Stack Training System - 2023 Forum Member Review

[GolfSpy BOS]

Testers Announced! The Stack

Do have the need, the need for me speed!?  These testers do and will be putting the whole system to the test. With nearly 5k submissions it was not easy to narrow down, but we have our testers!

The Stack System was designed by Dr. Sasho MacKenzie and Marty Jertson and "allows Sasho to share his research findings and training wisdom directly with you, using the same tools, techniques, and nuances that he uses to speed train Tour players he has consulted."

This is a long term test and testers will be required to provide regular updates throughout, follow the thread and be sure to not miss a step along the way. 

Please welcome and congratulate our testers!

@hckymeyer

@twyatt700

@GregGarner

@DaveP043

@Derek Lusk

@tdroma98

[hckymeyer]

Intro

Greeting MGS!  My name is Brian Meyer and I am very excited to be reviewing The Stack System for you guys.  Like the other guys we don't have much for pictures to post yet, so instead you'll be getting a little golf and some family pics thrown in along the way.  Here's a quick family shot from this summer.

A little background on me now. I've been around this forum for almost 13 years in various roles.  Member, Forum Mod, Forum Director and for the past few years happily back to forum member.  I'm 44 years old and live in Minnesnowta but originally from Wisconsin.  I started golfing in the backyard with my dad's old persimmon clubs when I was probably 5 or 6.  Did the local junior camp in the summer in elementary school.  Played quite a bit in Jr High when I got a membership at the local muni.  I played in high school on the JV team just as something to do in the hockey off season, then hockey took over my life through college and didn't play a ton.  After graduation I played a couple times a month in the summer but for the past 10 years I've lived on a golf course and get out as much as I can.  Here's my youngest son (age 9) acting silly on the range and my oldest (age 12) doing Drive, Chip & Putt this year.  He got 1st in the putting stage at the local qualifier but no where near moving on to the next one.

The past 2-3 seasons have been pretty good for my golf game.  I'm currently sitting at a 2.5 index and I've been anywhere from a 1 - 3.5 for the past couple years.  I'm not really long, but can still get it out there 260-270 when I'm swinging well.  My strength is iron play, weakness is chipping and putting is very streaky.  I'll go days making 100'+ of putts in a round and then days when I struggle to make 20' of putts in a round and I'll miss a couple 3 footers.  

(Event called The British at my home course)

I'm very excited about testing out The Stack System.  I've been very serious about getting in better shape over the past 2 years.  My wife and I got a Peloton bike and I'm bought in to the workouts.  I love doing the rides and also the strength and yoga exercises.  I don't think all the workouts have really added much length to my game though.  I'm very hopefully that The Stack can really up my distance.  I'd absolutely love to start off next season with an extra 10-20 yards off the tee!  I'm hopeful that we have another 1.5-2 months left in the golf season here, so I'm also very curious if my accuracy changes at all while working with The Stack.  

That's about it for now, feel free to drop me any questions you have as we get going!

Last pic ... Wife and I went to Italy this spring

First Impressions (10 out of 10)

Since this is a training aid and not a club review my first impressions are going to be a little different.  I'm not going to do a traditional unboxing (it came packed well in a shaft tube) and there won't be a bunch of product pictures, but I will add those in the review.  

My first impressions of the hardware were very positive though.  You get a nice carrying case with 5 milled weights that seem very high end.  The club looks nice, grip is grippy and everything is very easy and intuitive to use.

The software app is fantastic, again pretty intuitive, lots of instructional video's and very user friendly.  I'll save the main walk through for the actual review.

In no particular order here is a list of my first impressions of The Stack and my journey in to speed training.

• Do the warm up!!!  This is probably the single most important thing to getting good results
• The workouts are quick, but also take a big chunk of time.  Once you factor in a proper warm up it's at least 35-45 minutes from start to finish for me to do a session. If I want to do a regular gym workout too then it's easily an hour plus
• Use proper swing mechanics, I went all out on some of the max swing sessions and my lower back was hurting for a day or two.  I may have went overboard
• It does a great job of teaching you what fast feels like.  Sometimes I'd swing out of my shoes and get slower numbers, then swing smooth and gain 5mph over the previous swing
• Just like good and bad days on the course, you will have faster and slower days speed training.  It's not a linear journey
• Hitting person records is addictive

That's all I can think of for now.  It's been a very fun first few weeks getting going and I'm very excited to keep going in the journey to hitting bombs!

Final Review

Hello Spies, it's time for the final review of The Stack system.  Let's start with some Aesthetics

Aesthetics (17 out of 20)

Both The Stack system and PRGR are very intuitive and easy to use right out of the box.  They came packaged very well in a tube mailer and the fit and finish is great.  As you can see sometimes the yellow nut of the end of The Stack can come in to contact with concrete while traveling at a very high speed.  Fortunately the thing is well made and can take a beating and still look great and function!

I did take off 2 points for the quality of the grip.  It's nice and tacky and feel great in the hand.  However through 1.5 programs so far and there is a noticable dent/wear spot from my right pointer finger forming in the grip.

Lastly since this is my personal Aesthetic score I took off one additional point because it's not blue

The Numbers (19 out of 20)

Bottom line, it works.  Since this section is literally titled "The Numbers" here are some numbers.

The Driver eSpeed is a calculated number that shows my potential max driver swing speed.  The 195g training speed is the actual measured club head speed of The Stack with 195g worth of weights installed.  

As you can see the proof is in the pudding so to speak and I'm getting faster.  

The hard part for me is that winter has kicked in here in MN so my course has been closed for over a month.  The last couple times I golfed it was also in the 40 degree range so it was very hard to judge distance compared to where I would normally be.  I am very excited to keep using this over the winter though and as Phil would say, I'm expecting to hit some hellacious bombs next season!

Last thing I will say here is the effect this training has had on my body.  I exercise almost every day doing something.  Treadmill, weight lifting, Peloton bike, yoga, stretching etc ... I have to do something every day.  I say that to see that I live in a world of aches and pains   Something is always nagging me.  The thing I noticed with The Stack is some ache and stiffness in the first two knuckles on my middle and ring fingers in my right hand.  It's nothing bad and nothing I would see a DR for, but it's there.  I'm assuming it's my grip and trying to swing fast with much heavier weights than a normal golf club.

Practice makes ...? (20 out of 20)

The coolest thing for me with The Stack was being able to quantitatively see the results.  You take an action (a swing) and immediately get results (swing speed).  I did find myself chasing that celebration sounds whenever I would hit a new record!

The app will keep track of both individual swing records and overall set average records.  It's a fun feature that gameify's the process and makes you want to keep achieving goals.  I loved it!

I also really loved the immediate feedback on the radar that equated to a specific swing feel.  Many times I would swing and check the radar and ask myself "how come that one was so fast?" or the opposite as well.  Many times I thought I was swinging sooooo fast based on my effort and then realize it was 3-5mph slower than a smoother easier swing.  This system really does do a great job of getting you to realize what type of "feel" you need to achiever a fast swing.

The Good, the bad, the inbetween (20 out of 20)

This is an easy one, I only had one bad.  I was doing 300g max effort swings and the Kirkland Signature glove couldn't take the heat and had a spontaneous disassembly. 

I thought this was a pretty cool "good" thing.  At the end of the first program you get a cool summary of all the work you put in.

