Best Golf Training Aids 2026: 10 Tools That Actually Improve Your Game
Let’s be honest—most golfers have a garage full of training aids collecting dust. I’ve been there. That swing plane contraption that promised to fix my slice? Returned. The weird grip attachment? Donated. But after years of trial and error (and spending way too much money), I’ve finally narrowed down the training aids that actually work.
The truth is, the best golf training aids are the ones you’ll actually use. They need to be simple, give you immediate feedback, and address a real problem in your game. In this guide, I’m sharing the 10 training aids that have made a genuine difference for me and countless other golfers I’ve played with.
In a Hurry? Here’s My Quick Pick
If you only buy one training aid this year, make it the Orange Whip Trainer (~$109). It’s the Swiss Army knife of golf training—improves tempo, builds strength, warms you up before rounds, and has been used by tour pros for years. I’ve had mine for three seasons and still use it before every round.
Quick Comparison Table
| Training Aid | Price | Category | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Whip Trainer | ~$109 | Swing Trainer | Tempo & Rhythm |
| SKLZ Gold Flex | ~$60 | Swing Trainer | Flexibility & Warm-up |
| Lag Shot 7 Iron | ~$150 | Swing Trainer | Building Lag |
| SuperSpeed Golf | ~$200 | Speed Training | Gaining Distance |
| Tour Striker PlaneMate 2.0 | ~$150 | Swing Plane | Shallowing the Club |
| Callaway Alignment Stix | ~$20 | Alignment | Setup & Aim |
| SKLZ Smash Bag | ~$35 | Impact Training | Impact Position |
| PuttOut Pressure Putt Trainer | ~$30 | Putting | Speed Control |
| EyeLine Putting Mirror | ~$35 | Putting | Alignment & Setup |
| SKLZ Grip Trainer | ~$15 | Grip | Proper Hand Position |
Do Golf Training Aids Actually Work?
This is the million-dollar question, and the answer is: it depends. Training aids work when they address a specific fault in your swing and you use them consistently. The problem is that many golfers buy an aid, use it twice, and expect miracles.
Here’s what I’ve learned after testing dozens of products: the best training aids provide immediate, clear feedback. They don’t require you to guess if you’re doing it right. The Orange Whip wobbles when your tempo is off. The PuttOut returns the ball the distance you would have missed by. The Smash Bag lets you feel proper impact position.
Training aids won’t replace lessons, but they’re the perfect complement. Think of them as homework between sessions with your pro.
Swing Trainers
Orange Whip Trainer – Best Overall
The Orange Whip has been the gold standard in swing trainers for over a decade, and there’s a reason every tour van has one. The weighted orange ball on a flexible shaft does several things at once: it builds core strength, promotes proper tempo, and gives you instant feedback when you’re rushing your transition.
I use mine before every round as a dynamic warm-up. Ten swings with the Orange Whip loosens up my shoulders and gets my tempo dialed in. The 35.5″ compact version is perfect for travel and fits easily in your bag. If you struggle with rushing your downswing (like most amateurs), this is the fix.
Pros: Excellent for tempo, great warm-up tool, durable construction, made in USA
Cons: Higher price point, requires some space to swing
SKLZ Gold Flex – Best Budget Swing Trainer
At about half the price of the Orange Whip, the SKLZ Gold Flex is a solid alternative for golfers on a budget. The exaggerated flex in the shaft helps lengthen your swing and promotes a fuller turn. It’s particularly good for building flexibility and working on swing tempo.
I recommend this for seniors or anyone working on getting a fuller backswing. The whippy shaft forces you to wait for the club—if you start down too early, you’ll know immediately. It’s not quite as refined as the Orange Whip, but at $60, it’s an excellent entry point.
