Swing Wizzard

Swing Wizzard

7.4 Reviewer

SET-UP

EASE OF USE

EFFECTIVENESS

LONGEVITY

Pros:

-Portable practice aid that can be used anytime, anywhere including inside your house
-Easy to disassemble and take in a golf bag
-Versatile tool that can be used to train multiple aspects of the swing
-Good tool for golf instructors
-Comes with alignment sticks
-Provides 3 types of feedback (visual, physical, kinaesthetic)
-Forces golfers to slow down their practices to focus on the components of the golf swing

Cons:

-Swing Wizzard is not intended to hit balls with
-Dvd that came with the product did not work (good YouTube videos that you can use in replace of the content)
-Slow motion drills are tiresome and tedious
-Require knowledge of mechanics and positions to use this aid
-Does not give instruction for lower body action
-We could not confirm the device increases flexibility through the back swing

Wizard Golf-About the Company

Wizard Golf is a company with a simple approach: Great Golf. Simplified. The company is dedicated to providing beneficial training tools. Wizard Golf manufacturers Swing Wizzard, Wizard Putting System, Chip Wizard, Wizard Target Master and Wizard Sticks. The company is owned and operated by Swing Wizzard inventor Keith Rogers. The initial concept of the Swing Wizzard was for personal use to improve his own game. Upon witnessing the results in his own game, lowering his handicap by 14 strokes that season, he realized it was too valuable to keep secret. Jim McLean, Top 50 Instructor and swing coach of PGA champions, endorses the Swing Wizzard.
“The first time Keith Rogers, the inventor, asked me to try it, I was sold.” — Jim McLean

What is it? Weapon or golf aid? 

On first impressions the Swing Wizzard reminds me of an evil star wars character named the Dark Lord of the Sith Darth Maul who wielded a red double-bladed lightsaber.

 Just like the saber, the Wizzard looks very distinct and impressive, more like a weapon than a golf aid. But jokes and Star Wars characters aside, the device is basically two 7 irons attached together at the grip ends. The device claims to: demonstrate how a balanced effortless swing should feel like, build muscle memory allowing more consistency and accuracy, increase flexibility through the back swing, provide instant feedback for immediate correction, and also improve on the following ten swing fundamentals….

• Set-up Position
• Take Away
• Proper Shoulder Rotation
• Golf Swing Plane
• Golf Swing Path
• Proper Wrist Hinge
• Golf Club Face Position
• Impact Position
• Hands Forward Position at Impact
• Timing and Tempo

How does it work?

Grab it like any other club and go through the provided drills in the video, the aid provides feedback in 3 ways to keep you on track (visual, physical and kinaesthetic). The drills and feedback are not new or ground breaking but focus on good fundamentals. So what makes this aid different from others? It forces you to do slow motion practice without a ball. Why is slowing down your practice so important? Find out below in effectiveness.

Note: Each feedback explanation below includes a time stamp that correlates to the video above for better understanding.

Visual feedback:
(2:46)-Aim sticks provide visual reference for setup and body alignment.
(7:30)-Two sided club provides a mirror representation of what is happening behind you in front of you when the club is out of your sight.
-Visual point of reference between aim sticks and Swing Wizzard provides positions to mimic.
(4:14)-Initial takeaway: hands and club parallel to toe line
(7:30-8:49)-Midway during backswing post initial takeaway/midway on the downswing before impact:
-Club face pointing towards the target line
-Leading edge of the clubface in relation to the target line aim stick provides visual feedback on squareness of the club behind you and shaft provides visual indication of swing plane.
(8:52)-Top of the backswing: clubface pointing towards the target, the other side of the device shows you if your club is open, closed or square.

Physical feedback:
(12:15)-During the downswing if the shaft hits the left side of the thorax that indicates an early release also known as casting.
(3:16)-At setup the shaft touching the left side of the thorax provides forward press at setup.

Kinaesthetic/feel feedback: Weighting and balance of the club.
(6:45)-Balance of the device hinges the club automatically during the backswing
(5:58)-Moves into a plane automatically based on how your body is turning and moving

Effectiveness:

Why is slowing down your practice so important? Ben Hogan was noted for using slow motion swings as part of his practice routine evidenced by a video demonstration he did on a beach while visiting a friend in Florida. Martial arts and other sports along with musicians and mathematicians have long used this form of training, but why would the average golfer want to do the opposite of what seems natural in practice?

