If you are at all into golf, I bet my putter that you have been tempted to try or buy golf training aids that promised you the moon. Whether it’s longer drives or getting out of bunkers, there are tons of golf training devices to help you achieve your goal. Many of you are probably shaking your head about the last golf doodad that popped into your head. I have also tried my fair share of these gadgets over the years to varying degrees of success. There have been some really good ones, to be sure, but more than not, what seemed really good in theory just didn’t click with me.

All things have a beginning. And for most beginners, it usually starts with the basic golf swing. Most of you are probably familiar with the training club sporting a molded grip to ingrain a proper golf grip. It usually was a shorter club with a weighted tip that made a clicking noise if the desired head speed was reached. The goal was to have the user get a feel for where the club head was supposed to make an impact with the golf ball. My own journey began with a bat-like club studded with four big plastic fans to give it wind resistance. Since then, dozens more would follow, and in more recent years, I have dabbled with the Orange Whip and Superspeed golf, both aimed at improving my swing tempo and speed, respectively.

To all the swing trainers I’ve loved before…

When I was first introduced to the Power3 swing trainer a couple of years ago, I wasn’t too keen on it.

After all, it was the same ol’ plug, albeit this one offered to increase distance AND improve swing tempo at the same time. Initially named after its inventor, the original device was named Kim Deok-kyoo Timing. The nomenclature also threw me off, but if you look past the grammar, the name was to reflect the gadget’s ability to teach an effective swing tempo (translated as ‘timing’) to result in better impact and longer distance.

The first differentiator of Power3 from other conventional swing trainers was that I could use it on my own golf clubs. Looking back, I can’t recall ever using a swing trainer that allowed me to do this. The familiarity of swinging my driver and irons made the Power3 easier to take to, and the added benefit was that it saved me from looking goofy like Kevin Costner with the swing yips in Tin Cup. The device clipped on easily to the shaft near the club head and at 28 grams, the weight didn’t affect my swing at all.

Power3 trainer is a small, sleek device that clips onto your own clubs

The premise behind the Power3 device is simple – just make the LED panel on the device light up at the point of impact. For drivers, this would be near the left foot, while the irons and wedges would be in the middle and near the right foot, respectively. The device also makes an audible click sound if the LED lights up for both visual and audial feedback. That’s nice. But isn’t it just a different iteration from many swing trainers out there? Yes and no. Again, using your own clubs is a big plus, but there is another big surprise I will discuss further on down.

Entering its 18th year in existence, the device is now named Power3 Speed trainer and comes in two models for men (blue) and women (red). Each device comes with a battery and two shaft clips for woods and irons and is pre-set to three-speed settings (hence the name). When the club head reaches the speed corresponding to a target distance, it lights up with a click. If not, the device remains dark and silent.

The best feature of Power3, in my opinion, is that it is highly intuitive. Without having to explain in so many words, I’ve had first-time golfers first try to light up the device by swinging it. Soon, they naturally realized that to make the LED light up, they needed to swing a certain way to get the momentum to gather at the club head. This alone was super helpful, as many golf instructors here have agreed over the years.

My advice to beginners on this subject had been to imagine throwing a cup of water to splash on the ground past my left foot on the downswing and not before. Needless to say, these images are quite hard to fathom for those who never swung a club. But with Power3, the golfer intuitively began toadapt to the needed swing to light up the LED. Once they were successful in getting the light and sound, it was a matter of time before getting that light to shine near the intended impact point. Voila.

Power3 trainer is a small, sleek device that clips onto your own clubs

Another aspect of Power3 that impressed me was the setting for the shorter wedge shots. In my opinion, full swings are easy compared to the delicate pitch shots that require a shorter swing AND to accelerate through impact. In the past, try as I might, it was super hard to convey this concept to a newbie who either duffed a pitch shot or skulled it across the green. Not so with the Power3. At setting 1, the device teaches the user to accelerate through the impact even with a shorter swing. Instead of trying to put into words that elusive feeling, I just let them do their thing with the device and use their intuition. What. a. time. saver.

Despite the obvious benefits of Power3, however, I initially had mixed feelings. For one, I probably didn’t want to admit that a golfer of 30-plus years needed such a gadget. Plus, I hate practicing, so I wasn’t too excited about the inventor saying 100 practice swings a day would increase my distance by 20-30 meters. So back in 2020, I recall blandly saying to Kim that it would be so much better if I could hit actual balls with it, instead of practice swings. And this is my small contribution to the evolution of the Power3 IMPACT trainer, a device that I think can disrupt the swing trainer industry.