Pros: Affordable, improves flexibility, good for seniors
Cons: Less durable than Orange Whip, can feel awkward at first
Lag Shot 7 Iron – Best for Building Lag
Named Golf Digest’s Editors’ Choice “Best Swing Trainer,” the Lag Shot looks like a regular 7-iron but has a super flexible shaft. This design teaches you to feel proper lag without thinking about mechanics. When you cast the club or flip at the ball, the whippy shaft exaggerates the mistake.
What I love about the Lag Shot is that you can actually hit balls with it. Start with half swings and work your way up. After a few sessions, you’ll start to feel that proper “lag” sensation, and it transfers beautifully to your real clubs. The only downside is the price, but if distance and solid contact are your goals, it’s worth every penny.
Pros: Can hit real balls, teaches lag naturally, excellent feel
Cons: Expensive, single purpose
Speed Training
SuperSpeed Golf Training System – Best for Gaining Distance
If you want more yards off the tee, SuperSpeed is the real deal. This system uses overspeed training—a scientifically proven method to increase swing speed. The set includes three weighted sticks (light, medium, heavy), and you follow a structured training protocol through their app.
I gained 6 mph in swing speed after 8 weeks of consistent training. That’s roughly 15-18 more yards. Tour players like Phil Mickelson have used this system. The key is consistency—the protocols only take about 10 minutes, three times per week. No hitting balls required; you can do it in your living room.
Pros: Proven results, structured protocols, no balls needed
Cons: Requires commitment, takes weeks to see results
Swing Plane Training
Tour Striker PlaneMate 2.0 – Best for Swing Plane
The PlaneMate is a resistance band system that teaches you to shallow the club in the downswing—one of the most important moves in golf. Created by Martin Chuck, this training aid uses elastic resistance to give you the feel of a proper swing path.
If you’re an over-the-top slicer, this device will change your ball flight within one session. The band creates tension that encourages the correct sequencing. It takes some getting used to, but once you feel “the slot,” you’ll never forget it. I’ve recommended this to at least five buddies who struggled with slicing, and all of them saw immediate improvement.
Pros: Immediate feedback, fixes over-the-top move, can hit balls
Cons: Learning curve, bands may wear over time
Alignment & Setup
Callaway Alignment Stix – Best Value
Every golfer needs alignment sticks. Period. At around $20, these are the most cost-effective training aids you can buy. Tour pros use them in every practice session, and you should too. Misalignment is one of the most common faults in amateur golf—we think we’re aimed at the target, but we’re often 10-15 yards offline.
Use them to check your feet, hips, shoulders, and club face. Stick one in the ground for swing path drills. Create gates to practice your putting stroke. The uses are endless. These Callaway sticks are durable and come with a nice storage tube.
Pros: Cheap, versatile, essential for practice
Cons: None—just buy them
Impact Training
SKLZ Smash Bag – Best for Impact Position
The impact position is everything in golf, and the Smash Bag helps you feel it. This simple training aid is a durable bag that you hit with your club. It stops the club at impact, allowing you to check your hand position, shaft lean, and body rotation.
If you struggle with flipping the club or hitting behind the ball, the Smash Bag provides instant feedback. You want to feel the handle leading the clubhead at impact with your weight on your front foot. This aid reinforces that position over and over. I keep mine in the garage and take 20 swings a few times per week.
Pros: Teaches proper impact, affordable, durable
Cons: Can be loud, need space to swing
Putting Aids
PuttOut Pressure Putt Trainer – Best for Speed Control
The PuttOut is genius in its simplicity. The parabolic ramp returns made putts the same distance they would have missed by. Make a putt with perfect speed? It stays in the micro-target. Hit it too hard? It rolls back past you. Too soft? It barely comes back.
This instant feedback loop is addictive. I’ve spent hours trying to get the ball to stay in the little pocket at the top. The “pressure putt” element—trying to make it stick—mimics the stress of real putting. Plus, it’s compact and works on any carpet or putting mat.
