Impact Stik ReviewThis review is for the Impact Stik (Yamanigolf)
(Reviewed on 29th June 2009 by Rocky)
Company Profile (http://www.kellion.com/about.html)Kellion Corporation is a privately owned company based in Rochester, New York. We are innovators. We "hear a different drummer." The heart of the enterprise is a questing spirit that sets aside assumptions to investigate freely the operating factors of physical movement from the standpoint of uses and goals. The forthcoming understanding is then married with mechanical inventiveness to create cutting-edge methods that foster qualitative leaps in performance.
(Yamanigolf is supposed to be their Japanese branch, but please correct me if I am wrong)
Patent Pending
http://www.faqs.org/patents/app/20090036279
One of the most important parts of the device was invented by a gentleman named Yong Woo Kim. His name is listed in the patent document (link above). The important part of the device in discussion is the shock absorber inside the ImpactStik.
Inside the ImpactStik, there is a mass and spring attached to it. When the ImpactStik is swung, the mass will move towards the end of the stick. When the spring retracts the mass, the mass will recoil violently and, according to the Patent document, "deliver an unpleasant impact shock to the hands of the person exercising and can break parts of the (ImpactStik) when repeated."
"The remedy for this problem is a recoil shock absorber."
The shock absorber allows a "gradually resisted stop that spreads out and therefore diminishes the impact of the recoil movement of the spring and mass."
"The result makes exerciser more comfortable to use and more durable in accommodating countless numbers of exercising swings and accompanying recoils. From the point of view of the person exercising, the recoil shock absorber makes exerciser feel smoother and more comfortable to make the exercise both agreeable and effective in improving a golfer's swing."
In short, if you feel uncomfortable or unpleasant after you perform a swing with the ImpactStik, it may have been damaged. This article also tells us not to damage the tip of the ImpactStik (i.e., do not hit it on the floor!)
What's it supposed to do?"This fact-that the golf swing is performed mostly by the unconscious mind-is the reason why it is so difficult to learn."
The objective of the ImpactStik is to "program" the golf-specific muscles. These muscles mainly include the wrists, forearms, arms, shoulders and hips. In terms of weight, the ImpactStik is about twice as heavy as a regular golf club. This helps the golfer develop the golf muscles necessary to perform a golf swing. Repetitive swinging of the Impact Stik will subconsciously develop tempo, rhythm and also improve balance during the golf swing. This is what Kellion calls Neuromuscular Conditioning or "Muscle Memory" Reprogramming.
How to use: As a Training AidWhen the golfer swings the ImpactStik, the weight inside will snap forward on the downswing and give you the sensation of a proper release. Release, in essence, is the point of impact. It is where the club head makes contact with the ball and launches the ball into the air.
Other than simulating the release, the weight also serves another purpose - instantaneous feedback. In all training aids, the most important aspect is instantaneous feedback. With the crackling of the weight, the golfer will be able to tell immediately if he or she was accelerating through the bottom of the swing arc.
Using this simple device, there are also a few drills in the manual that you could refer to. These drills aid specific aspects of the golf swing, such as improve left side muscles, right side muscles, tempo, timing and also helps loosen wrist muscles.
How to use: Keeping warmed upThe ImpactStik is an excellent device for getting your muscles warmed up or to keep them warm while waiting for tee off. Gary Player once commented that hitting a driver requires a lot of energy. Yet, many golfers go up to the first tee, with little or no warm up, and try to tee off with a driver. With the ImpactStik, you can expect to shorten your warm up routine.
A Golf game is full of surprises. Sometimes it's bad weather. Sometimes there might be delays during the game. No worries. Be it bad weather days or after the break from the first 9 holes, you can use the ImpactStik to warm up your muscles before continuing with rest of your game.
So, who is it for?Anybody! The beauty of this device is that it caters to a wide range of golfers. Although the ImpactStik comes in 3 versions (Pro, Normal and Light), the normal version is good enough for most golfers. If you find that you are unable to click the ImpactStik, choke down on the ImpactStik and swing again. Choking down changes the centre of gravity of the stick, allows you to make a shorter swing, which makes it easier to get to proper impact position. Choking up, on the other hand, requires a bigger and longer swing and activates the hips, shoulders and chest muscles.
The Pro version is the same except that the spring inside is stronger than the normal version. From reading the patents, I would infer that the shock absorber is also of higher grade. That is why there is a metal cap at the top instead of a rubber one in the case of the normal version. The Light version (some call it the KN version) would probably suit junior golfers.
Rain? No worries! Unlike some other training sticks that I have reviewed before, this stick is weather-resistant. It does not have any electronic device inside it and fits snugly into the golf bag. On a bad weather day, and if you are a hack like me, worrying about some training aid is the last thing on my mind!
NoiseThe ImpactStik is a considerably noisy device. Even when one is at the range, the crackling of the ImpactStik is still able to draw a few eyeballs. At night, it's worse. If you have light sleepers at home, please be considerate. (I don't have to say that, golfers ARE considerate people after all!)
GripThe large grip is a fantastic grip. However, due to the weight of the ImpactStik, the grip produces much more friction than a conventional club. In my personal experience, my glove suffered much heavier abrasions around the left thumb area after a few swings. So if you would like your gloves to last longer, swing without your gloves!
WarrantyTo be advised
Value for moneyThe most important issue of all, is it worth the money?
Let me put it this way: Some of us easily spend $400 on a new driver. And how far do we hit them? Mostly, 200m. So that works out to be $2 per metre. I would say that if this device was a driver, then the returns would be $1 per metre. But bear in mind that this device also increases distance, improves ball striking and smoother tempo on all your other clubs.
Summary
Having said all the above, the ImpactStik is indeed an excellent training aid. It helps to warm up the muscles before tee-off, keep the muscles warmed after a break, increases distance, improves ball striking, develop smoother rhythm, keeps tempo in check and improves balance throughout the golf swing. Above all it is affordable and possesses all the necessary attributes for a good training aid. I would strongly recommend all golfers, young and old, hack or scratch, to give this wonderful device a try.
For more on the ImpactStik, please visit http://www.kellion.com/impactstik.html
Credits
Thanks to DGMan for the opportunity
To my Dad for picking up this fine piece of equipment
Subject: Impact Stik Review 
Mon Jun 29, 2009 12:48 am
