5 Training Aids Every Golfer Needs for a Lower Handicap
Lowering your handicap doesn’t just happen on the course – it starts with smart, focused practice. The right training aids can help you groove a more consistent swing, sharpen your short game, and build confidence in every club in the bag. At Only Birdies, we’ve seen firsthand how the right gear makes practice more effective and enjoyable. Here are five must-have training aids to take your game to the next level.
1. Putting Mats & Gates – Master Your Stroke at Home
Putting makes up nearly half your strokes in a round, so dialling in your stroke at home is the quickest path to lower scores. High-quality putting mats give you a consistent, true-rolling surface to practise pace and aim. Adding putting gates or alignment aids can train you to start putts on line and develop a repeatable motion.
A good putting routine off the course turns three-putts into two-putts – and that saves shots every round.
2. Alignment Sticks – Build Consistency and Better Ball Striking
They’re simple but incredibly effective: alignment sticks are essential for ingraining proper setup and swing path. Use them on the range or garden to check shoulder and foot alignment, or lay one down for a visual guide to your swing plane.
They’re also perfect for drills like gate drills for putting, or swing path checks for eliminating slices and hooks.
3. Golf Swing Trainers – Develop a Repeatable, Powerful Motion
From weighted clubs to wrist trainers, swing trainers help you build muscle memory for a more stable and powerful swing. They’re especially effective for fixing common faults like casting or flipping at impact. Practising with a swing trainer for just a few minutes a day can lead to noticeable improvements in swing speed and ball striking.
4. Portable Launch Monitors – Know Your Numbers
Understanding how far you actually hit each club is crucial. Portable launch monitors like the Rapsodo MLM2PRO, Voice Caddie SC4 PRO, and FlightScope Mevo+ give you instant feedback on ball speed, launch angle, carry distance, spin rates, and more – right on your phone or tablet.
This data-driven approach helps you dial in club gaps, monitor your progress, and build confidence on the course knowing your distances are accurate.
5. Chipping Nets & Targets – Sharpen Your Short Game
A reliable short game is what separates good golfers from great ones. Chipping nets and pop-up targets let you practise chips and pitches in the garden or at the range, turning practice into a fun, competitive challenge. Working on landing zones and distance control with a net helps transfer those skills directly to the course, where every up-and-down matters.
Bring the Range to Your Home
Investing in quality training aids turns practice time into progress time. Whether you’re working on your putting stroke, dialling in distances, or building a repeatable swing, the right tools help you make every session count.
At Only Birdies, we stock a range of proven training aids and launch monitors trusted by golfers of all levels – because better practice means better golf. Explore our Training Aids Collection today and start your journey to a lower handicap.