Jump to content
TESTERS WANTED! ×

Tour Striker Smart Ball worth it?


Recommended Posts

What's up y'all!

As our summer comes to an end, I was wondering if anyone of you guys have used the Tour Striker Smart Ball to improve their game. What Pros and Cons did you get out of it and overall thoughts? 

Driver: Taylormade Sim 2 Max

3 Wood: Callaway Epic Max

Driving Iron: Titleist u510

Hybrid: Taylormade Gapr

Irons: Taylormade P760

Wedges: Vokey Jet Black 52/56/60

Putter: Taylormade Spider X

Ball: ProV1x

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Following this. I have the planemate but this sounds great to help keep the body connected.

Follow my journey to enjoying golf and going low

Driver: :callaway-small:   Epic Max LS :Fuji:Ventus Black 6x 44.5" 

3wHL: :callaway-small: Rogue ST LS 75x  Tensei AV Blue w/ xlink

7w: :callaway-small:Apex UW 21* MMT 80S

DI: Caley 01X 18* with KBS PGH Stiff plus 95g

4-AW: th.jpg.d6e2abdaeb04f007fd259c979f389de6.jpg  0211  with KBS Tour Stiff 2.5* up 3/4" long, Soft stepped, MOI matched

Wedges     :cleveland-small: Zipcore 

Putter: L.A.B. Directed Force 2.1 69*/35" in blue 

 

Ball:  TBD

Shot Tracking: :ShotScope:

Bag: Vessel VLX 2.0

Grip: Lamkin Sonar +  Midsize 

My Reviews:

Caley 01X Driving Iron Review 2023

Max Swing Speed Training and Speed Progress: Current Speed 120 in the MGS Speed Challenge (updated 3/15/23)

 :1332069271_TommyArmour:TAIII #2  Review here: TAIII Impact #2 Putter )

 :cleveland-small: Zipcore Tour Rack 54/full and 58/mid (review here)

th.jpg.d6e2abdaeb04f007fd259c979f389de6.jpg  0211  2019 Unofficial Review

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I really like Martin Chuck's content and training aids, but have a very difficult time swallowing a nearly $45 price tag for a ball on a lanyard. There are various generic versions (I have one and have used it), and a DIY version would be pretty simple.

I think the concept of the Smart Ball is helpful, perhaps better than the various bands (or shirts) for holding the arms together. In general, I think it's better for a training aid to resist the correct motion, forcing you to do the correct motion in response, than to force the correct motion, where you're resisting the correction. In this regard, having to hold the ball in place is better than having a device that holds your arms in place.

:titleist-small: TS3 9.5°, Tensei Blue
:755178188_TourEdge: CBX T3 15°, Project X HZRDUS Black
:callaway-small: Epic Super Hybrid 18°, Aerotech Steel Fiber FC HYB S
:755178188_TourEdge: C722 21°, Ventus Blue 8S
:touredgeexotics: CBX Iron-Wood 25°, Project X HZRDUS Black 6.0
:Sub70: 639 CB, Aldila NV 95 Graphite, 6–PW
:cleveland-small: CBX 48°
:mizuno-small: T22 54° and 60°
:edel-golf-1: EAS 4.0, Garsen G-Pro grip
:taylormade-small: TP5x and Tour Response

Full WITB with pictures

Link to comment
Share on other sites

yes 

:taylormade-small:     Stealth 2+ 9 (Diamana PD 60 S 45") 

image.png.dee92ef6cebb2ac4a3883744fc248f12.png     Stealth 2+ 15 (Diamana PD 70 S 43")

:ping-small:          G425 19 (Raijin 2.0 85x)

:ping-small:          G425 22 (Raijin 2.0 85x)

:srixon-small:            ZX7 5-9 (KBS C Taper S)

:titleist-small:            Vokey SM9 45 10 F (KBS 610)

 :titleist-small:           Vokey SM9 49 08 F (KBS 610)

 :titleist-small:           Vokey SM9 55 08 M (KBS 610)

 :titleist-small:           Vokey SM9 59 04 T (KBS 610)

:taylormade-small:     Spider GT Splitback 34"

 :titleist-small:           ProV1 #23

Twitter             @THEZIPR23

 

"One thing Golf has taught me, is that my muscles have no memory."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

22 minutes ago, GolfSpy MPR said:

I really like Martin Chuck's content and training aids, but have a very difficult time swallowing a nearly $45 price tag for a ball on a lanyard. There are various generic versions (I have one and have used it), and a DIY version would be pretty simple.

I think the concept of the Smart Ball is helpful, perhaps better than the various bands (or shirts) for holding the arms together. In general, I think it's better for a training aid to resist the correct motion, forcing you to do the correct motion in response, than to force the correct motion, where you're resisting the correction. In this regard, having to hold the ball in place is better than having a device that holds your arms in place.

So is this a two fold answer. The ball helps because the force of holding the ball helping maintain that feel. As well, i think you indirectly also commented here on the planemate, which has you resist, resist and then relax the band.  In both cases, I am assuming you mean these are both good training aids?

