Golf Instructional Aid and Method of Use

Abstract

A golf training aid maintains alignment of a user's vision with an orientation line during a golf swing. The golf training aid has a stand configured to be securely positioned on the ground, a front indicator, and a rear indicator offset from the front indicator. The front indicator may be pivotally adjusted to move in synchronization with the rear indicator. The front indicator may have a first vertical element and a first horizontal element. The rear indicator may have a second vertical element and a second horizontal element. The user aligns the elements of the front indicator and the rear indicator to align the orientation line with the user's line of sight. Alignment of the orientation line with the user's line of sight defines an angle of between 40° and 80° with the ground.

Claims

1. A golf training aid comprising: a. a stand configured to be securely positioned on the ground; b. a front indicator; and c. a rear indicator offset from the front indicator, wherein the front indicator and the rear indicator are pivotally mounted to the stand to define an orientation line that is between 40 to 80 degrees from the ground.

2. The golf training aid of claim 1, further comprising: a. a frame that supports the front indicator and the rear indicator, wherein the frame is pivotally mounted to the stand.

3. The golf training aid of claim 2, further comprising: a. a support bracket that supports the frame, wherein the support bracket is connected to the stand; b. a sliding member configured to be slidably mounted upon the support bracket, the sliding member comprising: i. a plurality of apertures, wherein the plurality of apertures permit the sliding member to slide along the support bracket and join with the stand; and ii. a plurality of spikes, wherein the plurality of spikes are configured to be inserted into the ground.

4. The golf training aid of claim 2, wherein the frame is a box comprising: a. a front face; and b. a rear face.

5. The golf training aid of claim 4, wherein the front face comprises: a. the front indicator, wherein the front indicator comprises a centrally located shape selected from a cross, an oval, a circle, a square, a rectangle, a triangle, and a grid with crosshairs; and b. a transparent portion adjacent to the front indicator.

6. The golf training aid of claim 5, wherein the rear indicator comprises a centrally located shape disposed upon the rear face, the centrally located shape of the rear indicator selected from a cross, an oval, a circle, a square, a rectangle, a triangle, and a grid with crosshairs.

7. The golf training aid of claim 1, further comprising: a. a first vertical element of the front indicator; and b. a second vertical element of the rear indicator, wherein the first vertical element is configured to be aligned with the second vertical element in a user's vision during a golf swing.

8. The golf training aid of claim 1, further comprising: a. a first horizontal element of the front indicator; and b. a second horizontal element of the rear indicator, wherein the first horizontal element is configured to be aligned with the second horizontal element in a user's vision during a golf swing.

9. The golf training aid of claim 1, wherein the stand is configured to be inserted into the ground with a plurality of spikes disposed on a bottom surface of the stand.

10. The golf training aid of claim 1, wherein the front indicator is configured to be aligned in synchronization with the rear indicator in a user's vision during a golf swing when the user's line of sight defines an angle of between 40° and 80° with the ground.

11. A golf training method comprising the steps of: a. positioning a stand of a golf training aid on the ground; b. aligning a front indicator and a rear indicator of the golf training aid, wherein the step of aligning the following substeps occur: i. pivoting, tandemly, the front indicator and the rear indicator mounted to the stand to define an orientation line that is between 40 to 80 degrees from the ground; and ii. aligning a user's vision with the orientation line when the user's line of sight defines an angle of between 40° and 80° with the ground.

12. The golf training method of claim 11, wherein the step of aligning further comprises the substep of: i. securing an alignment of the front indicator and the rear indicator.

13. The golf training method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of: a. maintaining an alignment of the user's vision with the orientation line during a golf swing.

14. The golf training method claim 13, wherein the front indicator aligns in synchronization with the rear indicator along the orientation line within the user's vision.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] Aspects are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a front-side perspective view of a golf instructional aid from a first visual position.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a substantively front perspective view of the golf instructional aid of FIG. 1 from a second visual position.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a golf instructional aid from a first visual position.

