5 Best Putt Master Golf Training Aid Reviews​ | Ultimate Tested By Experts

If you want to play better golf, you need a better swing. It is that simple. But learning how to swing a club well is not easy. That is why so many companies sell training aids. They promise to help you fix your mistakes and feel like a pro. But do they work? Or are they a waste of your money?

I bought five of the most popular golf swing trainers and tested each one for weeks. I used them at the driving range, in my backyard, and even in my living room. This article is my honest report. I will show you what each trainer does well and where it falls short. My goal is to give you the truth so you can decide which one, if any, is right for your game.

After all my testing, one product did stand out above the rest. But the “best” trainer depends entirely on your biggest problem. This guide will help you find the perfect match.

How I Put These Golf Trainers to the Test

I could not just swing each one a few times and make a decision. I created a strict testing plan. I looked at each trainer from every angle. This is how I did it.

Breaking Down the Swing

A good golf swing has many parts. No single trainer can fix everything. So, I tested each aid on the specific part of the swing it is designed to help. My testing focused on four key areas:

1. The Lower Body: Does the trainer help you stop swaying? Does it teach your feet and legs to be stable?
2. The Arms and Body Connection: Does it help your arms and chest work together as one unit?
3. The Point of Impact: Does it teach you what hitting the ball solidly with a square clubface feels like?
4. Overall Rhythm and Tempo: Does it help you swing smoothly, instead of being jerky and quick?

For each area, I used simple tools to see real results. I used foot spray on the clubface to see where I was hitting the ball. I used my phone to record my swing in slow motion. And most importantly, I paid close attention to how the ball flew after using each trainer.

The Tools I Used for a Fair Fight

I did not have a fancy science lab. I used things any golfer can find. This makes my results easy for you to understand and repeat.

• Foot Spray: This is a white powder you spray on the clubface. When you hit a ball, it leaves a mark. This shows you exactly where on the clubface you made contact. A center hit is good. A hit on the toe or heel is a miss.
• Slow-motion video: I filmed my swing with my phone, which allowed me to see small changes in my posture, my takeaway, and my finish.
• Ball Flight: The ball does not lie. After using a trainer, I watched carefully to see if my shots were straighter, longer, or more consistent.

Now, let’s discuss each product in detail, starting with the one that sets the foundation for the entire swing.

#1 Testing DownUnder Board

Any golf pro will first tell you that a good swing starts from the ground up. Your swing will be messy if your feet slide all over the place. The DownUnder Board, made by PGA Tour coach Bradley Hughes, claims to fix this problem.

What the Brand Says It Does?

The DownUnder Board says it can “train you to feel what a PGA Tour swing feels like.” It promises to improve every part of your swing, from stance to finish. The brand says it helps keep your feet quiet and stable, which is a common issue, especially for junior golfers with “happy feet.” Over 100 Tour pros also use it.

How I Tested the DownUnder Board

I used this board for every club in my bag. While standing on it, I hit drives, mid-irons, and even chips and putts. The board is adjustable in length, so I set it to the width of my normal stance. The key test was to see if it could stop my lower body from sliding sideways during the swing.

Testing for Stability and Footwork

I focused on two things:

1. Swaying: Does my weight slide too far to the right on the backswing?
2. Early Extension: Do I slide toward the ball on the downswing instead of rotating?

I started without a ball, just making practice swings. Then, I hit real balls off a mat while standing on the board. The feeling is strange at first. The board is not slippery, but it gives you instant feedback. If you sway, you will feel your weight pull toward the Edge. If you rotate correctly, you feel balanced and powerful.

The Good and The Bad

After several sessions, here is what I found.

What I Loved:

• Instant Feedback for Your Feet: This is the best feature. You cannot cheat. If your feet move too much, you feel it immediately. After a while, this feeling sticks in your brain. You start to feel unstable on the ground even when you are not using the board, which helps you correct your stance.
• Great for Full Swings and Short Game: It really did help with my driver and iron swings, but I was surprised how useful it was for chipping. It teaches you to keep your lower body still so your arms can swing freely, leading to much cleaner chip shots.
• Builds Muscle Memory: The board trains your body to use the ground for power. You learn to push against the board with your feet to start the downswing. This is fundamental to a powerful athletic swing.

