Counterweighted Golf Club Swing Training Apparatus

Abstract

A counterweighted golf club training apparatus providing a counterweight element affixed to a shaft protrusion, or portion of the hollow shaft's proximal end protruding through the second end of the grip handle, wherein the center of balance of the apparatus is positioned at a space between the user's hand, thereby redistributing the weight and allowing equal forces to be exerted on each hand without the need for the user to account for swingweight or gravitational effects. Thus, the user is able to swing and practice their movements freely without any individual motion dictating the composition of the overall swing. This apparatus will increase the capability of any user to improve their swing mechanics, train their muscle memory, and confidently advance their ability to correctly swing a club without needing to worry about making mistakes.

Claims

1. A counterweighted golf club training apparatus comprising: a hollow shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; a head disposed at the distal end; a grip handle comprising: a first end; a second end disposed adjacent to the proximal; an opening at the second end, said opening configured to slidingly receive a shaft protrusion therethrough; and a counterweight longitudinally oriented and affixed endwise to the shaft protrusion, said counterweight configured to position a center of balance of the counterweighted golf club training apparatus at a point from the second end between 25% and 49% of the length of the grip handle; wherein the center of balance is positionable between the hands of a user wielding the counterweighted golf club training apparatus thereby properly balancing the counterweighted golf club training apparatus to assist users in practicing their swing mechanics and training their body's muscle memory.

2. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the counterweight is fixed to the shaft protrusion.

3. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the counterweight is threadably or magnetically attachable to the shaft protrusion.

4. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the counterweight comprises a metallic, ceramic, and/or polymeric longitudinal member having sufficient mass to reposition the center of balance more proximal to the user, wherein a cylindrical bore that aligns in depth, width, and length with the shaft protrusion is extruded from the center of a base of the counterweight.

5. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the grip handle is tapered from a maximum diameter at the second end to a minimum diameter at the first end whereby the grip handle is affixed to an exterior of the hollow shaft.

6. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one indicium designed upon the counterweight to signal the rotational angle of the head's face relative to user.

7. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the counterweight is cylindrical in shape.

8. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 7, wherein the counterweight is tapered between the maximum diameter and the minimum diameter along only ? to ? of its length.

9. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 8, wherein the minimum diameter is equal to the diameter of the grip handle's second end.

10. A counterweighted golf club training apparatus comprising: a hollow shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; a head disposed at the distal end; a grip handle comprising: a first end; a second end adjacent to the proximal end; a circular opening at the second end configured to slidingly engage with a shaft protrusion therethrough; a wireless accelerometer; and a counterweight longitudinally oriented and affixed endwise to the shaft protrusion, said counterweight configured to position a center of balance of the counterweighted golf club training apparatus at a point upon the grip handle between 25% and 49% of the length of the grip handle from the second end; wherein the center of balance is positionable between the hands of a user wielding the counterweighted golf club training apparatus thereby properly balancing the counterweighted golf club training apparatus to assist users in practicing their swing mechanics and training their body's muscle memory.

11. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 10, wherein the accelerometer is affixed to the shaft protrusion to contact the counterweight when the counterweight is fixed thereto.

12. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 10, wherein the accelerometer is attachable to the hollow shaft adjacent to the club head.

13. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 10, wherein the counterweight comprises a metallic, ceramic, and/or polymeric longitudinal member having sufficient mass to reposition the center of balance more proximal to the user wherein a cylindrical bore that aligns in depth, width, and length with the shaft protrusion is extruded from the center of a base of the counterweight.

14. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 10 further comprising at least one indicium designed upon the counterweight to signal the rotational angle of the head's face relative to user.

15. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 10, wherein the counterweight is cylindrical in shape.

16. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 15, wherein the counterweight is tapered between the maximum diameter and the minimum diameter along only ? to ? of its length.

17. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 16, wherein the minimum diameter is equal to the diameter of the grip handle's second end.

18. A counterweighted golf club training apparatus comprising: a solid shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; a grip handle comprising; a first end; a second end adjacent to the proximal end; a circular opening at the second end configured to slidingly engage with a shaft protrusion therethrough; and a counterweight longitudinally oriented and affixed endwise to the shaft protrusion, said counterweight configured to position a center of balance of the counterweighted golf club training apparatus at a point upon the grip handle between 25% and 49% of the length of the grip handle from the second end; wherein the center of balance is positionable between the hands of a user wielding the counterweighted golf club training apparatus thereby properly balancing the counterweighted golf club training apparatus to assist users in practicing their swing mechanics and training their body's muscle memory.

19. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 18, wherein the solid shaft is composed of a polymeric material capable both of retaining its structure during a user's physical movements and of exhibiting flexion upon the application of force.

20. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 18, wherein a club head is affixed to the solid shaft's distal end.

21. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 18, wherein the counterweight comprises a metallic, ceramic, and/or polymeric longitudinal member having sufficient mass to reposition the center of balance more proximal to the user, wherein a cylindrical bore that aligns in depth, width, and length with the shaft protrusion is extruded from the center of a base of the counterweight.

22. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 18 further comprising at least one indicium designed upon the counterweight to signal the rotational angle of the head's face relative to user.

23. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 18, wherein the counterweight is cylindrical in shape.

24. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 23, wherein the counterweight is tapered between the maximum diameter and the minimum diameter along only ? to ? of its length.

25. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 24, wherein the minimum diameter is equal to the diameter of the grip handle's second end.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the invention's preferred embodiments captured within the Figures, where like reference numbers refer to similar elements throughout the Figures, and:

[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of the counterweighted golf training apparatus in accordance with the preferred embodiment;

[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates a top and side view of multiple versions of the counterweight element;

[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the grip portion of the counterweighted golf training apparatus, with dashed lines denoting the hollow area occupied by the shaft;

[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the counterweighted golf training apparatus without the counterweight element present on the shaft protrusion and with the ordinary industrially manufactured center of balance denoted by the dashed line;

[0032] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the counterweighted golf training apparatus with dashed lines denoting the shaft's location within the grip handle and counterweight;

[0033] FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the counterweighted golf training apparatus with the club head rotation reference line imposed upon the counterweight element, and dashed lines denoting the center of balance newly positioned spatial range;

[0034] FIG. 7 illustrates a polymer flexi-shaft embodiment of the counterweighted golf club training apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY

Embodiments of the Invention

[0035] The detailed description shows exemplary embodiments by way of illustration, including the best mode. These exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the principles of the present disclosure, but it should be understood that other embodiments might be realized by logical and mechanical changes made without departing from the spirit and scope of the principles of the present disclosure. This detailed description is presented for purposes of illustration not limitation. Though certain components and aspects of the system may be described in detail herein, it should be stated that multiple alternatives may be realized in the practical manufacturing of the physical apparatus.

[0036] With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of counterweighted golf club training apparatus 18 comprises a club head 10 embodying a distinct club head face angle 12 dependent on the club type, a shaft 14, a grip 16, a proper handgrip region 17, and a counterweight element 20. In various example embodiments, grip 16 may be composed of material that conforms to a user's hands to allow for appropriately comfortable slip-resistant gripping during use of counterweighted golf club training apparatus 18. Although suitable for any type of golf club (e.g. wood, iron, wedge, hybrid, putter), the example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 is a counterweighted driver training apparatus 18. Depending on the type of golf club utilized, club head 10 will possess a different shape, weight, and face angle 12. Club head 10 and shaft 14 may be composed of a myriad of different materials suitable to withstand the forces involved throughout the motions of swinging a golf club and impacting a golf ball. In the example embodiment of counterweighted golf club training apparatus 18, club head 10 may comprise steel coated to deter rusting and surface marring, while shaft 14 is contemplated as comprising graphite. Other materials considered for use during the manufacturing of club head 10 and shaft 14 include, but shall not be limited to, titanium, aluminum, stainless steel (and other grades thereof), scandium, carbon-metal composites, carbon fiber, graphite, and wood.

[0037] In FIG. 1's illustrated exemplary embodiment, shaft 14 is a hollow cylindrical tube manufactured utilizing one of the aforementioned materials. Grip 16 may be comprised of rubberized materials, such as various elastomers and polymers, or varieties of leather, such as fake leather, cabretta, or those derived from animal skin. Counterweight element 20 may be comprised of steel coated to deter rusting and surface marring; the presence of either would otherwise affect its overall weight and thereby affect its effectiveness as a component of counterweighted golf club training apparatus 18 as well as the location of the new center of balance.

[0038] Turning now to FIG. 2, counterweight element 20 may further be comprised of other metals (or alloys thereof) with densities that can act as replacements of steel, such as (but not limited to) bronze, copper, nickel, brass, iron, tungsten, tin, terbium, silver, or gold. Other materials are considered as potential surrogates, such as ceramics, for example carbide or brick, coated in polymers, such as silicone, phenolic resins, or melamine.

