The Stack System is the Smartest Speed Trainer in Golf

I’ll start with the part that nobody, at least nobody I’ve talked to, argues about.

The Stack works.

Commit to it for a few weeks, and you will swing faster. The company has a database full of golfers who’ve done exactly that. This isn’t one of those reviews where I keep you in suspense about whether the thing does what it says.

It does the thing.

So this is less a review about whether the Stack delivers and more one about how it does it, how well it’s built and designed, and whether it’s the right buy for you. And honestly, one truth I want to explore is that speed training doesn’t necessarily always equate to better scoring.

So, let’s walk through it all and help you figure out if the Stack is the right move, or if you’d be better off investing in a different part of your game.

What Exactly is the Stack?

So basically, the Stack is a short, hybrid-length training club with a set of milled weights that thread onto the end of it. Five weights, 30 different combinations, anywhere from 0 up to 300 grams.

You pair it with an app and a radar that reads your swing speed. The app runs you through a baseline, figures out how you personally produce speed, and then gives you a custom program that tells you which weights to load and how hard to swing, session by session.

Here’s something I’m a big fan of with this product. You really don’t have to do any studying. You don’t have to think about the science if you don’t want to. You just show up, and the app tells you what to do. I think that for plenty of people, that simplicity is going to be very welcome and makes this a product that more people are likely to use consistently.

The Stack was built by Marty Jertson, a longtime engineer at Ping, and Dr. Sasho MacKenzie, one of the most respected biomechanics experts in the game.

And the company’s gotten serious traction over the past few years, even at the highest levels. If you remember Matt Fitzpatrick adding a big chunk of distance right before he won the 2022 U.S. Open, this is what he was using to do it.

So the pedigree is totally there. The question is whether it’s worth your money and your time.

Let’s get into it.

First Impressions of the Stack System Hardware

I’ve tested plenty of training aids over the years. And quite a number of them are cheap plastic products that you just know aren’t going to hold up for a long time.

The Stack is definitely not that.

The weights are CNC-milled and thread cleanly onto the shaft, so changing loads takes a couple of seconds and there’s nothing rattling around when you swing. It feels completely like a finished, well-designed, seriously manufactured product.

I actually think that the whole packaging and hardware looks and feels like it comes from a large, established brand. I’m certainly not calling the Stack System unestablished. But the vibe here feels more like a major brand, which is definitely a positive. This is not like one of those start-up training aids you see a lot of at the PGA Show that are still being built in someone’s garage.

I think the build quality is important to highlight. This is something you’re going to swing as hard as you physically can, over and over. So it’s got to be solid. And this definitely is. I’m impressed.

It’s also short. Definitely closer to a hybrid than a driver. Which means that you can actually take swings indoors if you’ve got at least decent ceiling height. Depending on your height, I’d say you might be able to get away with only 8-foot ceilings without feeling at all cramped.

The App is the Stack System Centerpiece

For as nice as the hardware is, the app is really what you’re paying for with the Stack. It’s very well thought-out and really extensive.

You start with a baseline. So you swing different weights so that the app can map how you generate speed.

From there, it builds your program. The entry point is called the Foundation, and it runs roughly 18 sessions over about six weeks.

Every session is fully guided. It tells you which weight to load, how many reps to take, and how long to rest in between, and it logs all of it automatically in your account.

To me, the structure is really where the value is. It’s all there in the app. It even tells you what intensity you should be swinging at for the various sessions.

The whole thing kind of removes all the excuses. Basically, all you have to do is commit, and the app tells you exactly what to do after that. And if you start to drift or get lazy, it will send you automated reminders telling you that it’s time to get back to the grind.

You even get a running “Grit Score” that shows you how well you’re doing at sticking to your commitment. So there’s a built-in accountability functionality that I really like.

Anyway, the app is what makes this whole thing go. It’s what makes this more than just a weighted stick. You’ve got a fully customized game plan right on your phone. You even get a video warmup session that you work through before each session. Then it gives you the exact breakdown of what you’re going to be doing that day.

