50 Words or Less
The GloPro FireFly allows you to see your putting stroke instantly. Easy to use. Valuable information if used correctly – which is a big “if”.
Introduction
The shape of your putting stroke can have a major impact on your game. It goes a long way toward determining what kind of putter will work best for you and your putting tendencies on the course. Unfortunately, most players can only guess at what their stroke looks like.
With the GloPro FireFly, you can put the guesswork to bed. This simple trainer allows you to instantly see your putting stroke. I tested it to see how it can help regular golfers improve their game.
Set Up & Ease of Use
When you unbox the GloPro FireFly, you’ll find three things: the laser, the mat, and a package of batteries. The laser requires special batteries, but there are two full sets included with your purchase.
Set up is easy: load four batteries into the laser, clip the laser onto your putter, and get to work. You can adjust the position of the laser to suit your putter. The laser leaves a “trail” on the mat, allowing you to view your stroke path.
For those concerned about swing weight, the laser weighs just 1.3 ounces. I measured the impact of the laser on several different putters and found that, on average, it reduced the swing weight by one point. The exact amount depended on the shaft in the putter. Some larger graphite shafts would not accept the laser at all, others pushed it closer to the putter head.
The one area where the GloPro FireFly comes up short is instruction. There’s a video that shows you how to clip the laser to your putter, but after that you’re on your own.
Effectiveness
Whether or not the GloPro FireFly is an effective trainer is a layered question. On a surface level, it does exactly what it’s supposed to, showing you the shape of your putting stroke. The “trail” on the mat lasts for about ten seconds, which is more than long enough to make a good effort and then check the results.
The device makes several claims about its benefits. Among them are “spot mistakes” in your putting stroke, “build muscle memory,” “balance your stroke,” “discover your stroke type,” “improve consistency,” and “perfect your technique” by identifying stance, grip, and tempo issues. I think this list is hit and miss. There’s definitely value in knowing your stroke shape, seeing how consistent or inconsistent it is, and getting feedback on your stroke length. However, I don’t know how this will help a golfer to “spot mistakes” or identify specific problems with their stroke. Additionally, I don’t know how the FireFly will “build muscle memory” better than any other form of practice.
All of this leads to a couple big questions: is it possible to reshape your stroke path? And, if it is, should you? To the first question, I’m inclined to say that anything is possible. I’m sure that with enough hours on a device like the PUR Truth trainer [review HERE], you could teach yourself to make any type of putting stroke.
The better question is whether or not that pursuit is worthwhile. My opinion – based on conversations with one of the best putting researchers in the game – is that fighting your natural stroke shape is a fool’s errand. I can’t think of any reason to believe that one stroke shape is better than another. My belief is that players should know their natural tendencies and work to improve their own consistency within those patterns.
With all that said, I think there are useful functions for the GloPro FireFly. I think keeping an eye on your stroke length has value as does knowing the shape of your putting stroke. I think periodically checking on your stroke shape is a fine idea, as is working to make your stroke more consistent. The one thing I would not use this trainer for is pursuing some “ideal” stroke path.
Longevity
The GloPro FireFly is designed for indoor use only, so its portability isn’t as big a positive as it might otherwise be. It does set up quickly and takes up very little space, which are both pluses. This is not a gamified trainer, and it has just one function.
Overall, I rate the FireFly below average for longevity.
Value
GloPro FireFly retails for $99, which is slightly below average in price. This trainer comes with a 14 day money-back period, which is another positive. Overall, I think this is a fair value if you understand precisely what you want to get out of this trainer.
Conclusion
For those that love putting and want to better understand their stroke, I think the GloPro FireFly is a solid trainer. This is not something I would recommend to the casual golfer because I think it has the potential to send them down fruitless paths. However, if you want additional feedback on your stroke, the FireFly can deliver just that.