Play it or Trade it? (10 out of 10)

I am absolutely playing it.  I'm already half way through my 2nd program and I plan on doing this all winter.  My personal goal (for now) is to hit 120mph with my personal driver and then hopefully be able to cruise in the 115-117mh range.  

Unless you've been living under a rock the past week, we all know what's coming in 2030.  If the ruling bodies of the game want to take away our distance with the ball, I say we all give them a big F.U. and go Stacking and get it all back plus more.  Seriously this product would benefit every single golfer out there as long as you can commit to the process and do the work!

Conclusion

This product works.  If you want to hit the ball farther you should absolutely try The Stack system.  My one and only regret after testing this is that I didn't start it 2 years ago.  

Final Score 96 out of 100

Edited December 18, 2023 by hckymeyer

[twyatt700]

The Stack – Official MGS Forum Review by Taylor Wyatt

Intro- 

Hello Spies! My name is Taylor Wyatt, I have had the honor of doing quite a few tests here on the Forum and am honored to get the call for The Stack! I was off the grid on here for about 9 months from last fall to mid summer, but am glad to be back to playing some golf after dealing with some injuries and changes in my professional life. I keep busy with my family and work, but do get to play a good amount despite my current commitments.

A little bit more about me, I am in my mid 30's and discovered golf about 6-7 years ago and have been hooked since. I grew up playing baseball and play at a fairly high collegiate level for 4 years.  I started to take my golf game seriously AFTER a trip to Bandon with my buddy who does a Ryder Cup style trip with a bunch of guys he played college golf with. I was a last minute COVID sub and was hooked after going to golf's Disneyland. After getting beat up by the wind and a bunch of high level players I got some lessons and really competitive with myself. I play at around a 6 HCP and feel like a could get lower with more rounds and reps.

I live in Oregon in the Willamette Valley and play here primarily. I go over the mountain for a golf trip once a year in Bend and get to play in the desert a couple other times while visiting the in laws. Here is my father in law enjoying a round together. He doesn't play but just likes to ride a long a chat up my playing partners. 

I play between 2-6 times per month currently as am a family man with two little kiddos (7 and 5). I recently opened a new practice for my company to be able to be closer to home. I am a Certified Prosthetist Orthotist, which is a fancy way to say I see patients who need prostheses and braces for their limbs. I am a practitioner which mean I see the patients and fit them with what ever they need. It's a great job, but not the most flexible with time off to get to the course.  Hopefully once the practice is more established and being closer to home I will have more time to get out mid week. 

I really value being present with my family so I try to involve the kids with playing, as they continue to get older I hope to bring them on the course more and more. My son joined me on a family trip to play a few holes with grandma, grandpa and his uncles. He lasted 7 holes, but was thrilled to be playing "real golf". I am serious about my game but just play for fun, I have yet to play anything competitive, but would really like to play some tournaments. I made it a goal to play 2 tournaments this year, but with my new work situation I had to make some sacrifices to the golf game. 

On to the Stack!

Like I said earlier, I was thrilled to be selected for this test. I heard about the Stack through the Chasing Scratch pod and from the Matty Fitz story. I have done super speed in the past and saw some decent results, but struggled with some of the tracking and plateaued at around 105 SS. I was looking into making the investment into this system in the spring but decided to wait until after the summer for when the schedule is more consistent and viola! I get to test this bad boy out!

I will try to compare my experience with Stack vs SuperSpeed since I did that one a few years back. I am looking to gain speed, obviously, with this product. But I want to see it translate to the course. When I did the superspeed system I gained speed, but wasn't really there with my swing and was a very spinney player. I have been fit with most of my bag and have really improved with my swing in the last few years.  I have really worked on not swinging with max effort in order to get more consistent with my ball striking. So at the end of using this product I'd like to see my cruising speed increase to wear I can get those extra 10-15 yards off the tee without having to over swing. 

I have had a few hip and back injuries over the last year that has limited some mobility. I am working on it but hopefully the Stack with help some of the ROM issues in the back swing. 

Ultimately, I can't wait to test this product out because all of the great things I have heard regarding the customer support. I am a huge fan of Sasho's work in general and can't wait to be a part of something he has developed. With my background in kinesiology and with what I do for work, the way he talks about the golf swing  is right up my alley!

First Impressions (10 out of 10)

The Stack came neatly packaged and promptly. There wasn’t a huge wait for both the PRGR and the actual speed stick. They came separately, but within a few days of each other.

The actual setup is quite brilliant. Once you open your new toy the card prompts you to download the Stack app in the app stare. I use an apple product, not sure if it is android compatible, I’m team Apple so I really don’t care

Once in the app you enter in the serial number and set up the account. The initial setup is intuitive and easy. You watch several videos with Sasho himself walking you through the various swing prompts and the warm up. The warm in is about 10 minutes and then you’re ready to do your baseline. You start with driver swings then move on to weighted swings with the stack. 

As far as the actual Stack device, it’s a rigid shaft, about hybrid length. It comes with 5 different weights and the yellow cap. The app does the math for you on the weight combos and is very easy to use. No extra thinking needed! The app does it all, tells you what weight to swing, how many times, and gives you a rest timer. After each swing you simply can enter your speed or call it out with the dictation feature. 

Aesthetics (18 out of 20) 

Quality of components- The weights are a high quality stainless and very well machined, everything is top notch as far as looks. The grip appears like the bottom of the MCC GP grip, very tacky and soft. All the decals are clean and there are no issues there. 

Experience with or expectations of durability-The only points lost here is for the grip, after the first program there was noticeable wear on the grip on the bottom hand. The yellow cap does scuff a bit if you accidentally hit the floor on your swings (this also causes and significant speed loss too) 

Ease of use- Like previously stated, the app couldn’t be easier to navigate and use. There are more features that meet the eye that you can discover but aren’t initially obvious.

The Numbers (20 out of 20)

My swing speed has increased in the initial 18 week session. I was able to play one time in the fall after about 15 weeks of the program and was out driving my summer time drives with all carry. Wet conditions are 40 degrees and I averaged about 275, where I was driving about 265 this summer. So I would say… it works. 

Have you seen a difference in strokes gained? No cause I haven't been able to play over the winter- but the speed is definitely there and the swing feels effortless. I expect to see a change when I get out to the course regularly in the spring. 

Have you noticed a difference in swing speed/path or consistency within your game? Yes- the numbers speak for themselves. One thing that is underrated too, is the amount of swing reps you get and how you can start to drive the specific feels and path that produce the increase in speed. 

What number/data point changed the most for you in a positive way? My swing speed.

Were there any negative effects on other parts of your game or body? Some hip and back tightness/soreness initially. Although the app does make sure you’re warm and ensures you’re not over training due to giving the windows to do the next session to allow for a few rest days. 

Using numbers how would you quantify the value of this product? (10 out of 10)

Practice makes…? (20 out of 20)

Here is where you will evaluate the overall use of the product. Any where you can swing it! I was able to use it in my backyard, garage, office, driving range, and gym. All you need is enough space to swing. 

Did the unit/item make you want to practice or train? For sure!! The app is gamified and seeing the progress is addicting. It really works so you WANT to get back at it. 

Was there adequate variety in how the aid could be used?

Could you notice during practice any immediate changes to your putting/swing or routine?  The soreness in the hip/lower back went away after a few weeks, I also started doing exercises to work on that area for flexibility and strength. I could feel my tempo getting more consistent as you get in a rhythm for what produces the most speed. 

