This is I tried it, a new GOLF.com series where we write about golf items — apparel, gear, accessories, etc. — that we’ve recently taken out for a spin. We’re here to give our honest, no-frills takes on the latest and greatest golf or golf-adjacent items. So, scroll down to read about what we love (or don’t) about golf’s newest (or new to us) products.
The Sure-Set training aid does exactly what its name implies. When you make a golf swing, it’s vital that your arms extend to ensure the right blend of wrist hinge, forearm rotation and shoulder turn. This gadget uniquely rests on your lead shoulder and adjusts based on your arm length to give you this ideal swing feeling.
I gave it a try to see how it works in real life — here are the pros and cons.
Pros
- The training aid is pretty simple to put together right out of the box. It screws together at its hinge with no tools required. The part where you grip the “club” is easily adjustable too!
- As soon as you use it, you get immediate feedback. I tested this out at the range (simulator) and made a few swings with the Sure-Set then a few swings with my 7-iron and could feel the muscle-memory immediately. Of course, it requires more than a few uses, but it was surely a handy tool to go back to in between shots to dial in the correct feel.
- This is a pretty compact instrument — it easily comes apart to fit in your bag or locker so you can use it whenever. I also like that it’s not as long as an actual golf club. It’s really easy to swing at home for that reason.
Cons
- The training aid is specifically designed for a left or right-handed player based on the grooves in the grip. Normally this isn’t a big deal, but my partner is a leftie. Unfortunately, this device isn’t sharable between the two of us.
- It definitely gives you the right feeling, but it’s not very comfortable. That’s because the part of the aid that digs into your shoulder exaggerates the feeling you have when you’re holding an actual golf club. I think that’s probably essential to its usefulness, so I’d recommend warming up and stretching before jumping right into Sure-Set swings.
As you can see, the pros outweigh the cons here. This is a great off-season training aid to use at the range or in your living room to get ready for the upcoming golf season. You can buy your own Sure-Set training aid below.
