What is it?
It consist of a large foam ball at the end of a bendable rod.
Purpose:
The Benderstick helps golfers correct their swing by providing “negative feedback” (explained below).
How it works:
The stick is put in an area where you do not want your body to go. If your body goes in the area where the Benderstik is, you will hit the stick. That is what they mean by providing “negative feedback”. (Positve feedback on the other hand is an aid like a training grip; you just hold it and swing). The idea of the Benderstik is if you do not hit the stick, you are doing the right move and over time you will get rid of the wrong/bad habit which will create the correct golf swing.
Setup:
Easy! It can be used indoors and outdoors. Outdoors: Attach spike to the bottom of the stick and put it into the ground Indoors: Attach the Benderstik to its base. (Sold separately) -The top of the Benderstik is bendable, and it can also be lengthened or shortened. Nothing else really to it, its a stick! Its an inatomate object. You can place anything there instead of the Benderstik and it would serve the same purpose.
Ease of use:
This aid appears easy to use, but the trouble lies in being able to self diagnose your swing. You will need to be able to know what is wrong in your swing and also be able to pick out a drill that can help fix the problem. This aid may not be beneficial for beginners because they may not be able to pick up what the problem is in their golf swing. The Benderstik comes with a video that teach golfers on how to self diagnose their golf swing, and also a booklet full of drills you can use with the Benderstik. Basically, the idea is to first watch the video to educate yourself on how to self diagnose your golf swing, and secondly to do the drills to fix the swing flaw. I recommend to watch the dvd a few times then pausing and try to self diagnose yourself in a mirror or have a friend help you.
Effectiveness:
Effectiveness will depend on: 1) How well you are able to diagnose your swing faults -If you can’t figure out your swing fault, you obviously won’t be able to fix it -Mike bender shows you how to self-diagnose your swing in 5 steps (I really like the self-diagnosis steps and will use them for a long time) 2) If you can pick the right drill and perform it properly (drills in the book is great, lots of different things you can work on) 3)Most people have more than one flaw in their swing(might make things more difficult to diagnose) -There are a lot of variables to consider. It will depend on YOU in how effective the device will be. -Some people will be good at using this system and others will not. -If you have trouble using the Benderstick, I recommend to go get a lesson from a golf instructor so at least you will be able to knock off number one (1. How well you are able to diagnose your swing faults ).
Longevity:
-The device is sturdy and did not break when I hit it with my club -I can see people using this device for a long time because they can work on a lot of different swing faults -The golf instruction that Mike Bender provides is the real gem here.
Cheaper Alternatives:
The real gem in this package is Mike Benders 5 step self dianosis video and the booklet of drills -The Benderstik is more of a gimmick and can be replaced with a broken shaft and pool noodle -Here is a link to the mike bender 5 setup self diagnosis video-Here is the link to the booklet of Benderstik drills -Here are some examples of how golfers can do the same drills with a broken golf shaft & pool noodle (If anyone wants me to look up a specific drill to mimic the benderstik drills , shoot me a email or leave a comment below) (Greg Greksa – The swimming pool noodle drill – steady head)Noodle Golf Tip (Debbie O’Connell)SIMPLE STOP YOUR SLICE FIX (Meandmygolf)Stop Your Sway In Your Golf Swing (Meandmygolf) -Dont buy the Benderstik just build a diy aid (diy aid 10-20$ vs 100$ for the benderstik)
Conclusion
I am going to rename this device for what it really is or should of been called… “Become your own golf instructor, all you need is this stick, self-diagnosis dvd & drill book” -The instructional material that Mike provides is great, but its free online now and I feel there is no point to buy the Benderstik because you can just use a broken shaft and a pool noodle. -If you are a golf instructor on the other hand, the Benderstik can be good because its versatile, light, and can be adjusted to your students swing fault. -The main feedback I received from people using this device is not to get frustrated if the swing didn’t improve. Go get a lesson from a golf pro because you probably just missed some small things. Then go thru the process again. In the end your swing will improve, you just need to figure out what your fault is.
Other Site Reviews & info regarding the device:
Reviews golferreviews.org benderstik review thesandtrap.com benderstik review GOLF GADGET REVIEW! – The Bender Stik-mygolfspy.comWorking on your golf swing? BenderStik can help-golf digestTHE CARROT AND THE BENDERSTIKneucruegolf Benderstik Reviewgolf unfiltered Benderstik Reviewgolf magic Benderstik Reviewswing surgeon Benderstik Review(not a good review wouldnt bother, included just for completeness)BENDERSTIK INDEPENDENT PRODUCT TESTThe Benderstik Review – My 2 Cents WorthTeaching tools: Local trio delivers with Benderstik By NICK PETAROScoregolf.com benderstik review
Customer Reviewsrockbottomgolf.com scroll down the page till you get to customer reviewsAmazon.com scroll down the page till you get to customer reviewsAmazon.ca scroll down the page till you get to customer reviewsintheholegolf.com scroll down the page and click on customer reviewsMichael Farley BenderStik TestimonialTed Fulte Fixes his Golf swing with the BenderStik
Other info5 Step self-diagnosis video from Mike BenderBenderstik official websitebenderstik why it worksThe Benderstik 30 Minute Infomercial- youtube videobenderstik search on youtube has alot of videos about the product click on the link to check it outvideos on the benderstick realfeelgolfmats.comgolflifetv episode that has a part talking about the benderstikmessage board talk regarding the benderstik @ toronto golf nuts(tubemp3.com)lots videos on the benderstik (similar to youtube)(flipradio.net)lots videos on the benderstik (similar to youtube)