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Orange Whip LightSpeed -- Initial Quick Take. Forum Member unofficial mini-review. July, 2020 About two or so years I jumped aboard the Orange Whip "train" (lol) ... and it quickly became one of my favorite swing training aids (and I've tried a LOT of different ones over the years); in fact, I liked it so much I added the OW "Compact" trainer shortly thereafter (basically a shorter version intended to simulate an iron swing). I still use both of these frequently, and definitely feel that I'm still gaining benefit from both of them. Recently I saw an ad for OW's new "LightSpeed" speed (of course!) trainer. I'd been looking at SuperSpeed's "C" trainer, but then considered that since I'm already using - and am comfortable with - two OW training aids then their model of speed trainer may be a better fit for me. Note: I have not used any SuperSpeed trainer and this mini-review makes no effort to compare/contrast them. My swing speed: Don't know my driver swing speed but based on charts I've seen online my current 3-wood (that I use off the tee most often; tho technically it could be a 4W, I guess, at 17* loft?) clubhead speed should be hi 80s / close to 90 mph (ie. I get close to 200 yd carry when I catch it right). My training goal: Obviously I hope to improve my clubhead speed -- to improve both the distances I can reach off the tee and that I can hit a second shot, and also to increase the distance from where I can comfortably attempt an approach shot. However - I'm not looking for outright speed but rather a little more let's call it "playable" clubhead speed with my woods, hybrids, irons .. *while still swinging in control and making solid contact* (and, hopefully ha ha, towards my on-course targets). It would be nice to add, if I can get there, another 10% / 20 yards to my tee shots with my 3W. Additionally, being 64 now I'm hoping that with regular use it'll help me to maintain a decent clubhead speed over time. I don't plan on measuring my swing speed on an LM, now nor after a period of training; my results .. positive, negative, unchanged .. will reveal themselves on the course. OK, back to the product: If you're familiar with an OW Trainer then you'll already be familiar with its slightly shorter, and of course much lighter, brother LightSpeed - eg. same construction with an orange ball head, flexible shaft, counterweight ball on the butt end of the grip, etc. Where they differ includes - LightSpeed has a smaller, lighter head; uses a longer length of the thinner profile/more flexible shaft material; and has a slightly larger/slightly heavier counterweight ball. It also uses a slightly different style wrap grip on it (possibly an update to all OW products?) with slightly wider spacing between the wraps and small dimples for texture; the material feels more synthetic vs the more rubbery grip on the original Trainer; plus the grip on the LightSpeed is slightly larger around .. almost like an extra wrap or two of tape underneath a standard grip (actually a welcome plus for these old fingers!). Minor QA dings: 1. The ferrule, I guess you'd call it, at the joining of the two shaft sections was loose; it needs a bit of glue to hold it in place. 2. The counterweight ball was loose, not fully screwed down. This was a bit surprising as I recall having read two years ago on the Orange Whip site that some models may have shipped with a loose counterweight and the user was cautioned to tighten it. I twisted it down hand tight, but if it does loosen after some use I'll put a drop of ThreadLock in there. First impressions: Almost as expected due to having used other OW trainers, the first swings with the LightSpeed did not feel awkward. In fact it feels nicely balanced as you swing back and through, and just like it's bigger brother the Trainer it encourages you to swing with good sequencing and tempo. I started out slowly, and slowly dialed it up, until I heard the pronounced SWISH at the bottom of the swing. You can very clearly locate where that point is, too - ie. early, late, or at the just right release point. Then I picked up the Trainer for a few swings, then alternated back to the LightSpeed for a few rips. I can feel that this thing is going to be a big help to me! Training aid review points: Any golf swing training aid, of any type, should imho ... - be easy to understand how to use it; - and be actually easy to use; - require little to no setup and teardown; - provide audible, visual and/or tactile feedback when used properly and improperly; - encourage its continued and repeated use. I believe the Orange Whip LightSpeed checks all these boxes. ...I'll come back and add an update after some more time with it.

Has anyone tried the SuperSpeed (https://superspeedgolf.com/) training aid? My wife saw them at the PGA show earlier this year. As usual, their website talks of gaining 30 yards on your drives, but my wife who's does golf fitness was intrigued by these clubs. I'd like to hear some feedback, as these clubs can get expensive.