The Limitations:

• It is Big and Heavy: It is a large, flat board, even when you stack it and fasten it to its smallest size (about 10 by 10.5 inches). It does not fit easily into a regular golf bag, so it is not a training aid you can easily take to the driving range.
• It Does Not Fix Your Arms: The DownUnder Board is only for your lower body. If your main problem is an incorrect arm swing or a bad club path, this tool will not directly fix that. It only fixes the foundation on which the arm swing is built.
• The Price is High: This is one of the more expensive aids I tested. You are paying for a patented design and the endorsement of tour pros.

Who Should Really Buy the DownUnder Board?

This trainer is not for everyone. But for the right person, it could be a game-changer.

• Buy it if: You often lose your balance during the swing. If your friends say you have “happy feet” or frequently top the ball because you are moving toward it, this board will help you build a rock-solid base.
• Avoid it if: You are looking for a simple, portable aid to fix your slice or hook. This large board will be a hassle if space is limited in your home or car.

My Rating for the DownUnder Board: 4.0 / 5

It does its specific job well, but its size and single-purpose nature limit its appeal.

#2 Testing the Impact Bag

The most important part of the swing is the moment the club hits the ball, called impact. The Impact Bag, designed by Hall of Famer Dr. Gary Wiren, is a simple tool that focuses only on this critical moment.

What the Brand Says It Does

The Impact Bag is designed to “perfect the most important part of any golf swing.” It is a durable, waterproof bag you fill with old towels or clothes. You don’t swing it like a club. Instead, you take your normal address position and swing the club into the bag, as if hitting a ball. The goal is to feel a solid, square impact.

How I Tested the Impact Bag

I filled the bag with towels to medium firmness and placed it on the ground where a golf ball would be. My test was simple: swing down into the bag and focus on the feeling in my hands and the position of the clubface.

Testing for Solid Contact and Square Face

I looked for two specific feelings:

1. A “Thud” vs. a “Clank”: A solid hit should feel like a deep thud. A weak hit, where the clubface is not square, feels more like a clank or a twist in your hands.
2. Clubface Position: When the club hits the bag, it should stop. I used the slow-motion video to check if the clubface was looking straight up at the sky (square) or was tilted to the left (closed) or right (open).

The Good and The Bad

The Impact Bag is one of the simplest and oldest training aids. But is it still effective?

What I Loved:

• Teaches a True Feeling of Impact: This is its greatest strength. You learn what it feels like to compress the ball. The bag provides resistance so you can feel the correct pressure in your hands and arms. This feeling is hard to get from just hitting a ball.
• Stops Casting and Swapping: “Casting” occurs when you release the club too early, losing all your power. Swinging into the bag forces you to keep your wrists hinged until the last moment, which was a huge help for my iron shots.
• Extremely Durable and Simple: The bag is just vinyl or PVC. It is almost impossible to break, and it is also very easy to store. When you are done, you empty the towels, and the bag folds flat.

The Limitations:

• It is a Static Drill: You are not making a full, flowing swing. You are swinging into a stationary object. This is great for learning the position, but does not train the rhythm of a full motion. You have to be careful not to develop a robotic, choppy swing.
• No Ball Flight: You do not get to see the result of your improved impact right away. You have to trust the feeling, then go hit real balls to see if it worked.
• Can Be Hard on the Joints: If you swing too hard into the bag, the sudden stop can jar your wrists, elbows, and shoulders. You need to swing with control, not brute force.

Who Should Really Buy the Impact Bag?

This is a fundamental tool for a very specific problem.

• Buy it if: You struggle with thin or fat shots. If you have a hard time feeling where the clubhead is during the swing, or if you tend to “scoop” the ball instead of hitting down on it, the Impact Bag will teach you the correct sensation.
• Avoid it if: You are looking for a trainer who helps with tempo or full-swing rhythm. This aid is all about a single, static position.

My Rating for the Impact Bag: 4.2 / 5

It is a timeless tool that solves a core problem for many golfers. Its simplicity and low cost make it a great value.