Follow my journey to enjoying golf and going low

Driver: :callaway-small:   Epic Max LS :Fuji:Ventus Black 6x 44.5" 

3wHL: :callaway-small: Rogue ST LS 75x  Tensei AV Blue w/ xlink

7w: :callaway-small:Apex UW 21* MMT 80S

DI: Caley 01X 18* with KBS PGH Stiff plus 95g

4-AW: th.jpg.d6e2abdaeb04f007fd259c979f389de6.jpg  0211  with KBS Tour Stiff 2.5* up 3/4" long, Soft stepped, MOI matched

Wedges     :cleveland-small: Zipcore 

Putter: L.A.B. Directed Force 2.1 69*/35" in blue 

 

Ball:  TBD

Shot Tracking: :ShotScope:

Bag: Vessel VLX 2.0

Grip: Lamkin Sonar +  Midsize 

My Reviews:

Caley 01X Driving Iron Review 2023

Max Swing Speed Training and Speed Progress: Current Speed 120 in the MGS Speed Challenge (updated 3/15/23)

 :1332069271_TommyArmour:TAIII #2  Review here: TAIII Impact #2 Putter )

 :cleveland-small: Zipcore Tour Rack 54/full and 58/mid (review here)

th.jpg.d6e2abdaeb04f007fd259c979f389de6.jpg  0211  2019 Unofficial Review

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 minutes ago, rbsiedsc said:

So is this a two fold answer. The ball helps because the force of holding the ball helping maintain that feel. As well, i think you indirectly also commented here on the planemate, which has you resist, resist and then relax the band.  In both cases, I am assuming you mean these are both good training aids?

Sorta. I have a PlaneMate and intend to use it heavily this offseason. But in an ideal world, the PlaneMate would actually pull the shaft steeper, which would force your body to learn how to shallow, rather than forcing you to do the correct move.

To be clear: I'm not at all saying that training aids that force you into the correct movement are bad. But I increasingly favor aids that press the opposite direction.

:titleist-small: TS3 9.5°, Tensei Blue
:755178188_TourEdge: CBX T3 15°, Project X HZRDUS Black
:callaway-small: Epic Super Hybrid 18°, Aerotech Steel Fiber FC HYB S
:755178188_TourEdge: C722 21°, Ventus Blue 8S
:touredgeexotics: CBX Iron-Wood 25°, Project X HZRDUS Black 6.0
:Sub70: 639 CB, Aldila NV 95 Graphite, 6–PW
:cleveland-small: CBX 48°
:mizuno-small: T22 54° and 60°
:edel-golf-1: EAS 4.0, Garsen G-Pro grip
:taylormade-small: TP5x and Tour Response

Full WITB with pictures

Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 minutes ago, GolfSpy MPR said:

Sorta. I have a PlaneMate and intend to use it heavily this offseason. But in an ideal world, the PlaneMate would actually pull the shaft steeper, which would force your body to learn how to shallow, rather than forcing you to do the correct move.

To be clear: I'm not at all saying that training aids that force you into the correct movement are bad. But I increasingly favor aids that press the opposite direction.

Makes sense. I wonder if you can backwards use the planemate, and get it to pull steeper. I know then you likely cant swing through since you'll get caught up but it could teach the feel.

Follow my journey to enjoying golf and going low

Driver: :callaway-small:   Epic Max LS :Fuji:Ventus Black 6x 44.5" 

3wHL: :callaway-small: Rogue ST LS 75x  Tensei AV Blue w/ xlink

7w: :callaway-small:Apex UW 21* MMT 80S

DI: Caley 01X 18* with KBS PGH Stiff plus 95g

4-AW: th.jpg.d6e2abdaeb04f007fd259c979f389de6.jpg  0211  with KBS Tour Stiff 2.5* up 3/4" long, Soft stepped, MOI matched

Wedges     :cleveland-small: Zipcore 

Putter: L.A.B. Directed Force 2.1 69*/35" in blue 

 

Ball:  TBD

Shot Tracking: :ShotScope:

Bag: Vessel VLX 2.0

Grip: Lamkin Sonar +  Midsize 

My Reviews:

Caley 01X Driving Iron Review 2023

Max Swing Speed Training and Speed Progress: Current Speed 120 in the MGS Speed Challenge (updated 3/15/23)

 :1332069271_TommyArmour:TAIII #2  Review here: TAIII Impact #2 Putter )

 :cleveland-small: Zipcore Tour Rack 54/full and 58/mid (review here)

th.jpg.d6e2abdaeb04f007fd259c979f389de6.jpg  0211  2019 Unofficial Review

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have one and I swear by it: I don’t use it as much anymore, but it does keep my arms and body working together. If you live somewhere that doesn’t allow for year-round golf it’s great for getting your swing back in shape. But it’s also easily DIY’d and at a certain level/handicap you won’t need the lanyard anymore.


