Golf aids - any of them worthwhile?

[Patented Phil 1,469]

My son is learning how to play.

[thegeneral 2,910]

I’d go with plain old range time. A couple lessons for some basics. A net basket, a wedge and a bunch of balls in the backyard to work on chipping and contact.

[BufordT 427]

Lessons will work better than any swing trainer/aid money making gimmick.  I should know I've bought a few of them over the years.  Never got better until I started taking lessons.

[Cloaca du jour 2,147]

Lessons and one of those matts that shows your swing path through the ball...

[jerryskids 6,567]

Not for a beginner, but I just got this week for my birfday a Garmin Approach R10 launch monitor.  Hoping to get out next week and kick the tires on it at the range.  I've been working on my core flexibility and swing speed, so I'd like to track it with actual data (being an engineer dork).   

I also recently got a swing speed stick to work on the above, it's a knockoff of the Superspeed system.  I've used it about 5 weeks and like it. 

https://www.amazon.com/HH-GOLF-Training-Correction-Flexibility-Different/dp/B091Y1NXH9?ref_=ast_sto_dp

[bostonlager 2,664]

As noted above, lessons will be the best route. The only aid I have used is this, but Rocco Mediate has a new club aid out for $100ish I am tempted to try. 
 

SKLZ Golf Grip Trainer Attachment for Improving Hand Positioning,Black/yellow https://a.co/d/bhIGYc6

 

[bostonlager 2,664]

11 minutes ago, jerryskids said:

Not for a beginner, but I just got this week for my birfday a Garmin Approach R10 launch monitor.  Hoping to get out next week and kick the tires on it at the range.  I've been working on my core flexibility and swing speed, so I'd like to track it with actual data (being an engineer dork).   

I also recently got a swing speed stick to work on the above, it's a knockoff of the Superspeed system.  I've used it about 5 weeks and like it. 

https://www.amazon.com/HH-GOLF-Training-Correction-Flexibility-Different/dp/B091Y1NXH9?ref_=ast_sto_dp

Launch monitor is on my list. When you have that you’re half way to a simulator. In the next couple years I’m hoping to turn my 3rd garage stall into a complete setup with gaming pc, course software, and the projection screen you hit into. 

[jerryskids 6,567]

2 minutes ago, bostonlager said:

Launch monitor is on my list. When you have that you’re half way to a simulator. In the next couple years I’m hoping to turn my 3rd garage stall into a complete setup with gaming pc, course software, and the projection screen you hit into. 

I'll let you know how it goes.   

My cousin has a large garage space out in the Michigan boonies and set up the full simulator, it's super sweet.  I don't have the garage space for it, but I could see setting up a mat/net in my back yard.  I'm told the launch monitor accuracy depends a lot on the ball quality, so range vs. course balls matters.  Also there are balls which enable accurate spin tracking.

Mostly at this point though I want to track swing metrics:  speed, horizontal angle, vertical angle, etc.  If I get better enough I can look to upgrade the setup.

[Fireballer 2,639]

Lessons will be a better investment than any piece of equipment. There’s a lot of legit great instruction on YouTube also. How old is he? If he can understand this video and how the arms and body work together, it will accelerate his improvement during lessons.   Personally I think this is the single best video ever on how the swing actually works.  Good luck.