#3 Testing the Orange Whip

Rhythm and tempo separate choppy amateur swings from smooth professional swings. The Orange Whip trainer is one of the most recognizable aids for building this athletic motion.

What the Brand Says It Does

The Orange Whip claims to be the “#1-rated golf training aid.” Its patented design has a heavy orange ball on one end, a flexible shaft, and a counterweight on the other. This system is supposed to increase your flexibility, balance, and strength. The flexible shaft forces your arms, upper body, and lower body to work together in rhythm.

How I Tested the Orange Whip

I used the Orange Whip in three ways: as a warm-up tool before a round, as a swing trainer in my backyard, and to check my tempo during practice sessions. The key test was to see if it could smooth out my quick, jerky transition from the top of the backswing to the downswing.

Testing for Rhythm and Balance

The Orange Whip gives you instant feedback. If you swing it correctly, it feels smooth and balanced. If you swing it incorrectly, it “wobbles” violently. I focused on making continuous swings, back and through, trying to eliminate wobble.

1. The Wobble Test: A wobble means you are using your hands and arms too much, instead of your body. My goal was to swing so that the orange ball and the whip stayed on a single plane without shaking.
2. The Transition Test: I paid close attention to the change of direction at the top of the swing. The Orange Whip’s weight forces you to pause slightly and then start down with your lower body. If you start down with your arms, you lose control.

The Good and The Bad

The Orange Whip feels very different from any other trainer. It is not about hitting a ball but feeling the swing.

What I Loved:

• Unmatched Feel for Tempo: This is the best rhythm tool I have ever used. The weighted, flexible design forces you to slow down. After just a few minutes of swinging it, my regular driver felt incredibly light and easy to control. My swing felt more fluid, not forced.
• Excellent Warm-Up Tool: Swinging the Orange Whip for 30 seconds before teeing off is a fantastic way to wake up your golf muscles. It gets your blood flowing and reminds your body of the correct tempo before you hit your first shot.
• High-Quality Construction: This trainer is handmade in the USA and shows. The materials feel premium, and it comes with a two-year warranty. It feels like a product built to last.

The Limitations:

• It Does Not Directly Fix Swing Path or Face: The Orange Whip teaches you how to swing, not necessarily where to swing. It improves your tempo but won’t automatically fix a slice caused by an outside-in swing path. You need to correct the basic swing path for the tempo to be effective.
• The Price is Very High: This is the most expensive aid in my test. You are paying for its unique design and high-quality build. It is an investment.
• No Impact Feedback: Since you never hit a ball with it, you do not get any feedback on the quality of your contact. It is purely a pre-swing and swing-motion trainer.

Who Should Really Buy the Orange Whip?

This trainer is for the golfer and has decent mechanics but lacks consistency due to poor timing.

• Buy it if: Your swing feels rushed and out of sync. If you have difficulty matching your arm swing to your body turn, the Orange Whip will train them to work together. It is also perfect for anyone who wants a great warm-up routine.
• Avoid it if: Your main issue is a major slice or hook caused by a flawed swing path. Fix the path first, then work on tempo with the Orange Whip.

My Rating for the Orange Whip: 4.7 / 5

It is a premium product that delivers on its promise of better rhythm and balance. However, its main drawback is its high price.

The Final Two Trainers Tested

In the first part of this review, we examined trainers for your foundation, impact, and rhythm. We tested the DownUnder Board for stability, the Impact Bag for solid contact, and the Orange Whip for smooth tempo. We will examine two more critical puzzle pieces: putting and the connection between your arms and body.

Finally, I will give you my final verdict. Which trainer is the best among all of them? The answer might surprise you.

#4 Testing the PuttOUT Pressure Putt Trainer

You can have the best swing in the world but will not score well if you cannot putt. Putting is about two things: starting the ball on the correct line, and hitting it with the perfect speed. The PuttOUT trainer focuses on the second, and often more important, part: speed control.

What the Brand Says It Does

The PuttOUT claims to be the easiest way to shoot lower scores by improving your putting. It is a small, parabolic ramp that “replicates a real golf hole.” It rejects putts that are too hard or too soft. Only a putt with the right speed will stick in the small micro-target at the top of the ramp. It has won awards from Golf Digest and Golf Monthly.

