I'm a sucker for golf gadgets. All those informercials on the Golf Channel have me running to my wallet. I tell my wife to lock up my credit card.
I always think the latest training aid will be the key to freeing me from my golf pugatory. Some work, but most don't. Still, it's always fun to think salvation is just an 800-number away.
From time to time, we've looked at some new products. One product that has received some nice reviews is the Gyro Swing ($219).
There's a gyroscope in the clubhead that forces the club to stay on plane. I can't say I've tried it because they don't have a left-handed version yet. We lefties get the short straw again.
However, I asked my friend Derek Domaleski, an instructor at the Dynamic Golf Institute in Deerfield, to provide a review. Here is what he had to say:
"The Sklz Gyro Swing is one of the most interesting golf training aids I have ever seen. While I’m not exactly sure how it works, the gyroscope that is built into the clubhead provides resistance when it is turned on. This resistance is greater if the clubface is either too open or too closed during the golf swing. It also provides resistance if you swing the club off plane. However, I felt more of an influence on the clubface than the plane of the swing.
"One thing that I liked about the Gyro Swing is that it offers the golfer a feel, and it guides them into making the proper movement. I could see golfers benefiting from a training aid like this if they use it on a regular basis, or if they brought it to the range with them and did training reps in between hitting shots. Changing a motor program requires a high number of quality repetitions to break the old habit and create a new one. The Gyro Swing could help a golfer do that because it encourages the golfer to make a repeatable movement.
"I am not as confident with this product's ability to direct the player to swing the club on plane. This is partially due to my belief that golfers of different stature and with different levels of mobility may need to swing the club on a flatter swing plane or a more upright swing plane to achieve success. The Gyro Swing seems to train a single swing plane.
I'm a sucker for golf gadgets. All those informercials on the Golf Channel have me running to my wallet. I tell my wife to lock up my credit card.
I always think the latest training aid will be the key to freeing me from my golf pugatory. Some work, but most don't. Still, it's always fun to think salvation is just an 800-number away.
From time to time, we've looked at some new products. One product that has received some nice reviews is the Gyro Swing ($219).
There's a gyroscope in the clubhead that forces the club to stay on plane. I can't say I've tried it because they don't have a left-handed version yet. We lefties get the short straw again.
However, I asked my friend Derek Domaleski, an instructor at the Dynamic Golf Institute in Deerfield, to provide a review. Here is what he had to say:
"The Sklz Gyro Swing is one of the most interesting golf training aids I have ever seen. While I’m not exactly sure how it works, the gyroscope that is built into the clubhead provides resistance when it is turned on. This resistance is greater if the clubface is either too open or too closed during the golf swing. It also provides resistance if you swing the club off plane. However, I felt more of an influence on the clubface than the plane of the swing.
"One thing that I liked about the Gyro Swing is that it offers the golfer a feel, and it guides them into making the proper movement. I could see golfers benefiting from a training aid like this if they use it on a regular basis, or if they brought it to the range with them and did training reps in between hitting shots. Changing a motor program requires a high number of quality repetitions to break the old habit and create a new one. The Gyro Swing could help a golfer do that because it encourages the golfer to make a repeatable movement.
"I am not as confident with this product's ability to direct the player to swing the club on plane. This is partially due to my belief that golfers of different stature and with different levels of mobility may need to swing the club on a flatter swing plane or a more upright swing plane to achieve success. The Gyro Swing seems to train a single swing plane.
"Overall I think this is an interesting product, and I do think it can help a golfer who needs to achieve a feeling of what the clubface should do during the golf swing."
Another product that I like is the GolfStretcher. Flexibility is a big issue for me. I'm about as flexible as a rock. So I'll try anything that loosens me up.
The GolfStretcher ($75) has two handles attached to a bar or shaft that allows you to adjust the length. The handles provide 360-degree rotation. By being able to rotate, you're able to get to areas that you couldn't reach by routine stretching.
If you are looking to open up the upper body, the GolfStretcher is a good piece of equipment. The moves are easy and you can feel the stretch. It doesn't work the lower body so you're going to have to find something else for the hamstrings and hips.
I like it. I've noticed a difference, although I'm still a long way from shedding my rock flexibility rating.
No comments:
Post a Comment