What factors were you pleased with? Everything about it.

What factors did you find lacking? Nothing.

The Good, the bad, the in between (20 out of 20)

I will use this section to highlight the referral program- I was able to get one other MGS member to buy with my code and got a year free sub as a result. I like the fact that they are so generous with the referral portion of the product. Also, despite not having a chance to use it yet, the fact that you get Stack putting with the speed is just a huge bonus and I can't wait to dive into that portion of the app. 

Play it or Trade it? (8 out of 10)

Play it/Keep it. I’m definitely keeping this going and have started my second program already. I’ve been interested in Stack for a while but the cost was making me give pause. I will say it’s a significant investment, but it’s probably more valuable than a new club, even if it’s a fitting club and the same price as one. I would like to see the cost of the yearly subscription a little lower as well. 

Conclusion

If you want to get faster. Do Stack. Period. It’s easy, it’s intuitive, if effective. The fact that you only need to lug around one club, the app tracks everything, the AI in the app adjusts the program to you and suggests your follow up programs, and the support just makes everything work. Clearly they know what they are doing and it's the best way to improve your game over the winter.  

Final Score (96 out of 100)

 

 

Edited December 23, 2023 by twyatt700

[GregGarner]

Howdy! My name is Greg and while I would say I'm from Texas, I now live in North Carolina. I just finished my PhD from NC State where my research focused on the expectations a consumer brings to an experience, so I'm pretty excited to be on the other side of the equation for this test! I'm a former D3 collegiate golfer but have never considered myself a particularly long hitter. I remember in high school being one of the shorter hitters on my team and getting a driver fitting on a Trackman (back before they were ubiquitous) and I was about 275 carry. Nearly 20 years later, I'm... about the same. I own SuperSpeed sticks and have done two dedicated training bouts with them, but most of the time, I use them for warming up before a round.

In my prior SuperSpeed sessions, I found I had a natural ceiling with the 'green' stick (the light one) around 120 mph and after about 2 months of training, my driver topped out around 115 mph, but that meant my on-course cruising speed was closer to 107-110. Today, however, I think my top-end is about 107 and cruising speed is around or just north of 100.

I am trying not to bring too much to the test, tabula rasa. BUT I know that my biomechanics could be improved. I have a backswing that is so short it makes Jon Rahm look like John Daly. (Here's a full-swing 5w as an example...)

The best thing about the SuperSpeed program is the simplicity. Here are three sticks at three different weights. Swing them. Fast... Faster... But the simplicity is also its downfall, IMO. For example, the SuperSpeed protocols are fixed. Everyone does the same protocols in the same order for the same amount of time. There's no consideration for how your body does or doesn't respond, no consideration for your biomechanics, and if you want any sort of tracking or analysis, it's up to you. So, heading into my testing of the Stack System, this is what I'm most looking for: I want a program that works for me. The app touts that it uses AI to modify your training program based on your prior performance. If that claim holds up and I'm able to exceed the thresholds I've always bumped up against, we'll definitely have a winner here.

So let's get Stack'n!

 

First Impressions (9 out of 10)

I got a little later start than some of the others, but I tried to catch up quickly. I received the kit from another tester who had to withdraw from the test, but he was nice enough to send everything in its original packaging.

The Stack System is comprised of a hybrid-length stick with a golf grip on one end and a cone-shaped yellow plastic nut on the other end plus a small zippered box with metal weights inside.

Additionally, we received a PRGR launch monitor to provide the measurements for our speed gains. Upon first inspection, everything looks and feels premium. The grip is a basic “Tour Velvet” kind of grip, the thread and nut are machine-milled and precise, and the weights are shiny and consistent in size and shape.

 

However, the ‘secret sauce’ of The Stack System is the AI-powered app, which records your speeds, generates a customized program of how many swings at what weights, and cheers you on as you make progress. I actually really, really like that it’s auto-tracking my personal bests and will audibly cheer when an individual swing is my all-time fastest for that weight and/or I hit a “set PB” for a weight. Set speeds are calculated as the median speed for a given set. (Knowing that can actually be a little de-motivating at times if I already have 5 of 8 swings completed and it becomes impossible to reach a set PB.) Here’s the thing though… the app is iOS only, which I honestly didn’t realize before agreeing to participate. Oops. I do own a Macbook, but that was my only iOS device. There’s currently a waitlist you can join for the Android app, but I had a hunch that waiting for the Android app to release wasn’t going to work for this test. I was concerned about taking my Macbook to the driving range, so I bought an iPad under the justification that it would also be good for travel. Once I got the iPad and loaded the app, signing up for the program was pretty straightforward and didn’t present any issues. With purchase of the system, you get two years of app access, but then it will be $99/year thereafter.

We’ll see what I think in the fall of 2025, but at least in my head, this is shaping up similar to the ShotScope vs Arccos pricing strategies. With SuperSpeed, similar to ShotScope, you buy the equipment and that’s it. You own the sticks and it’s up to you to swing them and follow the protocols. With The Stack System, the upfront cost is significantly higher and, similar to Arccos, you then have a subscription cost, bringing the total cost of ownership to be significantly higher. I don’t love that, but we’ll see how it all plays out in the end.

Full disclosure, there’s also a full-on “Stack Putting” section of the app with robust training protocols and data tracking to help improve your putting. I was unable to work through the Stack Putting protocols, so I’m solely focused on the speed training side of the app and product experience. Not for nothing, but I’m also not wild about needing to lug around an iPad on a putting green to try and work through the Stack Putting system, so that may have contributed to why I didn’t prioritize Stack Putting like I maybe should have. (I think I only had four or five of my sessions, total, that were outdoors, but it’s much easier to set up an iPad at the driving range than on the putting green, in my opinion.)

I’m deducting 1 point here for iOS-only.
 

Aesthetics (15 out of 20) 

The Stack System is a premium product at a premium price point, so my expectations here are pretty high and I’m pleased to tell you for the physical components, most of my expectations have been met. If you need me to be ticky-tack, I would’ve aligned the logo of the grip with the logo on the shaft or even just use a plain black grip with no custom logo. (I’m not deducting any points here; I’m a “logo down” kinda guy when I regrip my clubs, but I acknowledge this is just a preference.) I will, however, deduct 2 points for the grip being a little loose/soft. When swinging hard (which is literally the point of the product) or tightening the yellow cone/nut, I can feel the grip give a little. Even though I’m used to firm grips (Lamkin UTx’s), I can’t imagine that it’s intentional to have the grip give as much as it does. And to be honest, when I was dropping off my clubs for their annual re-gripping last week, I nearly included The Stack System just to try and improve the feel of it.

It wasn’t readily apparent at first, but I would later learn that the length of The Stack System, which is roughly hybrid length, is intentional on a couple of different fronts. First of all, the shorter shaft, swung like a driver, reduces the risk of hitting the ground. This may not sound like a big deal, but with my SuperSpeed sticks, I was frequently clipping the ground, causing the metal weights on the end to develop some nicks. When on grass, maybe not as big a deal. But for those of us trying to train in our garages.. Yeahhhhh…. And not for nothing, but because it’s a shorter shaft, it opens up more possible locations where you can swing. On The Stack System’s Instagram page, they posted a video of a guy swinging in his bedroom! I’m not that bold, but apparently it works for him. Also, the shorter length of the Stack System stick is a little more convenient when just being stored in your golf bag, in addition to there only being a single stick instead of three.