If the original Power3 can help you through effective practice swings with your own clubs, the new Power3 Impact device will now let you HIT the golf balls with your club while bringing all the wonderful intuitive aspects mentioned above.

Impact trainer clips onto the grip and shaft, just below the hands

The only visible difference between the two Power3 devices is that the ‘impact’ model clips to the club at the base of the grip below the hands. The specialized clip bites onto the rubber grip to hold it firmly in place and emits a light and a click at the pre-set optimum club speed settings. It is highly portable and allows you to use it at the practice range or on the actual course (night golf with this gadget is super cool!).The video below is self-explanatory. If the device lights up at the correct place (near the left foot for drivers), it means the impact has taken place correctly at the right speed. If the LED lights up elsewhere or not at all, it indicates that the swing was not optimal and one can check easily to make the needed corrections. And through repeated practice or play, a powerful and repeatable swing can be ingrained, according to Kim.

The two Power3 models, Distance and Impact, are the result of over 15 years of research and testing, says Kim. Now at age 62, he took up the game relatively late in 2004. He became hooked immediately and began to obsess about how to get better quickly. Later that year, using his background in engineering, he devised a simple working model of the original device using some magnets, metal ball bearings, a battery, and an umbrella stem. What started as an idea to visualize the low point of his swing became his lifelong passion. In 2022, he refined his invention to release his fourth and latest versions. According to Kim, the days when golfers use clubs other than their own to practice are over.

So far, the Power3 swing trainers have been a resounding success in Korea. But surprisingly, the Power3 swing trainer is just the tip of the iceberg. Kim is currently working on a 5th-generation device that will connect to your mobile device via Bluetooth. In addition, the next model will not be limited to the current 3-speed settings but allow the golfer to choose their own speeds at which the LED will light up. In other words, it means I can set my swing speed goals slightly higher than my current one and strive toward reaching that speed. Think Superspeed golf, except with visual and digital aspects that can track your swing speed trends and show you how you can improve through its proprietary app. I think it is going to be the next big deal in swing training aids, and I’m not alone.

Kim’s idea and patented technology of increasing swing speed has already been turning heads.

Various brands in other sports that require swinging a bat, racquet, or stick have expressed interest in knowing how the technology can be modified to improve performance in their respective sports.

For example, a modified version of the Power3 device is being tested in baseball, where it can help players swing the bat faster. The same principle can apply to a tennis racquet for power serves, a hockey stick for powerful slap shots, and whatever other sports that can benefit from speed training.

Right now, however, Kim’s focus is on helping golfers of all swing speeds reach the next level. He is an accomplished 4-handicap golfer and averages 260 yards with a driver, which is quite impressive for his age here. But the true testament to his invention comes from his wife, who only took up the game a little over a year ago. I had the pleasure of playing a round with the Kims recently, and her 190-yard tee shots from the reds were continually ahead of me in the fairway. I was impressed (embarrassed at the same time), and had to admit that her nightly routine of swinging 50 times must’ve indeed paid off. She said she hated it at first but was quick to get the feel for the rhythm to light up the device at the correct place – all without additional explanations and pointers from her husband.

In particular, the device has proven to be highly effective for teaching professionals here, who say it gets the students to feel the correct swing tempo and the feeling of proper weight shift right away.

Once they figure out how to light up the device, they intuitively figure out how to wait on the downswing to concentrate the bulk of their power at the point of impact. Imagine the amount of explaining an instructor can save if beginners can realize this alien concept for themselves!

Whether its swing speed or impact power, these two models have you covered for men & women

So if you’re tired of swinging a training aid that’s not your own club, take a close look at the two Power3 models. Both are now available on Amazon. Remember that the Distance trainer is for practice swings only, and the Impact trainer allows you to hit actual balls. I recommend the former for beginners and the latter for non-beginners.

What do you think? Is it a winner? I’d love to hear from all the WRXers here on what you think, and if there are other similar devices out there.

The Wedge Guy: The critical transition factor

James is a golf gear-nut living and writing about all things golf in Korea. A fan of Tiger, Fred, and Seve, he is forever seeking the holy grail of golf clubs that will lower his score. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC, Canada and has been in Korea to witness the explosive growth of golf since 1996. Despite playing golf for over 30 years and being a perpetual 10-handicapper, James steadfastly claims to be the embodiment of the Average Joe Korean golfer. He can be reached at [email protected], and often introduces cool new Asia-based golf gear on YouTube and Instagram.

Hi James, Great article. Can you use the Impact trainer for practice swings without a ball? Thanks!