[0013] FIG. 4 depicts a trainee's line of sight aligned with an orientation line defined by the golf instructional aid of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] A golf instructional aid—training aid 100—is provided for assisting a trainee 10 in maintaining proper spatial alignment through the course of a swing. As shown in the accompanying drawings, the training aid 100 includes: (1) a stand 110 configured to be securely positioned on the ground; (2) a front indicator 120 with a first visual appearance; and (3) a rear indicator 130 with a second visual appearance. The spatially offset indicators provide the trainee with an alignment guide to visually align with the trainee's body. The front indicator 120 may be mounted to the same frame to move in synchronization with the rear indicator 130. The trainee 10 may observe the training aid 100 before, during, or after the swing. The indicators define an orientation line 200 when the front indicator 120 is superimposed over the rear indicator 130 in the trainee's line of sight. The orientation line 200 is defined by the orientation of a front center point 125 of the front indicator 120 and a rear center point 135 of the rear indicator 130. Alignment of the trainee's sight line in conjunction with the orientation line 200 aids the trainee 10 to maintain proper spatial alignment throughout the course of the swing.

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the training aid 100 with a front indicator 120 and a rear indicator 130. The spatial indicators of the training aid 100 may be used by a golfer to obtain instant visual feedback on their spatial alignment during a golf swing. The golfer utilizing the indicators of the training aid 100 may be able to account for variables associated with spatial alignment, such as weight shift, sway, spinal lift and alignment. The front indicator 120 may have a first visual appearance, such as a cross, a grid pattern, an oval shape, a circle shape, a square shape, a rectangle shape, or a crosshair pattern, with or without an adjacent transparent portion 156. The transparent portion 156 may be made of glass or clear plastic to prevent dust and debris from entering inside the training aid 100. Alternatively, an opaque portion that contrasts with the first visual appearance of the front indicator 120, such as in color, texture, or pattern, may be utilized. The front indicator 120 may be disposed over and in front of the rear indicator 130. The rear indicator 130 may be offset with the front indicator 120. The rear indicator 130 may have a second visual appearance that is similar or different than the front indicator 120.

[0016] The training aid 100 may include a stand 110 with a frame 150. The frame 150 may be a box with a front face 158 and a rear face 159. The sun's glare on the indicators may be reduced by sidewalls of the box. The frame 150 may support both the front indicator 120 and the rear indicator 130. The front indicator 120 may be centrally located within the front face 158 or disposed in front of or behind the front face 158. The rear indicator 130 may be centrally located upon the rear face 159 and may be contained within the frame 150. The front indicator 120 disposed within the front face 158 and the rear indicator 130 upon the rear face 159 may have contrasting colors or patterns. The front indicator 120 may be lighter in color than the rear indicator 130, or vice versa. The frame 150 may be disposed between ends of a support bracket 140 connected to the stand. The stand 110 may be connected to and vertically support the support bracket 140. Alternatively, the support bracket 140 may be made of one piece with the stand 110. The support bracket 140 may support the frame 150 upon the stand 110. The frame 150 may be pivotally mounted to the support bracket 140 or the stand 110. The support bracket 140 may have a pivot member 160 that allows the frame 150 to be pivotally positioned and mounted between ends of the support bracket 140. The frame 150 may rotate around the pivot member 160. The pivot member 160 may comprise a threaded rod with corresponding threaded end cap, such as a bolt and nut. The end cap may be cylindrical in shape, having a textured exterior surface. The textured exterior surface of the end cap may assist the user in assembly or disassembly of the training aid 100. The textured exterior surface may also assist the user in setting the pivotal adjustment of the frame 150 of the training aid 100. The pivot member 160 may be tightened to hold the housing of the training aid 100 in place. The pivot member 160 may be loosened to allow the frame 150 to rotate freely.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the front indicator is disposed within the front face 158 and the rear indicator 130 is disposed on the rear face 159. The rear indicator 130 may be larger in size than the front indicator 120 to compensate for being offset from the front indicator 120 and further from the trainee 10. The indicators may be sized in proportion to a separation distance between the indicators. A selected separation distance and size difference between the indicators may give the trainee 10 a visual perception that the indicators are the same size. This visual perception may allow the front indicator 120 to obscure the rear indicator 130, partially or totally, when the orientation line 200 is properly aligned within the trainee's visual line of sight. The separation distance between the front indicator 120 and the rear indicator 130 may be between 0.5 to 2.0 inches, 1.0 to 3.0 inches, 0.25 to 2.25 inches, or 1.00 to 1.50 inches. More specifically, the separation distance between the front indicator 120 and the rear indicator 130 may be approximately 1.25 inches.