Another key design purpose of the shorter shaft length is the training protocols focus on relative speeds. With SuperSpeed, there are three sticks, which are marketed at certain percentages of your driver weight (i.e. 5% less, 10% more, etc). With The Stack System, there are thirty possible weight combinations from 0g to 300g. So yes, there is an “eSpeed” calculation for the 195g weight setting, which translates your Stack swing to a prediction of a comparable driver swing speed, but otherwise, you’re not trying to think about “what does 91 mph mean?” and instead focused on “the last swing was 91, can this one be 92?”

This brings me to the app, which is the key differentiator from other swing speed training systems. I had previously listened to some podcasts with Sasho and heard him talking about how he uses the data collected in the app to run all kinds of live experiments, which allows their team to keep refining the protocols, the algorithms, and even the science of improvement. It’s hard to make a fair comparison of the app to competitors because, at least to my knowledge and experience, there aren’t any and I think it’s unfair to compare a swing speed training app to a streaming service app like Netflix or Prime Video. But this is where I’ll rely on my PhD work, where I studied experience design and how end-user experience was affected by the expectations they brought to their experience with the app.

I’ll start by saying the app is good. It’s not great, UX/UI-wise, but it’s good. It’s a little cluttered, it’s not perfectly intuitive, and there are plenty of small tweaks that cause brief cognitive pauses. An easy example of what I mean by that last point is found in things like a video of Sasho saying, “the app has just asked you to make Max Effort swings.” But in fact, it hasn’t yet. The next set is Max Effort, but after the video finishes is when the app actually says, “these are Max Effort swings.” So Sasho’s use of past tense isn’t exactly right. Beyond that, there are a lot of little learned shortcuts and cues that have to be learned. Tapping on some items will pull up additional info screens, but not all items. Swiping on some screens will yield new screens, but not all. There are several user tour elements to help you navigate the app, but those are crutches from a UX design perspective. I also learned, accidentally, that if you tell the app not to show a video, it will never show you that video again, even if you were just trying to dismiss it that one time. (You can restore it in the settings, thankfully.) Does it ultimately matter? Not at all. In no way does the UX of the app influence whether or not I’m going to get faster. But given all the other premium signals this product exudes, it’s this kind of “polishing” that could take the app to the next level. Put more bluntly, everything else is so premium and clean that the lack of polish stands out even more. And I mean this with all the respect in the world, but the vibe of the app is much more akin to “this guy used an iPhone to record some videos” than “dozens and dozens of the world’s best golfers use this app.”

On a very, very positive note, there is an audio-input feature where you can speak your swing speed and it captures it automatically for you. It works very, very well. My typical training session has me wearing headphones so I can swing, check the PRGR, and just audibly say my speed reading. It will then repeat what I said and start the countdown on the rest period between swings before giving me a three-beep countdown to warn me of my next swing. Between sets, it gives 2-minute, 1-minute, 30-second, and 10-second warnings, so I don’t have to just sit and stare at the app for the 150-ish seconds between weight sets.

I’m torn. If I were reviewing the SuperSpeed system here, there’s not an app to review at all. It feels unfair to deduct overall points for something that competitors don’t even have. But it is part of the offering and I think I need to include it in my consideration. For the reasons listed above, I’m going to deduct 3 points. For me, this is the area with the most room for improvement: production quality/value, fit and finish, and the overall UX/UI design.

 

The Numbers (16 out of 20)

The timing of this test is ideal, in that starting the speed-building journey is well-suited for the off-season. If I’m going to make speed gains, I’d rather they not show up right before a tournament when I need to know exactly how far my 7-iron goes. However, it does make the on-course validation a little more difficult. Those of us fortunate enough to play year-round are keenly aware that courses tend to play quite a bit longer in the winter whether from wetter fairways, colder air, colder bodies, colder equipment, or any combination of the above. So it’s tough to immediately discern if I’ve gained the yardage that the app forecasts. At best, it can be comforting to see that you haven’t lost significant distance when trying to swing your driver while wearing three layers and then walking up to your ball resting next to a pitch mark.

So I don’t have any hard data to show that I gained distance. In fact, the app itself says I lost distance during the Foundations program. More on that in a minute. But anecdotally, I’ve had plenty of things that feel like progress and, frankly, seeing remarkable/measurable gains so soon seems unlikely for me. Speed training companies of every ilk and not just The Stack System frequently talk about how early gains are usually low-hanging fruit. Simply swinging with intent often yields some increases for many players who are used to throttling back and swinging less-than-full to try and control their drives. I’m also already a single-digit handicap with relatively sound mechanics, so I’m not expecting to suddenly have a delivery dynamics change that makes my movements markedly more efficient.

As someone who’s already done some speed training in the past, I wouldn’t expect to see a sudden 10 mph increase or anything like that. In one of Sasho’s podcast interviews, I remember he talked about how you might gain a mile per hour or a mile per hour there but if you add 1-2 mph every 6-8 weeks, in the course of the season, you could add substantial speed. So my expectations on that front were tempered going in. I have, however, been doing a lot of strength and mobility training over the last two years and so I was hoping that with increased capacity, perhaps I could use speed training to take advantage of any strength gains.

My absolute fastest swings in the entirety of the program happened in my first week of use. It was warm, I had just played 18 and I was wearing spikes on grass, and everything was just cruising. After a Stack session, I threw a ball down just to see what would happen and in just that first swing, I recorded what I’m pretty sure is close to my all-time fastest driver swing. So that’s cool. Then I got injured.

I don’t think it was Stack related, but I had two different injuries during the testing period. One in my oblique that has been recurring and mostly just a nuisance and one that was actually debilitating. The latter injury was between my shoulders and happened right before the final round of a golf trip weekend. I’m not sure what happened, but as I finished my warmup, I felt something “pop.” It took about a week and a half for things to stabilize and for me to be able to really get back into my training. I was about halfway through Foundations; you won’t really see a dip in my speeds, but I also didn’t really make much progress during that time.

One thing I did do is pull my Garmin watch data to try and see if there was any relationship between my Stack sessions and my wearable data. TL;DR - no, there isn’t. I used the eSpeed calculation as derived from each session’s 195g swings, which is The Stack System’s stand-in corollary to driver swing speed, and compared against three key metrics calculated by Garmin: Body Battery, Sleep Score, and Training Readiness. (Those are links to read more about those metrics, if it matters to you.) I used Pearson’s r to look for correlation and none of the metrics suggested any correlation at all. For your reference, here’s a quick table:

Anecdotally, I can say that initially I was actually a little frustrated by the two-day waiting period between Stack sessions. But more often than not, if I went more than two days with minimal activity between sessions, my next session was full of PBs. This suggests that there might have been some fatigue showing up in my training that wasn’t being adequately captured by my Garmin watch.

I’m deducting 2 points because (as best I can tell at least) after you finish a program, you can’t go back into the app to review the individual sessions and swings. I’m deducting another point because I seemingly don’t own my data and/or can’t export it. Any data you want from the app, you’ll need to capture in your own spreadsheet or notes. And I’m deducting 1 point because, in fact, when you start a new program, it resets all your PBs, which I don’t like. 

