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Tour Striker Smart Ball

Tour Striker Smart Ball - arm body connection trainer
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Tour Striker Smart Ball Review: The Connection Drill Every Golfer Needs?

The Tour Striker Smart Ball is one of the most recommended training aids in golf instruction. Created by Martin Chuck, it teaches the crucial feel of arm-body connection through the swing. We analyzed 310 reviews.

Overview

It's an inflatable ball on a lanyard that you place between your forearms during the swing. If the ball falls, your arms disconnected from your body. Simple, effective, and used by instructors worldwide.

What People Love

1. Teaches the Right Feel (mentioned by 72% of reviewers)

The ball provides a proprioceptive cue that's hard to replicate with words or video alone.

"My instructor had been trying to explain connection for months. Five minutes with the Smart Ball and I got it." — Amazon reviewer

2. Endorsed by Top Instructors (mentioned by 50% of reviewers)

Martin Chuck, a well-respected PGA instructor, created it and many teaching pros use it.

3. Affordable (mentioned by 45% of reviewers)

At ~$35, it's reasonably priced for the value it provides.

What People Don't Like

1. Ball Can Deflate (mentioned by 20% of negative reviews)

The inflation valve can slowly leak, requiring periodic re-inflation.

2. Not for Every Teaching Method (mentioned by 15% of reviewers)

Some instructors prefer different connection drills and don't agree with the Smart Ball approach.

Score Breakdown

  • Ease of Use: 8.8/10

  • Value for Money: 8.5/10
  • Design: 8.5/10
  • Durability: 7.5/10
  • Overall: 8.5/10

    • Verdict

    The Tour Striker Smart Ball is one of the best training aids for learning arm-body connection. It's simple, affordable, and genuinely effective. Recommended for any golfer who struggles with an "arms-only" swing or inconsistent ball striking.

    Based on 310 reviews from Amazon (195), Reddit r/golf (50), GolfWRX (35), YouTube (30). Research conducted February 2026.

    📊 Review Sources (310 reviews analyzed)

    Amazon
    ⭐ 4.6195 reviews
    Reddit r/golf
    50 reviews
    GolfWRX
    35 reviews
    YouTube
    30 reviews

    Sample Reviews

    amazonBallStrikerNow⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐positive

    My instructor recommended this and it's been a game-changer. The feeling of keeping the ball between your forearms teaches connection better than any verbal cue ever could.

    amazonDeflatedBall⭐⭐⭐neutral

    Good concept but the ball deflates after a few weeks. Have to keep re-inflating it. The pump it comes with is tiny and annoying to use.

    redditu/martin_chuck_fanpositive

    The Smart Ball is the best connection trainer I've ever used. Martin Chuck knows his stuff. My ball striking has been so much more consistent since I started using it.

    redditu/contrarian_golferneutral

    Not every instructor agrees with the Smart Ball method. My teacher says it can create too much of an 'armsy' feel. YMMV depending on your swing style.

    amazonConsistencyQuest⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐positive

    5 minutes with this before practice and my ball striking is immediately better. It's like a feel reset button. Best $35 in my golf bag.

    golfwrxFeelPlayerpositive

    Tour Striker Smart Ball is one of those rare training aids that actually sticks in your routine. I've used it for 2 years and it's still part of every practice session.

    youtubeInstructorMikepositive

    I recommend the Smart Ball to about 70% of my students. It teaches the feeling of body connection that most amateurs lack. Simple, effective, affordable.

    8.5
    Overall Score
    Based on 310 reviews
    Avg rating: 4.6⭐
    Durability
    7.5
    Value
    8.5
    Ease of Use
    8.8
    Design
    8.5
    Review Sentiment
    👍 85%😐 10%👎 6%
    🛒 Buy on Amazon

    Prices

    Amazon$34.95

    ✅ Pros

    ✓Teaches arm-body connection instantly
    ✓Endorsed by top instructors
    ✓Affordable
    ✓Simple concept

    ❌ Cons

    ✗Ball can deflate
    ✗Not for every swing philosophy
    ✗Lanyard can tangle

    🏆 Top Strengths

    • Excellent for teaching arm-body connection
    • Simple concept with immediate results
    • Endorsed by Martin Chuck and used by tour pros
    • Great for fixing 'arms only' swings
    • Affordable and portable

    ⚠️ Watch Out For

    • Inflatable ball can deflate over time
    • Lanyard can tangle or get in the way
    • Not for every swing style — some teachers disagree with method
    • Limited to connection drills only
    • Ball pops if hit directly
    🤖 Agent Access