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

 

Driver - Cobra LtDxLS

3 Wood - Ping g410 LST

2iron - Titleist U505

Irons - Ping i59

Wedges - Vokey Sm9

Putter - Mizuno Mcraft IV

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, I like it.  Works great for practicing the chipping and pitching motions, rotating the chest and torso through the ball with the arms extended.

I have tried to use it for full swings, I just don't have the flexibility to keep it all together.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Just bought a $15 knock off on Amazon. I've been putting a red solo cub turned sideways to replicate the feel and I like the motion it generates. 

GARSEN GRIP TESTER

  • Driver: PING G400 MAX, Ventus Blue 6x
  • Woods: COBRA F6 Baffler AD DI 8S
  • Hybrid: CALLAWAY Apex Pro, Ventus Blue 8s
  • Irons: SRIXON ZX5 mk2 5-6, ZX7 mk2 7-PW, Modus 120x
  • Wedges: EDEL 50 C grind, 54 V grind, CLEVELAND 60 RTX6 Low
  • Putter: YES Abbie!
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have both the PlaneMate and the SmartBall.  I agree with @GolfSpy MPRthat it is on the expensive side, but since I got mine for Free 99 I was okay with it!

As to the ball's effectiveness, yes, definitely.  Like PlaneMate it is effective at teaching you to keep your arms and body in sync, and it especially effective at correcting folding arms in the backswing or chicken wings in the through swing.  That said, I find PlaneMate to be a lot more effective overall, so if you're choosing between the two PlaneMate is the choice.  My two cents...

Driver: :titleist-small: TSR2, :Fuji:Ventus Blue 6 S, 65g Stiff

FW: :titleist-small: TSR2 3w, 15,  :Fuji:Ventus Blue 7 S, 70g Stiff

Hybrids:  :callaway-small: Apex Pro 3H, :Fuji:Ventus Blue 8 S, 80g Stiff

            :taylormade-small: Stealth DHY 4H, :Fuji:Ventus Blue 8 S, 80g Stiff

Irons: :edel-golf-1: SMS 5-6, SMS Pro 7-PW, Aerotech Steelfiber i95 Stiff

Wedges: :vokey-small:SM9 48 F Grind, 52 F Grind, 56 M Grind, Aerotech Steelfiber i95 Stiff

Putter: :odyssey-small: Sri-Hot 5K Triple Wide, Stroke Lab shaft

Ball: :titelist-small: Pro V1

Click here for my HONMA TR20 Official Review!  :honma:

Click here for my Arccos Caddie Bundle Official Review!   :Arccos:

Click here for my Edel SMS & SMS Pro Irons Official Review:edel-golf-1:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 years later...

Renewing this thread because I started using my smart ball (knockoff) again this week and was wondering if any one still uses theirs? 

:mizuno-small: STZ 230 9.5* ➖ PinHawk SLF 16* ➖ :mizuno-small: STZ 230 Hybrid 21.25* ➖ MALTBY TS1-IM 5-GW ➖ :benhogan-small: Equalizer II 54* ➖ :ping-small: Glide 4.0 (S) 58* ➖ L.A.B. Directed Force 2.1 
Maxfli Tour X Official Review -- https://forum.mygolfspy.com/topic/63068-testers-announced-maxfli-tour-x-golf-balls-with-max-align-technology/?do=findComment&comment=1021832

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 minutes ago, vandyland said:

Renewing this thread because I started using my smart ball (knockoff) again this week and was wondering if any one still uses theirs? 

If it helps, lots of pros are still using it. It’s one of the best training aids out there Imo. 

Driver: PXG 0811 X+ Proto w/UST Helium 5F4

Wood: TaylorMade M5 5W w/Accra TZ5 +1/2”, TaylorMade Sim 3W w/Aldila rogue white

Hybrid: PXG Gen2 22* w/AD hybrid

Irons: PXG Gen3 0311T w/Nippon modus 120

Wedges: TaylorMade MG2 50*, Tiger grind 56/60

Putter: Scotty Caemeron Super Rat1

Ball: Titleist Prov1

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Best training aid ever for me. Helps tremendously with my connection issues.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ping G430 Max Driver 10.5 Degree
Titleist TSR1 4, 5, & 6 Hybrids 
Titleist T350 Irons 7 - W48 
Cleveland
CBX ZipCore  52 56 & 60 Degree Wedges

LAB Mezz Max Broomstick Putter / TPT Shaft  (Platinum @ 45/78)

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 11/15/2023 at 2:57 PM, vandyland said:

Renewing this thread because I started using my smart ball (knockoff) again this week and was wondering if any one still uses theirs? 

Yep, use mine when I start to feel all out of sync. 

Heavygolfeels mentions it for putting. Smart Ball and putting...going to have to try that.

Driver :taylormade-small: Sim Max2

Hybrids :ping-small: G430 2, 3, 4

Irons :srixon-small: ZX4 6-PW

Wedges :taylormade-small: Hi-Toe 50, 54, 58

Putter :odyssey-small: 2Ball Ten ArmLock

Golf cart MGI Zip Navigator

:Arccos:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...