Every now and again, I get a question from a Surgite that asks me to review a particular golf training aid. With so many on the market (especially on the internet), it's easy to wonder whether or not they can help your golf swing.
Most training aids are made for a rotational swing. Luckily, I've got training aids for a vertical swing availabe right here on this website. You can click here to see a list of Surge approved training aids.
Pete Crocitto wrote in to ask about the BenderStik, so today I'm going to simply offer my opinion on this tool. It was actually developed by a golf professional that I've known for over 30 years.
In this case, I've decided that the BenderStik gets two thumbs up. However, that's only if you use it in conjuction with the Peak Performance Golf Swing. The inventor is a rotational player, so don't be fooled into swinging the way that he does. It's a good product, but you still must remain vertical.
Happy Sunday!
The Surge
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Comments
One for Josh
Hi Surge, thanks so much for truthful review of the Benderstik training aid. I may go take a look at their site here momentarily, just to say I've seen one.
As most of the Surgites know, I haven't played a round in almost a year now, but hope to begin some limited play or range work in the near future. I have been working on my game,however, making slo-mo shadow or mirror swings to keep my PPGS swing from completely rusting over. I also check the blog regularly for new ideas about practice routines,drills & tips. As a matter of fact, the last daily that Dave posted concerning the tip that Derek Hardy gave him on getting his head up to look at the horizon seems to have really helped me, as well.
Over the last several months, I have had plenty of time to breakdown my own swing by studying the few videos I shot of it prior to my injury, and by once again ( quite a few times,actually) reviewing the manual & your videos,as well.The two main culprits for my physical breakdowns during the swing are that I was losing my spine angle and the outward pressure to my knees. I do believe the aforementioned tip from Derek via of Dave will help me considerably with the former and I'll continue to tinker with the outward pressure until I find the correct amount that keeps the knees in check & working together more. Both of those faults together were killers of me hitting it dead straight, my last outing I was hitting mild to medium pull fades. My right knee couldn't take the stress I was putting on it ,so I was
unconsciously letting my left knee collapse towards the ball. This was pointed out to me by several of the regulars here when I posted my video and it was pretty obvious. That, in turn, caused me to go downward in
the BUS,aka like Tiger, and I would lose my spine angle coming down into
impact when I would have to stand up(or out) to clear room for my swing path. I feel confident that I am on the road to better swings,perhaps not a full rounds worth, but I'll take whatever I can get of this great game.
I have also discovered someone to help me with the mental side of my game and I'm happy and excited about that as well. It's a program much
akin to Tim Gallwey's "Inner Golf".
Now,as to my subject line & to close this discourse on the woes of Booger's
swing. Josh just celebrated his eighth birthday last week and on days I can keep him off his DS , we go across the road and I let him hit some shots with his 9 iron in the pasture. When he happens to luckily get everything right, my little man can hit it really well but like most growing kids,especially those that are lagging behind developmentally, he sways back & forth to much to be affective or repetitive. So in here a few days, I'll be ordering the
SwingTech trainer off the site and mounting it on a 4 or 6x in the backyard,so that we can both groove our vertical swings.
Trust your swing & keep it vertical, Booger
SwingTech Trainer
Evening Boog and great to hear from you! Just wanted you to know I really, really like the Swing Tech Trainer. It works, plain and simple! It's a great training device for grooving the PPGS. I have mine mounted on a 4X4 post in the back yard and use it frequently to "re-groove" my master set-up and swing. The nice thing about it is it won't let you make a "bad" swing. It was a little awkward feeling at first because I'd developed a few "gliches" in my swing that just weren't correct. At first I thought it was the trainer, but after careful review and some range-testing, I realized my swing was not correct! Two of my grandsons also use it, and they are really getting the swing ingrained now. It's the best money you'll ever spend for a great PPGS training device! Take care and hit 'em straight! R2
Re: SwingTech
Thanks for the endorsement, R2, I've had my eye on one for a long time &
now that he is at the age and showing more interest in the game ( like asking if he has ever been to such & such golf course as we pass it, and saying he wants to play there) it seems like the perfect time to get Josh grooved in!
