Training Aids

Training Aids.

By: Bruce Munch
Head Professional, White River Golf Club

This winter, while in Florida I produced a video about training aids. This is the sixth video in a series called “Concepts for Better Teaching” that I have produced, photographed and edited for The United States Golf Teachers Federation.

While doing the Training Aids Video, I had the chance to work with Dane Wiren, President of Golf Around the World, one of the nations leading training aid distribution companies. Chances are, if you have seen or heard of a training aid, they carry it.

What I found most interesting in making the video was to learn the history of training aids. We filmed the introduction at Dr. Gary Wiren’s house. Gary is Dane’s father, a Master Teaching Professional and golf historian. Dr. Wiren’s den is a golf museum in itself. The walls open up to reveal sliding racks holding golf memorabilia, some of which are over 100 years old.

Among the unique items I was able to photograph were a tempo trainer, made out of a buggy whip with a wooden club head attached, a putting trainer with hickory shaft and a head that opened to reveal an alignment aid and a club with a preformed grip, crafted by Harry Vardon, himself.

All of this just goes to show that training aids are nothing new. Instructors and avid golfers have, for over 100 years tried to craft devices that will aid in the learning of this wonderful game.

There are literally many hundreds of training aids out there, all of which guarantee to take three to five strokes off your game. Maybe instead of taking lessons we should all get three or four training aids and take 10 to 15 strokes off our game, GUARANTEED.

Seriously though, I believe in the use of training aids but they must be used correctly and in moderation. Any of you who have seen Tin Cup will have seen the excessive use of training aids as demonstrated by Rene Russo. Of course on Rene Russo, even excessive training aids look good.

Most training aid inventors feel that they have discovered the ONLY tool for improvement in specific areas of the game. Many training aids are beneficial but must be used correctly to effect the desired change. When used improperly they will at best, do nothing and at worst, produce negative results, or even physical harm.

Take the case of Vijay Singh who, last year, while performing a drill using a training aid, cracked a rib and was out for a number of weeks.

There is a product on the market that guarantees to cure your slice in six swings or less. It is made of PVC tubing and it works, but it costs $80. I have been curing the slice with a drill that accomplishes the same thing using nothing more than a club shaft.

Typically, well known people endorse training aids. I think that most pros have the integrity not to endorse products that don’t work but that doesn’t mean it will work for you. In addition, many of these products are expensive. Be selective in your purchase of training aids.

Training aids that do in fact help you to produce the desired movement are truly beneficial for the following reason: In learning there is a saying, “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do, and I understand.”

So use your training aids wisely and you too will understand.