GOLF TRAINING AID

Abstract

The correct golf swing path is that of an angled sphere. Typically, when a golf club swings through impact it is at a shaft-angle of between 44 and 65 degrees—with a driver swung at the lower angle of 44 to 50 while irons become progressively steeper in angle; the shorter more lofted wedges approach a 65 degree lie-angle. That said, for a short period of time during the swings of professionals and accomplished amateurs, the club is swung STRAIGHT through into the ball and down the target-line for a period of 12 inches (30 cm)—6 inches before and 6 inches after impact (referred to as the flat spot). This swing training aid helps less accomplished golfers achieve this flat spot—swinging straight through impact on the correct angle with all golf clubs. Four, six-inch angled polymer poles attach to a base made for driver and wood shots off a tee, and iron and wood-shots off the ground. The goal is to swing the club between the poles and into the ball without striking the poles. The player gets feedback on his or her swing-path when he or she hits or misses the poles and then adjusts the swing accordingly. Different sets of angled poles (Driver/Woods and Irons) are fixed to the base's external driver and iron lines for use with the various clubs; the ball is aligned with one of the two center lines; one line is for tee-shots and the other is for shots hit from the ground.

Claims

1. A device that provides: (1) the ability for a user to practice the most important long range club in golf: the driver; (2) the ability for the user to practice using all the angled clubs from driver to wedge which encompass a range of 45 to 65 degrees; (3) a base U shaped recess length (12 inches) and full-shot ball positioning lines, mirror and encourage the ideal Flat Spot swing which is 12 inches in length.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the device is characterized by one or more of: a width of the base being sufficiently wide enough to accommodate use with the driver as well as irons; internal target line dimensions on the left and right side of center lines (for use by left or right handers) on the base to correspond with: a center of the driver-face at impact when the ball is teed half-a-balls-width above a standard big headed driver (typical tee height), and the center between the two poles when the driver comes through impact at 56 mm above the ground; poles constructed at various angles for various club angles from 44 to 65 degrees; the base having two external lines that poles are placed on (woods and irons lines correspond with woods and irons poles) wherein the line closer to the center for ground shots or on the exterior line is for teed-up wood shots; driver poles which are different to iron poles; base measurements mirror a flat spot at the bottom of the swing that professional and accomplished amateurs' swing pass through, and practice can be done through practice swings and hitting balls with the device; u-shaped base recess cuts in at 70 mm of the 320 mm total length—making a hollow channel for hitting that is three times the recess/channel length and vastly different to any of the known iron-only bases available.

3-7. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1.—shows the training aid set up for an iron shot, viewed down the target line

[0017] FIG. 2.—shows the training aid set up for a driver shot, viewed down the target line

[0018] FIG. 3.—shows an overview of the training aid set up for an iron shot

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The present invention is directed to a golf training aid to help golfers achieve the correct angle-of-attack and straight swing-path 6-inches immediately before and 6-inches immediately after impact with the ball.

[0020] In its most complete form, the device is made up of the following components: (1) a U-shaped base made out of polycarbonate or similar material at a minimum of 12 inches (302 mm) in length between rear and front poles; (2) target, pole and ball-position lines in relevant positions; two exterior lines on both sides for placement of small angled poles for driver shots off a tee and other woods (external line), and iron or wood/hybrid shots struck from the ground (inside of and parallel to the external line); the center target-line/arrow for iron and woods/hybrid shots struck off the ground and two driver target lines/arrows 56 mm left and right of the center line (for left and right hand players) (also, can be used for other woods); the distance of 56 mm matches the correct impact position of the driver with the ball above the ground between the angled poles when hit off a tee; (3) hittable foam/plastic/poly/EVA angled poles varying in degrees from 44 to 65 degrees that have touch fasteners glued to their bases (that attach/fasten to the u-shaped base).

[0021] The most complete form of performing the method associated with the disclosed device consists of the following steps; (1) the golfer selects the club he/she would like to practice with then selects and attaches to the base the angled poles that most suits the club to be used; (2) the golfer attempts to progress by first swinging between the poles without a ball with a high angled club such as a 7-iron; once this is achieved the golfer practices swinging between the poles and hitting balls; (3) the golfer then repeats this process with progressively less angled clubs and poles (44 to 65 degrees); (4) to further test the golfers swing precision, the angled poles can be placed closer together laterally on the touch fasteners, thereby making a narrower slot to swing through.

[0022] During the improvement process the golfer will hit the poles, this is fine as the poles are made for impact; no damage is done to the golfer's club, minimal to the poles, and valuable kinesthetic feedback is obtained with every swing made—which results in swing adjustments and improvement.

[0023] Referring to Diagram FIGS. 1. 4. and 5. show the lines that run the length of device on each side that the irons and woods poles are placed on respectively; the poles have enough width between left and right for a straight swing-path and well executed shot to be made without hitting either pole. The length of device from pole to pole is 12.6 inches (320 mm) which is approximately this distance where a straight swing-path appears in a well-executed swing. This length can be lengthened or shortened in manufacturing. 1.—Shows the target line/arrow which is in the center between the poles and acts a guide for iron and woods shots off the ground. 2.—Shows the poles for iron or wood/hybrid shots hit from the ground (55 to 65-degree poles); the poles have adhesive strips on their bases that attach to the adhesive strips on the base plate. 6.—Is the mark at the mid-point in the 12-inch slot that the player plays the ball from (although, the player can play from behind or in front of this spot, and the line can be changed in manufacturing if required).

[0024] In reference to FIG. 2, 7. the angled poles are designed at 48 degrees at present, a typical shaft lie-angle at impact of an accomplished player is between 44 and 50 degrees (in manufacture this can be adjusted up or down for the driver and other clubs from 44 to 65 degrees). The poles are placed on 4.—the external lines/arrows (both sides); 8. and 9. show the alignment arrows left and right of the center ground-shots arrow (for left or right-hand players); these driver arrows (8) and (9) are 56 mm on either side of center arrow, this center position is not obvious, however, this does match the ideal center entry line and elevation at 56 mm above the ground between the two poles when hitting a driver. (This distance is calculated using the height of the average modern driver, plus half a ball's height—as teed-up above the driver, minus, the distance from the top of the driver to the center of the face where the ball is struck and the driver poles angle.)

[0025] In reference to FIG. 3, this is an overview of the device. 3.—is the width of the base between the external poles and lines, this is currently 305 mm (with overhang on either side); this could be widened in future embodiments if a wider slot was required.

[0026] As discussed, the invention has many different features, variations and multiple different embodiments. The invention has been described in this application at times in terms of specific embodiments for illustrative purposes and without the intent to limit or suggest that the invention conceived is only one particular embodiment. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to any single specific embodiments or enumerated variations. Many modifications, variations and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure. It is indeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the disclosure, including equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the complete disclosure at the time of filing.