Supposedly Tchaikovsky the Russian pianist when asked why he performed so accurately said “well I don’t practice wrong notes”. I was thinking about that snarky answer and its actually dead on! How you practice is how you will perform. A person’s practice is really obvious in their performance. If things are neglected during your practice they will fall apart when you perform. Think of a dramatic production, you would never allow the actors to get their lines mixed up or wear the wrong costumes, that just wouldn’t make any sense. What we are trying to do when we rehearse is to put together as soon as possible a perfect version of the final performance, all the parts in the right place! Only then we try to repeat it to get good at it. Never repeat something unless you want to get good at it. The problem with fast practice is, it leads to repeating a messy half hazard chaotic unstable version of the performance. Well if you repeat it you will perform that way. 

In fact, you will have a hard time not performing it that way once you have repeated it a few times. Practice must be as close as possible a perfect version of the final thing. If you can’t do it slow, don’t ever expect to be able to do it fast.

Another neat example of this is the elder Mozart would place ten dried peas in his son’s left coat pocket, and for each successful attempt at a difficult passage, Mozart would move a single pea to his right pocket. When he failed on any piece, even if it was the tenth repetition, all the peas had to be placed back in his left pocket — Wolfgang had to begin anew. What usually happens when using this method is that the student slows down his tempo in order to play the passage perfectly.

Testing
We had 8 people of various handicaps test the device. They watched the video above in “How does it works?” and were explained the drills and purpose of the Swing Wizzard. They used the device for around 15-30 min and then asked to fill out a questionnaire. Below are their responses.

Pro:
“Help see where your club is horizontally at the top”
“Able to see clubface during backswing”
-“Help adjust swing to use more full body rather than just arms”
-“May help with clubface issues of being too open or closed sometimes”
-“Can use it inside during off season”
-“Nice that you don’t have to move your head as much when you practice your drills”

Cons:
“Didn’t feel natural (couldn’t line up how I usually do)”
“Awkward feeling during stance and setup”
“Not good for amateur golfer unless pro helping”
“Not crazy of the long shaft does not feel realistic when lining up”
“I am shorter and found the club is too long for me, I could not grab it in the middle and felt the weighting was off”
“Tiresome, not a fun training device”
“Not good for amateur golfers”
“Liked the physical feedback and visual feedback it provided, not sure what the weighting of the club does?”

What it does?
“Helps visualize your club face in front and behind”
“Corrects arm positions”
“Helps with face angle”
“Mirrors your back action in front”
“Helps align your club”
“Helps focus on different parts of your swing”
“Not sure”
“Slow motion learning”
Conclusion: The device addresses multiple faults so the responses varied.

How it works?
“Symmetrical and center balanced club heads”
“Keeps front arm more forward”
“Helps somewhat with face alignment”
“Poorly?”
Conclusion: Responses varied too much therefore no conclusion can be drawn

What is the purpose of the aid?
“Helps visualize your club face in front and behind”
“Correct follow-through on swing”
“Club face alignment issues”
“Make you swing more consistent”
“Helps the golfer understand the golf swing”
“Not sure?”
Conclusion: There are multiple faults the device addresses hence the variety of answers.

How easy or difficult was it to setup?
-6 testers commented “Easy”
-“Very simple to setup”
-“Easy and quick, nice that it comes with alignment sticks”
Conclusion: 8/8 or 100% found the device easy to setup

Was it easy to start using or did you have trouble?
-“Didn’t understand … needs manual”
-“Easy, video instruction is good enough”
-“Easy, but an instruction manual would help”
-“Easy”
-“Video needs to be more descriptive/detailed”
-“hard to understand how to use it correctly”
-“Easy to understand and start using”
-“Would be beneficial if explained in a different way”
Conclusion: This one was divided straight down the middle 50% found it easy to start using and 50% didn’t. Having a written explanation and other videos might help.