 

Practice makes…? (20 out of 20)

I’ve heard Sasho talk before about many of their protocol and program design decisions being based on getting the user to build speed as quickly as possible and wanting to use the product. For example, the reason there are no non-dominant swings with The Stack System is because there’s not a strong scientific basis or correlation between non-dominant swings and speed gains, so he wanted to focus instead on the kinds of activities that were most fruitful in yielding speed gains.

The stickiness of the app, that is, how much does interacting with the product make you want to keep interacting with the product, is very high. There is adequate challenge, positive reinforcement, and (for you learning psych nerds out there) strong Knowledge of Results to help guide your practice and help you improve. If I were using an iPhone instead of an iPad, I think it would be even greater. Additionally, if I were fully in the iOS ecosystem, I would find very useful the integration between The Stack System app and the Reminders app, where The Stack System will automatically add your next session to your list of Reminders to help you keep Stack’n.

Additionally, the app will slightly modify your future sessions based on your past performance. For example, once I finished my Foundations program, it recommended that I take the Full Speed Spectrum program, which I’m about halfway done with already, and am seeing some hints that I might have more success with this program than with Foundations. Allegedly, each person in the test should have had a slightly different 12th session in Foundations, but since I can’t go back in and look at what I did for that session, I can’t shed any more light on this claim.

No point deductions here. I almost want to deduct a point because there aren’t any Knowledge of Performance scaffolds, but I don’t think that’s in-scope for this product. (And if that sentence doesn’t mean anything to you, no worries, I’m just a nerd.) 

 

The Good, the bad, the in-between (18 out of 20)

I think I’ve pretty well covered the highs and lows of The Stack System, so no additional point deductions when it’s already been deducted elsewhere.

The good: it’s a premium product and all of the physical components are of excellent quality and build. The app does its job well and is a key differentiator from other speed training systems.

The bad: your overall progress is solely captured in the baseline assessment and then compared against the same baseline assessment conducted at the end of a program. While you’re in a program, it displays progress based on your single fastest swing with 195 grams, yielding this kind of display:

However, once you complete the program, it basically throws away everything done between the baseline assessments, creating this kind of graph:

This snapshot approach to progress tracking feels incomplete and I would love to see more progress checks throughout the program or perhaps a different method entirely for progress monitoring and reporting. I really think I just had a bad day and didn’t make great swings, but now it looks like The Stack System is actually harming my game. If you wanted to spin it more positively, I think my next program is going to look VERY successful after an artificially low baseline. I’m deducting 2 points here.

The in-between: The premium product comes with a premium price tag. Yes, it’s cheaper than a new driver and will probably improve your game more than a new driver will. But also, it’s a massive time commitment and if you were to spend the same amount of time just swinging your driver faster, you’d probably find some gains even without a weighted stick. So perhaps the real success of the product isn’t the swinging but in the psychology of getting you (and keeping you) motivated about building speed. It just takes work, but The Stack System is well-suited to help you.
 

Play it or Trade it? (8 out of 10)

I think it’s expensive. “Expensive” is relative and to some guys, dropping 3-5 bills for a product that could help them hit 9-irons where they used to hit 7-irons is a no-brainer. If you already have a speed training regimen, I don’t know that The Stack System is as easy of a decision. I already own SuperSpeed, but I’ve not used it in quite a while, other than using the Heavy stick to loosen up before a round. This is where the personalized protocols, variety of the sets/weights, and the overall app experience create an experience I’m much more likely to stick with over time.

So as much as I love having one stick instead of three, if we were just comparing hardware to hardware, it’s 100% a ‘trade it’ situation and I’ll just keep my SuperSpeed sticks. But for me, as I’ve said, it’s the app that really differentiates the experience. If SuperSpeed releases an app tomorrow, then we’re back to square one and it’s a toss-up. But since SuperSpeed doesn’t include an app, I’m currently much more inclined to keep The Stack System and sell my SuperSpeed sticks.

I think everyone (EVERYONE) should be speed training. So to me, it’s not a matter of “should I buy The Stack System or buy nothing” but instead, “is The Stack System the speed training ecosystem I want to invest in?” and for today, the answer is yes, you should invest in The Stack System.

But I’m not sure how much of a lead Stack has over the competition… 

 

Conclusion

A HUGE thanks to the MGS pick 'em crew for letting me step in last-minute on this opportunity and an equally sizable thank you to Sasho for reaching out to MGS to collect this feedback. I truly believe that our tester feedback matters and will be used to improve the product, so I hope my review didn't come across as unfair or overly harsh!

The Stack System is a premium product with a premium price tag in addition to a subscription cost. But it’s well-made and the app experience creates a unique way to get AND STAY motivated to swing faster. The app could use some tweaks and I’d love to feel like I had more ownership of my data, but ultimately, it creates an experience that other speed training companies haven’t even tried to compete against.

But dadgummit can we please get an Android app already?
 

Final Score (86 out of 100)

Edited December 24, 2023 by GregGarner
Final Review!

[DaveP043]

INTRODUCTION

Once again, I’m back with a review, one of the lucky few selected to review the Stack System, my thanks go to Stack for providing the equipment and guidance, and to the MGS folks for selecting me. I don't really have photos to go with this into, so to keep everyone interested I'll drop in a couple from my summer's trip to Scotland.  First is the Postage Stamp at Royal Troon

An introduction to me, I'm a 67-year old Geotechnical Engineer, living in the Washington DC suburbs. I’m easing into retirement, working only two days a week in the office, playing a bit more golf. I’m also becoming active as a Rules Official, volunteering with both the VSGA and the MAPGA.

I've been playing golf since I was a teenager, so I have something over 50 years of experience. I was largely a hacker, maybe a 15-handicap at best until I joined the club in the early 90s. Since then, with the help of a couple of lessons, a good bit of practice, and lots of play, I've become much better, currently a 7 handicap. I love to play and love even more to compete. Lucky for me, my wife is the same.

A quick equipment summary: I replaced my driver over the winter of 2018/2019. Through a fitting session at Mid South in Pinehurst, I ended up with a Callaway Rogue SubZero with Graphite Design YS-Six shaft. Irons are Titleist T200 (reviewed for MGS), with Mizuno wedges. Last Spring I added a Sub70 5-wood (see my review) and a Mizuno 7-wood. Putter is an old Ping G5i (with the blue inserts) B-60.

The lighthouse and 9th hole (to the right) at Turnberry

As I mentioned, I'm a single-digit handicap, current with a 5.6 index. I generally keep the ball in play, hit a fair number of greens. Long irons are decent, short irons are generally good, short game and putting have been pretty solid recently.

So why did I apply for this review? I'm getting older, as all of us do. And as many of us do, I've lost distance, especially over the past few years. When I got fitted for my driver my clubhead speed was in the high 90s, and I was carrying the ball between 230 and 240 yards. I've seen a significant loss of distance in my tee shots, 15 to 20 yards shorter. I wondered if equipment could help, so I attended fitting days with both Taylor Made and Callaway at my club, and found out that for $600 or so I could gain maybe 3 or 4 yards. My clubhead speed was in the low 90s at best. I want to regain that distance!

