This SKLZ Gold Flex vs Orange Whip review will help you in deciding between 2 of the most popular swing training devices on the market.
They are both focused on increasing strength, improving rhythm and tempo, and enhancing flexibility in your golf swing.
The purpose of this review is to help you figure out the strengths and weaknesses of each and to compare the features of The SKLZ Gold Flex vs The Orange Whip side-by-side so that you know which one is better for your golf game.
SKLZ Gold Flex
If you are struggling with tempo and rhythm in your swing, the SKLZ Gold Flex training tool might just be the swing aid you have been looking for.
One of the most common mistakes golfers make is that they start their downswing too early. The SKLZ Gold Flex forces you to wait for the heavy ball to reach the top of your backswing prior to entering your downswing while also forcing you to make an exaggerated turn.
This extra turn helps put your body in the right position and the extra wait time helps to fix your timing issue. The bottom line is that your swing is forced to stay in line with your body and over time that muscle memory becomes a part of your natural swing motion. It also aids in flexibility and strength as a by-product of its initial purpose.
Pros
- Comes at a great price.
- Is a great product to use as a warmup and flexibility tool before a round of golf.
- Very durable construction.
- Great for working on grip and hand placement as well as its other uses.
Cons
- The focus is on your driver and fairway woods at the expense of your irons.
- The shaft is not as flexible as other tempo trainers.
Orange Whip
The Orange Whip is and has been known as the gold standard of tempo trainers for a long time now. With the little orange ball at the end of a long, flexible shaft, it is one of the most recognizable training tools as well.
It fits easily in your bag and is a great way to warm up prior to playing a round. You can also swing it from the comfort of your own home to work on the muscle memory needed for good tempo and great flexibility.
The shaft is intentionally longer than any other club in your bag and the extra length allows you to exaggerate your swinging motion and forces you to adjust your tempo so that your whole body works together.
The added weight also works on your strength, makes it easier to swing regular clubs, and helps to increase your flexibility and turn.
Pros
- One of the original training aids, its longevity proves its effectiveness.
- Great as a training aid, a strength aid, and for a quick warmup prior to a round.
- Multiple lengths available.
- Gives immediate and easy to read feedback.
Cons
- It is more expensive than the SKLZ product.
- Not as good for flexibility and strength.
SKLZ Gold Flex vs Orange Whip Features Face To Face
Cost
The cost is an easy win for the SKLZ Gold Flex. A simple Google search shows that the SKLZ Gold Flex can be found at a price consistently less than ½ of what you can find the Orange Whip.
The Orange Whip is a better known product, has been around longer, and is more popular with golfers and the cost reflects those differences.
It is important to remember, when it comes to cost, that either product will last for a long time so making the right purchase the first time could save you money in the long run.
As far as quality goes, we believe that you cannot go wrong with either and in the case of these 2 products, the quality is similar even with the different price points.
Shaft Flex
The shaft flex of the Orange Whip is both greater and close to the middle of the club than what you find with the SKLZ Gold Flex. While the Orange Whip is heavier, the difference in where the flex point is actually makes the SKLZ feel heavier and gives it a clear advantage in the strength/flexibility department.
On the other hand, the more “gamelike” flex of the Orange Whip gives more lag to the weighted end of the club and it forces your body to change its rhythm and tempo to stay with the club.
The combination of the extra flex and more central flex point makes the Orange Whip a better rhythm/tempo tool.
Length Options
With 3 length options instead of 2, the Orange Whip is usable for more people with varying heights.
The 2 offerings by SKLZ Gold Flex include the 48” for people over 5’6 and the the 40” for people under 5’6. Orange Whip has a 47.5”, 43”, and a 38” offering for junior players.
We would suggest testing the product out prior to purchase to see which length feels the most natural and would benefit you the most.
Weight
The Orange Whip is actually slightly heavier than the SKLZ Gold Flex, but when you use them one after the other, that is not what you feel.
The SKLZ Gold Flex actually feels heavier when you are swinging it because there is not as much flex in the shaft. That extra weight really helps with strength and flexibility but the more rigid nature of the product takes away some of the tempo help that it provides.
The flex of the Orange Whip, on the other hand, is such that your body has to move into rhythm or it just does not feel right. There is this immediate feedback that something is wrong with your swing and it can take a few swings to figure out what that is.
Standout Features of The SKLZ Gold Flex and Orange Whip
Cost
The one clear difference is price. The SKLZ Gold Flex seems to be the more popular choice based on customer reviews and feedback that you find online and that is predominantly due to the price difference.
Golfers who do not do any research and just want to purchase a swing aid might notice that the SKLZ is less than half the price of the Orange Whip and make their decision immediately.
Cost is not the only feature, and I only list it first because many people will not get past the initial price difference. I believe it is important to look past cost and to make sure you are making the right decision for your swing and your golf game.
Swing Feedback
To me, this is the most important feature in a swing trainer. When you swing the Orange Whip, you know right away whether or not your tempo and rhythm are where they should be.
If you are starting your downswing too early, you feel it right away. If you are swinging too hard or not hard enough, it is easy to feel your body get ahead of or behind the swing. You get immediate feedback when you use the Orange Whip.
With the SKLZ Gold Flex, it is much easier to get away with poor tempo and rhythm because it is much more similar to swinging a weighted golf club than a swing trainer. It works more on strength and flexibility so that when you start your swing too early or your body is not in rhythm you do not necessarily know right away or at all. I
t is a great flexibility tool, but if you are looking for a training aid, our suggestion would be the Orange Whip.
Final Thoughts on SKLZ Gold Flex Vs Orange Whip
While the Orange Whip and SKLZ Gold Flex are both high in quality, the Orange Whip is actually a better tempo and rhythm aid while also helping with strength and flexibility.
If you are looking for a training aid that can help get your body in tempo with your swing, then the Orange Whip is probably your best bet.
If you are looking for something to work on your swing strength and flexibility then the SKLZ Gold Flex is probably more what you are looking for.
Do not go by price alone, but think about what you want in a swing trainer and decide which features are more for you.