What feedback does the aid provide?
-“club face at the top”
-“Lets you see club face position”
-“Help see where your club is horizontally at the top”
-“Able to see clubface during backswing”
-“Weighting of the club feels good when swinging”
-“Prevents flipping of the hands by hitting your side”
-“Stops you from casting by the physicals feedback”
-“Hits your left side to stop early release”
Conclusion: 4/8 or 50% mentioned the visual feedback the clubface provides, 3/8 or 37.5% referred to the physical feedback and 1/8 or 12.5% mentioned the weighting of the club.

What swing fault does the aid fix?
-“Wrist hinge at the top”
-“Wrist placement and alignment”
-“Adjust swing position”
-“Alignment of club face”
Conclusion: The device addresses multiple faults so the responses varied.

Did the aid improve your golf swing?
-3 testers commented”no”
-2 testers commented”not sure”
-“not in short term use, need to use long term”
-“need to use it longer to see results”
-“dont know”
Conclusion: 100% said no. This device probably needs to be used long term on a more frequent basis to see results.

What drills did you like best?
-“Slow movements”
-“Follow through drills”
-“Position drills where the club mirrors your action in front of you”
-“Really liked the drill where it hits the left side of your body on the follow though, preventing a early release”
Conclusion: No particular drill was more popular than another.

What drills did you not like?
-“Cant swing with it”
-“Unable to answer honestly”
-“At setup having your hands forward”
“Awkward feeling during stance and setup”
“Not crazy of the long shaft does not feel realistic when lining up”
Conclusion: Multiple testers did not like the hands forward setup position.

Any diy golf aids you could use to accomplish similar results?
-“You could insert a stick into the butt end of the shaft for the follow through drill”
-“You can use a mirror to see the club face and shaft plane”
Conclusion: There are alternative drills and aids available that serve a similar purpose.

Is the device durable?
-5 testers commented “yes”
-“Yes, if you use it like its intended”
-“Yes, as long as you dont hit balls with it”
-“No, the plastic joining the clubs together might break”
Conclusion:7/8 or 87.5% said yes the device is durable

Would you keep using the device for years to come? In other words, is it a product you will incorporate into your regular practice routine?
-4 testers commented “no”
-“No, because its to tedious”
-“No probably not, I would rather go out and hit balls”
-“Yes”
-“Yes I like working on my positions in the mirror and this would be a big help”
Conclusion: 6/8 testers said they would not incorporate the device into their regular practice. I think this device is for a particular type of golfer that loves the technical side of the game and enjoys working on positions.  

Based on your opinion is the price (too expensive/ cheap/ just right?) $79.99
-“Too expensive”
-“Expensive”
-“Just right”
-“Too expensive for what it does”
-“Too expensive”
-“Tust right”
-“Too expensive”
-“Just right”
Conclusion: 5/8 or 62.5 % found the device too expensive, 2/8 or 25% found it just right and none found the device cheap.

Would you recommend this device to others?
-6 testers said”no”
-2 testers said”yes”
Conclusion:6/8 or 75% said no and 25% said yes. Again I think this aid is perfect for a technical oriented golfer who likes to work on swing mechanics and positions.

Did you enjoy using it?
-6 testers said “no”
-2 testers said “yes”
Conclusion:6/8 or 75% said no and 25% said yes.

Did you get benefit from it?
-6 testers said “no”
-2 testers said “yes”
Conclusion:6/8 or 75% said no and 25% said yes. 

I think the concept of the device is great “slow but perfect practice” and this seems effective based on our research but the problem based on our testing is.. that testers found it tiresome, tedious and not fun. It probably works but will people use it long enough to see results? This is a great training device for a technical oriented golfers who likes to work on swing mechanics and positions.

This aid needs more testing with people that will use it for a longer period of time for around 15-30 min a day and track Statistics like handicap.

Set-up:

To setup the device you simply screw the grip ends together. Then lay down the provided alignment sticks, one on your foot line and other on your target line.

Ease of use:

Based on our testing we got mixed results, some found it easy to use and others had trouble. Some testers stated they would of liked an instruction manual and others wanted the video to be more descriptive.

