7 Golf Gadgets to Lower Your Handicap Fast
If you want to play more consistent golf, lower your handicap, and master your mental game, you’re in the right place. After playing this game for 25+ years and being a golf writer since 2017, I’ve tested out endless equipment, training aids, and apps.
I don’t want you to waste your money on products that won’t move the needle on your game. Instead, use these golf gadgets to take your game to the next level.
7 Best Golf Gadgets
Here are my favorite seven golf programs, apps, and equipment that have helped me become a +2.5 handicap and can help your golf game.
1. DECADE Golf
If you’re tired of wasting shots from tee to green, you need to learn about Decade Golf. No clue what Decade is yet? Read my full review here.
This course management system legitimately transformed my mental game and course management skills - it’s one of the ways I went from a scratch to +2.5 handicap.
How? By learning to make better decisions, avoid blowup holes, and play more consistent golf.
The system was created by Scott Fawcett - a two-time guest on Wicked Smart Golf podcast - and is used by countless college teams as well as professional golfers. But even if you’re an amateur golfer, it can do wonders for your game. In fact, more than 80,000 people have joined this incredible course management program.
Decade teaches a system to help you learn:
- Why it’s crucial to only play one shot shape.
- How shot dispersion impacts target selection.
- When to use the driver (and when you should dial back to 3W).
- Amazing putting drills to dial in speed and practice more efficiently.
- When to aim at the flag and when you should center your shot pattern to the middle of the green.
And so much more.
Not to mention, you can track your statistics after each round to learn more detailed analytics about your game. It also includes free yardage books, ongoing webinars, and a ton of content to help you make better decisions.
Plus, Scott is giving Wicked Smart Golfers a 20% discount on your subscription. Simply use the code “WICKEDSMART” to save, or click here now.
2. Look and Shoot Putting
Are you tired of three putting? Do you want to have more confidence on the greens?
If so, you will love the Look and Shoot Putting System (you can also read my full review here). This system transformed my putting in 2021 and have been using it ever since.
The Look and Shoot method was created by Cameron Strachan, the founder of Automatic Golf and 10X golf author. He used to coach Aaron Baddely and has created the simplest ways to improve your putting (without endless time on the practice green or buying a new putter).
The core of his system is known as “natural learning” and teaches you to go unconscious on the greens. You can learn more in our podcast interview, too.
3. Rypstick Speed Trainer
One of the fastest ways to lower your handicap fast is improving your clubhead speed. Countless studies have shown that longer average distances off the tee lead to lower scores.
The fastest way to add speed and distance is with speed training. I’ve tested out the big three speed trainers - Rypstick, The Stack System, and SuperSpeed Golf - and found each to be very helpful.
However, Rypstick is the clear winner for a variety of reasons:
- Easy to use.
- Lowest investment price.
- App is included at no additional cost.
- Only takes 15–20 minutes, 3X a week.
- Length of a driver (unlike The Stack System).
- Different sizes for all types of golfers (men, women, juniors, etc.).
- Counterweight to improve release pattern and make speed training easier on your wrists.
- Free swing analysis from Dr. Luke Benoit (the creator) who was also a guest on the podcast (episode #243).
Not to mention, the Rypstick guarantee - if you do not add 20 yards in 90 days, it’s FREE!
This makes it a no-brainer decision if you're serious about improving your game. Plus, you can get a 10% discount on Rypstick when you use the code “ WICKEDSMART '' at checkout.
Click here to learn more about Rypstick now.
4. Portable Launch Monitor
Another important tool to help your golf game is a portable launch monitor. Don’t worry, you don’t have to spend $5,000 or more to learn more about your swing. Plus, a lot of them double as indoor simulators so you can improve in the offseason too.
Here are my three of my favorite launch monitors from Rain or Shine Golf:
PRGR Launch Monitor
The PRGR Launch Monitor is the lowest cost and most portable launch monitor in golf. It is easy to use, provides five metrics for each swing, and works with practice swings as well - which is great if you’re speed training.
Voice Caddie SC4
The Voice Caddie SC4 is a perfect-sized launch monitor that also doubles as a golf simulator. It provides incredible data about your ball/club performance to learn more than ever about your swing.
Plus, unlike most launch monitors, you can see the graphics on screen too.
Bushnell Launch Pro
The Bushnell Launch Pro is a higher end launch monitor but still a fraction of the price as Foresight or Trackman. It will help take the guesswork out of your game and provide incredible data to make the most of every practice session.
Not only is it a great launch monitor to use indoors or outdoors, it also doubles as a golf simulator and compatible with other software like the E6 Connect.
5. Mental Golf Type
One of the biggest goals of all golfers is to master the mental game. While reading these mental golf books will help, there is one problem to them… they are not customized to how you are hardwired.
This is where Mental Golf Type comes into play.
Mental Golf Type is a one of a kind mental golf training program that teaches you how to uncover your personal strengths. Because here’s the thing, the mental game is personal and not one size fits all approach.
Here’s how it works:
- Take your FREE self-assessment to learn your unique mental golf type (there are 16 different types).
- Confirm your Mental Golf Type.
- Access customized mental game training to help you get in the zone, stay out of stress, and have more fun.
I learned this system in 2022 near the time of Decade and contribute it to also helping me become a plus handicap. The creator, John Weir, has been on the Wicked Smart Golf podcast three different times. Click the links below to learn more about his unique system:
You can click here to learn more about Mental Golf Type and if you’re ready to join, use code WICKEDSMART for 25% off.
6. PuttView Yardage Books
If you’re a tournament golfer, you need yardage books to show up prepared. But don’t buy the ones that are in the pro shop (assuming they have them). They’re not nearly detailed enough and rarely have any green information.
Instead, I highly recommend PuttView yardage books. I’ve tested out Strackaline, PuttView, and many others. Here’s why they are the best yardage books in golf:
- Three pricing options.
- High quality waterproof paper.
- More than 30,000 golf courses worldwide.
- Shows penalty to penalty width, elevation changes, compass off tee shot into greens, carry distances, and more.
To learn more, read my full PuttView review and/or watch the video below.
7. Tour Tempo - Easiest Way to Improve Your Swing
As a golf writer, I’ve tested out endless training aids, speed trainers, and apps. But I can say, hands down, the best $25 you can spend on your swing is the Tour Tempo app.
Why?
Because it makes it insanely easy to learn how to swing with a 3:1 tempo - which is the secret that all good players have in common. The problem is that most golfers have a backswing that is far too slow and likely holding you back from hitting it longer (and better).
This is a mistake I made for years in my own game. Low and slow is horrible advice - just watch the pros, they swing in one second or less. There is nothing “low and slow” about it!
The app also helps with your short game and putting too. Switch to the short game tab on the app and dial in a perfect short game tempo, which is 2:1. It’s available for Android and Apple users.
Learn more about Tour Tempo by listening to my episode with the creator, John Novosel Jr. here.
Closing Thoughts
Lastly, I can’t forget to mention my signature online mental golf coaching program - Wicked Smart Golf Academy. It’s the fastest way to play better without swing changes, using my proven 5-pillar approach.
This video training has everything you need to lower your handicap, have more fun, and avoid blowup holes.
Use these golf tools to improve your game fast!
