Learning how to use the Sure Set Golf Trainer can feel a bit odd at first, but this simple-looking tool is one of the most effective ways to feel the mechanics of a professional-level backswing. It builds the sensation of width, connection, and a correct swing plane directly into your muscle memory. This guide will walk you through exactly how to set it up, use it step-by-step, and incorporate it into your practice so you can build a more powerful and consistent golf swing.
At first glance, the Sure Set looks like a simple angled club with a ball on one end. But its power is in the specific angles and dimensions designed by top-tier golf coach Dan Frost. The entire point of the Sure-Set is to train the feel of a swing that loads correctly, stays on plane, and smoothly transitions into the downswing. It’s not about Positions, it's about sequence and flow.
So, how does it do it? The Sure Set rests against your lead forearm during the backswing, providing instant feedback. This physical connection encourages you to use your body - your torso and hips - as the engine of your swing, rather than relying on an independent arm swing. It forces you to:
Essentially, it takes abstract swing thoughts and turns them into tangible feelings you can repeat.
Before you start making full swings, let’s get you comfortable with how the Sure Set feels. First, you'll notice an adjustable hinge that can be tightened or loosened. Adjust it so it matches the natural cock of your wrist - it shouldn't force your wrist into an uncomfortable position. The standard setting works for most people, but feel free to tweak it.
Grab the Sure Set with your regular golf grip. Take your normal golf stance and posture, and rest the padded cuff of the trainer against the top of your lead forearm (the left forearm for a right-handed golfer). Just standing there, it will feel a little different, and that's expected. The key is to let your lead arm relax against the cuff. Don’t push into it or pull away from it, just let it rest there. Make a few slow, half-swings back and forth just to acclimate to working around the trainer.
The best way to learn the Sure Set is to break the swing down into rehearsal moves. Do these in slow motion at first, focusing entirely on the feeling of each step. Speed will come later, but grooving the right sequence is the main objective.
From your address position, begin your backswing by turning your shoulders and torso. Think of it as a connected “one-piece” takeaway - your chest, arms, and the Sure Set all move away from the ball together. As you rotate back to where the club is about parallel to the ground, the cuff should remain lightly connected to your lead forearm.
The goal is to maintain the triangle formed by your arms and shoulders. The Sure Set physically helps you do this. You’ll immediately feel width, a sensation of your hands being far from your chest. A lot of golfers get disconnected here by picking the club up purely with their hands and arms, but the Sure Set won’t let you do that easily. Just focus on turning your chest away from the target and letting the arms and trainer come along for the ride.
From your half-way back position, continue rotating your hips and shoulders to complete your backswing. As you move toward the top, the Sure Set is going to guide the club up and around your body on a fantastic plane. Now for the most important feedback mechanism: as you reach the top of your swing, the little ball at the end of the trainer should gently make contact with your trail forearm (your right forearm).
This contact is confirmation. It tells you a few things:
If the ball doesn't touch your trail forearm, it’s usually because you stopped turning your body and just lifted your arms. If it bangs into your arm with a lot of force, you're likely over-swinging or collapsing your arms. You’re looking for a soft, gentle tap. Rehearse this slow-motion move from address to the top, feeling that connection a dozen times. This is where the learning really starts to stick.
The transition is where the Sure Set truly shines. Most amateur golfers start the downswing by throwing their hands and shoulders at the ball ("over the top"), which leads to slices and weak contact. The Sure Set teaches a different sequence.
Once you are set at the top (with the ball on your trail forearm), initiate the downswing with your lower body. Feel a slight shift of pressure into your lead foot as your hips begin to unwind toward the target. In doing this, simply allow the Sure Set to "drop". It will feel like the entire apparatus is falling slightly behind you, often resting momentarily on your trail shoulder muscle.
This is the feeling of “shallowing the club.” You aren't forcing it, you're simply letting gravity and a proper lower-body lead do the work. The trainer is now guiding the club from an inside path, the perfect position to attack the golf ball and make solid, draw-biased contact.
From that shallowed position, the name of the game is rotation. Continue to turn your hips and chest open towards the target. Because the club is already on the right path, you don't need to do anything with your hands or arms to "save" the shot. Just keep turning your body.
The cuff of the Sure Set will naturally stay connected or come very close to your lead forearm through the hitting area. This maintains the relationship between your arms and your body, preventing your lead wrist from breaking down and helping you deliver the clubface foursquare to the ball. The feeling is one of being incredibly connected and stable through impact.
Like any training aid, it's possible to use the Sure Set incorrectly. Here are a couple of common faults to watch out for:
To transfer the new feelings into your real swing, you need repetition. Here are some simple drills:
Slow-Motion Mirrors: Go through the entire step-by-step process in front of a mirror or a reflective window. Watch what a good backswing looks and feels like. Go from address, to the top, feel the tap on your forearm, then transition down by letting it rest on your shoulder, and then slowly rotate your body through. Do this 10-15 times without even thinking about hitting a ball.
The Pump Drill: Take your backswing to the top. Then, begin your transition and let the club shallow onto your trail shoulder. From there, bring it back up to the top. Pump it down and up three times, feeling that shallowing motion over and over. On the third "pump," continue to rotate all the way through to a full finish. This drill pounds the feeling of a proper transition into your brain.
Alternating Swings: This is my favorite drill for actual practice. Make five slow, deliberate swings with the Sure Set. Then put it down, grab one of your irons (like a 7-iron), and immediately try to replicate the exact same feeling in your real swing. Go back and forth between the Sure Set and your regular club. This acts as a bridge, transferring the training aid feel to your actual golfing motion.
The Sure Set Golf Trainer is a fantastic tool because it doesn't just show you what to do - it forces you to feel a properly sequenced golf swing. Consistent use will build a swing that is not only more powerful and repetitive but one that you can finally start to trust under pressure.
Once you’ve ingrained that tour-level swing feeling, the next step is taking it to the course with real confidence. Oftentimes, golfers improve their swing mechanically but still struggle with in-the-moment decisions on the course. To help bridge that gap, you can use a tool like Caddie AI. When you’re faced with a tough tee shot or a tricky lie, we provide immediate, expert-level strategy so you can forget the doubt and commit fully to the great swing you've been practicing.
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