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You probably remember it. The PlaneMate was a pandemic-era hit—the hottest training aid at a time when golf was booming—and it popped up everywhere. It was named the best new training aid at the 2020 PGA Merchandise show, sold more than 30,000 units. Some of the best swings in golf, most notably Rory McIlroy, were even spotted using it.
The success inspired co-inventor David Woods, who doubles as a Top 100 coach, to launch his own training company and a new line of products. That company became ProSENDR which, again, resulted in a series of hits you’ve seen littered across PGA Tour driving ranges.
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Now, Woods is bringing the PlaneMate back, but with a series of new features designed so it can be used with ProSENDR’s other popular products. The goal is to make things more efficient. To select the products your swing needs and use them together when you practice, so the changes stick when you get to the course.
With the PlaneMate launched and fully stocked (you can check it out on ProSENDR’s website right here), we reached out to Woods for a quick rundown on the rebooted product…
What are the new features and upgrades?
David Woods: The overall quality and aesthetics have been enhanced and I wanted to give it a few more uses so the golfer gains more value in their purchase. I’ve added alignment rod loops to the belt allowing for additional drills. Now that the PlaneMate is a part of ProSENDR, players can use different combinations of training aids based on what they need. We’ve put together some protocol videos on our website to help explain this, but for example: If players tend to get stuck on the downswing, they can use the connection sphere (which attaches to the trail hip and is sold separately) to fix that problem while using the PlaneMate to prevent them from overcorrecting.
Who is this training aid good for? What swing issues does it help fix?
DW: This product is for everyone! We have had many PGA and LPGA tour players use it as well as thousands of everyday golfers. It simply encourages you to be in tour level positions and provides great feedback to the golfer.
What are some mistakes to avoid using this training aid?
DW: The PlaneMate is designed to give feedback…good and bad. If you take your time and are responsible with your own improvement you will see results. However, it will highlight your errors which is exactly what you want. We all know that impact is the moment of truth but so is transition from backswing to downswing. Maintaining width and extension on the band will encourage appropriate shallowing of the shaft and rotation combined with measured forward shaft lean at impact will allow the PlaneMate to assist you in delivering great shots.
Is there a best way to use this training aid?
DW: Aka, five balls with the training, five balls without, etc. Yes, the PlaneMate is designed to offer guidance when used correctly. In order to re-create these feels and positions on your own, I definitely recommend starting slow and also hitting a few balls with it on and then a few without while comparing results and feels. Repeat this process, and gradually you’ll see the changes you want to make leak into your full speed swing.
Main Image: The PlaneMate
