GOLF TRAINING AID AND METHOD

Abstract

A golf swing training apparatus having a body with a first side opposite a second side and a medial region between the sides. The body is operable to receive and secure a head of a golf club. An opening defined by the body is operable to enable a hosel of a golf club to exit the body. The device may be secured to the golf club by a strip of hook and loop fastener. The device has different, highly-contrasting colors on the front and back, thereby allowing a user to receive visual cues on the alignment of the clubhead during training swings. The device is the tactile and visual part of a training method which uses color sequencing and “word” association.

Claims

1. A golf swing training apparatus comprising: a body, said body having a first side opposite a second side, said body operable to receive and secure a head of a golf club; an opening defined by said body, said opening operable to enable a hosel of a golf club to exit said body; and wherein said first side is a first color and said second side is a second color.

2. The golf swing training apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first color is red and said second color is green.

3. The golf swing training apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a medial region between said first side and said second side, and wherein said medial region is a third color.

4. The golf swing training apparatus of claim 1, wherein said body is a clamshell operable to open and close by a hinge.

5. The golf swing training apparatus of claim 1, wherein said body has hard plastic exterior with a conforming foam interior.

6. The golf swing training apparatus of claim 1, wherein said body is a unitary body comprising a flexible material.

7. The golf swing training apparatus of claim 4, wherein said flexible material and is operable to fit over and around a head of a golf club and fixedly remain attached thereto via the elasticity of said body.

8. The golf swing training apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a flexible material in an interior of said body, said flexible material operable to receive and fixedly surround a head of a golf club disposed said interior.

9. The golf swing training apparatus of claim 1, wherein said body is substantially rectangular, said body having dimensions of six inches in length by four inches in height by three inches width.

10. A method of training a user’s golf swing, comprising: (a) providing a golf swing training apparatus comprising: a body, said body having a first side opposite a second side, said body operable to receive and secure a head of a golf club; an opening defined by said body, said opening operable to enable a hosel of a golf club to exit said body; and wherein said first side is a first color and said second side is a second color; (b) securing a golf club in said body of said golf swing training apparatus, wherein said first side of said body is parallel to a face of said head of said golf club and said second side is parallel to a back of said head of said golf club; and (c) swinging, by said user, as if hitting a golf ball, said golf club with said second side of said golf training apparatus facing upward and said first side facing down such that, when said golf club is swung properly, said user sees said second color of said second side immediately after when said golf club would hit a golf ball and throughout a follow through swing.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: (d) associating a phrase with said second color to describe when said user sees said second color of said second side immediately after when said golf club would hit a golf ball and throughout a follow through swing; and (e) repeated steps (c) and (d) to improve a user’s golf swing.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said first color is red and said second color is green.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein in step (c) said user aligns said first face of said golf training apparatus perpendicular to a target line and where a golf ball is normally set up for a swing.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein in step (c) said user swings a three-quarter backswing and subsequent follow through at half a speed of said user’s normal swing.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein in step (c) said golf training apparatus is secured to said golf club via a strap.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said strap comprises hook and loop fasteners, wherein said strap is wrapped around a shaft of said golf club, and wherein said strap is wrapped around said golf training apparatus.

17. A golf swing training apparatus comprising: a clamshell body, said body having a first side opposite a second side, said body defining an interior; a foam portion contained within said interior, said foam portion operable to receive and secure a head of a golf club; an opening defined by said body, said opening operable to enable a hosel of a golf club to exit said body; a strap, said strap operable to retain said body to a shaft of a golf club; and wherein said first side is of said body is parallel to a face of a head of a golf club and said second side is parallel to a back of a head of a golf club when a golf club is secured within said clamshell body, and wherein said first side is a first color and said second side is a second color.

18. The golf swing training apparatus of claim 17, wherein said first color is red and said second color is green.

19. The golf swing training apparatus of claim 17, wherein said body has a hard plastic exterior with a conforming foam portion contained within said interior.

20. The golf swing training apparatus of claim 17, wherein said body is substantially rectangular, said body having dimensions of six inches in length by four inches in height by three inches width.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts are given like reference numerals and, wherein:

[0018] FIG. 1 depicts a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the training aid secured to a golf club.

[0019] FIG. 2 depicts a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the training aid, including the different colors used on each half of the shown embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 3 depicts a rear view of an exemplary embodiment of the training aid attached to a golf club.

[0021] FIG. 4 shows a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the training aid attached to a golf club.

[0022] FIG. 5 shows a rear, perspective view of an embodiment of the training aid attached to a golf club, wherein this embodiment includes an alternative means of securing the aid on the club head.

