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Padraig Harrington utilized a unique training aid at the 2026 PGA Championship to enhance his practice. Expert Dr. Alison Curdt explains its benefits and potential use for golfers.
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Padraig Harrington used this aid at the PGA. Here's how it could help youJoshua Berhow
You may have seen photos or videos of Padraig Harrington on the range at Aronimink Golf Club on Wednesday, hitting balls with a large training aid positioned in front of him as he prepared for the opening round of the 2026 PGA Championship.
It was a peculiar aid â especially for a known-tinkerer like Harrington.
Curious about the new tool, I reached out to Dr. Alison Curdt, a GOLF Top 100 Teacher, to break down what the device does, why it works and whether it deserves a place in your own golf bag.
According to Curdt, the training aid Harrington uses in the picture above is essentially an oversized alignment rod that provides both visual and physical feedback for the swing plane. She said itâs like Ben Hoganâs pane-of-glass concept.
Harringtonâs aid is incredibly helpful when monitoring two specific aspects of the swing: shoulder tilt and spine angle, and the overall swing plane. As players make their backswing, Curdt says the alignment rod provides them with immediate feedback. This allows them to check if their shoulder and spine angles are staying underneath that âpane of glass.â
âThe golf club is a lot easier to reference if itâs parallel to that angle of the alignment rod in the ground,â she says. âThe size of [the training aid] is just a really nice visual representation for students to see, because theyâre literally swinging underneath that plane.â
For even more feedback, Curdt recommends using two rods â one behind the ball, like Harrington has, and another out front â to create a clear visual for the proper swing plane.
Padraig Harrington used a large training aid positioned in front of him while practicing at Aronimink Golf Club.
The training aid is designed to help golfers refine their technique and improve their performance by providing specific feedback during practice.
Dr. Alison Curdt is a GOLF Top 100 Teacher who provides insights into the functionality and benefits of the training aid used by Harrington.
Yes, the training aid is suggested to have benefits that could be applicable for amateur golfers looking to enhance their skills.

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This training aid works, Curdt explains, because it gives golfers fast feedback for one of the most important positions in the swing: the P3 position â or the point in the swing when the lead arm is parallel to the ground.
âBy the time the lead arm is parallel to the ground, players will check to see if the butt end of the grip is pointed down to the target line of the ball or the ball line, and they will reference the pitch of the shaft and make sure that itâs matching the angle of the alignment rod in the ground,â Curdt says.
That âcheckpointâ matters because even small mistakes at that point can derail everything.
âIf that position is too upright or too flat, that can start to shift the entire swing plane,â Curdt says. âThen, the body will then have to make compensations to reroute the club and get it back on plane.â
Those compensations often show up in ball flight. When the club gets too far off plane, shots typically start offline or curve excessively, making it difficult to produce a consistent shot pattern.
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The rod also helps golfers sync up their wrist hinge and leverage patterns. Curdt says this device can help ensure the pitch of the club is at the same angle as the alignment rod, helping players maintain an efficient, repeatable motion.
Itâs important to note that the setup changes slightly depending on the club. When setting up this device for a driver swing, it will require a flatter rod angle, while irons and wedges will be more upright.
The short answer: probably.
âI think this is one of the most accessible DIY swing training aids,â Curdt says. âAll you need is an alignment rod.â
While it may help to work with a coach initially to fine-tune the setup for this device, the beauty of this tool is its simplicity. Once the rod is positioned correctly for your desired swing plane, it creates a clear visual for how the club should move back and through.
âThis is really helpful for players who are dissatisfied with the curvature of their ball and the start line of their shots,â Curdt says. âThis is an awesome drill to start developing the motor patterns to bring the golf club back on a neutral plane.â
And the benefits arenât limited to the backswing.
âIt certainly does wonders for the downswing too,â she says. âYou can unconsciously work on this piece without crashing into the alignment rod.â
A drill that Curdt demonstrates in the video above is especially helpful for golfers who struggle with coming over the top.
So, not only is this training aid effective because of its simplicity, itâs also easy for everyday golfers to set up and understand. More importantly, it teaches players how to swing on plane â which typically means fewer compensations, more centered contact and a more neutral ball flight.
In other words, the same training aid Harrington trusted at the PGA Championship can help golfers like you.
Two long, white canes with black grip sections and black end tipsâreminiscent of the iconic flagsticks seen at the PGA Championshipâare laid out diagonally on a white background, serving as essential mobility aids for individuals with visual impairments.
Pro-Stix Alignment Poles help golfers of any skill level to 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 stance.
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