Martin Chuck is one of the most well-respected golf coaches in the world. Golfers clammer to get his advice on their swing. For players that cannot seek the aid of the award-winning teacher, the Tour Striker team has created training aids that help bring the groundbreaking golf swing improvement techniques to anyone, anywhere.
The Smart Ball is a universally used partial and full swing training aid that can help you swing better and is more affordable and less time-intensive than committing yourself to a full lesson regimen. We took the smart ball out onto the range to see who this training aid could truly help, our answer, almost everyone.
Key Features
The Tour Striker Smart Ball helps players learn to sequence their body and arms for better connection through their entire swing
The Smart Ball is one of very few training aids that can help players through their entire golf bags and in ever swing type, putter to driver.
The Smart Ball is lightweight and easy to use indoors or out to create lasting muscle memory for prolonged success.
Design and Technology
The inflatable Smart Ball is a multi-purpose training aid that can fill several needs for a diverse demographic of golfers. This training aid is great in its ability to cross over among many types of swing faults. Players that struggle with “chicken wing” release patterns or that have heir arms moving ahead of their bodies will likely benefit the most from this product. The Smart Ball can also be used as a connection device much like towels or headcovers have been used in the past as place holders under players armpits.
Inflating the Smart Ball and holding it in place between a player’s forearms help to stabilize the connection of the body and arms. This three-piece connection often leads to improved contact and longer, straighter golf shots . By not allowing your arms to detach from one another, the Smart Ball encourages a unified impact and can create effortless power for players of all abilities and swing speeds .
Also included are two Velcro glove holders, cart lock straps, two metal towel rings, and SmartGRIP handles which make transport easy.
Tour Striker Smart Ball
Golf is a sport best played when you tailor your practice to your swing and your needs. Training aids that offer a narrow scope can be great for a specific group of players but destructive for others. The Smart Ball does a great job of appealing to the needs of very different types of golfers all without being complicated or time consuming to use.
Players can use the Smart Ball on the putting green, chipping and pitching areas, or for full swings on the range. The Smart Ball is singular in its ability to help players stay connected within their swing and deliver the golf club in a way that promotes their ideal shot. While no training aid could be best for every golfer, the Smart Ball is one that we recommend that most people try. Several variations of swing types can make use of this aid and we believe it can help your game as well.
PROS
- Real-time feedback enhances golfer’s awareness of the connection between their body and arms.
- The Smart Ball reinforces muscle patterns that promote cleaner, crisper contact for longer, straighter golf shots.
- The Smart Ball training aid can be used in many ways that help it appeal to golfers struggling with almost any part of their game, tee-to-green.
CONS
- The lanyard attachment can be rough for players with sensitive skin so removing that piece may be their best option.
- Some of the benefits of the Smart Ball can be replaced with other aids that golfers may have already purchased.
- Players unable to control their wrist angles may need to add other aids, such as the Tour Striker Power Click, with the Smart Ball for their best results.
Our Experience
The hallmarks of great golf training aids include portability, ease-of-use, and simplified understanding. If recreational golfers can not use the product easily they may quickly become disengaged and not see the full benefits of the training aid in its intended purpose. The Smart ball does a remarkable job of creating a lasting impression that is straightforward and leaves little room for error.
Getting the Smart Ball on the range, the experience was intuitive. I instantly felt more freedom to swing the golf club as I knew the connection between my arms and Smart Ball would synchronize my motion. Getting my body and arms aligned allowed me to turn more effectively through the golf call and create crisp impacts. I hit a variety of shots with the Smart Ball including chips, pitches , full wedge, irons , and drivers . My favorite things about the Smart Ball was the freedom to hit the golf ball in any shape or ball flight I wanted.
As there are many ways to play golf , it is important that training aids tailor themselves to more than one swing type. Whether you are a player that prefers a draw or likes to see a subtle fade, the Smart Ball encourages proper sequencing and does not limit you to a single shot shape or swing type. Being able to create varying types of impact all with the added bonus of better body-to-arms connectivity lead me to more confidence in my hitting motion and higher quality impacts through various turf conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Tour Striker Smart Ball and how does it work?
The Tour Striker Smart Ball is a golf training aid designed to improve swing mechanics, rhythm, and tempo. It's an inflatable ball that is placed between the forearms during the golf swing to promote proper arm positioning and synchronization between the body and arms.
Who can benefit from using the Tour Striker Smart Ball?
The Smart Ball is suitable for golfers of all skill levels, from beginners to professionals. It can help correct common swing flaws and improve consistency for various types of shots, from putting to driving.
How do I use the Tour Striker Smart Ball correctly?
To use the Smart Ball, inflate it and place it between your forearms. As you swing, focus on keeping the ball in place, which encourages proper arm movement and body rotation. It may feel awkward at first, but with practice, it can help improve your swing mechanics.
Is the Tour Striker Smart Ball durable and long-lasting?
Opinions on durability vary. Some users report issues with air leaks and the need for frequent reinflation. The quality of materials has been questioned by some customers, with reports of the ball developing leaks relatively quickly.
Is the Tour Striker Smart Ball worth the price?
Opinions on value are mixed. Some users find it effective and worth the investment, while others feel it's overpriced for what it offers. The effectiveness of the training aid is generally praised, but the price point and durability concerns lead some to question its overall value.
Conclusion
Having been validated by some of the best players in the world, namely Justin Rose, the Smart Ball is well-rounded training aid that can help players of all abilities. The genius of the Smart Ball is its simple design and incredible reach to golfers of many types and swing styles. While the Smart Ball may be best for players that feature more dynamic loft or a “chicken wing” impact, the use of this aid is versatile.
Players that want to achieve better connect through their entire swing should feel comfortable trying the Smart Ball. Excellent for low handicap and elite players as well, the Smart Ball is one of the most easy-to-use yet complete training aids we have ever tested.
Paul Liberatore
As the Founder of Golfers Authority Paul Liberatore Esq. has spent the last 7+ years writing about the best golf equipment or instruction from the top golf instructors in the world. He has been a contributing writer for Sports Illustrated Golf and GolfWRX. After graduating with honors from Purdue University, he realized that he had a passion for the golf business and the law. When he's not practicing law, or creating golf content on YouTube, he can be found on his syndicated Behind the Golf Brand podcast talking with the most prolific leaders in the golf industry.
