At the start of each year we test the most popular golf training aids on the market. And for the second year in a row, The Lag Shot is our pick for the best overall training aid.
But since each training aid has a different purpose, and the right choice for you will depend on what you’re looking to improve in your game, we’ve also included a top pick for 8 separate categories.
So whether you’re looking to boost your swing speed, work on your swing plane, or perfect your impact position, you’ll find the perfect training aid for you below.
This Year’s Best Golf Training Aids
- Lag Shot – best overall golf training aid
- Orange Whip – best tempo trainer
- SuperSpeed Golf Training System – best training aid for swing speed
- Impact Bag – best training aid for slice
- Grip Trainer – best training aid for grip
- TOTAL GOLF TRAINER Arm – best training aid for correct wrist positions
- 300 Yard Impact – simple training aid
- Impact Path Hitting Mat – best training aid for club path
- Garmin R10 – best portable launch monitor
1. Lag Shot – best overall golf training aid
This is the fourth time we’ve rounded up the top golf training aids on the market.
In 2020 and 2021, the Orange Whip (still included on our list) came out on top. But last year, we felt it had finally been overtaken by another training aid, namely the Lag Shot.
Why?
Because it pretty much does everything the Orange Whip can, but has a big advantage: you can actually hit balls with it.
The Lag Shot has the same flexible shaft as the Orange Whip — which helps you groove your tempo and rhythm — but also has a clubhead (either a 7 iron, a wedge, or a driver) that you can use to hit real golf balls on the range.
Here’s three times PGA teacher of the year Adam Bazalgette demonstrating how to use the Lag Shot training club.
The Lag Shot comes in at roughly the same price as the Orange Whip and is available to buy here.
We picked the Lag Shot as our #1 golf training aid this year. Find out how golfers are using this club to smooth out their tempo and transition, and add distance and accuracy to their game in 2022.
2. Orange Whip – best tempo trainer
I’ve had my Orange Whip for over 6 years now, and it’s still my go-to training aid for practicing golf at home.
The Orange Whip is incredibly simple:
It’s basically a heavy ball at the end of a bendy shaft, with a weight at the other end.
But it’s also incredibly effective.
If you get out of sequence you’ll slam the ball on the end into the ground. Above all else, the Orange Whip forces you to be patient in transition, which is always a good thing.
It has a few uses (including a decent core workout), but without doubt its most useful one is for working on rhythm, tempo, and balance.
If you get out of sequence you’ll slam the ball on the end into the ground. Above all else, the Orange Whip forces you to be patient in transition, which is always a good thing.
Here’s me working on swinging back and through while maintaining balance and a nice, smooth tempo.
The Orange Whip is particularly handy if you’re getting a bit bogged down in technical swing thoughts. It will get you “feeling” the swing again and stopping obsessing over positions.
Great For Warm Ups
On the course, the Orange Whip is perfect for warming up before a round.
It’s much heavier than a regular club, so give it a few swings before heading out, and your golf muscles will be nice and lose, and your driver will feel super light. Which can help you get a bit more zip on the first tee.
A Pretty Decent Core Workout
As mentioned, the weight of the Orange Whip makes it a pretty solid core workout.
So not only will you be grooving your tempo, you’ll be working on your abs too!
All in all, the Orange Whip is our pick for the best tempo training aid this year.
3. SuperSpeed Golf Training System – best training aid for swing speed
I mentioned how the weight of the Orange Whip can help you pick up a little more speed when it comes to swinging your regular clubs.
But if you want the ultimate training aid for developing swing speed, then it’s worth looking at the SuperSpeed Golf Training System.
When you purchase the system you’ll get 3 weighted clubs + an online video training series.
That might not sound like much, but it could easily add 30 yards to your drives. Which is pretty considerable.
According to SuperSpeed, most players will pick up at least 5% more swing speed within the first 4-6 weeks of working on the program.
That might not sound like much, but it could easily add 30 yards to your drives. Which is pretty considerable.
SuperSpeed weighted clubs have been used by a ton of tour pros, including Phil Mickelson, Ian Poulter, Bryson De Chambeau, and Matt Kuchar. There’s a full list of PGA pros who have used their system to increase their swing speed here.
Available from PGA Tour Superstore.
4. Impact Bag – best training aid for slice
It’s not very technical, but it works.
If you’ve ever worked on your impact position, you’ll probably try to freeze your swing on the way down, stopping at the moment of impact.
Thing is: that doesn’t really work.