In my experience, most sessions, with the warm-up and the rest times in between each set, take about a half hour.

There’s more than swing speed training that you can do too. The membership bundles in wedge-distance and putting practice modes, plus a deep library of instructional videos. I’m not going to go down that rabbit hole today, but it’s a nice bit of extra value on top of the speed work.

Your first year of membership is included with the hardware. After that, it runs $99 a year to keep the speed training going.

If you want the “Premium” membership which adds Stack Stats, it’s $129/year after the free first year.

I like that you get the Premium membership free for a year, and then you can decide how worth it the stats are.

I definitely think that’s reasonable for what you get. But obviously only if you’re going to use it. This one feels very similar to something like the Golf Forever system. It’s all good until you find that you’re not using it and you’re still paying for it.

Radar Launch Monitor Required for the Stack System

This is something I’m not sure everyone who first considers the Stack realizes. You’ve got to have a radar launch monitor that can read clubhead speed in order to use the system and record all your results.

You basically have a couple of options. You can buy the hardware on its own for $299 and pair it with a radar you already own or are going to buy. Or you can get it bundled with their own Stack Radar for $499.

I mean, obviously, I’m a big proponent of using a launch monitor for a lot more than just clubhead speed. So I think owning one is a great idea in general.

But if you don’t already have one, just make sure you understand that you’ve got to either buy the Stack radar or something else. A reminder that you can get something really good and incredibly accurate for like 200 bucks with an option like the new Shot Scope LM1.

The radar included with the Stack is…fine. Where I said above that almost everything feels really well built, the one caveat is the Stack Speed Radar.

It’s perfectly serviceable for what you need here. But it feels like pretty cheap plastic, and it’s feaure set is limited. That said, it does do a good job of giving you your speed numbers, which is the most important element for this system.

It gives estimated carry and smash factor numbers, but I would primarily consider this a speed device rather than a true launch monitor.

There are a number of other launch monitors that have Stack compatibility. I will say, the ones that directly integrate with the app are really nice, so if you’re serious about this process (and you want a legit launch monitor), I’d consider checking out the FlightScope Mevo Gen 2 or Rapsodo MLM2PRO, as those are the best options with dedicated Stack app integrations.

The Stack vs. SuperSpeed

A natural comparison to the Stack is SuperSpeed because that’s kind of the product that put the whole category on the map.

Both are built on the same core idea, which is overspeed training. You swing something as fast as you possibly can, over and over, until your body accepts that it’s allowed to move quicker. Depending on where you are in your training, you may be swinging something much lighter than a golf club, or much heavier. That’s the same with either of these systems.

But that’s about where the similarities stop.

SuperSpeed keeps it simple. You get three weighted sticks, light to heavy, and you run a fixed set of protocols. The workouts take about five minutes, you do them a few times a week, and you don’t strictly need a radar or an app for any of it. Pricewise, it’s usually about $140.

The Stack is the more serious tool. Instead of three fixed sticks, you get a single club with adjustable weights and an app that measures every swing, builds a program around your specific profile, and keeps adjusting as you get faster. But of course, and especially after you factor in the radar launch monitor and the subscription, the Stack is more expensive.

I think that if you’re just speed-curious, or working on a tight budget, starting with the SuperSpeed is absolutely reasonable.

But if you already know you’re going to commit, or you love data, and you want a system that’s more like a full training program, the Stack is the better tool by a wide margin. But again, you have to pay for that.

A Real World Use Case

So admittedly, I haven’t gone deep with my own swing speed training. I haven’t committed to the system (yet), but it’s something I am considering taking more seriously after seeing just how polished The Stack is.

But one of my friends has taken it seriously.

He has paired his sessions with The Stack, along with the new Hackmotion 4 and couldn’t be happier with the results.

Here’s some of what he told me via text:

“I have all the swing training aids too. Hackmotion is THE one.

And Stack is amazing as a) you can do it at home, and b) it’s a real workout! I’m gassed after my sessions, and heart rate is in the 115-120bpm range.

