Broken shaft --> Training Aid?

[sonicblue]

Let's skip over why I have a broken shaft......

I have a shaft, gripped with "my" grip - a midsize Golf Pride Tour Velvet. I was going to throw it away, but the miser in me just couldn't do it. I first thought I'd keep it in order to save the grip and put it on my new club, but for $3, it's not worth fighting that thing off. So, I decided there must be some useful training purpose that can be served.

I've heard the perspective that, opposite swinging a heavy club, swinging a very light club - which can be done very fast - can teach your muscles speed. I'm not sure I buy it, but what I did notice in doing so, was that it was easier to feel my hands more, how they moved during the swing, how they did (or didn't) work together, whether they turned over at impact smoothly, etc...

I'm going to keep it around and continue doing that little "drill." Anyone else find a simple shaft useful as a training aid (in this way or some other way)?

[mikelz]

Let's skip over why I have a broken shaft......

You can use that shaft to make the "whoosh" sound made when you release your hands properly and transfer that feeling to a regular club.

You can use shafts for a number of things on a grass range.

• Stick it two feet in front of the ball and a little outside the target line. Miss the shaft on the inside.
• Drive it in the ground and hit shots with the grip end up against your right knee to make sure you aren't breaking down on the backswing.
• Stick it in the ground and put you left hip up against it to stop sliding in front of the ball
• Stick it in the ground a few feet behind the ball and make your backswing miss it on the inside

[MunkeyGolfer]

You can use that shaft to make the "whoosh" sound made when you release your hands properly and transfer that feeling to a regular club.

I would have never thought of those ideas. I think I will go cut one of my old clubs

[DavidFehertysBike]

Broken/pulled shafts are excellent training aids, ive found. i use one for alignement and checking my plane on the backswing. I put one down a couple of inches in front of my toes and sqaure up to it to ingrain alignment, noting carefully where my shoulders pointed and what i see and feel in relation to my body as i look at my target. Also i find it good for to check if you're coming too far inside or outside on the takeway. Ideally, the club should be right on line with the shaft halfway back and you turn in realtion to it. Ive done that drill in my living room at home.

[sonicblue]

+rep, Mike - great stuff. I had forgotten all about those kinds of things. Unfortunately, I don't go to the range much, and the one by me at work has no grass tees. However, maybe some back yard work....!

[sonicblue]

doh! I read mikelz's post, typed my reply, then saw your post, thought I misread the name, edited my post and then +repped you! Oh, well, more to go around! I fixed my post and +repped mike, too!

[MunkeyGolfer]

I just saw that you gave me rep and was about to tell you that you gave it to the wrong person, but thanks!

[MPS67]

Sonic Blue, this may not apply to you since you're a good golfer, but you can create a 'Punisher club' drill aid. This is a wedge with a two foot extension beyond the grip. Using half swings, this aid helps the golfer hit down on the ball without flipping or breaking down the wrists while also promoting body turn. If guilty of this flaw, the golfer will feel the 2 ft. extension whack into their back and/or side. It's a quick learning technique as the golfer will try to avoid pain and punishment.

To make it, trim the broken club's shaft to about 2.5 feet from the grip end. Then cut 1/8 inch off another wedges grip in order to expose the hollow tube opening. Then simply insert and epoxy the 2.5 ft piece into the opening of the full wedge and let dry overnight.