How will I evaluate the Stack System? The most obvious thing is to evaluate my play, will I increase distance? But there are a lot of pieces to this overall puzzle As part of this Review, we'll be provided with a PRGR launch monitor, so there will be a mini-review of it. There's build quality of the Stack System equipment, ease of use, difficulty of changing weights, etc. A hugely important part of this is the upload, analysis, and feedback from Stack, structuring each new session based on results from previous sessions. So how well does the interface work, clarity of instructions, etc. There will be numbers, swing speeds obtained through the PRGR, estimated carry distances, so speed gains will be quantified. But from the top of this paragraph, the most important measure will be on the courses, do I gain (or regain) distance?

And last, the view from Russacks Hotel in St Andrews

 

Now I'm back for the final review

First Impressions  (10 out of 10)
I included my first impressions in a separate post in this thread, here:
https://forum.mygolfspy.com/topic/60697-stack-training-system-2023-forum-member-review/?do=findComment&comment=973887
Making that long story short, I couldn't have been more impressed in my initial use of the Stack.  The PRGR works perfectly, right out of the box.  The Stack "hardware" is well made and solid.  The star of the show is the app, guiding me through warm ups, defining every session.  I was amazed at the level of detail, exact weights, videos about effort levels, rest times between swings, between sets of swings, between sessions.  

Aesthetics (18 out of 20) 

Here I am 3 months later, and everything still works perfectly.  I still use the app's warm-up video every time I Stack, I still enjoy the workouts and the occasional Personal Record, I'm just beginning my second program.  

One thing I wondered about was the threaded hard plastic keeper tip, whether it would hold up over hundreds of swings, including occasional collisions with the brick patio or garage floor.  And I now know, everything is still solid, the tip screws on snug and stable, I've never felt even the slightest wobble.  

Normally I keep everything near my back door, convenient for each session.  But I spent a couple weeks in Pinehurst over Thanksgiving, and the Stack went in my golf bag.  The PRGR and weight kit are small enough to fit in a small pocket, and the Stack stayed in next to my driver.  Handy!

The single feature I think could use improvement is the interface.  Not the way it works, but the device required.  The app runs only on Apple products.  I bought a used iPad, as I don't use any other Apple products.  I have a feeling that the requirement to use Apple may turn some potential users away, either for anti-Apple sentiments or for the additional cost.  If the app could be available on Android products, I think that opens up a larger market.

The Numbers (20 out of 20)

Simply put, I've gained speed.  The photo shows the results from my initial Baseline session, compared to the same set of swings for my Progress Check..  About 3 mph gain at every weight, and I'm seeing this on the course.  

The app suggests this should equate to about 10 yards of driving distance, and that's what I see.  Even on a chilly day in November, I hit over half my tee shots further han I had anytime in the season.

The distance increase is real, its not just a measurement while swinging in my back yard!

Unfortunately, my golf game as a whole isn't in a great spot.  My ballstriking with irons isn't consistent.  I don't attribute this to Stack, rather its lack of practice.  Or more precisely, I've used a lot of my available practice time with Stack, so my normal practice has been reduced.  

Practice makes…? (20 out of 20)

One of the best parts about the Stack system, and specifically about the app, I did enjoy the sessions.  The weight sets varied from one session to the next, it wasn't a standardized routine.  The app kept track of my speeds, and would applaud if I set a new personal record for either an individual swing or a set of swings.  As I noted above, I gained maybe 3 mph driver speed over 18 sessions, the speed wasn't ticking up every session.  But almost every session let me set a new record at one of the weights, which is really encouraging.

Another interesting "feel" was that trying to swing FAST seemed to reinforce good mechanics.  We can read about people trying to create lag, and there's no doubt that my fastest swings came along with a feeling of deep lag.  But it wasn't me thinking about lag, it occurred (apparently) because I was doing something else right.  My swing keys are generally lower body movement and proper swing plane, and when I get those right, I get the lag feeling, and fast speeds.
Another interesting feature is the availability of "special" sessions.  There's a specific session to use if you've had to lay off Stacking for a while, something to get you back up to full speed.  And there are two short sessions specifically designed to use before you play, to get yourself ready to go fast without the stress of a normal full session.
To sum it all up, at this stage I haven't found anything in the system I would suggest be changed.  Now as I move forward, I may encounter something I think isn't ideal, and I'll post about it.

The Good, the bad, the inbetween (20 out of 20)
This is a kind of miscellaneous section in the template we reviewers are asked to follow.  All I can do is reiterate, the Stack system is good, really good.  The hardware is well made, the PRGR launch monitor works exactly as it should, and the app is a delight to  use.  Most important, even at my advanced age (soon to be 68 years old), I'm regaining some of the distance I've lost over the last few years.  
Something that does concern me, not with Stack but with golf in general, is the potential for physical deterioration.  For a while now (years really) I've had some minor discomfort in my left (lead) shoulder.  Its not debilitating, and golf has never seemed to cause it.  Even the intense swings with the Stack don't cause any pain  I'll be seeing a doctor next week to have it checked out, but I have a feeling it going to be standard old-age stuff, arthritis or something.  Maybe I'll find out I'm wrong, maybe I'll have to cut back, I hope not.  

Play it or Trade it? (10 out of 10)
Just yesterday I did the first session of the Full Speed Spectrum series, 24 sessions planned.  That works out to 8-12 weeks, depending on whether I get in 2 or 3 session per week.  I'm playing it.  And unless I'm required to quit, I intend to  use it through the winter and all next year.

Conclusion
I've done a few reviews for MGS, and I don't think I've ever given such a high score.  The PRGR works great.  The Stack hardware is well made.  The Stack app is brilliant, well thought out, engaging, encouraging, detailed.  Most important of all, the program works.  I tested current drivers from TaylorMade and Callaway this spring, and found out the $500 (or more) could buy maybe 3 yards of distance.  The Stack/PRGR bundle costs about the same, and I've already gained triple that, and expect to continue those gains over the coming year(s).  

Final Score (98 out of 100)

Edited December 17, 2023 by DaveP043

[Derek Lusk]

INTRODUCTION

Hello Spies!!  My name is Derek Lusk. I am in my late 40's and have been playing golf for 25 years. I live in Flagstaff Arizona about 3 hours north of Phoenix with an elevation 7000 feet.  I am a mechanic for the city of Flagstaff.  I grew up in Mesa AZ (Phoenix area) and in 2021 moved north to Flagstaff with my wife and two dogs.  My wife and I took 2022 off of work to travel.  We spent time exploring the United States as well as England and Scotland.  

Spending a few days at St. Andrews was amazing!!!  While I didn't play the course, we were able to walk around the grounds and from our room we had a perfect view of the 17th fairway.  We plan on returning to Scotland in 2025 to play some courses and hopefully at St. Andrews.  While researching how to get on at St. Andrews, I became aware that a handicap under 36 was required.  This made me become a more serious golfer and now have a handicap of 10.4.  Besides traveling during 2022, I played the most golf of my life.  It is amazing how much golf you can get in when not working.  Can't wait for retirement!!

I play at Elephant Rocks Golf Course in Williams Arizona, about a 30 minute drive from my house.  I am fortunate that my brother in law loves the game as much as I do and is able to be my full time golfing partner.  

I am so excited to be chosen for testing the Stack Training System.  I also heard about the system on the Chasing Scratch Podcast and immediately wanted to try it out. My brother in law who is also a spy,  and I have been looking into purchasing the Stack when I was chosen to be a tester.   