Pros: Excellent speed feedback, compact, addictive practice
Cons: Needs flat surface, doesn’t help with reads
EyeLine Putting Mirror – Best for Alignment
Used by tour pros like Rickie Fowler, the EyeLine Putting Mirror helps you nail your setup position. The mirror lets you see if your eyes are directly over the ball, your shoulders are square, and your putter face is aimed correctly. These fundamentals are critical for consistent putting.
I put this on my putting mat and check my setup every few days. It’s amazing how much your setup can drift without you realizing it. The mirror includes alignment guides and works for both practice at home and on the putting green.
Pros: Checks multiple fundamentals, used by tour pros, portable
Cons: Can get scuffed, needs flat surface
Grip Training
SKLZ Grip Trainer – Best for Beginners
The grip is the only connection between you and the club, and getting it wrong affects everything else. The SKLZ Grip Trainer is a simple attachment that snaps onto any club and guides your hands into the correct position.
This is especially valuable for beginners who are still developing muscle memory. It’s also helpful for experienced golfers trying to make grip changes—it provides a reference point to return to. At $15, it’s an easy recommendation for anyone working on their fundamentals.
Pros: Very affordable, easy to use, fits any club
Cons: Only useful during swing changes, may not fit all grips
How to Practice Effectively with Training Aids
Owning training aids isn’t enough—you need to use them correctly. Here’s my approach:
- Focus on one thing at a time. Don’t use three different aids in one session. Pick one fault and work on it exclusively.
- Quality over quantity. Twenty focused swings with the Orange Whip beats 100 mindless reps.
- Create a routine. I use my PuttOut for 10 minutes every morning with my coffee. Consistency trumps intensity.
- Complement with video. Film your swing with and without the training aid. See the changes.
- Know when to stop. If you’ve ingrained a new feel, move on. Don’t become dependent on the aid.
Best Training Aids for Beginners vs. Advanced Players
Beginners should focus on:
- SKLZ Grip Trainer – Get the fundamentals right first
- Callaway Alignment Stix – Learn proper alignment from the start
- SKLZ Gold Flex – Develop tempo and flexibility
- SKLZ Smash Bag – Feel proper impact early
Advanced players should consider:
- SuperSpeed Golf – When you want more distance
- Tour Striker PlaneMate – For refining swing plane
- PuttOut Pressure Trainer – For tournament-level speed control
- Orange Whip – For maintaining tempo under pressure
FAQ
What is the best golf training aid for swing speed?
The SuperSpeed Golf Training System is the most proven option for increasing swing speed. It uses overspeed training protocols developed from sports science research. Most users gain 5-8% in swing speed after 6-8 weeks of consistent training.
Are expensive training aids worth it?
It depends on the aid. The Orange Whip ($109) and SuperSpeed ($200) are absolutely worth the investment because they’re durable, effective, and you’ll use them for years. However, alignment sticks at $20 do the same job as $50 premium versions.
Can training aids replace golf lessons?
No. Training aids reinforce correct movements, but they can’t diagnose your swing faults. Work with a PGA professional to identify what you need to work on, then use training aids as homework between lessons.
How often should I use golf training aids?
Consistency beats volume. Ten minutes daily is more effective than an hour once a week. For speed training (SuperSpeed), follow their protocol of 3x per week. For swing trainers, 5-10 minutes before range sessions is ideal.
What’s the best training aid for slicing?
The Tour Striker PlaneMate 2.0 is specifically designed to fix the over-the-top move that causes slices. It teaches you to shallow the club in the downswing, promoting an inside-out path and reducing that left-to-right curve.
Final Thoughts
The best golf training aid is the one you’ll actually use. Start with your biggest weakness—whether that’s tempo, putting, or swing plane—and invest in one quality aid. Use it consistently for at least a month before adding anything else to your arsenal.
If I had to start over with just three training aids, I’d pick the Orange Whip for full swing, alignment sticks for setup, and the PuttOut for putting. That combo covers 90% of what most golfers need.
Now get out there and practice with purpose. Your handicap will thank you.