Orange Whip Swing Trainer Review: Honest Thoughts

If you’ve spent any time researching golf training aids, chances are you’ve come across the Orange Whip. It’s one of the most recognizable swing trainers in the game—used by PGA Tour pros, weekend warriors, and instructors around the world.

But here’s the big question: does it actually help? Or is it just another overhyped training stick with a bright orange ball on the end?

In this review, I’m breaking it all down for you.

Whether you’re chasing a smoother tempo, trying to stop rushing your backswing, or just want something to get your body loose before a round, the Orange Whip might be exactly what your game needs—or not. Let’s dive in.

Orange Whip Swing Trainer Review

​​At first glance, the Orange Whip looks pretty simple—a long, flexible shaft with a heavy orange ball on one end and a counterweight on the other. But don’t let its minimalist design fool you.

The magic is in how it moves.

That soft shaft and counterbalance system force your body to swing in sync. If you try to rush it or swing out of sequence, it’ll feel off.

But when your tempo is right? It just flows. You’ll feel it instantly—and that feedback is what makes this tool so powerful.

There are a few versions of the Orange Whip, depending on your height and goals:

• The Original Trainer (47") is best for full swings
  
• The Compact is ideal for indoor use or tight spaces
  
• The LightSpeed is designed more for speed and faster tempo training
  
• And the Junior is a shorter option for younger players or those under 5’6"
  

In short, it’s a feel-based trainer that’s all about rhythm, balance, and coordination—and it’s been trusted for years because it works for a lot of different types of golfers.

Orange Whip Overview 

There’s no question the Orange Whip swing trainer has been popular—but let’s talk specifics. What is it actually doing for your swing?

✅ Tempo and Rhythm 

This is where the Orange Whip swing trainer really shines. I've always been fascinated about tempo and what originally drew me to this training aid. 

If you’re the type of golfer who rushes the takeaway, jerks the club at the top, or feels like your transition is too quick… this tool gives you instant feedback. The flexible shaft makes it almost impossible to swing out of sync.

You’ll start to feel a more natural flow from backswing to downswing without even thinking about mechanics. And when you carry that over to your real swing? Everything just feels smoother.

✅ Balance and Sequencing

One of the sneaky benefits of the Orange Whip is how much it exposes your flaws—especially if you’re getting too handsy or losing balance through impact. Because of its weight and counterbalance, it forces you to use your entire body correctly.

If you try to steer the swing with just your arms or sway off the ball, the Orange Whip fights back. But when you stay centered and rotate properly, it rewards you with effortless motion.

✅ Warm-Up & Mobility

For a lot of golfers, this becomes a go-to tool before a round and another reason I gave it a shot. It’s perfect for loosening up the hips, spine, and shoulders—especially if you don’t have time to stretch or hit balls.

Plus, using it regularly can help improve your range of motion over time. You’ll naturally increase your shoulder turn and learn to stay more athletic through the ball. 

Now, let's get into the pros and cons of the Orange Whip.

Pros

• Instant Feedback on Rhythm: The weight and flexibility of the whip make tempo almost tactile—feel immediately whether you’re swinging in sync.
  
• Promotes Balance & Core Sequencing: Because of its counterbalance design, you can’t get away with swaying or flicking. It forces your body to work properly as one unit.
  
• Great Warm-Up Tool: Lightweight and easy to swing, it looses up your body quickly—ideal pre-round before you’ve even hit a single ball.
  
• Durable and Easy to Store: Built solidly with a compact profile (especially the Compact and LightSpeed models), it fits easily in your bag or trunk.
  

Cons

• Doesn’t Measure Anything: Unlike tech-based tools, it gives no data—just the feel. If you want numbers or measuring metrics, this isn’t it.
  
• Can’t Train Swing Speed or Power: It’s perfect for rhythm but won’t help you add club speed. If that’s your goal, you’ll need something else.
  
• Bulkier Than Some Options: If you have limited storage or travel space, the original 47″ trainer (or even the light models) can be awkward to pack.
  
• Price: While effective, it’s sometimes seen as expensive compared to similar types of tempo trainers. 

Orange Whip Alternatives 

As you know, there are no shortages of training aids on the market, especially if you're on a budget. Here's my list of the best trainers under $100 and a couple of Orange Whip alternatives. 

Here are two of my favorites that have helped hundreds (if not thousands) of Wicked Smart Golf fans.

Rypstick Speed Trainer

Looking for tempo and speed feedback? The Rypstick blends coaching prompts, audio cues, and smartphone-based training in a golf-specific format (read my full review here to see why I think it's the best speed trainer in the game. 

Unlike the Orange Whip, which relies on feel alone, Rypstick has an app to help you add speed safely over times. It's a great compliment if you're serious about building both consistency and power. I've had several podcast listeners add 20+ yards (while only speed training a few times per week).

Personally, I prefer to use the Rypstick before the round if I'm rushed vs. the Orange Whip. If you want speed above all else, this is better than The Stack System or SuperSpeed (it's two biggest competitors. You can also save 20% with the code "WICKEDSMART" at checkout.  

(You can read more in my full comparison here → Rypstick vs Orange Whip)

Tour Tempo Total Game App 

If apps are more your style, Tour Tempo Total Game is hands-down the best bang for your buck. It's loaded with audio-based tempo drills tailored to every club and swing speed, along with drills for short game and putting rhythm. 

At a very modest price, the Total Game app lets you train like the pros and has easily paid for itself through better rounds—and zero need for physical tools. Check out this interview I did with the creator, John Novosel Jr on Wicked Smart Golf podcast. 

Closing Thoughts 

The Orange Whip is one of the most iconic golf training aids for a reason—it helps you feel tempo, improve balance, and build a more fluid swing without overthinking mechanics. It’s especially great for senior golfers or players coming back from injury who want to groove a smoother motion without putting strain on their body.

Orange Whip also offers other solid products like the LightSpeed and Orange Peel, but in today’s market, it’s hard to ignore training aids that combine feel with feedback. If you want to feel your swing and actually measure progress, go with Rypstick or Tour Tempo—it’s a smarter long-term investment for most golfers looking to level up.

That said, if your main goal is to gain speed or distance, you’ll want to look beyond the Orange Whip. Tools like Rypstick are built specifically for that purpose and offer far more versatility with measurable results. 

If you want a low-cost tempo training tool, I can't recommend the Tour Tempo Total Game app enough. It's the best $25 in golf!