I was out of the game for 10 years, got fitted a few weeks ago, saw 2 different fitters and chose one before I bought a brand new $3200 complete golf set. Not everything went smoothly, and for you professional fitters out there, here is a few major criticisms. (Summary is in bold). Here are my specs: 6'1 height, 37.5 inch wrist to floor, swing speed 100-105mph, aggressive tempo, ~250+ yards carry with driver, high spin around 3000-4000, high ball flight with a slight fade, handicap around ~12 now, but used to be down to 7. My long irons and driving is pretty good, my wedges are very average. I have a high swing and tend to fade the ball, but I can adjust my swing to hit both a fade and a draw. 1. First of all, the different fitters couldn't even agree on what lie angle I needed for my 7 iron, which I hit high and about 165 yards+ carry. One said 4 flat, the other 2 up. I went with the 2 up because it was a driving range and they had more facilities etc. I think this was a problem because I can adjust my swing to the club relatively easily. 2. They both got the length right, about 3/4 to 1 inch over. They both only tested 7 iron and driver. They didn't ask to test any other clubs. The fitting for one cost $118 which I went with, the other was free. 3. I was recommended Mizuno JPX EZ forged, all 2 up, 1 inch over, S300 steel irons, and XR 16 Pro driver/pro 3 wood/3 pro hybrid all with X stiff flex. Vokey Wedges were also 1 inch over, and I was told they were also 2 up. 4. However when the clubs arrived, that isnt what I got. I was hitting them all well left with some hooks, so got some second advice and a check of lies. Turned out the irons were all 3.5 up, 1 inch over (making them effectively 5.5 up). Moreover I got the XR 16 9.0 standard driver/fairway wood /hybrid -the standard model not the XR 16 PRO, which was not what was decided at the end of testing. The driver/fairway/hybrid shafts were all X flex, even though my swing speed is only 100-105mph. When I tested the XR 16 pro afterward it felt lower, better, and longer. The XR 16 went too high, even with X flex, and I had to put it at its lowest setting of 8 degrees at neutral, which worked ok, but the XR 16 pro was lower and longer and lower spin. The vokey wedges were not 2 up either, I was hitting them well left and when checked, they were both 4 up, making them, with 1 inch over, effectively 6 up. Who uses 6 up wedges??? 5. I went back and showed them some shots on the range which all went left, and they agreed to flatten the irons by 3 and the wedges by 4. They now hit much better, but why did they change the lies to such high angles in the first place? even to above what I was told I was actually getting when they arrived?. Did they just stuff up the order??? I got the distinct impression of being just put through the motions, with no-one really checking anything, or the proper order. They saw a high fade and high swing, so probably thought lets just order 4-6 up to correct the swing, even though I'm really not bad, can hit the ball up to 290 yards roll and have a handicap around 12. The Mizuno EZ forged suit my ~12 handicap, although its coming down, so could have gone a bit more pro/bladey. I'm now ordering the M1 driver/fairway/3 hybrid with S flex, because the XR 16 driver/fairway/hybrid goes a little left and a little too high, and might even get the MP25 irons , which suits a 5-10 handicap, because my iron game is good, my handicap coming down from 12 is probably a touch better than the JPX EZ forged, although this was only a minor criticism, as these irons can also be used by lower handicap players. But why didnt they give me what they said, and why did I have to then go out and waste time checking and adjusting??? Not impressed. (By the way, the tested I didnt go with was a bit miffed, but I thought he would have done a better job (he was also closer with the 4 flat) and so am ordering new clubs through him.)

Here is my bag as of 3/12/2015: Driver-Krank Formula 5 10.5* (Paderson KINETIX KG 860 D40) Long Driver-Krank Formula 5 7.5*(Paderson KINETIX KVMT-LD60) Fairway wood-TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Tour 14.5* (Paderson KINETIXx KG 271-FW D50) Irons-Fourteen Golf FH-1000 4-PW (Paderson KINETIXx KB 110G D40) Wedges-Fourteen Golf RM Tour Issue Wedges 52*, 56*, 60* (Paderson KINETIXx KB Wedge Shaft D40) Putter-Yes! Natalie (Keep in mind I have been hitting Paderson Driver shafts for well over a year before I decided to get the iron shafts to match) All of my grips are Pure Midsize Wrap. Training aids in the bag: The Ultimate Swing Trainer Lag Rag Power Golf System The SwingRight Trainer Alignment Rods Here are a few photos...ENJOY!

I've been enjoying following my buddy Colby, AKA Quite the Chap as he pursues his quest for greater swing speed this winter/spring. Thought I'd share his vlog with you guys because they are quite entertaining and you may get something out of it. And I'll say for anyone wondering if the kid can play, Colby is the real deal scratch player.