The rhythm king

Spending long hours locked in a shed could point to an unhappy marriage or maybe a visit from the in-laws.

For PGA Professional Stuart Small, nights in his man-cave were all down to a Dyson-like devotion to creating the perfect swing aid.

The perfect swing, according to Small, is built around great rhythm.

But despite years spent on ranges, curing all manner of faults – finding the perfect way to enable golfers to understand rhythm was the one area that eluded him.

“I was frustrated,” the Lea Marston Hotel pro admitted. 

“It got to the point where I was coaching and I could not put the idea of rhythm across.”

There was only one thing to do. Undaunted Small decided to build the answer - a club that would allow his clients to ‘feel’ what he was struggling to explain.

Armed with scientific research into centrifugal force and the movement of pendulums, hundreds of old clubs to tear apart and a box of tools, Small headed off to the shed.

The result is three clubs that make up his GForce Swing Trainer collection.

There is a 7-iron, wedge and putter, all with curious jelly-like shafts that enable golfers of any level to feel their swing.

Small said: “Essentially it is like a normal golf club, except for the shaft which is very flexible.

“So many golfers struggle with rhythm, tempo and timing. But the flexible shaft enables you to feel whether you are swinging right or wrong.”

The feedback has been impressive, from beginners through to single figure handicap players.

Small said: “There are a lot of swing improvement aids out there. But what appeals about this is its simplicity.

“And it really only takes minutes for golfers of any level to feel the difference in their shot making.

“The first couple of swings will be a bit dodgy, but after that you will be swinging with a better tempo consistently.

“It is hard to teach a golfer feel – this club can do that. It also helps golfers ‘swing’ the club rather than ‘hitting’ with it.”

With the GForce trainer perfected, you’d think that would be the end of the long nights at the end of the garden.

“I am still down there all the time,” Small admitted with a smile.

“I am always trying to improve the clubs.”