I last had my swing speed tested two years ago when I as fitted for my driver at a PKG store.  It was between 98 and 100 mph.  My goal with this system is to increase my swing speed and ultimately add 10 to 20 yards off the tee.  I plan on recording my swing speed at the beginning  of the testing process (I will create a chart that I will share in my weekly posts) with my swing speed at the end of the testing period.  I will know that this product is successful and will use it as part of my conditioning routine as I continue to progress towards my goals.  

My knowledge of the Stack Trainign System prior to being chosen as a tester is limited.  I have researched it online and on blogs and from what I learned on the Chasing Scratch Podcast.  I read that Matt Fitzpatrick increased their swing speed with the use of this product.

I can't wait to start!!!!! 

 

Edited October 4, 2023 by Derek Lusk

[tdroma98]

Introduction: 

Hello Spies! My name is Tom and from Orlando, FL.  Originally born & raised in Long Island, NY & a brief residence in North Central Massachusetts. The New England Winters convinced me to move south for college!  Soon to be married to the same Beautiful Lady for 42 yrs. This will be my second opportunity for testing and I'm really excited!! 

I'd like to thank MGS Staff & the Stack System Team for the Opportunity to test the Stack Training!  Talk about putting pep back in your golf step, after being selected. I've been playing golf now for 50yrs, taking up the game at age 13 (you do the math LOL) and I love the game! I love the challenges and while frustrated at times, I enjoy the learning aspect of the game. 

Last August 2022, I decided to make a change, first after a poor performance in qualifying for the Florida Senior Open & then after seeing my swing on video, which absolutely convinced me to make a swing change.  Biomechanics had sparked my interest the few years ago, followed by Swing Speed aides and this year seeing the success both Padraig Harrington & Matt Fitzpatrick have had training with "Speed" Training & Matt Fitzpatrick using this very Stack System is awesome! Think outside the box and not be afraid of change!  What an opportunity this will testing will afford. 

I've never worked with any type of Speed Training system, nor a launch monitor. Although a golf buddy has an app on his phone & my driver swing registers around 105mph.  I want to improve on that, be a better ball striker & gain some distance. Today's technology is amazing! 

The Stack System swing speed training really peaked my interest being with the developer having biomechanics expertise.  Will it help improve my swing speed at age 63?  Will I see an increase in distance? 

Once again, thank you MGS & Stack System Team! I'm looking forward to this test and sharing the results.  Now working at a golf course, part-time, I'll have plenty of opportunity for testing!!  

P.S. IT"S HERE! Delivered today by USPS!! Unboxing coming shortly! 
 

TheStack arrived in two packages, the little box contained the PRGR launch monitor. 

 

 
 

The cylinder package is TheStack Club with TheStack weights.  All items packed very well! 

the unboxing

 

First impressions of my first Stack Session was interesting! I've been fascinated with BioMechanics in golf. Never really engaged with incorporating it into my game. I think Dr. Sasho MacKenzie, the co-founder, has built  something very interesting, including the regimented workout. 

First thing to get settled in my mind is going into this training with an open mind and following their recommended warm up, prior to using TheStack.  In my opinion, the warm up is great. Have played sports, in my younger days, you would go through a warm up process, including stretching. It gets the body warm, targets the right muscles & movements.  

I've completed two sessions & used Dr. McKenzie's warm up video both times & working up a nice sweat.   The stretching & warm up routines are new (I keep the garage door closed - LOL), I've never had done the types of stretching Dr. McKenzie uses for warm up. 

Mentally, the only issue I've found is being a bit apprehensive swinging in doors.  My set up is in the garage.  Using TheStack club is getting easier to swing indoors and swinging with "full intent". However, swinging the driver indoors, with "full intent" is still a mental challenge.  First air swing with driver, Sparks Flew, LOL! OOps.

The struggle I've had along with swinging inside, concerns the swing speed being registered by the launch monitor.  Previous testings the past two years have registered my driver swing between 102-105mph.  The first speeds registered with the PRGR were between 89 to 94mph.  That was a mental challenge to overcome, disappointed & wondering if I set the monitor up correctly.  However, into my 2nd session, I tried to put those issues aside & work TheStack System.  

The interaction with the TheStack phone app and PRGR monitor is interesting and pretty cool. You make your swing, the PRGR monitor beeps with the number. You repeat the number to the app & a female voice repeats the number & enters to the app.  If you hit a new high, the system cheers & tells you hit a new high. 

I'll say this, after the first session, the following day I was a bit sore.  Legs & hamstrings felt weird.  Last evening was my 2nd session & this morning I felt much better & even hit the range at 7:30am and body was fine. 

  First Impressions: 

Wow! I've never used any type of a "Speed Training System". Coming in as a virgin, absolutely enjoying TheSpeed Sessions.  Sasho's warmup routine is a must.  It's also a routine you can take out to the golf course before you start your round with your buddies. 

I will say, I was a bit disappointed in my initial swing speed numbers, but you have to put that aside and stick to the program with an open mind. As you track your numbers along the way, you do get involved in the training system.  

Last night I did Session 9 and I found myself comparing notes to previous sessions and seeing if I was able to increase average speeds with same weight training. It's great. In addition, I'm noticing if my swing is off - over swinging, swinging over the top, balance. 
Not going to lie, I was excited about being chosen, once I got past the disappointment with initial swing speeds and change the mindset to using TheSwing Speed Training system, you look forward to the challenge! 

TheSwing Speed app is also very good & interactive.  (be careful what you say the app mike does pick up EVERYTHING! ).  

Good Day Spies!  

Here is my FINAL REVIEW for THESTACK SYSTEM!                 

First, a Huge Thank You to MyGolfSpy and TheStack System for being chosen as a tester. It continues to be an enjoyable & exciting opportunity plus a great learning experience!

TheStack Speed system was Co-Founded by Dr. Sasho MacKenzie.  After reading Docs bio, including being a Professor of Sports Biomechanics, it convinced me this was the system to experience. BTW, Dr. MacKenzie is a pretty good golfer too.  The 2nd co-founder of TheStack has pretty good credentials as well – Mr. Marty Jertson, a PGA of America member and an engineer at PING.

  FIRST IMPRESSIONS:  9 out of 10

TheStack equipment was delivered well boxed and items were wrapped nicely. 

Cylinder boxing contained 1 Stack Club, weight case with 5 weights totaling 300 grams of weight: 100, 75, 60, 45 & 20 grams.
The PRGR portable launch monitor arrived in separate packaging and well packed. 

You can see by the photo below, each weight is numbered & has a specific slot in the case. 

TheStack makes it easy to set up, providing a business card with a QR code to download the app.  Once you open the app, it's pretty easy to set up and get started. You will need an Apple iPad or iPhone to engage the app.  The process is very easy to activate

      Aesthetics -  20 out of 20

TheStack club is good looking, with a good grip, making it feel like your gripping your own driver.  I like the color combo of Yellow & Black and TheStack Logo is cool as well, Supermanish!       

                             

Practice makes….?  (Makes Perfect!). 20 out of 20

·      I found during the 18 sessions it made me want to practice more.  It was a motivator being more conscious of my backswing, swing path & engaging my hips properly.  I found I wanted to better my speeds each set & each session and if I did not, I was disappointed yet motivated for the next session.  

