PRO LEADERBOARD
First, a few words on my initial impressions about this. Overall, I think this thing is going to be great. I played around with it a little bit this afternoon and it isn't easy. It's a great tool for developing balance, feel, and muscle pattern memory. The feedback on certain swing flaws is quick and unmistakeable. In fact, I can't believe just how bad my balance has become in my old age. My core strength is also pretty lousy: with only the two light bands attached I was having a really tough time doing the twisting, core execises. Contrarily, I was pretty impressed by the level of fitness and balance demonstrated by Stuart Appleby, the sponsoring pro for this particular golf gizmo. (Although it's hard to say how much resistence he was using in the video, I've got to hand it to him, his balance looked spot on perfect -- far different than I felt when going through the paces, I assure you!) If I had to offer a suggestion for improvement, I think it would be related to the video. It comes with three DVDs, and the set does a really great job walking you through the numerous exercises and swing flaws/fixes the device addresses. But I wish the set also contained something like a fixed 30-minute workout routine that one can follow along at home (perhaps something with techno music and several leotarded men and women in the background, along the lines popularized by women trainers promising to turn buns and abs into steel, for example). Well, maybe not the buns of steel routine, but something put together that doesn't require you to do it on your own That's just a minor point, though, and otherwise the video was all easy to understand. I'm thrilled to start making this a regular part of my weekly fitness regimen, as I am unusually confident that regular and consistent use of this thing will improve, first and foremost, my balance in the golf swing, the solidity of my stance and base, and together that should help minimize my tendency toward lateral leg action and mishitting fat or thin. Also, with time I certainly expect to see some added distance as core stregth and flexibility improve with use. So with just a single day's observation, I'm ready to give this thing two enthusiastically upward thrusting thumbs. :good: :good:
Now for the pictures!
A Mizuno 9 iron, a Persian rug (already much abused by a certain golden retriever), and the Pro Leaderboard ready to be abused.
One of the menus on the "Swing Flaws and Fixes" DVD.
Yours truly -- with club in hand and wearing jeans (gasp!).
The board, with the tee platform and the knee pad thingy (used for the brutal stomach flexing exercises I love to hate).
An overpriced coffee table and the Pro Leaderboard carrying case.
Appleby's butt, for Claire. Appleby watching his ball flight, for the rest of us.
The PGA pro walking through the swing sequence on the Leaderboard.
Thanks again THP and ProLeaderboard!
Yep, I got the driver too.