I can’t seem to find it on Amazon.

I found on Amazon searching Power 3 Distance or Power 3 Impact.

Ok, where do you buy it? i have no problem being all Roy McAvoy with gadgets..

This is really interesting. Any chance you can link to the place to purchase the Power3 devices? I have searched Amazon and other, but am unable to locate it.

The speed trainer link is here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B8T3QZYW

And the impact trainer for hitting balls is at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B8C1G5XT

I found on Amazon searching Power 3 Distance or Power 3 Impact.

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Club Junkie’s end-of-the-season WITB

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Here in the north, metro Detroit, the golf season is short. Like, way too short for us hardcore golfers. Weather this time of the year will dictate if you stay home and watch football or brave the elements for a cold round. As the dust settles in 2022, I have gotten a few requests to go through my bag and talk about what clubs I am playing. Take a listen to my Club Junkie podcast below or on any podcast platform to hear the full details on each club, just search GolfWRX Radio.

Driver: Titleist TSR2 10.0* (ALLFIT Set Standard) 

Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Red 6x

I got the Titleist TSR2 about a month ago and have found it to just be really consistent. The added stability and forgiveness of the TSR2 has really shown up on the course and I have hit more fairways since receiving it. An upgraded ATI425 titanium face retains ball speed when I (frequently) miss the center of the face, keeping my drives further out in the fairway than they should be. The Fujikura Ventus TR Red adds a little higher launch than the Project X HZRDUS Black Gen 4 but I feel a little more control with the TR’s beefed up handle section. Overall the TSR2 just keeps me in play more often and gives me more chances to hit greens in regulation.

Runner Up: TaylorMade Stealth Plus 10.5* / Fujikura Ventus TR Red 6x

Fairway: Titleist TSR2 15* (Set D1)

Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black Gen 4 70g 6.0

I have been on the three wood search for a couple of years now after retiring my trusty Callaway XR16. Titleist’s TSR2 has been the most consistent and solid three wood that I have played with this year for my game. My fitter set the TSR2 at D1 (-.75* loft) for a little more distance and flatter flight off the tee, but I am still able to elevate the club off the turf with no problem. This club is still used 90% of the time off the tee, but it is nice to have some confidence in the fact I can hit it into a long par 5 if needed. This hasn’t hit “magic” status yet but it is working its way up!

Runner Up: Callaway Rogue ST LS 15* (Set -1/N) / Fujikura Ventus TR Red 7x

Fairway: PXG 0311 XF Gen5 7w (22* Set -1 and flat)

Shaft: Nippon Regio Formula MB+ 75x

As I have said many times this year, I haven’t played a 7 wood since I was a kid! I have been very impressed with this 0311 XF and how easy it is to hit and how high I can hit it. I am not a player who hits a high ball and anything at the top end of the bag is really hard to get onto a green. I have played a lot of hybrids and they have been OK, but the 7 wood has been far better. The XF launches super high, but still hits the yardage I need it to, and stops with much more control on the green. I do lose a little roll off the tee compared to a hybrid but overall the 7 wood has just been a nice surprise.

Runner Up: Cobra King Tech 19* (Set Standard) / Fujikura Ventus HB Blue 8x

Utility Iron: Tour Edge C722 Ti-Utility 4 (22*)

I’ll admit that I need a little more firepower at the top end of my iron set. I am not a long hitter and the added ball speed from the Tour Edge Ti-Utility’s titanium face. This multi-piece iron combines a titanium face with a steel body and helps me hit it a few yards farther than a typical iron. I usually use this off the tee but the Tour Edge is easier to hit off the turf than the Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi for me. I think the shorter blade length in the Ti-Utility gives it that advantage and I like the look from address a little more. Very little offset and you only see a small amount of the back “muscle”. The Ti-Utility offers a nice muted “ting” at impact and the face holds a lot of ball speed on off center strikes. KBS’s PGI is their higher launching iron shaft option and offers a smooth feel with tight dispersion.

Runner Up: Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi 4 (21.5*) / fujikura Pro 95 Tour Spec Stiff

Irons: PXG 0311 T Gen5 (5-7), PXG 0317 ST (8-P)

Shaft: True Temper Elevate 95 Stiff

PXG 0311 T are the perfect “cheater” iron for me. They look compact, have a thin top line, and minimal offset but are packed with technology. They are very stable and long on miss hits, allowing me to still hit the front of the green without the perfect swing. At the bottom of the bag the 0317 ST are blades but go pretty far when you hit the center! I like the solid thud you get from the 0317 ST when you hit them well and the distance control into the greens is fantastic. The more compact look is great in the short irons and the milled faces seem to hold onto a lot of spin out of the rough. Both irons have a good amount of bounce and resist digging in the softer Michigan conditions.