Customer reviews:

We did not find many reviews on the product since its not sold at one of the major sellers like Amazon. The four reviews we found had nothing but good things to say about the product (refer below for excerpts and links). We also looked into testimonials and endorsements. Testimonials had many positive comments as expected and Jim McLean, Top 50 Instructor, and swing coach of PGA and LPGA champions, endorses the Swing Wizzard.

Go Time Golf – Review: Swing Wizzard
Tester Feedback:
“Brady: The Swing Wizzard has filled the void for Swing Plane Training Aids. I identified numerous flaws in my swing in a matter of minutes. Kudos to the inventor and Thank You!

“I liked it the first time I swung it,” said Sayers, the 2009 Colorado PGA teacher of the year. “I’m a huge training-aid guy. I’ll use a Band-Aid and a string if it works. This really shows students what the swing plane looks like, and the body sequencing required to hit a good golf shot.”’
Click here for the full article:Kensler: Swing Wizzard helps with backswing (denverpost.com)

Until the Next Tee Review – Swing Wizzard Training Aid

Click here for the full article:REVIEW – Swing Wizzard Training Aid (Until The Next Tee Blog)

The Stephens Golf Academy

Rock Bottom Golf Swing Wizzard (one review)
Click here for more info: Swing Wizzard (rockbottomgolf.com) – 1 review

Longevity:

When we tested the device the screw attachment did not break but everyone knew not to swing aggressively and/or hit balls. If you use it like it was intended you won’t have any problems. If by chance you do hit balls with it, I doubt the plastic connector would hold up. (Note: We found one complaint of the device breaking, click here for more information: Revolution Golf / Swing Wizzard Training Club complaintsboard.com)

My concluding thoughts…

I think the concept of the device is great “slow but perfect practice” and this seems effective based on our research but the problem based on our testing is that testers did not enjoy using this golf aid because they felt it was “tiresome and tedious”. The Swing Wizzard probably works but will the casual golfer use it long enough to see results?  It would be beneficial to have a group of golfers test this device for a longer period of time (a few months), up to 30 minutes a day to see its long term effects. Also, in order to asses effectiveness their handicaps should be compared pre and post season. We found that the Swing Wizzard did not entirely fulfill all its claims. For example, our testers did not find that the aid helped increase their flexibility in their backswing and minimally helped with wrist hinge and shoulder rotation. (Perhaps our testing was too short to see these claims take place).

To conclude, we feel this device is on the higher price tag side for casual golfers. We recommend to try a DIY version of this aid before purchasing since it is close to 80 USD. The Swing Wizzard has a lot to offer as far as forcing the golfer to “slow down” and focus on the important components that make up the golf swing. It would benefit golfers that understand swing mechanics and know what they need to work on. This aid is more geared towards the serious golfer since it requires “slow” practice and the majority of golfers would rather be smashing balls as hard and fast as they can on the driving range. The Swing Wizzard would also be a great teaching tool for golf coaches. With this tool, golf coaches can reinforce different aspects of the golf swing with slow based practice.

Links:

