Trying out the Medicus dual hinged driver

All golfers have watched those ads on the Golf Channel that predict that if you buy a certain product you will take strokes off your score. One of the latest ads that intrigued me was the Medicus Dual Hinged Driver, a training club.

This device is advertised as the number one swing trainer in the world as chosen by golf pros. The word medicus is latin for physician or doctor. Golf professional Bob Koch invented the dual hinged driver and it is endorsed by former PGA tour player Mark O’Meara and other teaching professionals. The club head is a 460 cc driver, while the steel shaft is hinged about a foot above the hosel (the socket into which the shaft is inserted).

The idea of the club is to produce a swing that is smooth and on the correct plane, so that the shaft will not hinge or break down. The claim is that in a mere 15 minutes of practice a golfer can eliminate slices and hooks and develop muscle memory, consistency and control and produce swing tempo. In simple terms, if you swing the Medicus Driver correctly, your swing will be nearly perfect. Taylormade Labs of Carlsbad, California, tested the driver but fell short of endorsing the product.

My local driving range gave me the opportunity to try the Medicus driver. My takeaway went well as I kept it slow and low. At the top of my swing, the driver hinged and hinged and hinged. It felt like the club was about to take off my head. There are six breaking points from takeaway to following through, but I invented another six. After 15 minutes the club sort of worked, but my swing felt unnatural.

As for transferring the swing principles to my own driver, there was little to transfer. The Medicus would take a lot more practice and patience. If you already have a smooth, slow, professional-looking swing, this teaching aid is not needed. For the average golfer, spend your money on a lesson from a PGA instructor.

The cost of this swing trainer is $39.95 for a risk-free 30 days. If you keep the driver, there are three more payments of $39.95. Shipping is free. The company also makes a 5-iron, 7-iron and wedge. They offer three free DVDs on pro instruction, drills and top tips by professionals, along with a putting trainer.