By: Jim Hackenberg, PGA
Every golfer wants the same thing, a more consistent, repeatable swing that results in better scores and more fun on the course. There is no substitute for quality practice, but the right training aids can dramatically accelerate improvement by helping golfers feel the correct movements and fix common swing flaws.
I’ve tried many training aids over the years, but a few have consistently proven to be effective, simple, and capable of producing lasting results. Here are some of my favorite golf training aids and why they should be in your practice routine.
Tour Striker: How to Train Proper Impact
The Tour Striker has helped many golfers improve one of the most important parts of ball striking: impact. Designed by Top 100 Teacher Martin Chuck, the Tour Striker club makes players hit the ball correctly at impact. The club quickly penalizes golfers who scoop, flip, or add too much loft, rewarding proper shaft lean and compression while exposing inefficient impact patterns.
What makes The Tour Striker unique is that it teaches you with feedback rather than instruction. The quality of contact immediately tells players if they hit the club correctly. As time passes, it develops a more powerful and consistent strike.
The Tour Striker is still one of the best tools out there for golfers wanting to improve ball-first contact and generate tour-quality compression.
Swing Shirt: Making Connection Throughout Swing
A common swing fault with amateur golfers is the lack of connection between the arms and body. Arms working separately from the torso often sacrifice consistency.
The Swing Shirt is simple but very effective. The arms remain attached to the body throughout the entire swing, which promotes better rotation, better sequencing, and more synchronization in the motion.
Often, golfers who overswing, cast, or lose their posture will see immediate results after a few practice sessions. The Swing Shirt creates awareness of how the upper body should move and helps players develop a more repeatable swing pattern.
It’s simple with no complicated adjustments or setup needed; just strap it on and start swinging.
The Putting Arc: A Tried-And-True Tool For Better Putting
Great putting is often the difference between a good round and a great one. The Putting Arc has always been one of the most respected putting training aids, as it helps golfers develop a consistent stroke path.
The idea is simple: the putter remains in contact with the guide and follows the natural arc of the stroke. This increases face control, better path consistency, and more reliable distance control. The Putting Arc quickly develops confidence and consistency on the greens for players who struggle with pushing, pulling, or manipulating the putter.
Dedicated putting practice with a tool like the Putting Arc can yield significant returns for golfers focused on lowering their scores.
Golf Grip Trainer: It All Starts With A Good Grip
A golf grip training aid helps golfers develop a consistent, fundamentally sound grip—the foundation of every successful swing. By positioning the hands correctly on the club, it promotes better clubface control, improved swing mechanics, and more solid ball-striking. Regular use can help reduce common grip-related errors, increase confidence at address, and create muscle memory that leads to greater consistency, accuracy, and overall performance on the course.
The Randy Myers Stretching Pole: Improving Mobility and Swing Mechanics
Most golfers neglect mobility, and yet many swing problems and inconsistency stem from physical limitations. The Stretching Pole can be a wonderful tool to improve flexibility, posture, and body awareness. It can benefit flexibility, shoulder mobility, and balance. Better mobility often equates to better swing positions and less risk of injury.
And Of Course My Favorite: The Orange Whip Trainer
When I developed the Orange Whip Trainer, I didn’t have any idea it would become as popular as it has. I still get chills seeing it in tour players’ bags and used by top golf coaches.
The Orange Whip is one of the most trusted and widely used training aids in the game of golf because it teaches the fundamentals that every great swing must have: balance, tempo, rhythm, and sequencing. Unlike most training aids that emphasize one swing position, the Orange Whip trains the entire motion from start to finish.
The flexible shaft, patented counterweight, and weighted ball give instant feedback that teaches golfers how the body, arms, and club should work together. When used consistently, players develop smoother transitions, better timing, and a more consistent golf swing. It’s a great warm-up tool before a round, a swing trainer during practice sessions, and even a fitness tool for improving flexibility and mobility. Whether you are just getting started and learning the basics or are a pro training for competition, the Orange Whip is the training aid that can help golfers at all levels.
All golfers have different needs, but the best training aids all share one common trait—they teach players to move correctly, giving them feel and feedback. The most popular training aids that have withstood the test of time are simple and easy to use, and that’s what I like. You won’t go wrong with adding one of these training aids to your golf routine.
You Gotta Feel It!
Jim Hackenberg, PGA