wizardgolf.net
Facebook (Swing Wizzard)
Twitter (Swing Wizzard)
Instagram (Swing WIzzard)
LinkedIn (Swing Wizard)
Kensler: Swing Wizzard helps with backswing (denverpost.com)
wizzardgolf.com (Not functional)
Review: Swing Wizard by Mike Dojc
Wizard Golf Swing Wizzard (golfbox.com)
Go Time Golf – Review: Swing Wizzard
About Wizard Golf
Wizard Golf Products
Swing Wizzard Golf YouTube Channel
Groove your Golf Swing Anytime, Anywhere! Video
How a Tour Pro makes a Swing Change podcast by Golf Science Lab
What is the Swing Wizzard? by David Anicetti (US Golf TV)
Golf Swing Consistency Secrets video by Sean Foley
Golf Training Aid | Biggs Interview with Swing Wizzard – Golf Swing Training Aid
Golf Training Aid | Swing Wizzard on Golf Life TV – Improve Your Golf Swing
Swing Wizzard Golf Aid, Golf Swing Plane, Stan Sayers, Golf Instructor
Golf Swing Training Aid | Jim McLean Demos the Swing Wizzard Golf Aid
Golf Impact Zone & Golfers Swing Slot | Jim McLean Uses Swing Wizzard Golf Swing Aid
Golf Swing Plane & Swing Groove | Improve Golf Swing Consistency, Keith Rogers
Golf Swing Plane Analysis | Swing Wizzard Golf Swing Training Aid, Keith Rogers, Inventor
Golf Swing Training Aid, Jim McLean PGA Golf Swing Training Instructor
Swing Wizzard Description
Why Slow Movement Builds Coordination
Feldenkrais Method
Improve Muscle Memory With These 8 Easy Tips (guitartricks.com)
REVIEW – Swing Wizzard Training Aid (Until The Next Tee Blog)
Golf | Swing Wizzard | Training Aid video by Golf Life
How Muscle Memory Works and How It Affects Your Success
The acquisition of skilled motor performance: Fast and slow experience-driven changes in primary motor cortex
4 Easy Drills to Improve Hand-Eye Coordination
Step by Step: A Complete Movement Education Curriculum
Why Slow Movement Builds Coordination
Rethinking Slow Practice — A 2nd perspective
Specificity vs. Generality in Learning and Performing Two Large Muscle Motor Tasks
Muscle Memory & Confusion for Building Technical Ability & Strength
Practice Fast or Slow? I’ll Let You Decide
Mastering the Effortless, Slow, and Easy Golf Swing
How to Practice the Golf Swing – Get the Most from Golf Lessons
To speed up your improvement, try practicing in slow motion
Practice in slow motion yes or no (golfwrx forum)
Is Slow Practice Really Necessary?
Muscle memory and slow practice
Golf Swing Training Aid | Jim McLean Demos the Swing Wizzard Golf Aid
Swing Wizard Golf Training Aid Product Review
Swing Wizzard (rockbottomgolf.com) – 1 review
swingwizzardgolf.com About Us page
Keith Rogers, Inventor of the Swing Wizzard (swingwizzardgolf.com)
How does the Swing Wizzard work?
Wizard Golf in the News
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions about Wizard Golf and Swing Wizzard
Wizard Golf Blog
Wizard Golf Products
2 Swing Wizzard Pictures and Images (gettyimages.ca)
Golf Swing Training Aid | Jim McLean Demos the Swing Wizzard Golf Aid
Wizard Golf Swing Wizzard (eBay.com)
Jim McLean, Teacher of PGA & LPGA Tour Champions, Endorses Revolutionary Golf Training Aid, Swing Wizzard
Swing Wizzard™ – the revolutionary golf swing training aid designed to GROOVE your swing!
Wizard Golf Products
Learn your Swing Plane with the Swing Wizzard
Wizard Golf Introduces 4 New Training Products At 2017 PGA Merchandise Show-The Golf Wire
Swing Wizzard Golf TV Commercial, ‘Learn from the Pros’
Wizard Golf Swing Wizzard RH Adult-ebay
Swing Wizzard Golf Aid-stltoday.com
Make Your Own Swing WIzzard (the sand trap forum)
Golf Swing Guidelines with Swing Wizzard Golf Training Support | Patrick Tait, PGA Young ones Golf Teache
Revolution Golf / Swing Wizzard Training Club
Nobody Beats the Wizz-A homegrown golf product reveals the plane truth with his SwingWizzard by Jon Rizzi
Swing Wizzard Golf Google+
Keith Rogers, inventor of the ‘Swing Wizzard’ for Kensler column…. (getty images)
SWING WIZZARD Trademark Information
Wizard Golf Launches New Game Improvement Product Line
Swing Wizzard Pinterest post
Golf With The Guile of a Sith Lord
Late Night Online Golf Purchase: The Swing Wizzard
Swing Wizzard and other golf training aid videos
golf swing plane trainer videos
Get Shopping
A few ideas to make buying for golfers a bit easier
Swing Wizard Golf Training Tool-groupon
Swing Wizzard training club-golftrainingaids.com
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Wikipedia
Mozart google image search
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Wikipedia
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky google image search
How to Practice. Part 2: Go Sloooowly.