Yes, no, maybe, definitely not

Thanks for the reply. I mean that, really. Interesting to hear your take. Here's something to consider for you and our other readers.

1. Ham "I think you can improve speed with PROPER training, but ONLY swinging a heavy object will not do it."

Speed can be improved with a bad swing. And you can learn speed and develop bad habits while improving speed. Swinging the speed stik back and forth caused me to develop a sway - but I increased my swing speed with it. The speed chain is both "light and heavy" at the same time. Since your are so into bio mechanics, here is a brief explanation on why it works from their site: They say it better than I can at their site:

"Bio-mechanical researchers have studied and calculated the force levels during each of the phases of the golf swing. Breaking it down in milliseconds, they know where the force levels are high or low. They also know where acceleration and deceleration occurs. Armed with this knowledge, VST created a variable force resistance that is light enough to allow for high acceleration and velocity while delivering high resistance where the force levels are high. All in one motion, and only milliseconds apart!!!

To illustrate how this works, the force levels are low during a backswing. Then the force levels rise to a peak during the transition from the backswing to downswing (this is where VST trains the stretch-shorten cycle). Then it dips during the acceleration phase while the arms are creating tremendous club speed. The forces rise to another peak near impact as all muscles are firing to nail that ball."

Now, that is what they are saying...NOT ME! But in this way it is different from speed stik, swing fans, weighted clubs, and lighter than driver over speed clubs. It has been proven by science outside of golf that swinging just a heavy object actually impairs your ability to learn speed, but you do get more flexible, and stronger swinging heavy objects, which will improve your speed in an of itself. That's probably why you like the speed stik.

2. Ham - "With the speed chain you need quite a bit of space. A garage or living room would not be advisable."

This statement simply is not true, as far as it goes. "Space needed" is relative. Many people who work on their games have a hitting net, and you need less space than that. Examination of videos on YouTube of people using the speed chain validate the manufacturer's suggestion that you need a space about 10-14 feet. And since the chain never gets higher than your head, you don't need high ceilings like you would for a golf club or speed stik ( 4 feet long ). I workout in the basement, and found that the space requirements are about 5' by 18'. You could definitely use it in the garage, though they suggest cover the concrete floor as the concrete will damage the chain finish over time.

3. Ham - "Plus most people do not have the technique to use the chain properly, they will use the wrong muscles and it will be of no help to them and could in fact make things worse."

Already agreed with you that technique comes first. The second part of your statement is your opinion, and could be applied to ANY training aid or instruction. When the chain is used, you learn how to move intuitively, on the fly. There is only one way to move the chains the "fastest and the mostest". You won't move them very far or fast with an "arms generated" swing for example. It teaches you how to use the big muscles and the lower body first to power the swing. This learning takes place dynamically, in real time.

4. Ham - "If your goal is a long drive contest then that is fine, but for most people I think it is a waste of money."

Every one is welcome to their opinion, and mine is I think you are WAY off base here. Especially for the regular Joe. You say things like this, but you have a club head speed of 115, which is above tour average, so you take for granted how much easier the game is with length. Who wouldn't want to add 30 yards to their drive? I mean really who the hell wants to play par 4's with driver three wood? What clubs are easier to hit, the long ones or the short ones. What would you rather hit for your approach shot - a nine iron or a six iron?

At the recreation level, it could be as simple as the satisfaction that comes form being the longest in your group, or league . At the highest level, the game is dominated by the long knockers now - oh sure Cory Pavin can play, and of one of the longest, John Daly can't, but there's no denying the game is a power game now.

Why not improve your distance? If you are a golfer, and you have winter off, why not? And since we are talking about money, it might make sense for a teaching pro, who "makes his living by teaching" to disparage and cast doubt on anything that may take away from his source of income.

5. Your swing. That video is much nicer quality, and I AM NOT CRITICIZING YOUR SWING,I never said you didn't have a very nice swing, however your impact position is not that different from that of two years ago. As before just my observation that your trail arm has lost all it's bend:



6. Ham - "Every golfer has a swing that they will never forget even if they quit!"

Close, but no cigar. Within each golfer are many swings, all of which they remember. The trick is to build and fortify that one swing that they CHOOSE to never forget, so that it is the strongest and most dominant - so that it is easiest to "remember".

Kevin

Never quit til you have a swing you'll never forget!