Training aid that’s not a training aid?

[acatalano32]

So I was just thinking on my way to work, there are so many training aids in the world, but there are also so many things we use that aren’t “training aids”. 
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what are things you guys use to keep your swing on track? Hoping we can all learn some new secrets!

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For me, I like using a tee gate for putting, and full swing using a towel under my arms to stay connected 

[Tom the Golf Nut]

Take a 2 liter soda bottle and cut the top and bottom off. You want to leave a cylinder. Slide this over your lead arm with your elbow centered (make sure you have no sharp edges). Swing away. This will teach you not to bend your lead arm. 

Put a small soda bottle in the cup when putting. Putting at something will train you to putt firmer than putting at nothing. Less short putts this way.

Pool noodles. Lay one on the ground on your target line. Practice swinging down the side of the noodle without hitting it. If your using a net place the ball centered on the inside edge of the noodle leave enough space to have the ball centered on the clubface and 1/4 inch clearance between the toe of the club and the noodle. Swing away. This will prevent you from an outside in swing. If you mess up you won't get hurt.

 

[acatalano32]

Pool noodle is definitely one of my favorites! And it’s only a dollar or so

[cnosil]

Dime placed on the ground and putt over it to help practice start line

tee or any object to indicate target line for full swing shots

driveway markers for alignment rods

alignment rods to help control wedge launch angle

PVC pipe to setup rails for putting.  

credit card/popsicle stick/tee in then back of your glove to help keep lead wrist flat 

[Kenny B]

Two long spikes/nails with 10' string tied to the tops.  Takes up very little room in your bag.  Place one end 15 inches behind hole on a straight putt... or place it on the target line on a breaking putt so with your perfect speed the ball will roll into the hole.

[GolfSpy MPR]

13 hours ago, Tom the Golf Nut said:

Take a 2 liter soda bottle and cut the top and bottom off. You want to leave a cylinder. Slide this over your lead...

Somehow on first glance, I read the last part of this as "Slide this over your head." And while I have certainly have had practice sessions that might push me to measures this extreme, I was still startled to read it here

[Bag Ratt]

Hire a caddy.. they read greens better then you and you have some one to blame when the putt doesn’t go in.. 

[MacTourney]

It's the training aid that can't be purchased, can't be seen, can't be borrowed, only experienced- true gravity will set you free! 

Edited March 28, 2023 by MacTourney

[jbern]

I use those freebie wooden yard sticks for a bunch of different things.

I have one marked up for foot and ball position for D, FW metals, hybrids, irons, and wedges. 
 I drilled holes every 2 inches in another so I could use it to put tees in to practice putter backstroke vs follow through distances indoors.  Then another couple for alignment aids.
 

[acatalano32]

8 hours ago, Kenny B said:

Two long spikes/nails with 10' string tied to the tops.  Takes up very little room in your bag.  Place one end 15 inches behind hole on a straight putt... or place it on the target line on a breaking putt so with your perfect speed the ball will roll into the hole.

This is very under rated for sure

[Golfhandds]

I especially like a bubble level.  It is a round level that you place on your line and it gives you the degree of slope and therefore break.  Obviously not legal but I read the green and then place it to verify my conclusions.  The trouble with using it on the practice green is you tend to get familiar with the breaks on your practice green and can get lazy.  What I have found is I am not a poor putter, I am a poor green reader.  I am constantly surprised by how wrong I can be about breaks.  This is helping me see subtle things I couldn't and I am learning to pay attention to some minutia that eluded me before.

[Patrick82]

A yard stick for putting start line and face impact direction training 

[AndySP]

A few feet of 1 inch rope for tempo and swing plane is a great tool.

[Bulldog]

Buy a bag of plastic ball markers on Amazon.  You can get 100 for around $7 or $8.  Cut the prongs off some of them.  Hit them off a mat.