[0018] The frame 150 can be pivoted by the trainee 10 to position both the front indicator 120 and the rear indicator 130 in tandem. The tandem arrangement of the front indicator 120 and the rear indicator 130 during pivotal adjustment aids in defining the orientation line 200 with the trainee's line of sight. The orientation line 200 is generally between 40 to 80 degrees from the ground, as shown by angle alpha (α) in FIG. 4. The trainee 10 using the training aid 100 may adjust angle alpha (α) by pivoting the frame 150 with their hand or golf club. Angle alpha (α) may be an acute angle of less than 90°. Angle alpha (α) may range between 10 to 80 degrees. Angle alpha (α) may be set anywhere between 10 to 50 degrees, 45 to 85 degrees, 45 to 75 degrees, or 60 to 70 degrees. Generally, visual alignment occurs from a combination of the trainee's line of sight, the displacement distance between the trainee 10 and the training aid 100, and the amount of rotation between the frame 150 and the stand 110 of the training aid 100. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, angle alpha (α) may be set at approximately 65 degrees. Angle alpha (α) may also be adjusted based on a height of the trainee 10 and/or the length of the club. For example, when the trainee 10 is taller or has a shorter golf club, the training aid 100 may be placed on the ground closer to the trainee 10. In an instance of putting, the training aid 100 may be placed approximately 4 to 5 inches away from a head of the golf club in a set position. A set position that is closer to the trainee 10 increases angle alpha (α), while a set position that is farther from the trainee 10 decreases angle alpha (α). Alternatively, when the trainee 10 is shorter or has a longer golf club, the training aid 100 may be placed on the ground approximately 6 to 12 inches away from a head of the golf club in a set position, thereby decreasing angle alpha (α). The training aid 100 may be placed on the ground anywhere between 6 to 72 inches away from the feet of the trainee 10 in the set position.

[0019] In use, the training aid 100 may be positioned upon the ground with the stand 110 in front of the trainee 10. The front indicator 120 and the rear indicator 130 may be pivoted separately or together to visually align with the trainee's visual line of sight. The front indicator 120 and the rear indicator 130 may be pivotably adjusted in tandem upon the stand 110. The stand 110 may be directly connected to the front indicator 120 and the rear indicator 130. A longitudinal length of the stand 110, the longitudinal length being the length between the front indicator 120 and the rear indicator 130, may be orientated parallel with, perpendicular to, or at an angle between 10 to 80 degrees relative to a horizontal plane of the ground surface.

[0020] As generally shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, alignment occurs when the front indicator 120 is oriented with the rear indicator 130 within the trainee's line of sight. When the front indicator 120 overlaps the rear indicator 130 an orientation line 200 is formed that aligns with the trainee's line of sight. The trainee 10 can visually watch the relative position of the indicators for visual feedback so that proper alignment is maintained during a swing.

[0021] As depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the front indicator 120 and the rear indicator 130 are shown as a grid with crosshairs. A first vertical element 122 of the front indicator 120 is configured to be aligned with a second vertical element 132 of the rear indicator 130 in a trainee's vision during a golf swing. Additionally, a first horizontal element 126 of the front indicator 120 is configured to be aligned with a second horizontal element 136 of the rear indicator 130 in a trainee's vision during a golf swing.

[0022] As depicted in FIG. 3, the front indicator 120 and the rear indicator 130 are shown as crosshairs with centrally located ovals. A first oval of the front indicator 120 is configured to be aligned with a second oval of the rear indicator 130 in a trainee's vision during a golf swing. As shown, the first oval of the front indicator 120 is dimensionally sized smaller than the second oval of the rear indicator 130. When the front center point 125 of the front indicator 120 overlaps the rear center point 135 (not shown) of the rear indicator 130 in a trainee's vision during a golf swing, an oval ring of the rear indicator 130 is perceived bordering the front indicator 120. As shown in FIG. 3, a uniform border of the rear indicator 130 is formed around the front indicator 120 when orientated to directly overlap. Alternatively, a crescent moon shape may be formed by the rear indicator 130 on a top, bottom, left- or right-hand side of the front indicator 120 and visually perceived based on an addressed stance or a golf swing of the trainee 10. Utilizing such visual perceptions of the spatial indicators may aid the trainee 10 in orientating their weight shift, balance, and/or spinal alignment.

