x
Skip to main content
Golf Logo
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
This simple training aid is completely free. You just have to wait for it
SHARE
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
Golf Logo
  • News
    • Latest
      • News
      • Features
      • Shows
      • PGA Tour Schedule
    • Series
      • Tour Confidential
      • Monday Finish
      • Hot Mic
      • Rogers Report
    • Shows
      • The Scoop
      • Subpar
      • Seen & Heard
  • Instruction
    • Game Improvement
      • Driving
      • Approach Shots
      • Bunker Shots
      • Short Game
      • Putting
      • Rules
      • Fitness
    • Series
      • Top 100 Teachers
      • Rules Guy
      • The Etiquetteist
    • Shows
      • Warming Up
      • Play Smart
      • Short Game Chef
      • Pros Teaching Joes
  • Gear
    • Clubs
      • Drivers
      • Irons
      • Hybrids
      • Fairway Woods
      • Wedges
      • Putters
    • Other Gear
      • Balls
      • Shoes
      • Apparel
      • Golf Accessories
    • Series
      • ClubTest
      • Winner’s Bag
    • Shows
      • Fully Equipped
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Travel
      • Course Finder
      • Courses
      • Resorts
    • Lifestyle
      • Accessories
      • Celebrities
      • Food
      • Style
      • Betting Advice
    • Shows
      • Super Secrets
      • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Shop
      • Clubs
      • Shafts
      • Training Aids
      • Balls
      • Bags
      • Technology
      • Apparel
      • Accessories
      • Our Picks
      • Shop All
    • Collections
      • The GOLF Collection
      • The Birdie Juice Collection
      • The Fully Equipped Collection
      • Shop All
  • Newsletters
    • Sign Up for GOLF’s Newsletters
      • Hot Mic
      • Monday Finish
      • Play Smart
      • Our Picks
      • Top Stories
      • Sign Up for All
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Features
    • Shows
    • PGA Tour Schedule
  • Instruction
    • All Instruction
    • Driving
    • Approach Shots
    • Bunker Shots
    • Short Game
    • Putting
    • Rules
    • Fitness
  • Gear
    • All Gear
    • Drivers
    • Irons
    • Hybrids
    • Fairway Woods
    • Wedges
    • Putters
    • Balls
    • Shoes
    • Apparel
    • Golf Accessories
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • All Travel
    • All Lifestyle
    • Course Finder
    • Courses
    • Resorts
    • Accessories
    • Celebrities
    • Food
    • Style
    • Betting Advice
  • Series
    • Tour Confidential
    • Monday Finish
    • Hot Mic
    • Rogers Report
    • Rules Guy
    • The Etiquetteist
    • ClubTest
    • Winner’s Bag
  • Shows
    • The Scoop
    • Subpar
    • Seen & Heard
    • Warming Up
    • Play Smart
    • Short Game Chef
    • Pros Teaching Joes
    • Fully Equipped
    • Super Secrets
    • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Clubs
    • Shafts
    • Training Aids
    • Balls
    • Bags
    • Technology
    • Apparel
    • Accessories
    • The GOLF Collection
    • The Birdie Juice Collection
    • The Fully Equipped Collection
  • Newsletters
    • Hot Mic
    • Monday Finish
    • Play Smart
    • Top Stories
    • Our Picks
    • Sign Up for All
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
InsideGolf

Over $140 of value - Just $39.99

InsideGOLF
Instruction

This simple training aid is completely free. You just have to wait for it

By: Zephyr Melton
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Follow on Instagram
October 25, 2023
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
golfer hits putt on green with shadow casting

If you don't want to splurge on an expensive training aid, you can use your shadow to improve your swing instead.

Getty Images

Training aids are a dime a dozen in the golf space. If you have a swing flaw, all it takes is a quick Google search (or a visit to GOLF.com) and you’ll find a tool that can help you fix it.

