At just six years old, David Christian Handy was captivated by golf. While other children were drawn to more fast-paced sports, Handy found himself fascinated by golf tournaments broadcast on ABC’s Wide World of Sports. “My family couldn’t figure out why I was so enamored with golf at 6 years old,” Handy recalls.
Today, the 57-year-old Chicago-based entrepreneur has turned that lifelong fascination into the Pro Putting Trainer, a golf-training device designed to help golfers improve their putting through visualization, alignment and consistency.
Handy, a Drake University alumnus, describes himself as a full-time entrepreneur and lifelong problem solver. His professional background includes logistics and large-scale manufacturing, with an emphasis on continuous improvement and Six Sigma. In 2001, he left that career and embarked on his entrepreneurial journey.
His manufacturing experience eventually became an important part of developing the Pro Putting Trainer. It took approximately six years to develop and patent the product, which Handy completely funded himself.
The idea behind the trainer came from his belief that visualization is one of the most important elements of putting. Golfers must be able to visualize the intended path of the ball, the distance to the target and, particularly on breaking putts, the correct line.
“The Pro Putting Trainer allows golfers to visualize the path, distance and most importantly where the line and break is,” Handy explains.
The product is built around what Handy calls the true putting line. Its gate provides golfers with a visual reference for the cup without interfering with the pace or natural roll of the putt. This allows golfers to practice their speed, distance and alignment while developing a better understanding of how the ball should travel toward the hole.
The name Pro Putting Trainer also reflects Handy’s philosophy. P.R.O. stands for Path • Rhythm • Objective—three elements he believes can help golfers develop greater consistency on the greens.
“I believe our trainer will help golfers of any level putt consistently and reliably,” he says.
Handy’s journey from an idea to a patented golf product was not financed by outside investors. He says the Pro Putting Trainer was completely bootstrapped, with his own resources supporting the product from its inception through development and completion.
Now, Handy is preparing for the next major chapter. The Pro Putting Trainer is scheduled to be introduced to the broader golf industry at the 2027 PGA Show in Orlando, Florida.
For Handy, the upcoming PGA Show represents more than a business opportunity. It is another step in a journey that began when a six-year-old boy became fascinated by golf tournaments on television and continued through decades of entrepreneurship, product development and problem-solving.
With a personal handicap of 15+ depending on the circumstances, Handy also understands the challenges recreational golfers face when trying to become more consistent.
The Pro Putting Trainer is currently priced at $39.99 and is available online. Golfers interested in learning more or purchasing the Pro Putting Trainer can visit proputtingtrainer.com.