[0023] The training aid 100 as shown is not structurally bound to provide visual feedback only when the elements of the front indicator 120 are superimposed over the elements of the rear indicator 130. Differences between the elements of the front indicator 120 and the rear indicator 130 may function to align a trainee 10, by parallax, who has a greater weight shift or spine lift during their golf swing. For example, the first vertical element 122 may be visually offset to the left or right of the underlying second vertical element 132. Additionally, the first horizontal element 126 may be visually offset up or down of the underlying second horizontal element 136. Alternatively, the elements may have proportionate or disproportionate widths or offset positions to aid the trainee 10. For example, the first vertical element 122 may be positionally offset to the right of an underlying second vertical element 132 to account for a greater backshift in a right-handed golfer's stance during a golf swing. The first horizontal element 126 may be positionally offset above an underlying second horizontal element 136 to account for greater uplift in the golfer's upswing versus a downswing of the golf club. Offset between the elements of the indicators may be proportionate to the amount of shift or uplift in the swing of the trainee when compared to their starting stance position.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 4, the training aid 100 is positioned in front of the trainee 10 by placement of the stand 110 on the ground surface. The stand 110 may be configured to be inserted into the ground. The stand 110 may be designed with one sharp end point or spike. Alternatively, a hole such as stand aperture 105 may be disposed through the stand 110 for insertion of a golf tee through the stand 110 into the ground as shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 depicts the stand 110 as cross-shaped with a first stand element 112 that is perpendicular to a second stand element 114. A spike or a plurality of spikes may be disposed on a bottom surface of the stand 110 when connected to an end portion of each stand element. Alternatively, a sliding member 170, having a first spike 172 and a second spike 174, may be slidably mounted upon the support bracket 140. The height of the support bracket 140 may be increased in proportion to a length of the spike added to the sliding member 170. This may allow the sliding member to be placed in a stowed configuration when the stand 110 is placed on a hard surface such as a practice mat. The sliding member 170 may have a plurality of apertures. Sliding apertures 173, 177 may be configured to permit the sliding member 170 to slide down along the support bracket 140 into a deployed configuration for insertion of the first spike 172 and the second spike 174 into the ground. A corresponding aperture 175 may be disposed in a bottom surface of the sliding member 170 for the sliding member 170 to fit flush upon the stand 110. A stand 110, with or without a sliding member 170, permits the training aid 100 to be stabilized on a variety of training surfaces.

[0025] In one example, the front indicator 120, rear indicator 130, or a combination of the two may comprise a type of reticle, being a series of fine lines or fibers. This way, a trainee 10 could start in a first position where the front indicator 120 is horizontally offset by a certain number of lines at the start of the swing and then finishes the swing at a second position with a different desired horizontal orientation of the indicators. In a similar fashion, a trainee 10 could start in a first position where the front indicator 120 is vertically offset by a certain number of lines at the start of the swing and then finishes the swing at a second position with a different desired vertical orientation of the indicators. The training aide 100 may include both vertical and horizontal offsets of the fine lines of the front indicator 120, rear indicator 130, or a combination thereof.

[0026] In another example, the rear indicator 130 may comprise two fiber optic sight rods set apart. The fiber optic sight rods of the rear indicator 130 may be set apart in order to positionally view the front indicator 120 therebetween. The front indicator may comprise a single fiber optic sight rod having a different color than that used by the fiber optic sight rods of the rear indicator 130.

[0027] The training aid 100 has an associated method providing means for training a trainee to maintain spatial alignment during a golf swing. The method may include the following steps: (1) providing a training aid having a stand, a front indicator, and a rear indicator that may be pivotally adjusted in synchronization with the front indicator; (2) aligning, optically, the front indicator and the rear indicator of the training aid with the trainee's vision, where an orientation line between 10 to 80 degrees from the ground is defined by the front indicator and the rear indicator; and (3) maintaining alignment of the trainee's vision with the orientation line before, during, and/or after a golf swing, where the trainee perceives the front indicator superimposed over the rear indicator. The following optional steps may be included: (a) pivoting the front indicator and the rear indicator mounted to the stand, where the front indicator and the rear indicator may be offset and parallel from each other forming a plane that may be pivoted between 10 to 80 degrees from the ground; (b) securing the alignment of the front indicator and the rear indicator, where the front indicator aligns with the rear indicator along the orientation line within a trainee's vision.