Runner Up: TaylorMade P770 (5-P) / KBS Tour Lite X-Stiff

Gap Wedge: Titleist Vokey SM8 Raw (50.12F)

This is really a close race but the SM8 just has a little more bounce and digs less in the soft fairways here. I also like that you can really slam the sole into the turf on chips and pitches around the green without worry. I have had this SM8 since 2021 but swap it out with other options so frequently that the grooves and face are in perfect shape. The sole has also given me more confidence with full shots, thus giving me a wider range of yardages where I use it. Spin is high and very predictable from the fairway or lies in the rough. The feel is soft and very responsive, letting you know immediately where you hit it on the face. The Nippon Modus 125 Wedge shaft is very consistent and gives me a little flatter flight compared to some other wedge shafts.

Runner Up: TaylorMade Milled Grind 3 52* / Nippon Modus 125 Wedge

Sand Wedge: TaylorMade Milled Grind 3 (56* 12SB)

Shaft: Breakthrough Golf Technology ZNE 130

I have had this wedge since it was introduced but only used it a handful of times. This year I gave it a little more love and have been really impressed by the playability of it. The full sole has plenty of bounce for when I get over the top and steep with my swing, but still allows me to open the face with the leading edge only raising a small amount. The raw face offers plenty of spin from all lies, even when wet and the feel is very soft when you strike it solid. Bunkers are no problem for this wedge as the sole offers plenty of float for even light, fluffy sand. I rarely take full swings with the sand wedge but have gotten more comfortable with taking bigger swings and hitting it to tighter pin locations. BGT’s new ZNE shaft is a new addition and so far I really like the tight dispersion it has been offering me.

Runner Up: Titleist Vokey SM9 54.12D / True Temper Dynamic Gold S200

Lob Wedge: Titleist Vokey WedgeWorks T Grind 60*

Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold S200

This one is really a tie. I switch out between the Vokey T Grind and the Hi-Toe 3 depending on the conditions I am going to play that day. I recently found that I can get steep with short irons and my other 2 wedges, but I deliver my lob wedge much more shallow. The T grind is crazy versatile, allowing you to really play with the face angle to hit every shot. You do have to be a little more precise with it as there is very little forgiveness if you hit it a little fat. The TaylorMade Hi-Toe 3 goes in the bag when conditions are softer or not as tight. The full face grooves and hi toe design make it such an easy wedge to hit, you can get away with a lot of bad swings. You never have to worry about the club just sliding under the ball and the shot going nowhere, those tall grooves keep some spin and control on the shot. 

Runner Up: TaylorMade Hi-Toe 3 60* (13* HB) / KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 115

This again is a very close race, but the Bettinardi has just been a comfortable flat stick since I started using the 2021 model. For 2022 Bettinardi changed the face milling and it gave the BB8 Wide a much softer feel and more muted sound. They also shortened the blade length, giving it a little more proportional look while still keeping the wide flange and linger site line. The larger blade gives me a little more forgiveness when I strike it on the toe, keeping the ball online better than some traditional blades. The Fujikura MC 115 Firm putter shaft softens the feel a little while adding stability and consistency to the putter. I added a Super Stroke Pistol GT 1.0 grip late in the year and it has really helped keep my right hand from influencing the stroke. The L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max putter is really solid as well and the Lie Angle Balanced design can really help a lot of golfers make more putts. The larger Max putter head doesn’t stand out and unless you are setting it next to a Mezz.1 it will be hard to notice the size difference. The feel is a little softer but the more stable and forgiving Max head really stands out.

Runner Up: L.A.B. Mezz.1 Max Custom / Accra Graphite

In my opinion, one of the most misunderstood areas of the golf swing is the transition from backswing to downswing, but I don’t read much on this in the golf publications. I think this critical part of the swing is even more important on less-than-full wedge shots — those partial shots from 60-90 yards on into your green-side scoring shots.

Whether it’s a chip or pitch or one of those partial “half wedges,” there is a point where the club’s motion in the backswing has to come to a complete stop – even if for just a nano-second – and reverse direction into the forward swing. What makes this even more difficult is that it is not just the club that is stopping and reversing direction, but your entire body, from the feet up through the body core, shoulders, arms, and hands.

