My Momentus Swing Trainer Experience

[sonicblue]

I wanted to start this to document my progress. Quick background: I'm self-taught and have full confidence in my swing, inasmuchas I'm athletic, pretty strong and have always had really good rhythm. In the last year or two, I've made some significant strides in my own understanding of how to strike the ball much better. This past year was the first time I actually tracked my index, and I also played my best golf on the whole (lowest raw score ever of 76 and a couple other rounds sub-80; lowest differential was a 6.4). I actually paid very little attention to my swing mechanics this year, focusing more on course management and mental approach.

As a result, however, my swing did get a bit "loose" toward the end of the year. I felt like I just needed something to re-instill the basics as well as build strength, so I bought the Momentus Swing Trainer (it's a weighted, shortened iron, with training grip). I watched the DVD and they just recommend three basic drills: 1) Swing to Top, 2) Weight Shift, and 3) Impact position (techincally, #4 is Full Swing). I think this is just the thing I'll need to get me back in the proper positions, without getting really technical, and building up the golf muscles.

I also purchased that Rick Smith Training Glove (with the hinge across the back of the wrist), as "cupping" my wrist at the top is probably my biggest flaw. I thought this would be a good add-on to the Momentus. I plan to be very diligent in doing about 15-20 swings at least once a day in each of the drills. Being in the Northeast, I probably won't play much at all in the next 3-4 months, so I'll be looking forward to the results in getting some of the failing areas of my swing back on track, and really priming me for next season.

[sonicblue]

So, I actually played this past Friday. I hadn't hit a ball in about a month. The only thing I had been doing, and not even as religiously as I'd hoped, is swinging my Momentus a few minutes at a time, doing their 3-step drills. My first swing on the tee was a skuller into the brush....ooops.... Second one, tattoo down the middle! Okay.....

Overall, I played ok. It was cold and windy, and I was kinda rushing, so I didn't really concern myself with score. However, I definitely noticed a simpler feel to my swing and, after a long hiatus, began hitting my irons well again. My season is likely over for sure now, so we'll how the winter practice prepares me for next year.

[JaY_B]

Just keep at it mate and don't expect a quick fix, I dont have a Momentus Swing Trainer but am thinking about getting one, are they all there cracked up to be (in your opinion)???

[slackhouse]

anyone know how that would compare with the intech swing trainer that they carry at walmart ?



obviously, i would much rather spend $25 on the one from walmart

[sonicblue]

Just keep at it mate and don't expect a quick fix, I dont have a Momentus Swing Trainer but am thinking about getting one, are they all there cracked up to be (in your opinion)???

I think, for what isn't really a lot of money (relative to a new driver or putter), it's going to be a very solid muscle memory exerciser and help ingrain some solid basic motions.

[Matt M]

I have a momentus (the iron) I got it back when they first came out in the 90's. I think its a great tool if used properly. The man thing I notices is that you want to make slow smooth swings. Stopping at the top of your back swing to check club/hand postion is a great idea, just make sure you know what the correct postion is suppose to look like. The next step is to make a smooth slow swing that gets up to a nice balanced finish. For me if I swing it fast all I do is program a hook into my swing. I do like it I probably swing 3 days a week in the winter 20 times per use.

[sonicblue]

Bumpy.

I played about a month ago, we got a really nice day. I hadn't been using the Momentus but occasionally, and I hit the ball just OK (but pretty well considering the layoff). This past weekend I had a round scheduled (a friendly father/son match) and I wanted to be sharp. Plus, it was at a very hilly course that I've only played once before. During the week, at least once a day, I did the approx. 5 minute Momentus routine. I could definitely feel what it was trying to ingrain, and how I was starting to feel the change.

The result: one of the best ball-striking days I've ever had. I made some mistakes but the effects were usually very mild. I shot a very steady 40/41 and had a handful of very pure, 'man that felt good' shots. I know the Momentus deserves a lot of the credit.

[Golf Yokel]

Does practicing with a weighted club really help you that much?

I was contemplating buying a Medicus weighted driver to practice with, but...

#1- I'm not sure that it will help me fine-tune my swing as much as cause me to re-learn my full driving swing all over again (which would be counter-productive)... I am a firm believer in fixing what you have and not trying to change it to fit a certain standard. (I am creeping up on 250y drives on the simulator, and I'm just waiting for the day I crack a 250y in a tournament... I'll run streaking across the golf course, just watch you'll see me on ESPN)

In other words, if I can consistently improve what I have... I'm not interested in starting all over again... hehe.

#2- I can't find one around me in a golf-shop that carries the left-handed weighted drivers... and I am really against trying to go right-handed just because main-stream golf decides to limit the lefty's playing accessories. Granted I'm a documented 54 handicap right-handed, and I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to improve... but I cringe at the thought at learning something strictly because someone else makes me...



Now if I could only learn to putt left-handed...