How I Tested the PuttOUT Trainer

I used the PuttOUT on my carpet at home and on a real practice green. I placed it about 10, 20, and 30 feet from my starting point. My test was simple: can this tool help me consistently get my putts to finish close to the hole?

Testing for Pace and Accuracy

I hit 20 putts from each distance and tracked the results.

1. The Perfect Putt: How often could I get the ball to stick in the micro-target? This isn’t easy and requires perfect speed.
2. The “Makeable” Putt: How many times did the ball roll back and finish within a virtual “3-foot circle” around the PuttOUT? This simulates a tap-in putt.

The Good and The Bad

This little tool is deceptively simple. But its effect on your putting can be huge.

What I Loved:

• It Makes Practice Addictive: This is its biggest strength. You will not want to stop until you make a “perfect putt.” This gamification of practice means you will actually spend more time working on your putting without getting bored.
• Realistic Feedback: The design is brilliant. A putt that is too soft will not reach the top. A putt that is too hard will zoom up the ramp and roll far away. A putt with good speed will roll back a realistic distance, just like a real putt that lips out. This teaches your brain to connect the feeling in your stroke with the resulting distance.
• Portable and Durable: It is made of strong plastic and folds flat. You can easily take it to the office or on vacation, and you can practice anywhere.

The Limitations:

• It Does Not Train Your Stroke Path: The PuttOUT is about speed. It will not help if you consistently push or pull your putts off-line. You must first use an alignment stick or another tool to work on your starting line.
• The Ramp is Noisy: The ball rolling up and down the plastic ramp can be quite loud on a hard floor. This might annoy other people in your house.
• It Can Be Frustrating: The micro-target is very small, and it can take a long time to sink a perfect putt. For some, this is motivating. For others, it might not be very encouraging.

Who Should Really Buy the PuttOUT Trainer?

This is a tool for almost every golfer, because every golfer needs to work on putting.

• Buy it if: You three-putt too often. If your lag putting is weak and you usually leave your first putt way short or long, this trainer will quickly improve your distance control.
• Avoid it if: Your only problem is that you miss everything to the left or right. In that case, you need a path trainer, not a speed trainer.

My Rating for the PuttOUT Pressure Putt Trainer: 4.6 / 5

It is fun, effective, and addresses the most critical part of scoring. It is a fantastic value for the price.

#5 Testing the Tour Striker SmartBall

A common flaw in the golf swing is the separation of arms and body. When your arms swing independently, you lose power and consistency. The Tour Striker SmartBall is a simple, inflatable ball that straps to your arms, physically connecting them to your body.

What the Brand Says It Does

The SmartBall is a patented training aid designed to teach “swing extension, rhythm, and tempo.” It helps synchronize your body and arms for a more powerful and accurate swing. It promises to correct common flaws like “arm slide” and enables you to maintain a consistent swing path from driver to putter.

How I Tested the Tour Striker SmartBall

I used the SmartBall for full swings with my driver, irons, and putting. The test was to see if it could create a feeling of connection, where my arms and chest moved as a single unit.

Testing for Connection and Swing Path

I focused on the feeling during the backswing and downswing.

1. The Backswing Test: Without the SmartBall, my left arm (I am a right-handed golfer) would sometimes collapse. The SmartBall tucked between my arms forced my arms to stay extended and connected to my chest turn.
2. The Downswing Test: The aid prevents you from throwing your arms at the ball from the top. Instead, it encourages you to start the downswing with your body, pulling your arms through naturally.

The Good and The Bad

The SmartBall addresses one of the most fundamental concepts in the golf swing: connection.

What I Loved:

• Creates a Powerful, One-Piece Feeling: This is the correct feeling for a rotary golf swing. You make a wide, powerful arc by keeping your arms in front of your chest. My swing felt more compact and under control, but the ball went farther because I used my body more efficiently.
• Excellent for Chipping and Putting: It is surprisingly effective for the short game. It prevents you from using only your hands to chip and putt and promotes a pendulum stroke from the shoulders, which is much more consistent.
• Simple and Portable: It is just a small rubber ball. You can inflate or deflate it to your liking, and it fits in any pocket of your golf bag.

