Anyone own a Straight Power Stick?

[Sherpat]

A week or so ago I saw that RockBottomGolf.com had the "Straight Power Stick" in their Clearance section marked down to 9 bucks. I can't even buy lunch for 9 dollars. So, even though I wasn't specifically looking for a training aid, I purchased one out of curiosity.

The thing arrived yesterday and everything looked swell...until I looked for the instructions.

Nothing.

So I checked the website description again to see if there were online instructions, and instead at the bottom of the page it said "Instructions Not Included".

D'oh!

Assembling the thing was easy. The lasers mounts were pretty obvious, and the stance mat was...well, a stance mat.

But I can't for the life of me figure out what the hell the split, spring loaded grip is for.

Here's a pic of the sucker, along with the description. There's a spring that runs from the bottom of the grip to the laser mount, like a shock absorber spring on a car. See that lump in the middle of the black grip? The half below that lump, the portion your low (my case: right) hand grasps, can push down that spring all the way to the laser mount. And then spring back.

WHY??

According to the product description in the above link, "The spring loaded split grip helps maintain a wide arch with a full shoulder turn on your back swing." But I'll be damned if I see how. The grip does not split during a normal swing (although that lump sure makes for one uncomfortable grip, especially if you use interlaced pinkies like I do).

Does anyone have one of these things that they could tell me what the directions say about this feature?? It's not like I'm counting on this little gem to take my game to the next level, and it was only 9 dollars after all. But still, I'm insanely curious what this seemingly nutty spring loaded grip is meant to do!

Thanks very much for any insight, hints, or even derisive comments

(BTW, Rockbottom is a pretty awesome on-line retailer if you order off the net. They've always given me great service, and they sometime run terrific specials. We now return you to your regularly scheduled forum....)

[mustangbryk]

Rock bottom has good deal. This looks to not be one. power sticks waste of money.

[Sherpat]

Thanks for the reply, 'stang!

Lol...I finally figured the thing out, btw. My problem with the split handle was that I use an interlocking grip. You're supposed to use an overlap (Vardon) grip. That way, if you fold your right elbow too quickly on the takeaway, your right and left hands split apart as your right hand pushes down the spring. It's an interesting concept. But because I go with an interlocking grip, that kept my hands from separating no matter what. Now I know!

Yeah, it's not the greatest training aid in the world. But for $9 it was worth a shot just out of curiosity (hey, that's only a gallon of gas these days, after all!). And the laser pointer makes a GREAT dog toy

Thanks again!

[Guest]

I bought one too! Same problem. Can't figure out how it works. If you find out how to use it please provide the info. Thank you, Edward

[Sherpat]

Hi Edward -

Turns out to be pretty simple.

1. Set up the mat. Stand on the plastic stip without the ball graphic, then take your stance. Adjust the straps so that the other strip falls under your clup (with the ball graphic placed where you would put a ball in real life).

2. Turn both lasers on. One will point down the shaft, the other will point back towards the grip.

3. Use a NON OVERLAPPING GRIP and take your stance.

4. Swing the club.

You want the laser that is pointing towards the grip to cross the ball graphic during the backswing, and the laser that shoots down the shaft to cross the ball at "impact" on the downswing. This is the "swing plane aid" portion of the club.

In addition, if you make an improper takeaway or poor backswing by folding either arm too soon, your two hands will be forced apart via the spring loaded split grip. Your aim is to do a full backswing with your hands staying together the whole time.

Again: you must not use an interlocking grip, or this part of the swing aid will be negated (your interlocked fingers will keep your hands together no matter how bad your backswing).

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Tom :)