Because in reality, you’ll have started decelerating about half way down. Which means you’re not really getting a true indication of what your impact position would be in a full swing.
You’ll get a true impact position. And of course you’re looking for a little bit of shaft lean (with your irons) and a square clubface.
When you use an impact bag, you can just swing as normal and hit into the bag. You’ll get a true impact position. And of course you’re looking for a little bit of shaft lean (with your irons) and a square clubface.
This is definitely a golf training aid you can DIY. An old laundry bag stuffed with clothes will probably do the trick.
But if you don’t fancy making one yourself you can grab one without breaking the bank here.
A word of warning: hitting an impact bag is pretty loud, so if you’re doing it outside make sure you have understanding neighbours!
5. Grip Trainer – best training aid for grip
There’s definitely an argument to be had about whether grip is a fundamental of golf.
Look at the PGA tour and you’ll see a variety of grips. And there’s an argument to be had that if it’s comfortable, and it works, then it’s fine.
But with that being said, there’s no doubt that grip is one of the first things an instructor will look at when you go for a lesson.
So if you want to build a textbook grip, then a grip trainer is worth considering.
Just slip it over the end of your club and pop your fingers into the slots to groove the correct grip.
…if you want to build a textbook grip, then a grip trainer is worth considering.
I use this one from SKLZ golf.
Note: you can use your grip trainer during casual rounds/practice, which is recommended while you get comfortable. But they are not legal for tournament play.
6. TOTAL GOLF TRAINER Arm – best training aid for correct wrist positions
This is another one of the golf training aids that’s ridiculously simple.
And again, it’s another one you could probably DIY. In fact, I’ve definitely seen similar done with a coat hanger.
But if you don’t fancy raiding your cupboard, then this is a great training aid for training the correct movement of the trail wrist during the golf swing.
You’ll get instant feedback if you’re doing it wrong, as your wrist will bump into the ball.
Use the Total Golf Trainer in full swings to ensure a flat wrist at the top, or for chipping to eliminate excess wrist movement (which causes inconsistent contact).
You’ll get instant feedback if you’re doing it wrong, as your wrist will bump into the ball.
7. 300 Yard Impact – simple training aid
I don’t see this golf training aid get much press, but it should.
And that’s because it was developed by former world long drive champion Monte Scheinblum. A guy who most definitely knows his stuff.
According to Monte, the 300 Yard Impact will FORCE you to both:
- swing correctly
- get into the perfect impact position
And will eliminate faults including:
- Over the top
- Sliding
- Upper body lunge
- Coming too far from the inside
- Flipping
Pretty much any fault you can name.
All you’ll need is the 300 Yard Impact + a wall.
Here’s Monte explaining how it works.
8. Impact Path Hitting Mat – best training aid for club path
It’s important to know the path of your clubhead through impact. Along with clubface direction, it’s what’s going to determine the direction (and curve) of your shot.
There are a few ways to figure out your club path. You can use a launch monitor (see below). You can video your swing, pausing on the relevant frames.
But there’s a relatively cheap golf training aid that makes figuring out your path super simple.
An impact path hitting mat will leave a mark showing you exactly how your club travelled through the impact zone. Just smooth it out after you’ve checked and you’re ready for your next shot.
As well as path, you’ll also be able to check the low point of your swing.
9. Garmin R10 – best portable launch monitor
If you want to dial in your distances, a portable launch monitor is the best way to keep track of your stats.
The Garmin R10 is compact and lightweight enough to carry around with you, and will give you feedback on most of the important metrics relating to your swing (clubhead speed, ball speed, carry, launch angle, distance etc).
The basic unit (available here from Carl’s Place) comes in at just under $600, and connects with your smartphone for shot visualization and stat recording.
Or if you have a bit more of a budget, you can also integrate the R10 into a full home golf simulator setup.
Golf Training Aid FAQs
Are golf training aids worth it?
Yes. Golf training aids will give you instant feedback on your swing, and help to build the muscle memory that will improve your swing over time.
How can I practice golf at home?
Many golf training aids don’t require hitting a ball to practice as they are designed to help you hit the correct positions in your swing. Those that do, you’ll often get away with hitting whiffle balls into a net. But if you have the budget, we’d recommend a golf simulator to help get more accurate feedback on ball flight.
What golf training aids do the pros use?
The Orange Whip and SuperSpeed’s Golf Training System are two of the most popular golf training aids used by PGA pros.
We picked the Lag Shot as our #1 golf training aid this year. Find out how golfers are using this club to smooth out their tempo and transition, and add distance and accuracy to their game in 2022.
