The first section reviews Training Aids in general with some insight as to why they work and don't work along with a list of some commercially available training aids I find work pretty good for most golfers.

Drills and Exercises are the bridge between the information and execution.  These help the golfer learn the correct movements that in turn is converted to feel.  "Mechanics produce and Feel reproduces" (Homer Kelley).  This section has the Drills and Exercises that I have found work well for the golfer's swing, 'His/Hers Golf Swing' that is.

Finally the last section is devoted to the Road Warrior Golfer.  Always be prepared to practice or even get in a quick fun round at the least unexpected time.

Everyone wants to fix their own swing, which in itself there is nothing wrong with that desire.  But there is a serious gap that has lead to less than successful results.  The gap is the golfer's knowledge, of 'His/Hers Golf Swing'.  Golfers to be successful as a DIY golf mechanic needs to understand:

a.  What He/She actually does during 'His/Hers Golf Swing'.
b.  Why they do what they do.
c.  What they need to do.
d.  How they need to do.

The vast majority of golf training aids or gadgets as some golfer call them are sound in principle for the purpose they were invented for.  The question then arises as why they don't work for me?  Well, for a training aid to work or be effective a few conditions must be satisfied.

1.  The device must be used properly.  This includes more than just following the instructions given on how to use it.  Actually this seems to be one of the reasons that training device are ineffective, the user does not use it correctly.  Very often these devices are not as easy to use correctly as stated or shown.  Misuse of the device will rarely ever help you improve.

2.  The device must be used at a minimum the frequency that is suggested.  Using it once or twice and not seeing any improvement does not mean it wont work.  It is like kind of like buying an exercise video, watching it, trying some of the exercises  and then weighing yourself. Ah, no weight loss, this thing doesn't work.  

One major reason that training devices don't work for a particular golfer, is that they don't address the golfer's real problem.  They try to artificially re-engineer the golf swing to some generic model.  When selecting a training device, either have your Instructor make a recommendation or make sure it matches your swing. 

Training devices may offer great hope and promises, like lower your scores by 10 strokes in 30 days.  The only real training that will do that is a lot of hard work by the golfer that is properly directed, be it a training device that in fact matches the golfer or better yet a knowledgeable instructor.  At for the latter, I am not sure any knowledgeable instructor is going to make claims of that magnitude to a golfer for the results achieved.

I find that the best training aids are those that are developed using normal materials easily obtained.  That is not to say the manufactured training aids are not of of value or worth the money spent, it is just that most training aids golfers need and will use can be homemade.

For my own personal preferences, I like training aids that are portable and don't require any tools or elaborate setup.  So my list and links to commercially available training aids is limited to those.  This is not to discount the value of any others that might be available.

Some of the most effective and best training aids you can have are those that are either common golf equipment and/or household items.

1.  Mirror - minimum 12 inches in size that is unbreakable and convex.  This can be your window into Your Golf Swing.  Working with a Mirror Instructions.

2.  Golf Shaft

3.  Golf balls and Golf tees

4.  Golf Pencils and string

5.  Dog Leash

More in Development

Training Aids You Can Make Yourself

1.  Weighted Swing Club - Direction for building your own club

2.  Swing Plane Path Light -  Direction for building your own Laser like Swing Plane aid.

More in Development 

Commercially Available Training Aids

1.  Momentus Swing Trainer - A weighted golf club that can help with consistency, flexibility, and strength.  It is important to follow the instruction carefully.  A great reminder for a golfer's swing and is good for warming up.

2.  Ez Swing Plane - Unique double ended light allows player to use their own club when monitoring swing plane.

More in Development 

3 Ball Drill

The purpose of the drill is to strike the center ball while leaving the outside and inside ball untouched.  The divot or brush mark should start in front of the two remaining balls.  With 3 golf balls placed in a line you set up to hit the center one and leave the other two undisturbed.  

Click for More Info

Anti-Sway

To prevent sway during the back swing, weight going over the outside of the trailing foot, place a golf ball under the outside of the instep of the trailing foot.  When swing, any attempt to shift or sway, the foot will experience the pressure of the golf ball.

Clip the Tee

Put a tee in the ground (without a ball) sticking up approximately 1 inch. You should be able to strike the tee consistently without hitting, or even brushing, the ground at all. If you miss the tee, or touch the ground in any way, don't wonder any longer why you can't hit your driver. Remember--the longer the club, the more precision required. Practice this exercise until you can consistently clip the tee without touching the ground (or even the grass).

More in Development

Heck sometimes you just want to get out and hit some balls or maybe play a quick 9 or hit the executive course just down the road from your hotel.  One solution is to rent clubs the other is the Road Warrior Golf Travel Kit.

I discovered that for a few dollars I could assemble a practical golf travel kit that was not cumbersome to travel with.  If I didn't get the opportunity to use it, it was the same as if I didn't use a shirt I had packed.

The Road Warrior Golf Travel Kit

1.  Collapsible Golf Club - there are several on the market.  They have an adjustable head everything from a high degree wedge to a driving iron.  They collapse down to about 24" in length.  Fits in most suitcase and carry on travel bags.
2.  Executive Putter - Even though the Collapsible Golf Club can serves as a putter, I find it a bit awkward.  The Executive Putter comes in four pieces.  A three piece shaft and a putter head.  I have found that two putter heads are available, a bull-eyes blade and ping offset head.   Actually most the kits come with a carry case that includes a plastic putting cup, some have wooden and a couple of balls.  The length is about 15", quite compact.
3. Accessory Bag - I used a small old canvas bad.  In it I had six regular golf balls, handful of tees, a divot repair tool (also used as wrench to adjust the Collapsible Golf Club), some ball markers, golf pencils, small tea towel, and three practice balls (whiffle or sponge type).  In addition I carried a small can of WD-40 to lubricate the Collapsible Golf Club shaft and the Executive Putter joints.

That was the basic kit.  I was even seen at time practicing out behind the hotel in the parking lot.  I would take several shower towels to use as a mat and hit balls into the side of the building.  Interesting enough I found that I could play a round of golf with this setup and shoot respectfully in the 80's.

Pictures to added....