It’s amazing how many useful golf training aids are out there. It’s even more amazing how many crappy devices, trying to act as a "golf training aids", are out there.

You’ll have to decide which category the Mentor Putting Mirror belongs in, as I’ve been unable to find any reviews or more detailed info about it anywhere on the net. The descriptions the merchants give are pretty vague and they all state the same thing - "a small, simple and portable mirror that can be used indoors or outdoors to improve your set-up, alignment and path, which are the three crucial elements of putting."

Anyway… I can guarantee the Mentor mirror is good for at least one thing. Since it’s small mirror, you can store it in your golf bag/cart and use it anytime you need it. Possible uses include, but are not limited to, blinding your opponent on one of his major shots. Remember to appear sympathetic and curse the "damn sun" afterwards.

Best deal found: 

Mentor Putting Mirror - 14.95$ 

The Izzo Mini Mouth chipping net is a 24" diameter golf chipping practice net. The center target is 8" wide, which makes it a perfect close to mid-range (and far if you’re really good) chipping practice aid. Just set this thing up (very easy to do, just put it on the floor and it "pops-up" by itself) and you’re ready to work on your short game. Use it in your garage or lawn or anywhere else you like, it’s made for indoor or outdoor usage and rainproof.

Best deal found:

Izzo Mini Mouth Chipping Net - 13.95$ 

I’m a sucker for gizmos. I don’t know why, but all these little electronic gadgets make me feel like I’m little kid again. And golf gizmos… There’s nothing that can top a little device that will help me play golf better! So you can imagine how excited I was when I found this device - the Synca-Swing.

The Synca Swing is a microcomputer that clamps directly to your golf club shaft and records your swing timing data and swing speed. You can use this info to analyze your shots and you can even dump the data to your computer, where the accompanying software will draw all sorts of graphs based on the data you’ve recorded before. What seems most interesting about the Synca Swing is, that you can store the data of that one "perfect shot" you’ve made and use it as a benchmark on other shots to see how far off you are. The device is, according to the manufacturer, very lightweight and it clamps to the shaft firmly, so the weight of the unit shouldn’t affect the weight distribution of your club and your swing.

Best deal found: 

The Synca-Swing Golf Swing Analyzer - 99.99$ (special anniversary price)

Findgolfdeals.com is not trying to be a golf equipment review site, since none of us are qualified for giving objective, professional views and reviews of golfing stuff. But this post is gonna be an exception, since the Golf Launchpad Simulator is a gaming device (which we’re more than qualified to comment on) / golf training aid hybrid gizmo. Not to mention I own one, so I can speak about it from experience. Note that this is not a detailed review, but rather my personal views on this device.

The manufacturer - Electricspin- claims the Launchpad provides unmatched realism. Their main selling point is its compatibilty with EA’s Tiger Woods PGA Tour video game series. "Play Pebble Beach, St. Andrews, Bethpage Black and the other premiere courses with incredible realism with your own clubs". They’ve even included Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004 with the Launchpad, but only the PC Windows version. Mac users are rich enough to buy their own copy anyway I guess. Getting a "free" game gives the Launchpad a couple of bonus points, but…

The problem I’ve experienced is, that the game is completely unplayable using the Launchpad. No matter how hard I try or which club I use, I can’t get the ball to fly more than 50 yards. I’ve had a couple of buddies (who are much better golfers than I am) try it out,  but with the same outcome. The way I understand it, the Launchpad is actually trying to somehow translate your golf swing into a mouse gesture, which the game can understand. But in order to get the in-game Tiger to execute a good, clean strike, you have to be extremely precise when playing with a computer mouse. And it’s very hard to believe that the Launchpad would be able to somehow simulate the needed precision and coordination. Judging from what I’ve experienced, it fails miserably at it. Don’t get me wrong.. Using the Launchpad to play a couple of holes with your buddies can be extremely fun (try playing it drunk, loads of fun), but don’t expect any birdies or pars.

In my opinion, Electricspin should focus on promoting their own software, if they’re aiming at golfers to buy the Launchpad. But right now, it seems they’re just trying to cash in on all the hype surrounding Tiger and video games. Their software, LPDR as they call it, is actually pretty good. It provides data for analyzing your shot (like shot speed and angle), along with some distance graphs. No idea how accurate the readings are though, but judging by the feel of the swing, they seemed ok. It’s weird Electricspin doesn’t include LPDR with the Launchpad itself, but makes you download it from their site. And you even have to type in the long serial number that’s burried on the underside of the unit!

So… Does the Launchpad provide that realism they’re boasting about? Not sure, since I can’t even play with it (I’d say no though). Will it help you improve your golf game? Probably not. Is it fun? Yes.

Best deal found: 

Golf Lunchpad Simulator (PC Windows/USB) - 229.90$ 

The Speedstik promises to "empower you to hit the ball farther by increasing the speed of your swing". And we all know that a faster swing means more distance. But what is it? Well… It’s a stick that measures your swing speed. It’s longer than a golf club and heavier as well. The manufacturer claims that training with the Speedstik will develop physical stregth, improve flexibility, enhance balance, increase range of motion and improve swing technique. I guess that means it will help you hit the golf ball farther. Oh… Vijay Singh says he uses it every day.

There’s two models available, one for golfers under 175 lbs and one for the rest of us.

Best deal found: 

The Blue Speedstik (golfers under 175 lbs) - 79.99$ 

The Red Speedstik (golfers over 175 lbs) - 79.99$ 

It’s winter and it’s impossible to play golf in most of the places in the northern hemisphere. That means this is the perfect time to get a training mat! This one’s 6 feet long, dirt cheap and has basically everything you’d expect from a putting practice mat - 2 hazards (lake and sandtrap) and a smaller than regulation cup which should help you develop more accuracy. The best thing is, you can roll it up once you’re done practicing and store it in closet or under the bed (or wherever you please), so you don’t really need a designated practice room to use it.

Best deal found:

IZZO Golf 6ft Indoor Putting Mat - 15.99$