[0023] FIG. 6 shows a front, perspective view of an embodiment of the training aid attached to a golf club, wherein this embodiment includes an alternative means of securing the aid on the club head.

[0024] FIG. 7 shows a top, perspective view of an embodiment of the training aid attached to a golf club, wherein this embodiment includes an alternative means of securing the aid on the club head.

[0025] FIG. 8 shows a top view of an embodiment of the outer facing sides of the sides of the training aid in an uncoupled state.

[0026] FIG. 9 shows a top view of an embodiment of the interior of the training aid in an uncoupled state.

[0027] FIG. 10 shows a top, perspective view of an embodiment of the training aid.

[0028] FIG. 11 shows a side, perspective view of an embodiment of the training aid.

[0029] FIG. 12 shows a front view of an embodiment of the training aid.

[0030] FIG. 13 shows a side, perspective view of an embodiment of the training aid in an uncoupled state.

[0031] FIG. 14 shows a user holding a golf club with a training aid attached in a position as if hitting a golf ball.

[0032] FIG. 15 shows a user swinging a golf club with a training aid attached as if hitting a golf ball.

[0033] FIG. 16 shows a user’s follow through after swinging a golf club with a training aid attached as if hitting a golf ball.

[0034] FIG. 17 shows a user’s follow through after swinging a golf club with a training aid attached as if hitting a golf ball.

[0035] FIG. 18 shows a user holding a golf club with a training aid attached in a position as if hitting a golf ball.

[0036] The images in the drawings are simplified for illustrative purposes and are not depicted to scale. Within the descriptions of the figures, similar elements are provided similar names and reference numerals as those of the previous figure(s). The specific numerals assigned to the elements are provided solely to aid in the description and are not meant to imply any limitations (structural or functional) on the invention.

[0037] The appended drawings illustrate exemplary configurations of the invention and, as such, should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention that may admit to other equally effective configurations. It is contemplated that features of one configuration may be beneficially incorporated in other configurations without further recitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The embodiments of the disclosure will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. It will be readily understood that the components, as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations or be entirely separate. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system and method of the disclosure, as represented in the Figures is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, as claimed, but is merely representative of possible embodiments of the disclosure.

[0039] Despite the development of hundreds, if not thousands, of training aids and methods that are/were designed to assist golfers with ameliorating chronic slicing and/or with developing the optimum wrist release, there is still a tremendous need for a more effective solution. The present disclosure provides a comprehensive solution to at least chronic slicing and/or to learning to develop the optimum wrist-release, through the use of a device/apparatus that is attached to the player’s actual club(s) in conjunction with color coding/sequencing and word association. The training aid and method, as described in the exemplary embodiments herein, uses color coding/sequencing and word/visual association to simplify the mechanics of the golf swing.

[0040] In accordance with embodiments of the invention, a golf swing training apparatus 1 is provided, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-18. The golf swing training apparatus 1 has a body 9 having a first side 3 opposite a second side 2. The body 9 is operable to receive and secure a head of a golf club 10. An opening 8 is defined by the body 9 and is operable to enable a hosel 12 of a golf club 10 to exit the body 9. The first side 3 is a first color and the second side 2 is a second color. In one embodiment, first color is red and said second color is green, as these are commonly understood as stop and go, respectively. As will be explained in more detail below, the apparatus and methods described herein are intended to direct a user’s attend to look for the second color when swinging the golf swing training apparatus 1. When the second color is green, the strong association with go assists with training the user to look for the green color. The body 9 includes a medial region 5 between the first side 3 and the second side. The medial region 5 may be a third color, such as yellow, for example. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-7 and 14-18, the golf swing training apparatus 1 is a hard plastic clamshell operable to open and close by a hinge with a conforming foam interior. As illustrated in FIGS. 8-13, the golf swing training apparatus 1 is made from hard plastic operable to be coupled by clips 6. The front side 3 is convex to discourage and prevent users from hitting golf balls with the apparatus 1. The foam may be a flexible material operable to receive and fixedly surround a head of a golf club 10 disposed in an interior 11 of the body 9, for example. In another embodiment, the golf swing training apparatus 1 is a unitary body. In an embodiment where the golf swing training apparatus 1 is a unitary body, body 9 may comprise a flexible material operable to fit over and around a head of a golf club 10 and fixedly remain attached thereto via the elasticity of the body 9. In one embodiment, the golf swing training apparatus 1 is substantially rectangular, having dimensions of six inches in length by four inches in height by three inches width.

