You may have seen photos or videos of Padraig Harrington in the range at Aronimink Golf Club on Wednesday, hitting balls with a large training tool placed in front of him as he prepared for the opening round of 2026 PGA Championship.
It was a special boon—especially to a well-known tinker like Harrington.
When I was about the new tool, I contacted Dr. Alison Curdt, a GOLF Top 100 Teachersto break down what the device does, why it works, and whether it deserves a place in your golf bag.
What do you do?
According to Curdt, the training aid Harrington uses in the photo above is essentially a large extension bar that provides visual and physical feedback on the swing plane. She said it’s like Ben Hogan Glass concept.
Harrington’s aid is extremely useful when monitoring two specific aspects of the swing: shoulder tilt and spine angle and the overall plane of the swing. As players make their backswing, Curdt says the extension bar provides them with immediate feedback. This allows them to check that the angles of the shoulders and spine stay under that “glass”.
“The golf club is much easier to target if it’s parallel to that angle of the golf club on the ground,” she says. “The size of (the training aid) is just a really cool visual for the students to see because they’re literally swinging under that plane.”
For more feedback, Curdt recommends using two rods—one behind the ball, as Harrington has, and one outside—to create a clear picture of the proper swing plane.
Why it works
This training aid works, Curdt explains, because it gives players quick feedback about one of the most important positions in the swing: the P3 position—or the point in the swing when the lead arm is parallel to the ground.
“At the time the lead arm is parallel to the ground, players will check if the end of the grip arm is pointing down at the ball target line or at the ball line, and they’ll reference the pitch of the shaft and make sure it matches the angle of the pitching rod to the ground,” says Curdt.
This “checkpoint” is important because even small mistakes at that point can ruin everything.
“If that position is too straight or too flat, it can start to shift the whole swing plane,” says Curdt. The body will then have to compensate to change the path of the club and return it to plane.”
These offsets often show up in ball flight. When the club goes too far out of plane, shots usually start off-line or spin too much, making it difficult to produce a consistent swing pattern.
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Zephyr Melton
The rod also helps players synchronize their wrist hinge and lever patterns. Curdt says this device can help keep the clubface at the same angle as the extension bar, helping players maintain an efficient and repeatable swing.
It is important to note that the configuration varies slightly depending on the club. When you set up this rig for a driver swing, it will require a flatter club angle, while the irons and wedges will be straighter.
Should you use it?
The short answer: sure.
“I think this is one of the most accessible DIY swing training tools,” says Curdt. “All you need is a pull-up bar.”
While it may help to initially work with a trainer to fine-tune the setup for this device, the beauty of this tool is its simplicity. Once the club is positioned correctly for your desired swing plane, it creates a clear picture of how the club should move back and through.
“This is really helpful for players who are unhappy with the curve of their ball and the launch line of their shots,” says Curdt. “This is a great exercise to start developing motor patterns to turn the golf club into a neutral plane.”
And the benefits aren’t limited to going back.
“Of course, it also works wonders for the fall,” she says. “You can unconsciously work this part without hitting the pull-up bar.”
A drill that Curdt demonstrates in the video above is especially helpful for golfers who struggle to hit the tee.
So not only is this training aid effective because of its simplicity, but it’s also easy for everyday players to set up and understand. Most importantly, it teaches players how to swing on plane—which usually means fewer offsets, more focused contact, and a more neutral ball flight.
In other words, the same trusted Harrington coaching help at the PGA Championship can help players like you.
Pro Stix Extension Poles
Pro-Stix Alignment Poles help players of all skill levels improve their game. Proper use of these lightweight fiberglass poles as a regular part of your training routine can help you spot problems and improve your form and posture.
