Golf Training Aid Review

We received the Medicus Dual Hinge Driver directly from Medicus, the same model that retails on their website for about $160 (can be paid for in four equal installments) and comes with two instructional DVDs, a free putter trainer and includes free shipping in the continental US. Ours was a standard right handed club, but it is also available for lefties, women and juniors. $160 is quite a bit of money, so we wanted to see if it's worth it.
 
How it works
 
The shaft includes a patented dual hinge (see picture on the right) which is designed to flip open if you in any way jerk your up or downswing, or if you get off your optimal swing plane. As a high handicapper you can tighten the hinge (tool is provided) until you get into the rhythm, then you loosen it again a bit until you improve even more. The idea behind the design is actually quite simple: if you don't swing properly the shaft 'breaks' at the hinge. Once you get into the routine of a correct swing you will gain muscle memory and transfer the optimized movement to your normal driver.
 
Our review
 
The Medicus Dual Hinge Driver has a 460cc head, just like todays super-sized drivers. It is well designed and a high quality product, it is very durable and feels solid.
 
In our field test it worked just as advertised: if you swing outside your proper swing plane, i.e. in an outside-in swing which causes the dreaded slice, the hinge will pop open. The same happens in an inside-out swing which causes a hook. The club 'forces' you to swing in a controlled, well balanced manner. The effect is a more consistent swing that results in more straight shots rather than slices and hooks. If used over some time it instills sufficient muscle memory for you to carry your new swing over to your regular driver. Since the weight is different it takes some adjustments, but the benefits are clearly obvious.
 
The Medicus Dual Hinge Driver will do a great job for high and mid handicappers, but low handicappers who already have a good swing will likely not benefit much.
 
One thing that got us confused was that one is supposedly able to hit real golf balls with this training aid as was shown in the TV commercial. However, unless the hinges are super tight the shaft will pop upon impact with the ball, so we were not able to repeat this. This is not a big deal as the club is most beneficial when used for multiple air-swing repetitions, there is no need to hit anything.
 
Obviously we are not the only ones who tested the Medicus Dual Hinge Driver. TaylorMade Performance Labs have tested this training aid and, while not officially endorsing it, they found it to be beneficial as well. Endorsements come from golf pros and top instructors like Mark O'Meara, Hank Haney, Bruce Fleischer, and Jack Lumpkin.
 
In case you prefer to practice your swing using an iron Medicus offers the Medicus Dual Hinge 2000 5 Iron (see pic on the right). That's the one you may have seen on TV, and over 2 million of these are supposed to have been sold. The 5 iron works on the same principle as the driver, it's just a different club to cater for different preferences.
 
Conclusion
 
The Medicus Dual Hinge Driver is great for golfers whose swing is still under development. If you are a mid or high handicap golfer you should definitely consider this training aid. Give it enough practice time and it will surely help improve your game.
 

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I bought the medicus driver about a year ago and I take it out of the closet from time to time if I feel my swing has gotten off plane. Your comments referring to low handicappers is accurate. If you already have a decent swing, this isn't going to do much for you besides remind you what a good solid swing feels like. As for high handicappers, there is a tremendous benefit here. My friend was a 25 handicap but dropped to an 18 after I let him borrow the medicus for a month or so. (Full disclosure: He also played more often during those weeks but says the medicus was a huge help) I still recommend this product to struggling golfers.
Joe Leone, email on file

I don't agree with your comment Joe. The Medicus is a great swing training aide for all skill levels. I play to a 6 handicap, and I do find my golf swing goes out of sync now and then. So, I use both the Medicus and Momentus, to straighten out my swing. It's a great tool for improving your muscle memory. The Momentus is great for warming up before practicing or playing.
Parshooters, email on file

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