A simple piece of string can turn out to be an incredibly valuable training aid for golfers.
GOLF.com
Welcome to Play Smart, an insightful GOLF.com game-improvement column designed to enhance your golfing skills.
Developing effective practice habits is absolutely essential if you’re truly committed to improving your game and lowering your handicap. While repetition is beneficial, the efficiency of your practice sessions is what will maximize your progress.
Utilizing training aids is one of the most effective ways to ensure your practice is efficient. Regardless of the specific technical adjustments you need to make, there’s undoubtedly a product available that can assist you in addressing those challenges.
However, the misconception that overhauling your swing requires substantial financial investment is simply untrue. In fact, many of the most effective training aids are surprisingly affordable — some of which you can easily craft using everyday household items.
Harness the Power of a String as Your Training Aid
If you happen upon a piece of string at home, congratulations! You’ve discovered a remarkably useful training tool for your golfing practice. While it may sound unconventional, if utilized correctly, just a few feet of string can serve a multitude of purposes in enhancing your game.
“It’s huge for me,” explains elite mid-amateur Jonathan Bale, emphasizing the importance of this simple yet effective training aid. “It’s my feet alignment, it’s the clubface, it’s distance from the ball. Just something so simple like that helps me a lot.”
Each time Bale practices, he strategically places a piece of string on the ground, perfectly aligned with their target line. This not only guarantees his aim is accurate, but it also provides him the opportunity to verify that his clubface is square before each swing.
“I’ve always had a problem keeping the face square,” Bale acknowledges. “So for this, obviously [the string] is perpendicular to the clubface and I can see that my clubface is square from there.”
Unlike traditional alignment rods, the string allows for much closer interaction with your clubhead during your swings. In fact, you can even position a golf ball directly on top of it and strike shots without disturbing the alignment of the string as your clubhead swings through the ball.
If you frequently find yourself grappling with aim and alignment issues, take a moment to search your home for a piece of string. It just might be the key to overcoming your struggles on the course.
How can golfers incorporate simple training tools, like a piece of string, into their practice routines for better alignment and accuracy?
**Interview with Golf Pro, Mark Henderson, on Effective Training Aids for Golf**
**Host:** Welcome, Mark! It’s great to have you with us today to discuss a very intriguing topic: the value of simple training aids in golf, specifically how a simple piece of string can become a golfer’s best friend. Can you explain how something so basic can be beneficial?
**Mark Henderson:** Absolutely! A piece of string is incredibly versatile when it comes to training. It can help golfers visualize and establish alignment, which is crucial for ensuring consistent ball striking. By laying the string down on the ground, players can create a straight line to the target, allowing them to align their feet, hips, and shoulders perfectly. This small adjustment can lead to significant improvements in accuracy.
**Host:** That’s fascinating! For many golfers, training aids can seem overly complicated or expensive. What’s your take on the idea that effective practice doesn’t need to break the bank?
**Mark Henderson:** I completely agree! There’s a common misconception that you need to invest heavily in expensive gadgets to improve your swing. While many high-tech aids exist, some of the most effective tools are simple and inexpensive. In addition to string, items like alignment sticks or even old clubs can provide invaluable feedback during practice sessions. It’s not always about how much you spend, but rather how you utilize what you have.
**Host:** Speaking of efficiency in practice, how can golfers ensure that they’re making the most of their practice sessions?
**Mark Henderson:** Great question! First, golfers should have specific goals for each practice session, rather than just hitting balls randomly. Using training aids, like our string example, helps focus those goals. For instance, if a player wants to work on their swing path, they could set up a simple drill with the string to guide their swing and ensure they’re following the correct path. Regularly assessing your progress also helps in refining your practice habits.
**Host:** That’s really helpful advice. If someone wanted to explore more training aids, where should they start?
**Mark Henderson:** There are plenty of resources! Websites like Golf Digest regularly review and recommend various training aids, making it easier for golfers to find what suits their needs. Additionally, it’s worth checking out local pro shops or golf professionals who can recommend specific tools based on your individual challenges [[1](https://www.golfdigest.com/story/best-training-aids-for-golf)].
**Host:** Thank you, Mark! It’s clear that simplicity can lead to significant improvement, and we appreciate your insights into making golf practice more accessible and effective.
**Mark Henderson:** Thank you for having me! Remember, sometimes the simplest tools lead to the best results. Happy golfing!