[sonicblue]

The Momentus really doesn't "feel" weighted (until I pick up my regular club). So, I think the weight isn't so overpowering that it would make you re-learn your swing, it would just make you stronger in your swing. However, that being said, even the subtle weight - as it's supposed to - will encourage your swing plane to find a more "natural," I guess is the word, path. In my case, I'm a good player, bona fide single-digit, but my swing plane is far too vertical. The Momentus is bringing it down to be more flat, and it does feel like a significant change, but not so overwhelming that I feel like I'm starting over or anything.

[SuaSponteMn]

I have one, and for the most part I think it works great. What I would caution though is that whatever motion you make with this device WILL be ingrained in your muscle memory. For me intially, that was a really inside to out move and a hip sway, without a lot of extension (fear of hitting the ceiling LoL) which equated to a case of the snappers. Now that I've been able to indentify those flaws though (with good instruction), the Momentus has been extremely helpful in correcting them.

I guess what I would suggest is the use of a mirror along with this training aid.

[sonicblue]

Like anything, it requires perfect practice. The DVD it came with was very good at showing the three basic drills (which, IMO, equate to pretty much the only swing instruction one needs). Along with the training grip it has, this really is an all-in-one tool. Maybe it's worth stating here for those that are considering it:

1) The backswing: You hover the Momentus (it's a shortened club, to help avoid those ceiling hits!), push it forward about 6-12", then take it back. The key is, to let the weight force you to swing along a natural arc, keeping comfortable, full extensions of your arms on the takeaway. Then, the extra weight encourages you to use your bigger muscles (i.e., your torso/shoulders, not your wrists/hands) to get to the top of your backswing, and no farther than that. Reducing the moving parts is what keeps you on plane. Note, this is where my coupling of the Rick Smith training glove helps, so that what wrist cock I do employ here is at the proper angle. I had a big tendency to cup my left wrist big time at the top.

2) The transition: With that weight up behind your shoulders, it's hard to start pulling it with your hands, my other big fault. I try too hard, start with my hands and cast, losing all power and coming off plane. The Momentus drill shows how you can focus on your subtle, balanced weight transition, along with a shoulder-prompted start to your downswing. Also, with that weighted club at the top, it almost forces your wrists to stay lagged at the top; i.e., it's hard to uncock them with the extra weight.

3) Moving to impact: Here, it's the "unloading" of the weight that helps, whereas if you don't keep those shoulders uncoiling, the weighted club will kinda hurt your wrists. You have to get your shoulders through, and keep your shoulders/arms connected, pulling through as well, to get the clubhead through. Also here, my training glove keeps my left hand flat at impact (I'm working on getting all the way to "bowed") as I come through.

All in all, and I can't imagine I'm unique, it truly does seem to discourage a lot of my "fatal flaws" while encouraging a simple, sound swing plane and building the golf swing muscles.

[andre112]

are you able to hit balls with this club?
instead of just swinging, you hit balls and get instant feedbacks with ball flight.

[sonicblue]

are you able to hit balls with this club?

No, I'm pretty sure it's not intended for hitting balls, at least not as designed (i.e. it being a shortened club). However, I have crouched over and just chipped balls in my bedroom. I think that's a good drill for learning how to use your big muscles, and strengthen them, over such a little movement, while also learning to keep your hands very quiet.

[jc21539]

Folks, it's called lead tape and it costs $3.

Just to clarify a bit, I do own a momentus myself. I also own an old wooden fairway wood with lead tape and a grip trainer on it. They do the same thing.

Besides just the added weight (ignore the "perimeter weighting" b/s), it is actually the drill that is helping your swing plane and tempo. You can do the "momentus" drill with any club in your bag, including one that you stick $3 lead tape on.

[slainte]

i bought one of those $4 lead "O" rings that you can put on any club and weigh it down a few pounds.

i'll be the first to admit it helps. if i come up to an elevated tee box or any hole begging for a long drive, that is definitely going on whatever club i'm hitting. since i picked it up i hit atleast 2x 300yrd drive per round and have even nearly driven a few shorter par 4s.

i've been playing since i could hold a club with a few pro golfers in the family so my mechanics are naturally pretty good. keeping this in my bag helps me "level" my swing out as others have mentioned and increase my swing speed without sacrificing accuracy.

i haven't looked into the momentus or medicus but i could definately see it working in the same fashion

[sonicblue]

Lead tape and some grip trainer on an old club:
1) Weights just the end of the club, a lot of "end of club torque"
2) Needs a LOT of tape - a normal tab of lead tape is like one gram
3) Requires my changing out grip with training grip
4) The standard length would require more room to use

Momentus:
1) Weighted uniformly throughout
2) Quite heavy, more weight not only grooves the plane better, but builds swing muscles
3) Training grip built in, and good one
4) Shortened length makes it easier to use anywhere indoors

Sometimes a few extra bucks is worth the benefits and time saved from rigging something together yourself

[rydaddy]

I just bought the Momentus Power Hitter iron. I intend to use is more for practice swings at home to build the golf muscles. I can definately feel when my swings are out of whack. It has already helped me with tempo and prevents me from swinging out-to-in, which is a bad habit I picked up.

I'll go the home made route for a heavy driver though.

[SuaSponteMn]

Lead tape and some grip trainer on an old club:

Do you work for Momentus?