Steve Pratt's Hit it longer.com

Overweight and underweight golf training devices are starting to get popular on infomercials and on the internet, as products are touted as helping you increase your swing speed rapidly.  There are quite a few speed training devices for your golf swing being sold today. Very few of them have the potential to improve your golf game, and many of them pose a potential risk of injury to your body when used regularly.

Heavier devices like the Speed Stik and the Momentus may not work as well as advertised, and are so heavy that they may hurt you!

Conversely, there are a couple of training aids that have come out recently that intrigue me and make me want to do some firsthand research.  First off, the Speed Swoosh, featuring Jamie Sadlowski seems to have some merit.  It features an underweighted implement that also helps you time your release.  2011 REMAX Trackman numbers are now in, and Jamie did not seem to gain any speed over any previous years, but this product still seems like it could have some benefit to the average golfer.

Another aid I’m interested in trying out is The Ultimate Swing Trainer by long driver Mike Bauman.  This device can give your backswing a great stretch workout.  Turning the other way, you can also get a good resistance workout in a golf specific way.  I just started training with this and I am reporting my results at www.theultimateswingtrainer.wordpress.com.

Here is Jonathan, a Mike Austin swing student, training for faster clubhead speed very efficiently.   He is using an underweighted driver which makes for an effective overspeed device.  Numerous scientific studies are showing that training with underweighted implements can be very effective, possibly even more so than overweighted ones.  Golf is such a speed event, that we must try not to train slowly.   Of course, this is after we have mastered efficient swing mechanics.

Jonathan started off at around 90 mph with the driver nine months ago, and is swinging over 125 mph in the video below!  Using the Mike Austin swing technique, and augmenting mechanics with explosive physical training, he has continued to build speed while making his mechanics even better. 

Notice his outstanding compound pivot and the loud swoosh that indicates high clubhead speed.  Jonathan now regularly drives the ball over 300 yards and very straight.

Inside the member section, I posted a sister article on the correct parameters for a good overspeed training device, and instructions on how to build one yourself.  This can save you money and headaches.  The member article also discusses the latest scientific research on overspeed training.  Finally, the training section in the members’ area details an effective regimen to build clubhead speed while keeping the risk of injury low.  There is a workout for all levels, even total beginners!

To find out more about membership to this site, please visit www.hititlonger.com/join_now.