Hopefully, he'll take to the game & come to love it as much as I do. Now that
I'm retired ( early medical ) , perhaps I can help shape his game. I believe that the game of golf just might be the ticket to further his development emotionally and a great way to let us both enjoy the outdoors.
Spread the word!
Spread the word!
L2 & Other Orders.
After spending the weekend in Lexington,Kentucky, I am happy to know that my L2 putter is about an hour out of B'ham., having left Nashville just over an hour ago. I can't wait to give it a test run when it arrives here at the house in the morning.
I also put in my order on site for the SwingTech this morning and it should be here the latter part of the week coming via USPS.I'm trying to talk my middle son,Matt, into breaking out the post-hole diggers and helping his old man out,lol. If not, I'm sure the neighbor kid can some more gas money.
Life is good & I'm truly blessed. RTR!
Goodies on the way
Booger,
Sounds like you are going to have some new toys soon. Yippy!
Good to hear your youngest is taking an interest in golf and this will present some nice opportunities for his growth and you two being able to hang out together. Knowing you have already been used to the 'other' heavy putter, I will be interested to hear your report on the L2. Have to say, it's been a long time since I had this much confidence on the greens. I know you have been following all the conversations on using it but reviewing John's two videos before and after practice will really help. After I used it on the greens a couple of times I picked up several nuances from reviewing them several more times.
Remember too that he is very eager to help us and easy to contact by phone and e mail. Any time you have a challenge just call John for further observations. Again, a really down to earth mid west gentleman. I had another excellent putting session after work this evening. Feels more natural all the time.
Life is good pal:) Enjoy! Oh and Happy Birthday!!
Swing Tech
Have always, and need to go back, a believer in the swing tech trainer. I use the included piece to attach to an existed door. I ususally think that I am doing the swing properly, but once you do the trainer, you realize that you are off. You cannot do the swing wrong. As Surge says, "if you get on the trainer " and feel the swing, then you know your swing is right or off. It makes me feel that I am not on track as I should be. Great feedback. Kevin McCarthy
Surge, I Erred
After having three atrocious rounds, on Sunday I went back to the drawing board and videoed my swing to see what needed to be done. I always found it
difficult comprehending the actual swing path, even with a "Swing Tech" which I bought last year. No matter what I did, the club was always laid back at the top of the BUS. I tried over several months to rectify it by swinging outside my body to get the club vertical, but to no avail. On Sunday I decided "In the mit-up the tree"and forced my wrists to feel as if I was throwing the club outside my head, bingo the video revealed I was vertical. I took this new found feeling to the course last night expecting the ball to fly all over the place, you guessed it, a 235M ( 250yds) drive off the first tee with a 3W, it was wind assisted, but hey who cares. This morning played 9 holes and broke my h/c. Still work in progress, but felt great after one session.
I know I'm a slow learner, but at least I'm now starting to learn, Lol.
exaggeration is good
Neil,
we have talked about the need for extreme measures sometimes to shake things up. Exaggerating a move as you have sometimes is the only way to experience what is needed. Eventually it will begin to feel more natural. Inspiring Neil. I fight reverting back to rotational still. I'm sure you speak for many who are trying to find a key move that will help it along. Thanks:)
A bit off topic
After putting and chipping some today, I went over to the range to try some limited 1/4 to 1/2 swing pitches (it still hurts to get the left arm up to shoulder height).
Since I was hitting off a mat, I found it a bit difficult to get properly aligned to my target using my normal routine. What I ended up doing was sticking 7 tees an inch apart along the front edge of the mat to simulate spots on the ground. As soon as I had those set, I could use my normal alignment process, just like I do from the grass.
I only managed 14 half-swings before starting to feel some pain, so I called it a day and will wait until next week to try again. I have another PT visit on Thursday.
Good to go off-topic!
Kevin, Just wanted to wish you continued success as you rehab your shoulder.
As one who suffered a torn rotator cuff (darned apple core) and frozen shoulder syndrome in my other shoulder I know exactly what you're going through,my friend. Glad to see you're not rushing the healing process.Once again, continued success as you take those small steps to recovering your range of motion.