[0041] In accordance with embodiments of the invention, a method 20 of training a user’s golf swing is provided. The method 20 includes a step 22 of providing a golf swing training apparatus 1. The method 20 includes a second step 24 of securing a golf club 10 in the body 9 of the golf swing training apparatus 1, wherein the first side 3 of the body 9 is parallel to a face of the head of the golf club 10 and the second side is parallel to a back of the head of the golf club. The method includes a third step 26 of swinging, by the user, as if hitting a golf ball, the golf club 10 with the second side 2 of the golf training apparatus 1 facing upward and the first side 2 facing down such that, when the golf club 10 is swung properly, the user sees said second color of the second side 3 immediately after when the golf club 10 would hit a golf ball and throughout a follow through swing. Exemplary swing positions are illustrated in FIGS. 14-18.

[0042] In one embodiment of step 24 of the method 20, the golf training apparatus 1 is secured to the golf club 10 via a strap 4, which may be hook and loop, for example.

[0043] In one embodiment of step 26 of the method 20, the user aligns the first face 2 of the golf training apparatus 1 perpendicular to a target line and where a golf ball is normally set up for a swing.

[0044] In one embodiment of step 26 of the method 20, the user swings a three-quarter backswing and subsequent follow through at half a speed of said user’s normal swing.

[0045] In one embodiment, the apparatus 1 is a two-part apparatus comprised of a rectangular clamshell that has a hard plastic exterior surface with a pliable foam on the interior surface, in addition to a strip 4 of 1ʺ wide hook and loop fastener (e.g., Velcro®) that has a loop/eye on one end. The apparatus 1 is to be affixed/attached to the club head and shaft of an Iron-type golf club 10. Once attached, the apparatus 1 provides the visual and tactile part of the training method that allows/teaches the golfer to subconsciously achieve an arcuate swing path and to release his wrists at the correct/optimum time to return the clubface to the proper alignment at impact results in more accurate and longer golf shots. The training aid and method employs color coding/sequencing and word/visual stimuli to simplify the requisite mechanics of the golf swing through perception-action coupling.

[0046] In one embodiment, the present invention comprises an apparatus 1 operable to fit snuggly over the club head of an Iron-type golf club 10. The apparatus is tricolored such, that when assembled, the anterior or front-facing side 3 is colored red, the posterior or rear-facing side 2 is colored green and the resulting medial surfaces 5 are colored yellow.

[0047] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus 1 comprises a hard plastic piece with hinges (not shown) located along its centerline, such that it is capable of folding over the clubhead of an Iron-type golf club 10, and attaches to itself, thereby creating a rectangular block that fits over the clubhead of an Iron-type golf club. In this embodiment, the red colored portion 3 of the apparatus corresponds to and is to be placed over the face of the club head of the Iron-type golf club 10 and clipped together via clip 6 with the anterior face 2 clipped over the raised tabs on posterior face. The posterior or rear-facing face 2 may also include a depiction of a flagstick and flag that is similar to the flag sticks and flags that seen/found on each hole of every golf course. In this embodiment, the interior of the apparatus 1 is comprised of pliable foam such that the apparatus 1, when secured around the head of the golf club 10, will fit firmly against the clubhead. It is contemplated that this apparatus can be used on and will work on one or more of an individual’s Iron-type golf clubs.

[0048] In alternative embodiments, the apparatus may comprise a single, unitary body with an opening 8 capable of receiving the head of an Iron-type club head. In some embodiments, one or more straps (see, e.g., straps 4 or 7) or other attachment means may be employed to fix the apparatus in place once it is fitted over the club head. In another alternative embodiment, the apparatus is comprised of a flexible material and is thus capable of fitting over and around the club head and fixedly remaining attached thereto either via the elasticity of the apparatus itself or via one or more straps, ties, or other means of fixing the apparatus in place.

[0049] In use, the individual should first place the apparatus onto the club head of an Iron-type golf club. When the apparatus is properly and securely attached there is an opening 8 for the hosel/shaft 12 of the respective golf club 10. Next, the individual should place/put the eye/loop of the strip of hook and loop fastener 4 over the grip and down the shaft of the respective golf club till the eye/loop is aligned with the top of the apparatus 1 as it is attached/affixed to the club head. Then, the individual should wrap the other end of the strip of hook and loop fastener 4 around the top of the apparatus 1 and back around the loop/eye and onto itself so that the apparatus is securely attached/affixed/fastened to the club head of the respective Iron-type golf club. Once it is properly attached the red face 3 of the apparatus is parallel to the face of the club head, the green face 2 of the apparatus is parallel to the back of the club head and all of the medial surfaces 5 are yellow. These colors were used because they are the universally known. In alternative embodiments, other means of fastening might be employed, including: elastic bands, buckled straps, tie-on straps or strings, etc. In one embodiment, straps 7 serve to hold apparatus 1 in place around the club head of club 10.

