FX-Sport VC Golf Headphones Unique Golf Training Aid

At the beginning of this review I have to admit that I am already a convert to the use of audio technology when learning. That is one of the reasons I was so keen to get my hands on a FX Sport's VC Golf Headphones to try them out for myself. I had an undistinguished career at school leaving aged 16 at the first chance. I struggled with exams and conventional teaching left me bored and unable to retain the facts needed for examination success. I worked hard and wrote reams of notes but had indifferent results.

Some 20 years later having failed repeatedly to pass qualifying exams in my profession I was fortunate to take a simple questionnaire that enabled me to identify my best learning style. To my surprise I discovered that my own personal learning style was best supported by the use of a strong audio stimulus. I simply made notes using a cassette recorder (showing my age here) and played them back to myself in the car. Using this simple method in a 2 year period I passed 6 separate different examinations that I had previously failed .

I found listening to these tapes just before sleep was incredibly helpful and I retained much of the content.

Once I spotted these headphones provided golf specific content I was desperate to give them a try and I have to say that I have not been disappointed in any way.

FX-Sport VC Golf Headphones

The FX-Sport VC Golf headphones are the first 'Psychological Coaching Device for Golf' combining lightweight, water resistant headphones with an in-built MP3 player preloaded with psychological coaching, mental preparation, practice drills and workouts, from world class golf psychologists, coaches and trainers.  The headphones are wire free and key features include:

• 8GB premium mp3 player integrated. Bass and Treble Settings.
• Sweatproof and rainproof.
• 5hrs battery life using all functionality
• Low battery “beep” indicator
• 3x faster charge time

Additionally the VC Golf comes preloaded with content from psychology experts, podcasts and practice drills.  For full in-depth information visit the FX-Sport website: www.fx-sport.co.uk/product/products/vc-golf/

Getting Started

Once you take the headphones out of the package the best thing to do is install the software. It allows you to create folders to organize your music although you can do this from Windows Explorer too. The software will also let you setup your own workout and configure the race against a virtual athlete feature.

There are some simple to follow guides and instructions to follow allowing a fully customisable content to suit your personal needs. I liked the golf fitness material. I listened to the virtual athlete facility   and I can see this being very popular .  Unfortunately my knee injury prevented me from using this as a training companion but I can see easily how useful this would be as a feature for the fitter customer. I have now downloaded the Couch to 5K programme and have started to follow its 2 months programme. There is also a facility to assess and benchmark your current level of fitness and flexibility for golf so that progress can be measured.

On the left you can see the folders on your computer and on the right you have the folders on your headphone. You can transfer the music simply by dragging and dropping items from your computer to the headphones. I am not the world’s best with computer technology but found the system easy to follow and use. The quality of the sound is excellent and it passes the “ funky” test with both my late teenage kids wanting to try them on recent visits to the gym.

FX-Sport VC Golf Headphones Review

The main feature is comfort and ease of use. They are lightweight, water resistant and fit wire-free on the ear, and come complete with an integrated 8GB premium mp3 player.

I have been on the driving range and completed many of the training regimes whilst wearing them in complete comfort. They are light, unobtrusive and easy to operate.      

The unit I tried are water resistant but for an extra £19 I can purchase a silicone skin that allows them to become completely waterproof enabling use whilst swimming. I haven’t tried this facility but will do so when time allows.

I am a student of the game and its internal psychology so found the pre recorded material extremely useful. The contributors to the mental side of the game offer  a world-class insight into all aspects of golf psychology including, how to practice correctly and how to improve on-course energy and overall golf fitness.

VC Golf also comes preloaded with content from Psychological experts teaching golfers how to prepare, focus and implement mental toughness techniques during a round or in competition.

Additionally, for golf practice drills and workouts, the user can choose to have their own music play or have silence between the messages of instruction. Messages play automatically at designated times as the user performs the drills.

VC Golf includes practices for ‘On the Driving Range’, ‘Around the Green’ and ‘On the Green’, with drills ranging from 15-minute putting practices to 90-minute driving range practice combinations.

The main purpose of the software is to enable a simple transference of music onto the headphones and if the user wishes to create workouts or practices in their own words. The preloaded content is in the form of golf related podcasts, drills for real time practice and workouts - both golf specific and generic. The podcasts are ready to play immediately, just like any music content.

There are also fitness assessments and psychological warm ups in this section. The practice drills can be browsed and listened to in the "Preloaded Golf Content" folder. A selected drill is made "Live", ie recognised by the headphones, by copying and pasting it into the "Workouts" folder. It's the same procedure for any of the hundreds of workouts in the "Preloaded Workouts" folder.  A PDF in the hard drive clearly explains all of this and it's quite straightforward

I have been consulting with a world class coach over the winter months and at a recent session I showed him the headphones. He loved the system and the fact that he could create bespoke coaching for his clients to take with them to the range course for practice rounds.

I have spoken directly to FX-Sport founder, Duncan Walsh and he said  “ VC Golf will allow a user to access world-class advice for real time practice on the driving range and on or around the green,” It becomes a ‘go to’ device for pre-round physical and psychological warm-ups, as well as golf specific workouts to strengthen and improve balance and flexibility. It is also a device that not only motivates a user to practice more, but also provides guidance on how best to practice.”

If you have a regular coach what better way of reinforcing the lessons than he or /she giving you direct input as you play and practice. This is a truly bespoke system that you can tailor to your own specific needs.

Personal Trainer

The personal trainer tab in the software allows you to setup your own workout. The trainer will actually talk to you during the workout and tell you what you need to do. You can create your own custom workouts or upload a workout from the hundreds of free workouts available in the workout store.  Contributors to the workouts include:

• Dr. Morris Pickens, Sport Psychologist at the Sea Island Golf Performance Centre (Georgia, United States).
• David MacKenzie, Performance Coach, scratch golfer and founder of the highly acclaimed “Golf State of Mind”.
• Karen Palacios-Jansen who has been voted as one of America’s top female instructors by Golf Digest magazine for the past 20 years.
• Dr. Mark Smith, Advisory Board Member and instructor for TPI.

Further information on the contributors and detailed biographies can be found on the FX Sport website.

Conclusion

I have thoroughly enjoyed testing these headphones and found that they really increased my practising focus once on the range. I really like the input from the sports psychologist as well.

I used the headphones on the range for over 3 hours in one session. They are excellent, comfortable and easy to wear. I completely forgot that I was wearing them, not intrusive at all. It really helped my concentration and stopped any external distractions that sometimes occur in a driving range environment.

I have used them on recent flights around Europe and the sound quality alone is superb. Link this to the coaching content and mental game support and these in my view represent a worthwhile investment for any golfer wishing to improve. I now intend to use them to assist my fitness and nutritional needs given that these are not as they should be.

The FX-Sport VC Golf headphones are available to buy now priced at £139RRP.  For more information visit: fx-sport.co.uk/product/products/vc-golf