A useful yardstick to go by

Appearances can be deceptive, which is just as well when it comes to one of the latest golfing aids to hit the market. Called the "Golfers Yardstick," it has a visual resemblance to a bicycle pump with a golf club grip. The device is the brainchild of an English golfer who only took up the sport some four years ago and couldn't understand why, apart from words of advice, nothing could really help him slow down his swing. So, from some rather crude prototypes he set about developing an aid (assisted by reams of computer readouts on velocities, weights, balance, trajectories, effects of impacts, mass clubhead speed, etc) which could revolutionise practice techniques.

And the "Golfers Yardstick" is the end result of three years research and development using the latest computer technology to exploit scientific principles to achieve clubhead speed in a simple, reliable, compact club. Swung like a real club - it can be used anywhere, in the office or the garden or the garage - it has an in-built scale which enables the user to immediately check the clubhead speed, enabling improvement and consistency over a range of shots. Indeed, different shots from a driver to a nine iron (but not a putter) can be practised and compared using the unique scale. Feel, surely what every golfer aspires to achieve in competition, is the desired result of regular practice with the device. For instance, to hit the ball 168 yards with a five iron, the reading on the scale should read nine; to hit a three wood to a distance of 207 yards, the scale should read eight, and so on. The belief is that, from such practice, the feel of any shot can be learned, especially on short shots. Golfers Yardstick measures 25 inches and the basic aim is to groove a player's swing. The claim is that regular practice will achieve a consistent reading on the scale, depending on a player's ability.

The manufacturers suggest that the indicator should be set to zero, at the bottom of the scale, and the yardstick should then be used as a normal club. The higher the number indicated on the scale, the faster the swing. However, another advantage is that a player can use the device to "warm up," ensuring they have the right tempo before actually going out on to the golf course.

Additionally, the manufacturers claim that single-handed, left arm practice helps to strengthen the arm and wrist. Also, if the player "swings diagonally from his right toe, through the imaginary ball and to a forward position, this helps muscle memory in making the left arm guide the swing far more effectively." So, there you go!

Golfers Yardstick Products are based at Stourbridge in England, but Pat Trainor, of Golf Solutions, who is based in Warrenpoint, Co Down, is taking up the distribution rights here. The recommended retail price in Britain and Northern Ireland is £29.95 sterling.