[0050] After affixing/attaching the apparatus to the club head and securing it with the strip of hook and loop fastener (or equivalent fastening means), the individual can begin using it as a training aid consistent with the training method, which incorporates/employs color coding/sequencing strengthened by “word” and association. The training method is comprised of a sequence of specific actions. At the outset, the individual should set up as if he were going to hit a golf ball, with the red face of the apparatus aligned perpendicular to the golf ball and target line. The device is not designed and should not be used to actually hit a golf ball. In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 8-13, first side 3 is convex to discourage hitting a ball, as the surface is not conducive to hitting a ball. Instead, the training method provides for him to conduct a three-quarter backswing and subsequent follow through at half the speed of his normal swing. When performed correctly, the training method dictates that the individual will be able to maintain eye contact with the second face of the apparatus immediately after impact and throughout his follow through. When the second face of the apparatus is green, as an example, users are familiar with green representing, good, go, or an affirmative result of some activity. The color green also has a strong association with golf, as the user is aiming to hit a ball toward the green. As to “word” association, as the user repeatedly trains with a device and is seeking to see the second color on the second face when the method dictates to train for the proper swing, the user will develop and associate terms to describe the views. For example, a user might say “green up” to describe when the green second side should be visible, as a swing when the green side is likely not proper form. By repeating the sequence of actions and words with the apparatus, the individual should, over time, unconsciously associate the pattern of his swing with the movement of the respective colors and unconsciously recognize that he should see the same color, such as green, on the second side 3 of the apparatus after impact and throughout his follow through. This motion and sense of direction teaches the user of the device to make a smooth, continuous swing, properly rolling the hands after striking through the ball. In this manner the swinging of the club becomes grooved and proper joint and muscular development and coordination are achieved upon repetitive use.

[0051] “Word” association as an additional factor that will be picked up in the associative phase of motor skill learning that will carry over into the associative stage. The player learns to associate a good shot when he is able to consistently view the green color on the second side on the back of the apparatus. The phrase developed by the user — such as “green up” — ends up as a loaded phrase to the extent that it can easily be associated by the player to coincide with the actual green on the hole. As such, it causes the player to learn the complicated motor skill through color coding, “word” association and “picture” association, which is an additional factor that moves the state of the art from the invention perspective.

[0052] There are hundreds if not thousands of golf training aids and methods, the majority of which are separate and distinct from the golfer’s actual swing. The golfer then has to try to adapt/translate what he may have learned through using the aid to use with his club(s) which, more often than not, is way more difficult that it sounds. The golfer’s dilemma of adapting/translating what he got from the training aid, when he goes out to the course and has to deal with other players, frustration from prior mishits, course conditions, etc. The present disclosure all but eliminates the golfer’s need to adapt/translate since the device is attached to his golf clubs. As such, the golfer unconsciously develops, through perception-action coupling, a link between the colors and wording of the device and his swing.

[0053] The following is an illustrative example of how the training aid and method improves the state of the art. A golfer meets up with the club pro at the driving range for a lesson on how to hit a 150 yard approach shot. He gets good pointers regarding the specific mechanics of his golf swing and leaves feeling as if he has mastered the shot. Then, about a week after his lesson, a golfer goes out to the golf course and is confronted with a 150 yard approach shot. As he is standing over the ball, his head quickly becomes cluttered with a million questions. “When do I break my wrists?” “Was it weight on the left?” “Hands forward?” “Keep your head down.” “Don’t use your hands.” At this point there is no way he will execute the desired shot, and he is confronted with the golf maxim of one ball, one shot with a consequence to every swing. His grip pressure gets tight and tension overtakes his body. The club hits the ground two inches behind the ball and his immediate reaction is anger and frustration.

[0054] This situation is drastically different with the proposed disclosure. The same golfer practices with his 7 iron and the training aid and method. Then, about a week later, he goes out to the golf course and is confronted with the same 150 yard approach shot. He addresses the ball with the same 7 iron and is focused on one thought — see the color on the second side 3 of the golf swing training apparatus. He takes his backswing and unconsciously visualizes the apparatus over the club head, keeping the red face towards the ground. Then, he swings and follows through, unconsciously releasing his wrists at the optimum time so that he can see the color on the second side of the golf swing training apparatus. The clubhead strikes the ball perfectly, the ball travels 150 yards and lands on the green.

