Best Cheap Training Aid?

[Bulldog]

I'm guilty of falling for some slick marketing and buying over-priced training aids (some that don't actually help that much).  But, I have a training aid that I use frequently that has made a big improvement in my swing - specifically my turn.  I've had plenty of comments about a having short backswing.  So, I invested $8.76 in a closet pole at the local big box home improvement store. It's a six foot long, one inch diameter wooden dowel intended to be used as a clothes hanger rod in a closet.

The drill is simple.  Place the pole behind your neck, place you hands on the pole with your arms stretched out.  Gradually start turning in a golf swing motion.  I start upright and bend over into a golf posture more with each swing.  I do twenty turns for the drill.  By the end, I can get the left end of the pole pointed toward my right foot (I swing right-handed). 

I'm a senior golfer. Doing this drill, I've gained distance - noticeable distance - sometimes crazy long distance. Now the comments are, "What ball are you using?" or "Is that a new driver?"

So, what's your best cheap training aid that really helps your game?

[RollingGreens]

Towel under the elbow to keep my elbow/arm in tight to prevent the over the top swing. Pretty cheap I would say!

[BMart519]

Metal yard stick for putting start line, usually under $5 at a hardware store. 

[Shankster]

Natural Light is pretty cheap I hear.  I don’t drink, but I imagine it helps with forgetting the bad shots.

Yard makers are pretty cheap for alignment aids on serious note.

[Headhammer]

$2 Garden rod used as alignment stick, swing plane stick, hip rotation tool

$20 Putting mirror 

 

[TaketheCannoli]

On 5/13/2022 at 6:46 AM, Headhammer said:

$2 Garden rod used as alignment stick, swing plane stick, hip rotation tool

$20 Putting mirror 

 

How do you use it as a hip rotation tool?

[Headhammer]

One in your belt loop, one in the ground work on turning your hips so the rod in your belt hits the stick in the ground. Will help stop you from sliding and instead rotate your hips.

[MyWifesSwingCoach]

On 5/11/2022 at 3:16 PM, Shankster said:

Natural Light is pretty cheap I hear.  I don’t drink, but I imagine it helps with forgetting the bad shots.

Yard makers are pretty cheap for alignment aids on serious note.

“Every drink of liquor you take kills a thousand brain cells. Now that doesn't much matter 'cause we got billions more. And first the sadness cells die so you smile real big. And then the quiet cells go so you just say everything real loud for no reason at all. That’s ok, that's ok because the stupid cells go next, so everything you say is real smart. And finally, come the memory cells. These are tough sons of bitches to kill.”
MATT DAMON - Rannulph Junuh "The Legend of Bagger Vance"

Edited June 7, 2022 by MyWifesSwingCoach
Removal of External Links

[fixyurdivot]

Been watching this thread for some ideas.  Currently I have no golf training aids... I feel like the outlay of hard earned coin I made for the ones in my bag are sufficient .  In fact, some days, I think I could have gotten by with MUCH CHEAPER training aids .

[Tom the Golf Nut]

I wasted plenty of money on training aids. The only one I would buy again (or should I say ask for Christmas again) is the Orange Whip. 

[KCEE]

I seem to respond better to drills rather than swing aids.  I hit balls L-L with my feet together and drills like that.  I do like the Orange Whip and I have some of the Swingyde knockoff plastic attachments, but I need to make some swings with the aid and then some without or I'm just sort of reacting to the swing aid.

[miamistomp]

Orange whip- training aid and warm up tool

 Don't leave home without it

 

Cheap - do the Gary PLayer handkerchief/ towel drill

[Jim N]

Rope, wrapped in a spiral to make a thicker, heavier three foot or so length. It's reasonably heavy and flexible, so it works pretty well when swung to work on sequencing and to develop more speed.

[Bob Pegram]

I use an old steel shafted driver with lead down the shaft. It keeps my swing long and makes my golf muscles strong. Buy an old steel shafted driver or other steel shafted wood at a garage sale or thrift shop. Cut a hole in the end of the grip to insert split shot lead weights (usually used for fishing). After inserting eah one use a steel rod the right diameter to squash it into the bottom of the shaft so it doesn't slide back and forth when you swing. Hold the head of the club when you do this so there is no chance of the head coming loose. initially put in less weight than you think you can handle. Swing the club a few times each day gradually working up to 70 or more repetitions. When that becomes easy add more weight, reduce repetitions, and gradually work up to 70 or more repetitions again. Keep doing this until it is heavy enough to keep your swing timing good and your golf swing in good shape. Other than the steel rod which you can get get at most hardware stores, it is all very cheap (and works).

[Bulldog]

Here's another cheap training aid.  Like most recreational golfers, I struggle with low point, and consistent contact, in my swing.  I bought a bag of 100 plastic ball markers on Amazon for around $8.  I hit off of a mat, into a net, in my backyard.  I put a ball marker on the mat just like I am marking a ball, positioned it slightly ahead of my regular ball position, and flat on the surface.  I swing and try to send the ball marker down the "fairway."  The markers don't go far, and the bright colors make them easy to find.  The golf ball looks huge after hitting 10 or so ball markers.

Edited July 19 by Bulldog

[Overspark07]

My local library has a 3D printer for use. I’ve stumbled my way through free online designer to mimic some simple putting training aids. You pay for the cost of the materials which usually amounts to $2 or $3. It’s become a bit of a fun hobby and it’s nice to try out 80% of the functionality for 2% the cost.

[Donn lost in San Diego]

On 5/11/2022 at 11:08 AM, Bulldog said:

I'm guilty of falling for some slick marketing and buying over-priced training aids (some that don't actually help that much).  But, I have a training aid that I use frequently that has made a big improvement in my swing - specifically my turn.  I've had plenty of comments about a having short backswing.  So, I invested $8.76 in a closet pole at the local big box home improvement store. It's a six foot long, one inch diameter wooden dowel intended to be used as a clothes hanger rod in a closet.

The drill is simple.  Place the pole behind your neck, place you hands on the pole with your arms stretched out.  Gradually start turning in a golf swing motion.  I start upright and bend over into a golf posture more with each swing.  I do twenty turns for the drill.  By the end, I can get the left end of the pole pointed toward my right foot (I swing right-handed). 

I'm a senior golfer. Doing this drill, I've gained distance - noticeable distance - sometimes crazy long distance. Now the comments are, "What ball are you using?" or "Is that a new driver?"

So, what's your best cheap training aid that really helps your game?

I'll give it a go with my physical therapist.  My training aids are simple:  tape and nickels and quarters.  Tape coins to club heads.  Make heavy swing weight clubs for range or back lawn workout.

[Headhammer]

Putting mirror & putting mat are the only training aids I've purchased that I still use on a regular basis.