One of the most successful golfers to play at Delaware, Todd Milligan, BE '96, lettered each year from 1992-96 and was the only golfer in UD history to place in the top five at the conference championships all four years. Today, he puts his talent to work helping other golfers correct their nasty slices and pulls.

Several years ago, while Milligan was traveling on a professional golf mini tour, he and college rival and friend Matt Molloy decided to devise a safer way to improve a golfer's swing. The Plane Stick, which was developed in the fall of 2000, "is the training aid that has everything a student needs to ensure quick and easy swing improvements," Milligan, who now lives in Columbia, S.C., says.

A telescoping aluminum rod that can be adjusted from 33-46 inches, the Plane Stick has an adjustable tension-controlled knob at its base, allowing it to match any lie angle. This feature allows a golfer to practice with any club in the bag, regardless of club lie or length, Milligan says. Stability and durability are provided on any surface because of the thick, cross-shaped polyurethane base.

"The top of the telescoping rod is unique to the Plane Stick, with its 18-inch foam and nylon sleeve covering a breakaway spring," Milligan says. "This covering allows the golfer to hit the Plane Stick without risk of damage to their body or club, unlike the traditional shaft in the ground. The Plane Stick also has a target line string to ensure simple precise setup every time."

According to Milligan, the device can be set up for different drills that a golfer wants to practice, and it can be used at home or on the driving range. "To be consistent, you need to swing on a certain plane," Milligan says, "and the Plane Stick helps golfers to get on that correct swing path. Golfers can instantaneously feel what it's like to swing correctly, since everyone's swing is different. If your plane is off, the stick tells you because it will get in the way of your swing."

Originally, the Plane Stick was sold only to professionals. In May, the company launched a mass marketing effort including retail stores.

--Amy Pasternack, AS 2003