Golf legend Darren Clarke has found a high-tech solution to perfect his putting game – and it’s turning heads on the PGA Tour Champions circuit.
The former Open Champion is using a gadget that looks straight out of a sci-fi movie: the TempoStik+, a smart putting trainer that’s basically “a metronome on steroids,” as Clarke puts it.
“I’ve always been fond of practice training aids,” says the 56-year-old pro, who’s known for embracing new technology. “This one’s pretty amazing.”
The device, created by top putting coach Phil Kenyon, uses 112 LED lights and connects to your phone through Bluetooth. It’s designed to fix one of the trickiest parts of putting – getting the perfect rhythm and speed.
Here’s how it works: You tell the app about the green you’re playing on – how fast it is, whether it’s uphill or downhill. Then it shows you exactly how far to take your putter back and through, using both lights and sound to guide you.
For Clarke, it solved a specific problem. “I found I was taking the putter back too far and had to slow down when hitting the ball,” he explains. “That’s not what you want.”
After a month of practice with the TempoStik+, Clarke’s impressed. “It’s unbelievable,” he says. “All I do is follow the lights, and I know my tempo is right.”
The gadget’s especially helpful for pros who play on different courses every week. “The greens change all the time – different speeds, different grass. This helps us adjust really quickly.”
Phil Kenyon, the brain behind the device, isn’t just any putting coach. He works with some of golf’s biggest names, including current World No.1 Scottie Scheffler and major champions like Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose.
Want to try it yourself? The TempoStik+ is available through Visio by Phil Kenyon’s website – though at £499.99, it’s not exactly cheap.
This isn’t Clarke’s first time making headlines with unique training gear. Just last year, he was spotted using a $300 Pro-Head Golf Swing Trainer to work on keeping his head steady during shots.
“If it’s helping me,” Clarke says of his new putting aid, “it’ll definitely help any amateur who wants to become a better putter.”