The accessibility of these training aids can be a double-edged sword, though. With the abundant supply of swing aids tailor-made for every flaw you can think of, it can be easy to think you need every new gadget and gizmo that hits the market. Not only is that an expensive endeavor, but it can also do more harm than good for your swing. The last thing you want is to look like Roy McAvoy in Tin Cup.

roy mcavoy uses training aids in his home
Don’t think you need to use every training aid that hits the market. Tin Cup

Often, when it comes to the golf swing, simple is better, and that rings true when it comes to training aids, too. In fact, one extremely useful training aid is absolutely free. All you need is a little bit of sunshine.

Check out the video below from GOLF Top 100 Teacher Trillium Rose, or read on for more.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Trillium Rose 🍀 (@trillium_rose)

To start, simply visit the range on a sunny day and face your shadow. Place a golf ball inside the shadow cast by your head and put a ball on the ground outside your lead leg. These two objects will be your guides as you make some practice swings.

With the setup complete, all you need to do is make your normal swing. But take note of how your shadow interacts with the ball and club on the ground. Is the ball staying within your head’s shadow? Is the shaft of the club staying close to the shadow of your lead leg?

As Rose illustrates in the video above, you can discern quite a bit from answering these questions. You want to keep your body and head somewhat quiet during the swing, and this drill will help you understand if you’re succeeding.

Training aids can be useful for improvement, but sometimes the best tools are completely free.

Latest In Instruction

3 hours ago

Find the center of your stance for better contact with your irons

19 hours ago

You need to do this drill if you want crisper short-game shots

22 hours ago

This simple drill helped Sepp Straka at the Truist (and can help you too)

2 days ago

This simple tee-height tip can help salvage a bad driving round

Zephyr Melton

Golf.com Editor

Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com where he spends his days blogging, producing and editing. Prior to joining the team at GOLF, he attended the University of Texas followed by stops with the Texas Golf Association, Team USA, the Green Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists on all things instruction and covers amateur and women’s golf. He can be reached at zephyr_melton@golf.com.

  • Author Twitter Account
  • Author Instagram Account

Related Articles

Approach Shots
joe plecker demonstrates how to find the center of your stance

Find the center of your stance for better contact with your irons

By: Joe Plecker, with Zephyr Melton
Driving
5 keys for longer, straighter drives

5 keys for longer, straighter drives

By: Kellie Stenzel, Top 100 Teacher
Instruction
rory mcilroy stares into the distance during the 2025 masters tournament

5 tips for managing your nerves under pressure on the golf course

By: Zephyr Melton
Instruction
A man tees off on a golf course

How should you determine which tee box to play from?

By: Zephyr Melton
Short Game
rory mcilroy hits a wedge during the 2025 masters tournament

4 keys for hitting your wedges like Rory McIlroy

By: Brady Riggs, Top 100 Teacher
Driving
bryson dechambeau hits a tee shot during round 2 of the 2024 Masters

Busting 5 myths about how to generate power in the golf swing

By: Bernie Najar, Top 100 Teacher
Driving
mike malizia swings golf club

Make a perfect downswing and hit more fairways. Here's how

By: Mike Malizia, Top 100 Teacher
Instruction
golfer hits shot out of fairway bunker

6 shots amateurs never practice — but they should

By: Tom Stickney, with Zephyr Melton
Instruction
golfer uses pencil to write on scorecard

6 reasons you should keep a Handicap Index

By: Kellie Stenzel, Top 100 Teacher
Sign up for GOLF's Newsletters
Get the latest news, the hottest instruction tips, new product releases, golf media insider reports and more delivered directly to your inbox. Choose your favorites now.
Sign Up
Categories
  • News
  • Instruction
  • Gear
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
Services
  • Masthead
  • GOLF Media Kit
  • GOLF Magazine Customer Service
  • TERMS OF SERVICE
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Opt-out of Ads/Sharing
  • Your Privacy Choices
Social
  • facebook
  • x
  • instagram
  • youtube
Membership
InsideGOLF Logo
More than $140 Value for JUST $39.99

INCLUDES 12 SRIXON Z-STAR XV GOLF BALLS, 1 YR OF GOLF MAGAZINE, $20 FAIRWAY JOCKEY CREDIT - AND MUCH MORE!

LEARN MORE

© 2025 EB Golf Media LLC. An 8AM Golf Affiliated Brand. All Rights Reserved. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.

Go to mobile version