There are thousands of different training aids on the market and the truth is that most of them just don’t work. In this post, we’ll be covering the 3 best swing plane golf trainers so you can perfect your swing and drop strokes.
Here are the best swing plane training aids:
- Explanar Golf Swing Trainer.
- Caddie Elite Fix Your Swing.
- Matzie Assist Swing Trainer.
When we were trying out all the training aids we ranked them all based on how many parts of your game they worked on, how effective they were, and also how much they cost. We’ll be getting into how each of them works, how they can benefit your game, and where to get them.
What Is Swing Plane?
In golf, the swing plane is the path the clubhead travels throughout the swing. If you draw a line that runs from the ball, through the center of your torso, and out the back, that’s the correct swing plane.
If you want to strike the ball consistently, your clubhead should stay as close as possible to this line. It doesn’t need to follow the line on the backswing (it should) but it’s super important that it travels along that line on the downswing.
The majority of players on tour stay on this line the entire swing. There are a few golfers who have unique swings that don’t follow the line on the backswing but they’ll come back on the right line through impact.
Why Is Swing Plane Important?
There are a number of things that can go wrong if you don’t swing along the correct club path. Unfortunately, this is the case for most golfers and is why most golfers aren’t very consistent.
If your swing path is above the line then it could result in you swinging over the top. This is when you throw your hands at the ball, you hit the ball quite steeply, and it normally results in a big slice or hitting the ground before the ball. This is the most common fault for the average golfer.
If your swing path is below the line then it could result in you coming into the ball too shallow. This normally causes you to top the ball or hit a big hook. Not quite as common but it happens to the best of us.
#4: Tee Claw
A few months after writing this I came across another great tool that I thought I should throw in here. It’s called the Tee Claw and it’s an awesome trainer that can help with not only your swing plane but also alignment and a variety of other things.
You can use the Tee Claw to hit off of real tees at the range and it has lanyards that can give you a visual of where your swing should be going. I couldn’t imagine practicing without it and the good news is that it’s pretty darn cheap.
It’s one of the best trainers I’ve used when it comes to value because it’ll work on more than one aspect of your game. It’ll help you master the basics and that’s one of the best ways to lower scores.
You could just use simple alignment rods but they aren’t quite as versatile as the Tee Claw. You can use it to work on your putting alignment, swing plane angle, where your feet should be placed, and whatever else you can think of.
Pros
- The price.
- Multiple different uses.
- Easy to carry around.
Cons
- None I can think of.
#3: Matzie Assist Swing Trainer
This is one of my favorite budget-friendly training aids since it’s fairly cheap but it still improves all 8 areas of your swing. Most trainers only work on one or two areas so this is why I found it so intriguing.
It’s designed to improve your grip, strength, weight transfer, club head speed, extension, wrist action, muscle memory, and tempo. It’s not going to magically make you a better golfer overnight but I have seen slight improvements in all these areas.
It doesn’t directly work on your swing plane but it will make your swing a lot better in general. The thing I liked best about it was that it can be used in a small area with pretty much zero setup required (no ball needed).
The reason it works is that the weight, shape, and features of the club almost force you to swing the right way. All you have to do is take a few swings every day for practice or before your round to warm up.
PROS:
- I find it really helps me to take a few swings before I start my round.
- It comes with an instructional DVD.
- It’s cheap and really simple to use (and take around with you).
CONS:
- The grip isn’t the best and has started to wear out a bit.
- The grip is a little small.
- You’ll have to practice with it multiple times per week to see results (like most trainers).
#2: Caddie Elite Fix Your Swing
This is another really good swing plane trainer and I prefer it slightly over the previous Matzie. The Matzie doesn’t directly work on your swing plane but this doesn’t.
It didn’t help improve my grip or tempo as much as the Matzie but if you can get both it would be ideal (that’s what I ended up doing).
They’re not that inexpensive but when you consider how much you probably spend on a round of golf, it’s really not that bad.
You will need a bit more room to actually use it and it doesn’t work the best when it’s sunny out because it uses a laser (I use it in my garage and it works great).
PROS:
- One of the best trainers I’ve used for improving my swing plane.
- It’s simple to install and use.
- You can take it pretty much wherever (as long as you can make a swing).
CONS:
- You need a decent amount of room to use it.
- You won’t be able to see the laser in sunlight.
- It was a little expensive.
#1: Explanar Golf Swing Trainer
If you’re looking for the highest quality and most heavy-duty training aid for improving your swing plane, this is it. It’s pretty expensive but it’s the single most effective way I’ve been able to improve my swing quickly.
The thing I liked about it is that it’ll get rid of your old swing and replace it from scratch. There really isn’t a way for you to use this trainer and swing the wrong way. It forces you to be on the right plane.
The big downside to it is that it’s pretty big and you’ll need a decent amount of room (you can’t bring it to the range).
If you plan on golfing a lot and have spare money, it’s well worth it in my opinion because it’ll show you exactly where your path needs to go. I’ve had a tough time finding the Explanar but was able to find a cheaper alternative that did pretty much the same thing.
PROS:
- It forces you to use the right muscles the right way.
- It’ll build you a new swing from scratch.
- It comes with an instructional DVD.
CONS:
- It’s one of the more expensive trainers on the market (but it’s been better than some lessons I’ve had).
- It’s fairly big and you’ll need a decent amount of space.
Final Thoughts
If your swing plane is off, you’ll have a really tough time making consistent contact with the ball. All four of these training aids will help you work on your swing and should help you play better golf.
I’ve tested multiple different units that were big gimmicks and a waste of money. I’ve found that all four of these have actually helped my game. Whether it’s the grip, tempo, path, or alignment.
If you want an all-around training aid that’ll improve multiple areas of your game, go with the Tee Claw. It’s inexpensive and something I couldn’t imagine practicing without.
Some people find that they need to work on more than one part of their game, and if that’s you, you might want to get the Matzie Assist. It not only works on your swing, but it’ll also help with your grip and power.
If you want a device you can use inside at home then you should look at the laser trainer. It doesn’t work the best outside but it’ll really give you a good idea if your swing plane is correct.
Finally, if you’re serious about improving your game and want to go all out, consider the half-circle trainer. The Explanar isn’t always available but this is a cheaper alternative. It’s the single best way to work on your swing plane because it forces you to do things right. It was expensive but it works.
Let me know your thoughts and any questions you have. Like this article? Feel free to give it a share!
Looking to get some new golf gear? Click here to check out our recommended gear page to see the stuff we’re recommending and the cheapest place to get them.