As golfers, we’re always looking for the next best training aid or piece of equipment that’s going to take our games to the next level. And a new training aid that’s promising quick results is the Navigator by Dirty Larry Golf, a putting aid made to improve putter face aim. 

After testing the putting aid in our review, the company may be onto something. The Navigator helped reviewer Ross Durren drastically improve his putting and aim within just five minutes. 

Related: GolfWRX’s full review of the Navigator 

Recently, Durren had the opportunity to speak with co-founder and co-creator of the Navigator, Dave Nastalski, to hear more about the company and its product. 

The Interview

Ross Durren (RD): Tell me about the origin of the company’s name?

Dave (Nastalski) (DN): Larry, my business partner, got his nickname at the local track by hustling myself and other college kids out on the golf course. He was 65 when I met him. I was a 19-year-old freshman at NC State, and I played to a +1. I lost $55 to him the first time we played. He didn’t hit it a long ways off the tee, but he made everything with the flat stick. Eventually, someone hung a sign in the pro shop with his picture attached that said, “Don’t play with this guy. He’s dirty, and he’ll take all your money.” When the company was formed in 2013, we felt it fitting to name it in his honor since the idea was born from his putting prowess.

RD: When and how did you get the idea for the Navigator?

DN: Dirty Larry doesn’t have the prettiest putting stroke in the world. In fact, he cuts across it like Billy Mayfair. But like Billy, he knows what’s important when it comes to getting the ball in the hole. That starts with face angle. Larry wanted to give golfers an easy way to tap into what he knew about putting. And the Navigator was born. It shows you where you’re aimed and trains your eyes to start the ball on line, regardless of what your stroke looks like.

RD: Why a putting aid?

DN: Because it’s the fastest way for any golfer to improve his or her score. We know it’s not as glamorous as hitting the long ball, but if more golfers would spend some time on the putting green, the national handicap average would plummet. We’re trying to spread the word and get that message out there. We built a simple and fun device to help golfers make more putts, and ultimately enjoy this game more.

RD: How long did it take to develop the first prototype? The final product?

DN: We started about three years ago with initial prototyping that included sandwich bag clips and pipe cleaners. From there, it took nine full scale revisions on 3D printers before we had the features and design exactly how we wanted it. We built an instrument that is high functioning and very detailed. We’re not talking about some cheap piece of plastic.

RD: How is the Navigator different from the other putting aids on the market?

DN: Simplicity is key. A lot of other putting aids on the market require a doctorate just to get it on our putter or get the station set up. Either that, or they use lasers that have expensive batteries and a lot of times don’t train the correct motor memory process. We’ve found that with the Navigator’s alignment rods, you focus more on starting the ball on line and not where a laser might be pointing down at the hole. Thus, the skill retention is better. We built a device that makes your training easy, portable, and instantly effective. “No Laser, No Batteries, No Hassle.”

RD: In as few words as possible tell me why golfers need the Navigator.

DN: Most golfers have no idea where they are actually aimed. Spend five minutes with the Navigator, and you’ll know immediately why you’re missing putts you should be making.

RD: Where can our readers go to buy the Navigator?

DN: We sell direct from our website. To learn more about the product, please visit our product page.