[0028] The training aid 100 has an associated method providing means for training a trainee to perform a golf swing that lowers or raises a ball's flight path and spin. The method may include the following steps: (1) providing a training aid having a stand, a front indicator, and a rear indicator that may be pivotally adjusted in synchronization with the front indicator; (2) positioning the trainee into an addressed stance, where the trainee's weight is balanced on both feet while the trainee perceives the front indicator superimposed over or encircled by the rear indicator. The following optional steps may be included: (a) directing the trainee to turn their shoulders to a closed position, where their chest is facing behind a ball relative to the ball's eventual flight path; (b) directing the trainee to tilt their spine forwards towards the training aid 100, where the positional relationship between the front and rear indicators may change. For example, the front indicator may be perceived as moving towards the trainee's back foot. Maintaining this positional relationship throughout the golf swing may promote an inside swing path. An inside swing path may cause the ball to travel at a lower flight path with less spin. These optional steps may help golfers who slice the ball. Alternatively, (c) directing the trainee to turn their shoulders to an open position, where their chest is facing in front of a ball relative to the ball's eventual flight path; (b) directing the trainee to tilt their spine backwards away from the training aid 100, where the positional relationship between the front and rear indicators may change. For example, the front indicator may be perceived as moving towards the trainee's front foot. Maintaining this positional relationship throughout the golf swing may promote an outside swing path. An outside swing path may cause the ball to travel at a higher flight path with more spin. These optional steps may help golfers who hook the ball.

[0029] The training aid 100 may be made of a durable and stable material. The training aid 100 that is made robustly may provide a longer lifespan for the device while being transported and utilized in a wide variety of environments. The training aid 100 provides a cheap, functional, portable, and appropriately sized alternative to larger and more expensive training aids existing in the market. An example of the training aid 100 modestly fits within less than a 10-inch×10-inch×10-inch cube of space. Nonetheless, design variations in the structure or materials used for the training aid 100 may be employed to meet intended uses.

[0030] By way of example, the housing, indicators, and stand of the training aid 100 is made of plastic, such as low- or high-density polyethylene, polytetrafluorethylene, or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Alternatively, metals, such as aluminum, zinc, copper, brass, iron, stainless steel, or other material that provide a hard and durable device that is resistant to impact, chemical(s), abrasion(s), thermal fluctuation(s), ultraviolet light, weathering, and/or moisture may be used. The training aid 100 may be manufactured from a block of material and formed using a Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) machine. Alternatively, the training aid 100 may be manufactured by 3D printing or injection molding to conserve the amount of material resources used. In injection molding, a mold of the parts of the training aid 100 may be crafted from stainless steel or aluminum. The mold may be injected with a liquid phase of plastic polymers or metal materials at high temperatures and/or under extreme pressure. The mold is then cooled to release the parts of the training aid 100. Other manufacturing techniques relevant to the industry may be used to manufacture the training aid 100, and may include gas-assisted injection molding, multi-component injection molding, foam injection molding, blow molding, or compression molding.

[0031] The training aid 100 may be used as a swing reference tool by users in a variety of sport practices or lessons, such as when performing a swing during golf, baseball, and tennis. Visual feedback from the training aid 100 may train the user to maintain proper balance during side-to-side, front-to-back, and up-and-down movements. Repetitive practice with the instructional aid may also assist the user in establishing muscle memory during such movements.

[0032] It is understood that the invention is not confined to the particular construction and arrangement of parts herein described. That although the drawings and specification set forth a preferred embodiment, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a description sense only and embody all such forms as come within the scope of the following claims.

[0033] The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, are possible from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0034] For the convenience of the reader, the above description has focused on a representative sample of all possible embodiments, a sample that teaches the principles of the invention and conveys the best mode contemplated for carrying it out. Throughout this application and its associated file history, when the term “invention” is used, it refers to the entire collection of ideas and principles described; in contrast, the formal definition of the exclusive protected property right is set forth in the claims, which exclusively control. The description has not attempted to exhaustively enumerate all possible variations. Other undescribed variations or modifications may be possible. Where multiple alternative embodiments are described, in many cases it will be possible to combine elements of different embodiments, or to combine elements of the embodiments described here with other modifications or variations that are not expressly described. A list of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, nor that any or all of the items are comprehensive of any category, unless expressly specified otherwise. In many cases, one feature or group of features may be used separately from the entire apparatus or methods described. Many of those undescribed variations, modifications and variations are within the literal scope of the following claims, and others are equivalent.