The Limitations:

• It Can Feel Restrictive: First, having a ball strapped between your arms feels strange and tight. It takes time to get used to the feeling of being so connected. Some golfers may not make a full turn.
• Not a Direct Fix for Everyone: If your main issue is a severe over-the-top swing (a classic slice move), the SmartBall might not fix the path. It helps, but you might need more focused path training.
• The Feel is Subjective: The benefit is almost entirely based on the “feeling” it provides. Unlike the PuttOUT, there is no ball rolling back to give you clear feedback. You must trust the sensation and see if your ball flight improves.

Who Should Really Buy the Tour Striker SmartBall?

This trainer is for the golfer who feels disconnected and lacks power.

• Buy it if: Your swing feels arm-y and weak. If you have trouble feeling your body rotate through the shot, the SmartBall will physically show you what it should feel like. It is also great for golfers who “chicken wing” their lead arm after impact.
• Avoid it if: You are stiff and have difficulty turning your shoulder. The connection might feel too constricting.

My Rating for the Tour Striker SmartBall: 4.1 / 5

It teaches a vital swing fundamental in a very simple way. Its low cost and portability make it a great training tool.

Which Trainer Solves Your Specific Problem?

Now that we have tested all five products, let’s compare them directly. Instead of just picking one “winner,” matching the trainer to the golfer’s biggest need is more helpful.

For a Stable Lower Body: DownUnder Board vs. Orange Whip

• The DownUnder Board gives you direct, ground-up feedback for your feet and legs. It is the specialist for stopping swaying.
• The Orange Whip improves balance as a result of better tempo. It is a generalist.

Verdict: If your primary issue is lower-body movement, the DownUnder Board is the more direct and effective solution. The Orange Whip helps with overall balance but does not target the feet specifically.

For Better Rhythm: Orange Whip vs. Tour Striker SmartBall

• The Orange Whip uses weight and flexibility to train the timing of your entire body.
• The Tour Striker SmartBall uses a connection to train the rhythm between your arms and body.

Verdict: The Orange Whip is unmatched for pure, overall swing tempo. The SmartBall improves the connection part of the rhythm, but the Orange Whip’s feedback system is more comprehensive for tempo training.

For Solid Impact: Impact Bag vs. Tour Striker SmartBall

• The Impact Bag teaches you the feeling of a square clubface at impact through resistance.
• The Tour Striker SmartBall helps you create a swing path that leads to a better impact position.

Verdict: The Impact Bag is the tool if you need to feel a solid hit right now. The SmartBall helps you build a swing that arrives at a good impact position, but the bag gives you the instant sensation.

My Top Recommendation for Most Of The Golfers

This was a difficult decision. Each of these trainers is excellent at its specific job. But if I had to recommend just one training aid that would provide the most value to the largest number of golfers, my choice is the Orange Whip.

Why the Orange Whip is the Best Overall

The reason is simple: poor tempo and rhythm are the root causes of many other swing faults. When you swing too fast, you lose your balance. This causes swaying. A quick tempo leads to an early release of the club, causing poor impact. The Orange Whip directly attacks this core problem.

After using the Orange Whip, my swing felt smoother. Because it felt smoother, I was more balanced, and because I was more balanced, I made better contact with the ball. It is a trainer that fixes the cause, not just the symptom. Its added benefit as a fantastic warm-up tool makes it useful every time you play golf.

The Best Trainer for Your Specific Game

However, the perfect trainer is the one who fixes your flaws.

• The DownUnder Board is your best bet if you struggle with balance and swaying.
• If you need to feel solid contact, the Impact Bag is a timeless, affordable solution.
• If you’re putting costs, you’re in luck: The PuttOUT is a must-have and a fantastic value.
• The Tour Striker SmartBall will create the right feeling if your arms and body feel disconnected.

Invest in the trainer that matches your biggest weakness. But if you are looking for the one tool that can improve the overall athleticism of your swing, the Orange Whip stands above the rest.