Every golfer is trying to find ways to make themselves better. It doesn’t just happen from playing a few rounds a year. You need to put in the time and effort off the course to improve different facets of your game. Most golfers will employ some kind of training aid to try and help them with a more consistent swing. A golf impact bag is just that kind of aid.
A golf impact bag is meant to help you see where you may be going wrong with your swing over time and help you correct it. There’s nothing worse than hitting a great shot and following it up with a thin or fat one. Utilizing a golf impact bag can help eliminate those kinds of shots. It allows you to see exactly where and how your club head is impacting the ball.
If you haven’t used one of these before, let us walk you through what they do and what’s the best features to look for in one. Here is a list of the best golf impact bags on the market.
Best Golf Impact Bags: Our Top Picks
Best Overall: SKLZ Smash Bag Golf Swing Trainer
Premium Pick: Dr. Gary Wiren’s Impact Bag Golf Swing Trainer
Budget Pick: TuhooMall Golf Impact Power Smash Bag
Best Combo Set: HOW TRUE Smash Bag Arm Band Combo
Also Great: ProActive Sports Contact Bag Golf Swing Impact Trainer
SKLZ Smash Bag Golf Swing Trainer (Best Overall)
The SKLZ Smash Bag helps golfers feel what impact should be; if you are inconsistent in iron shots, the SKLZ is an excellent option to consider.
- One of the only swing trainers to show golfers proper impact
- Lightweight and portable
- Visual feedback as well
- Heavy duty design
- Won’t fit in the golf bag
- Will wear out over time
The SKLZ Smash Bag allows you to see how you’re making contact. The shell is made from PVC and nylon, so it’s sturdy and is built to withstand a lot of strikes. The target map provides you with visual feedback because you’ll be able to see the indent of the bag after you hit it.
This teaches you what it feels like to make proper contact and eliminate slices and hooks. It has a great design and includes a loop in the back, so you can stabilize it to the ground for even better results and feedback.
You have to fill it with towels or blankets or clothes in order to use it. When it’s filled, it’s wide but useful. It’s easy to fold up when you’ve taken the stuffing out but it will not fit in a golf bag. It can be used for chipping and pitching practice as well.
It should be noted you should not use sand, cement, or water to fill this.
Dr. Gary Wiren’s Impact Bag Golf Swing Trainer (Premium Pick)
This training aid is easy to use and provides a layout that’s easy to repeat a consistent swing on. It makes you feel the point of impact for an improved routine.
- Easy to carry handle
- Can be used for other drills
- Sturdy construction
- Used by professional golf teachers
- Target not as precise as others
- Pricey
Created by World Golf Teachers Hall of Famer Dr. Gary Wiren, this training aid has been tested out by many. It works to improve your game by providing you with a good area to hit while allowing you to feel how good contact is meant to feel.
It has a handle to make it simpler to carry, and it’s made from quality materials for a sturdy construction. There is writing on either side that you can hit and aim for. While it’s not a target or a bullseye, it does the trick nonetheless.
You can also place this in between your legs if you want to work on your stance for bunker shots and any other awkward standing scenario on the course. You will fill this up with soft materials from your home, and it’s easy to put away when it’s not stuffed.
TuhooMall Golf Impact Power Smash Bag (Budget Pick)
This comes in two colors and fits your budget nicely. The large target gives you plenty to aim for, and it can effectively provide you with the feeling of a solid shot.
- Scientific design
- Two color options
- Large target
- Large handle
- Will wear over time
For those looking for a budget-friendly option, this is it. This helps teach you the principles of a basic golf swing and provides you with a large target to aim at.
Making proper contact with the bag will generate the sensation of good contact with the ball. It can quickly correct you from hitting a slice, as you’ll see where the bag goes at impact.
It is offered in yellow and black and needs to be filled by you. Made from waterproof fabric that is environmentally coated, it will last a while. The large handle makes it simple to carry, and the smooth zipper won’t get tangled as you open and close it to fill it. The price is worth it enough for you to try it.
HOW TRUE Smash Bag Arm Band Combo (Best Combo Set)
Not only do you get one of the best golf impact bags, but you also get an arm band to keep your swing true. This will help your posture and swing during practice.
- Smash bag and arm band
- Target map delivers visual feedback
- Great for home or the range
- Very portable
- Arm band comes in one size
- Can’t withstand many full swings
Being able to correct your impact as well as your posture is a huge plus for this combo set. You’ll receive an impact bag with a target map on it, giving you plenty to aim at. But it also comes with a swing correction arm band that will help keep your arms and body at the correct angle.
The impact bag is made from heavy waterproof material that will hold its visual look, allowing you to see where you made contact on the outside. It’s easy to fill with your old clothes and other soft items.
This is great for beginners who need help with consistency. Your body will stay in line with the proper tempo if you use both of these together. It should be noted that you shouldn’t be taking full hard swings into this impact bag.
ProActive Sports Contact Bag Golf Swing Impact Trainer (Also Great)
There is plenty to aim at on this impact bag as the target guide is large. The high-impact material will withstand many hours of practice.
- Large target
- Great for use at home or on the range
- Heavy-duty material
- Not as easy to store
If you’re worried about being able to consistently hit the same spot over and over, this is a smart purchase. It offers you plenty of space to swing at, thanks to the large target guide.
It is made from high-impact material that is meant to last for a long time. In order to improve your core mechanics and your swing tendencies, utilizing this either at home on a mat or on the range is a smart decision.
You’ll be able to carry this with ease, thanks to the large handle. It is meant to be filled with soft materials you have at home, and while it’s portable, it is still pretty big. That makes it a bit harder to store unless you deflate it.
FAQs
A golf impact bag is a training aid meant to help you practice making consistent contact with the ball. It allows you to see how your club head is making contact with the ball, so you can see if your stance is off, you’re turning the face, you’re hitting the ball off the hosel, or a multitude of other issues.
The heavy-duty material allows you to swing over and over to help create a routine. It also allows you to feel what proper contact with a ball is like.
Golf impact bags are best used at home or on the range for practice. You need to fill it with soft materials like clothes, towels, or blankets. Then you set it up in front of you and swing at the target.
How it reacts to the strike will give you valuable feedback as to how you’re impacting a ball with your swing.
You can use an iron and a wedge if you want to practice full swings. You can use a driver if you trust that your shafts are sturdy enough to stand up to the impact.
Yes, they do. These have been tested and approved by many swing coaches. Plenty of golfers have used these to help eliminate slices and inconsistent contact. You can also use these for chipping drills, making them versatile for your training. If you’re putting in the time and work with one, it can help you.
Conclusion
Golf impact bags are a useful tool to help train your swing to be more consistent. They are built to withstand a barrage of swings and, like the SKLZ Smash Bag, they are easy to use and can be used for years to come.
If you’re looking for a training aid to help eliminate slices and your likelihood of hitting a thin or fat shot, a golf impact bag is a good choice.
