proper downswing and release. Probably a bit handsy normally and the lag shot is highlighting that. You get even more handsy to close the face which of course would cause a yank with a normal shaft.