Best swing training aid for the $$(noob)??

New here and new to the game of golf started about a couple of months ago and have never had a lesson just tips from friends... I would like to get some training tools that will help my swing.. As of right now i'm now just like any other noob I have a problem hitting the ball consistently.. I don't have a lot of money so I really want to keep things cheap so I can still play some golf.. I was thinking of getting this.. Has good reviews on Amazon.. Thanks in advance..

http://www.amazon.com/Swingyde-Golf-Swing-Training-Aid/dp/B000OZI256/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid;=1341376282&sr;=8-1&keywords;=golf+training+aides

I recommend just going to the range. Nothing like getting practice while not getting any kind of aid.

The absolute best, without a doubt, training aide for a new golfer is...

lessons

Do yourself a huge favor and take a few lessons from a pro. I wish I had done this when I first started. Instead I spent years struggling with my homemade swing. Even taking some group lessons at a park district will make a big difference. Just getting the basics like grip and posture will go a long way to making you successful.

I have it - can't say it does any good without a physical movement you need to make. Save your money and try keeping your elbows close together on the downswing (try to squeeze your elbows together) - you can't, but trying will keep your lag) while keeping your grip - I've found that particular technique works better than that particular swing aid.

Check www.intheholegolf.com

for training aids and July 4 sale

I second the vote for Lessons.  A golf swing is not intuitive.  Get lessons as soon as you can before you develop bad habits.

Lessons.

Instructors use training aids ... some actually work.

I like the Impact Ball, and Taly  (flat left wrist)

I saw the idea of the impact ball used by a Division 1 Player on the range - he would place a soccer size ball between his elbow to quiet them and swing. The Impact Ball has indentations for your arms, it's a better fit, you don't need air - and it's convenient - still it's $34. Find it on amazon or pgatoursuperstore.

I like the impact ball - it quiets your arms and hands, and allows you to feel the squeeze in your elbows.

The Taly - http://www.taly.com/

Lynn Blake (TGM guru) likes it

Agree -

The two I suggested were about keeping your arms and hands quiet so the body can do its thing, and keeping a flat left wrist.

Two essentials, I think.

The next would be the Benderstik, once you knew what you were doing.

I like mine better! Bill Mehlhorn style:

I wish I had the money for lessons but right now I dont.. Plus i'm so hesitant in getting lessons because it seems like every pro has their own ways and their own vision on how a swing should look like.. I know there are the fundamentals of a golf swing which I believe I already learned but just need some consistency.. THanks for the advice guys..

But how will you know if the training aid you buy is the one you really need?  I have the Swingyde too, because I thought I didn't have a flat wrist at the top of my backswing, thought I was loosing lag too early, and thought I was flipping.  Turns out my wrist was already flat, I wasn't flipping, and I held the lag for TOO long! .  So either I did't need it to begin with, or it made me hold the lag for too long.  So for me, it was a waste of money that could have went to my current instructor to watch me swing once on the V1 and go "nope, don't need it, you hold it for too long."

I still say save the money you would spend on potentially useless training aids until you have enough for a lesson, at least one. A good, competent pro will be able to look at your swing and see what fundamentals, along with anything else, needs attention. A good pro won't try to change your swing , they will try to fix the one you have to make it work for you.  If he/she doesn't have video capabilities, keep walking.  They should also have no problem with watching you make a few swings just to let them get a glimpse of what they might have in store for them.  I spent about 30 minutes with the guy I use now, before I even took a lesson with him.  He was happy to talk and see my swing and offered a couple suggestions that helped right away.  That alone earned him my business.

I like that band that keeps your arms together.  It's about $20

That is ridiculous. One lesson from a good instructor is worth far more than any silly swing aid. I guarantee you do not have the fundamentals down, if you did, you would not be looking for all these quick fix aids. You may know what they are, but you have no idea how to apply them. If you did, you would not be asking about training aids. \

again, one 70 dollar lesson is worth more than 500 dollars worth of training junk, as long as you take the lesson seriously. If you are a 30 handicap, you desperately need lessons.

Have you ever used the swing training aid I posted? I used one almost every day when I was starting, because I worked a few summers on the grounds crew at a course that kept all their little trees / saplings cut down so the members could find their balls in the trees (I wish I was joking).  It works.

I understand the folks on here who say you should go get a lesson.  My feeling is that - getting a lesson is an easy way to burn through $50 to $100 or more very quickly.  My recommendation is to:

1.) Get a video camera - or cell phone that can record your swing.

2.) Video your swing.

3.) Analyze it using this site and other online resources.

4.) Read a lot of resources (online and elsewhere)

5.) Watch a lot of video online (Youtube)

6.) Practice, practice, practice.

What I have just listed is minimum investment.  You already are using a computer - so you have online access.  If you don't have a cellphone to record your swing, then I'm sure you have a friend or a family member who does.  That is the best training aid in 2012 my friend.

Then the rest is just using your resources to learn how to play better golf.  It takes time and determination.