In my observation, most golfers have a transition that is much too quick and jerky, as they are apparently in a hurry to generate clubhead speed into the downswing and through impact. But, just as you (hopefully) begin your backswing with a slow take-away from the ball, a proper start to the downswing is also a slower move, starting from this complete stop and building to maximum clubhead speed just past impact, regardless of the length of the shot.

I can promise you this: If you will work on your transition, your ball striking and distance will improve, as will your accuracy. Let’s start there.

With pitches, chips and less-than-full wedge shots, your primary objective is to apply just the exact amount of force to propel the ball the desired distance. In order to do that, you move the club slower, as that allows more precision. I like to think of the pendulum on a grandfather clock as my guide to tempo and transition. As the weight goes back and forth, it comes to a complete stop at each end, and achieves maximum speed at the exact bottom of the arc. If you put that picture in your head when you practice your chipping and pitching, it will help you develop a tempo that forces a smooth transition at the end of the backswing.

The idea is to achieve a gradual acceleration from the end of the backswing to the point of impact, but the whole swing is likely much slower than what yours is currently. Do not be in a hurry to force this acceleration, as that causes a quick jab with the hands, because the shoulder rotation and slight body rotation cannot move that quickly from its end-of-backswing rotation.

Drawing on that grandfather clock visual, hold your wedge by the very end of the grip with two fingers, and get it moving like the clock pendulum – back and through. Watch the tempo and transition and try to mimic that with your chipping tempo. No faster, no slower.

A great exercise is to have a friend hold a club in this manner right in front of you while you are practicing your chipping stroke and try to “shadow” that motion with your swings. You will likely find that your transition is much too fast and jerky to give you the results you are after.

Practice this and your short range transition will become really solid and repeatable. From there, it’s just a matter of extending the length of the swing to mid-range pitches, full short irons, mid-irons, fairway woods and driver – all while feeling for that gradual transition that makes for great timing, sequencing and tempo.

The PGA TOUR will head to Japan this week for just the third time in history to play the ZOZO Championship at Narashino Country Club. The event was played at the course in 2019 but had to move to Las Vegas in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic before returning to Narashino in 2021. 

Narashino Country Club is a par 70 measuring 7,079 yards and features Bentgrass greens. The course has a unique design with five par 3’s and three par 5’s.

The ZOZO Championship is a no-cut event and will feature 78 golfers. The field is very strong this week, with a handful of PGA TOUR stars making the long trip to Japan. Those golfers include Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, Hideki Matsuyama, Tommy Fleetwood, Tom Kim, Rickie Fowler, Viktor Hovland, Cameron Young, Tyrrell Hatton, Corey Conners and Sahith Theegala.

Collin Morikawa had a disappointing 2021-2022 season by his lofty standards. He had six top-5 finishes but failed to truly thrust himself into contention on a consistent basis. The two-time major winner should be in store for a better season starting this week in Japan.

Morikawa has already shown he can play well in Japan, having finished in a tie for 4th at the Tokyo Olympics and finished 7th at Narashino Country Club last year. The 25-year-old is half-Japanese and has expressed in the past how special it is to play in front of the Japanese fans who are some of the most passionate golf fans in the world.

Narashino Country Club is the type of track that Morikawa should be able to continue to excel on. It is a difficult driving course, and his driving accuracy should keep him in the tight tree-lined fairways. He ranks 2nd in the field in Good Drives Gained and will be able to strategically plot around the golf course similar to how we saw Tiger Woods tackle the course in 2019.

While still great, Morikawa’s iron play was not quite at the level we’ve come to expect last season. He gained 5.2 strokes on approach at the TOUR Championship in his most recent start and went 2-1 at the Presidents Cup easily taking down Mito Pereira in his Sunday singles match. If his iron play is indeed back to his previous form Morikawa will have a strong chance to start his season off with a victory in Japan.

Mito Pereira (+3500, DraftKings): I was high on Mito’s chances last week at the Shriners Children’s Open and he didn’t disappoint. He finished in a tie for fourth place and led the field in strokes gained approach (+9.1). 

Narashino Country Club should be an excellent fit for what Mito does well. As past winners at the course have shown, it is crucial to be able to gain strokes with irons and put the ball on the correct level of the complex greens. Both Tiger Woods and Hideki Matsuyama excel with their iron play and as we saw last week, Pereira’s irons are in peak form right now.

The Chilean also showed he is comfortable playing in Japan, where he finished in a tie for 4th at the Tokyo Olympics.

We saw Mito miss a handful of short putts after getting in contention last week. If he can find a way to turn those near misses into makes, he can finally breakthrough for his first PGA TOUR victory.

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