[0039] In the illustrated example embodiment, counterweight element 20 is one singular mass of some material, or combination thereof, coated to deter rusting and surface marring, with extruded cylindrical bore 22 that mirrors in depth and width the length and diameter of shaft protrusion 30 exposed beyond the proximal end of grip 16, respectively. The overall dimensions of counterweight element 20 are dependent upon the weight required to formulaically place the center of balance of a given club type at a point on grip 16 25% to 49% longitudinally inward from the proximal end. Illustrated in the example embodiment of FIG. 1 is counterweighted driver training apparatus 18 that envisions counterweight element 20 weighing between 1 and 6 lbs. and measuring between 2 and 11 inches in length with a diameter of its tapered end equivalent to that of the grip's 16 proximal end. In consideration of changes in the mass of counterweight element 20 due to alteration of club type and club head, or materials thereof, other example embodiments contemplated will see counterweight element 20 shortened or lengthened based on the weight required for proper balancing. Likewise, the diameter of counterweight element 20 may change as required for proper balancing; meaning that the narrowest diameter of counterweight element's 20 tapered end will not remain fixed in all contemplated embodiments. While the illustrated example embodiment of FIG. 1 shows counterweight element 20 that tapers to a diameter equivalent to that of the grip's 16 proximal end, other iterations of the instant invention may see counterweight element 20 as an untapered cylinder, which will allow users with larger hands to push up against counterweight element 20 when their hands are placed upon grip 16, as opposed to overlaying their hands upon the tapered portion of counterweight element 20.

[0040] Turning next to FIG. 3, grip 16 is illustrated as separate from the other components of counterweighted golf club training apparatus 18. As will also be seen in FIG. 5, the dashed lines illustrated show the hollow cylindrical portion of grip 16 which shaft 14 will occupy when the apparatus is manufactured and the individual components are combined. Clearly visible in FIG. 3, grip 16 is properly illustrated as gradually tapered such that the proximal end's diameter is slightly larger than that of the distal end, but it is also contemplated herein that an untapered grip may be used, so long as the hole in its proximal end is large enough for shaft 14 to move through and beyond. Lastly, a bracket illustrating the approximate area that should be occupied by a user's hands when actively utilizing counterweighted golf training apparatus 18 is denoted by proper handgrip region 17.

[0041] Turning now to FIG. 4, counterweighted golf club training apparatus 18 without counterweight element 20 is shown to highlight the presence of exposed shaft protrusion 30 located beyond the proximal end of grip 16. The length of shaft protrusion 30 projecting through and beyond grip 16 is within a range of 1 to 3 inches, and is dependent upon the overall dimensions of counterweight element 20, which in turn is dependent on the type of golf club, and material thereof, as that will directly affect its weight and original, non-counterweighted center of balance (as denoted by the dashed line perpendicularly intersecting shaft 14).

[0042] Referring next to FIG. 5, counterweighted golf club training apparatus 18 is pictured in its entirety with untapered cylindrical counterweight element 20 embodiment present where, similar to FIG. 3, the dashed lines within grip 16 and counterweight element 20 denote the location of shaft 14 in its entirety. Additionally considered within an alternate embodiment, and presently illustrated, are accelerometers 50. While the illustrated contemplated embodiment may include two accelerometers 50, or may only include a single one, the placement within shaft 14 at such a location as to also be in contact with counterweight element 20, and the placement within (or without) shaft 14 at a location where it meets club head 10, are intentionally chosen locations. At those described locations, it is possible to a mass the most amount of useful data, such as rotation, positioning in space of both self and club throughout swinging motions, and acceleration of both user and club, which can be captured and analyzed after the user has completed their game or performance training with counterweighted golf club training apparatus 18.

[0043] Turning next to FIG. 6, counterweighted golf club training apparatus 18 is pictured in its entirety with this example embodiment illustrating permanent reference line 60 added to the surface of counterweight element 20. Upon its attachment to the rest of counterweighted golf club training apparatus 18, counterweight element 20 will be affixed to shaft 14 through the coating of shaft protrusion 30 in some adhesive (ex. epoxy) and inserting it into counterweight element bore 22 so that reference line 60 is aligned in parallel with club head face 12. During use of counterweighted golf club training apparatus 18, a user need only glance at reference line 60 to know whether their swing is properly aligned or whether they are incorrectly twisting their body leading to an improper turning of the club head face 12, which will cause an imperfect impact with the golf ball. Additionally illustrated, by a box of dashed lines, is a new center of balance's 70 spatial range, which will depend on the club type and minute mathematical determination of weight balance in consideration of material and dimensions of all previously mentioned components. Regardless, new center of balance 70 is illustrated as being within a user's proper handgrip region 17, such that they are not fighting the force of gravity upon the swingweight when practicing or training their swing mechanics and forming new habits or muscle memory. To that end, proper handgrip region 17 encompasses the spatial range for new center of balance 70, as there is considerable variance in the size of any given user's hands and that said center of balance 70 will occupy a region of space betwixt said gripped hands.

[0044] Lastly, FIG. 7, illustrates another contemplated embodiment of counterweighted golf club training apparatus 18, wherein shaft 14 is composed of a polymeric material capable both of retaining its structure during a user's physical movements and of exhibiting flexion upon the application of force. While the inclusion of club head 10 is illustrated within FIG. 7, the absence thereof is also considered as a viable alternate apparatus, thereby allowing a user to utilize the invention indoors without fear of causing damage.