Even more amazing for the stack is that there are lasting benefits. I took 2 months off and retained the speed, as you just learn to swing fast. It’s more than just strength gains.

The Putting for The Stack is amazing, too. I do sessions routinely, often before big rounds. It really gets your juices flowing and simulates competitive golf. AND it calls out my biases (slow and left), and I immediately noticed that those are my misses on the course.

The Wedge is great too. Again, it simulates competitive situations. You learn how to “feel” 3 yards off of a swing.”

I get feedback on products from readers all the time, but The Stack is one that I generally seem to only get really postive commentary on from the people who have committed to it.

Is Speed Training Really What You Need?

I don’t think there’s any question that the Stack will make you faster. If you commit to the program that it builds for you.

The problem is that it may or may not make you better, as in capable of consistently shooting lower scores.

Listen, I’m not a golf coach. And these are just my opinions. But at the end of the day, a faster swing with the same flaws is just a faster bad swing. If your path or face are a mess, more speed probably just means bigger misses.

I think that’s part of why potentially pairing it with something like the Hackmotion, which will actually help ensure your swing is on point, may be the right combo for many higher handicap golfers.

So I just think it’s important to be honest up front about what you’re trying to do here. There’s no question that, all things being perfect, longer is better. And the way to get longer is to swing it faster. That’s pretty straightforward.

But is speed where you should be investing your improvement budget? That becomes a personal question. I think that for players who are in relatively good shape with their fundamentals, the Stack probably makes a ton of sense. In fact, for those types of players, I would expect that the speed they gain will translate into better scores.

But for newer golfers or golfers who are struggling more with just building a solid, repeatable golf swing, I think this could end up being a fool’s errand.

It’s also a real time commitment. And every session you spend stacking may be a session you didn’t spend chipping or putting. So again, all of this depends on where you’re at, what you need, and how much time you have available.

None of that is a knock on the product. It just means that golfers who probably get the most out of The Stack are the ones who also keep working on the rest of their game and treat speed as one ingredient.

Is the Stack Worth It?

If you’re a shorter hitter who’s sick of fighting long irons into greens while your buddies flip wedges, the Stack can change the shots you leave yourself. And that’s definitely worth a lot.

If you love data and structure and the little hit of watching a number climb, I think you’re more likely to enjoy the process and stick with it. And that’s honestly most of the battle, as I see it.

I also think that this is a great option if you want something to keep you loose and sharp in the off-season. A lot of people use it for a tune-up or loosening-up session as much as anything.

I don’t see price as the big challenge or deterrent here. I think that, while it’s not cheap, it’s fair. And I think the app delivers enough value to justify the annual cost.

The issue is time. You’ve really got to ask yourself if you’re going to commit to a few 30-or-more-minute sessions (including the warm-up) a week. Because if you’re not all-in, you’re not going to see the results that got you interested in the first place.

And, as I said, this isn’t a magic wand for better scores. If your practice time is very limited or you’re still really trying to ingrain some swing fundamentals, you’re probably better off focusing on more traditional practice options like going to the range or putting or chipping greens.

So I’d say, just be honest with yourself about where you’re at and how much time you’re willing to commit. For the right golfer, the Stack is a very easy recommendation – especially when you can save 10% with the code BREAKINGEIGHTY.

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The best speed trainer in golf, as long as you're going to commit.

9.0 Excellent

The Stack is beautifully made, its app does the thinking for you, and it will reliably add speed if you commit to the program. Budget for the radar launch monitor and the subscription before you buy, and remember that the speed still has to be paired with real practice to pay off.

The Good

1. Premium, milled weights
2. Adaptive app that removes all of the guesswork
3. Delivers real speed gains if you put in the reps

The Bad

1. Requires a compatible radar launch monitor, which adds cost if you don't own one
2. Real time commitment
3. Won't fix a flawed swing or guarantee lower scores

• Presentation 10
• Performance 9
• Features and Quality 9
• Price 8
• Personal Affinity 9