·      One really good interaction with TheStack app, once you complete the training session, a survey pops up – “How did you feel” and “How was your energy level” – 5 balloons appear – 1 for poor up to 5 balloons for feeling very good.  Just under the two questions, is a “Note” section.  Very smart! I used the Note section to diary how I felt during the training session.  How my swing felt. What I may have done differently that specific session, which worked or didn’t work.  If I felt on the tired side, I noted why?  

·      One would think you would just swing as hard as you wanted and then move on.  However, the training sessions are well thought out and provide resting periods timed between sets. In addition, which is a motivator in my opinion, the app keeps track of your Personal Best speeds for each weight used.  The app is voice-sensitive and repeats the speeds you are calling out. It also lets you know when you attain a “New Fastest” speed, with applause.  That is motivating.   Below is a copy of the New Fastest speed & how it provides the previous best number. What a great feature!

         

  ·     Note to self, the app is voice-sensitive. The app gives a rest period between sets, instructs you what weight you'll be swinging for the next Set, then counts down from 2 minutes to when new set begins. Be careful not to blurt out a number during the countdown. For instance, the app will indicate your set will be at 255grams.  If you should repeat out loud the 255 number, the voice command will record: “First Swing 255”.  There is a feature to erase that number & record your actual number, good design! Accuracy with recording your speeds is important since your training sessions are individualized!

·      Never having used a speed training system in the past, I’m not sure what would be lacking with TheStack System. Maybe more weights? I really think Dr. MacKenzie & Mary Jertson did a good job with designing their speed system.

     The Good, the bad, the InBetween:…(19 out of 20)..

·      The Good – TheStack Shaft with 5 weight combinations. Easy to use, a multitude of weight combinations.
TheStack App – very good.  I enjoy the voice interaction feature.  The female voice is a good touch & the cheering section when you achieve a “New Fastest” is a motivator
The survey at the end of each session, including the ability to make “Notes”.  That was important to diary how the session went, how your body felt during a set? Maybe why your numbers were good or below where you thought you would be.

• The grip has no excessive wear. After completing Phase 1 with 18 sessions and now into Phase 2 with 8 sessions under my belt and a number of additional practice swings over the past three months.  The grip has held up well 

                  

InBetween & Bad – Understanding some of the lingo, such as the Grit Score. Maybe make it a bit clearer the Grit Scoring actually helps determine your individual training sessions.  Your training session will differ from other users.

          Play It or Trade It?....  (20 out of 20)

·      I’m PLAYING IT!! Overall, I was not disappointed in the least with TheStack speed system.  I’ve never used any type of speed training system in the past, so this was exciting to be chosen a tester!
TheStackSpeed Training is broken down into Phases – Phase 1 is 18 sessions, which I’ve completed. Now into Phase 2 and 8 sessions into this Phase and I don’t want to stop. 

·     TheStack training has given me great feedback about my swing. I’ve tracked all 18 sessions & each set speeds. It’s pretty accurate, there is consistency to my swing speeds. Quite impressed by the accuracy. Even during non-training sessions, I found myself swinging TheStack club and trying to get my swing into the right positions from take away to being a bit flatter with the swing or engaging my hips more, much like Matt Fitzpatrick. 

·     TheStack did identify a swing flaw which I really need to correct. To keep it simple – during my downswing, I pull my chest back sometimes very noticeable other times ever so slight, so my right shoulder does not remain under and through.  This, I feel, affects my swing speed.

 

      Conclusion - Final Scoring 88 out of 90

·      TheStack App is easy to use, even for the less tech-savvy.  Not only is there a swing speed training system, but you will find a Putting Training system and no you don’t try to swing your putter 100mph (LOL).   There is actually a training method for putting and being more efficient with practicing to make you a better putter.  I’ve just started this application and will continue to use it this winter.  Putting is the weakest part of my game.

·      Lastly, the workout sessions (which Dr. MacKenzie leads in the video) are good to take to the course prior to playing & which keeps you limber. The Speed Training has helped with my ball striking.  My iron play feels so much better, even my golf buddies have commented that the sound of the ball coming off the driver is more solid. Yes, I’ve seen my scoring come down. My swing feels more efficient during play. Even after playing 50 yrs, I’m learning about my swing. 

                   

   ·      TheStackSystem is well organized – The Club, weights, the Launch Monitor and TheStack App are well done!                                 

Edited December 18, 2023 by tdroma98
Final Review

[MattF]

Congratulations all.

[cjeffs12]

Congratulations!!! I’m looking forward to seeing about all the details that comes with the stack. Also, who do we think is going to have the biggest gains? 

[Josh Parker]

Congrats to all the testers!  

[Dweed]

Congrats to all the testers. Enjoy, do good work. Looking forward to your discovered results.

[DGA3]

Not selected again.

 

Oh well.

 

It's kind of the feeling I get every year when the Masters tells me I didn't win the ticket lottery.

[Cfhandyman]

Congratulations to the well chosen testers. We look forward to the results and comments. Specifically, how much it will increase your swing speed and is it sustainable 

[GolfSpy_APH]

13 minutes ago, DGA3 said:

Not selected again.

 

Oh well.

 

It's kind of the feeling I get every year when the Masters tells me I didn't win the ticket lottery.

First guideline we lay out to be selected is no profile photo = no selection. 

I highly recommend reading or even skimming the "how to be a tester" thread. 

I give all the ins and outs of how we make selections and offer advice on how to better your chances at being selected. 

Bottom line is we look for active and engaged members within the community. At the end of the day the reviews are a lot of work (especially this one) and we don't randomly select members, but choose those who have contributed within our community.

[GolfSpy AFG]

Congrats testers!  Really looking forward to your insights on this one.  Remember, this is more than just speed training.  Stack Putting is a big part of the app; we’ll be looking forward to your feedback on that too!

[rkj427]

Congrats. to this group of testers, looking forward to their comments and reviews long term to see how this may compare to other similar product concepts.

[TJ Hall]

Congratulations to all testers!  Interested to hear about speed gains and if there are any changes to accuracy.

[ScramblinMan]

Congratulations testers. Looking forward to your feedback/test results for the Stack system.

[Preeway]

Congrats everyone. Interested to see how the reviews compare with the SuperSpeed reviews. 

[sirchunksalot]

Congratulations testers! It looks like we've got a good group that was chosen to see if the Stack lives up to its reputation. 

[cshu7179]

Looking forward to the results for the testing of the Stack System! I have only heard good things online, but excited to see what our testers have to say!

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

Way to go testers!!!! You’re going the distance, you’re going for speed! May the stack be with you!

[Matumbo]

Congrats testers! Looking forward to results!

[Paco Chan]

Congrats, everyone!

I recently picked up the Stack for myself and my brother, and we've currently about ⅔ into the first foundational training program. I previously had another speed training system and didn't feel I was getting much out of it. The big differentiator is the app UI and the customised training programs you get through the app.

Look forward to comparing notes with the testers' results!

[Sherlock]

Congrats! Ill likely be purchasing the stack system soon so really looking forward to the reviews!!!

[GolfSpy_BEN]

Congratulations to the selected Testers!

This will be an interesting test to follow, and I look forward to the unique ways you come up with to put The Stack System through its paces.

[TSauer]

Congratulation testers! 

[Jake Exline]

Congrats to all the testers! As jealous as I am, I am looking forward to seeing the results!! 

[tdroma98]

Congratulations Testers!! 

[Derek Lusk]

Congratulations Testers!! This is going to be an amazing opportunity for us.