[0055] An objective of this disclosure is to simplify the golf swing through color sequencing and “word” association. From the downswing, through the turning of the hands in the proper direction to the follow through in a smooth, arcuate motion. In this way the disclosure acts as a training tool — aid and a methodology — orienting the user to the proper sense of direction the hands must follow in the application of the actual swinging of a golf club, while at the same time conditioning the individual’s mind to become aware of the full range of motion of the swing, including the turning of the arms and wrists in sequential harmony. After repeated practice with the disclosed apparatus and method, the golfer unconsciously develops a grooved golf swing by and through envisioning the correct color sequence, such that he can see the color on the second side of the golf swing training apparatus throughout the follow through. The golf swing is simplified to the point where it becomes see the color on the second side of the golf swing training apparatus, which is easy for the golfer to imagine and subconsciously reproduce.

[0056] In the embodiment illustrated in the Figures, the training aid and method is comprised of a hard plastic device that is attached/affixed to an individual’s Iron-type golf clubs and is secured by a strip of hook and loop fastener. Said hard plastic device is approximately six inches in length by four inches in height by three inches width, and has a hard plastic exterior with a conforming foam interior. Said device is a clamshell that folds over the clubhead and snaps on itself. The device is secured to the golf club by a strip of hook and loop fastener that the individual slides over the shaft of the club then wraps around the device and back over itself around the shaft. The device has different, highly-contrasting colors on the front and back, thereby allowing a user to receive visual cues on the alignment of the clubhead during training swings. The device is the tactile and visual part of a training method which uses color sequencing and “word” association.

[0057] The device also helps to ensure an arcuate swing which will lead to more consistent swings and better ball striking. The definition of arcuate is curved or bow like. The concept of an arcuate swing is a nice circular swing that is fluid, and circular. The arcuate swing is the goal of a golfer because it ameliorates choppy swings where the club is driven into the ground before the ball (a “fat” hit) or the club impacts the ball above its equator (a “thin” shot). As such, the player learns or associate seeing the green with consistent ball striking, which makes him more likely to replicate a good shot with good results.

[0058] In addition to the foregoing, applicant suggests that the disclosed apparatus and method provide the following benefits and advantages: [0059] The disclosure assists the golfer with returning the club face to the proper alignment and position at impact; [0060] The disclosure increases the subconscious adoption of the training method because the device is attached/affixed to the golfer’s actual clubs; [0061] The disclosure increases and heightens the golfer’s perception-action coupling through the use of color sequencing/coding; [0062] The disclosure increases and heightens the golfer’s perception-action coupling through the use of “word” and “picture” association; [0063] The disclosure increases and heightens the golfer’s perception-action coupling through the use of the combination of color coding/sequencing and “word” and “picture” association; [0064] The disclosure assists the golfer by allowing him to develop the requisite “muscle memory” of the path that leads to proper club face alignment at impact through color sequencing/coding; [0065] The disclosure assists the golfer by allowing him to develop the requisite “muscle memory” of the path that leads to proper club face alignment through “word” and “picture” association; [0066] The disclosure assists the golfer by allowing him to develop the requisite “muscle memory” of the path that leads to proper club face alignment through the combination of color sequencing/coding and “word” and “picture” association; [0067] The color coding and “word” association educates/allows the golfer to subconsciously develop the requisite “muscle memory” to repeatedly produce an arcuate swing path which produces the proper alignment of the clubhead at impact; [0068] The disclosure allows/teaches the user to develop/form the requisite “muscle memory” for the proper wrist release at the optimum time to produce the proper club face alignment at impact through color coding/sequencing; [0069] The disclosure allows/teaches the user to develop/form the requisite “muscle memory” for the proper wrist release at the correct time to produce the proper alignment of golf club at impact through “word” and “picture” association; [0070] The disclosure allows/teaches the user to develop/form the requisite “muscle memory” for the proper wrist release at the optimum time to produce the proper alignment of golf club at impact through the combination of color coding/sequencing and “word” and “picture” association; [0071] The disclosure educates the forearms to simply roll, which squares the face and provides for an on-plane delivery which eliminates the “pulling” the club down, spinning the face open, and throwing the club across the plane; [0072] The use of the combination of color coding/sequencing and “word” and “picture” association heightens the user’s perception-action coupling which teaches/allows the user to subconsciously develop and master complicated swing movements and timing; [0073] The use of the color coding/sequencing heightens the user’s perception-action coupling which teaches/allows the user to subconsciously develop and master complicated swing movements and timing; [0074] The use of the combination of color coding/sequencing and “word” and “picture” association heightens the user’s perception-action coupling which teaches/allows the user to subconsciously develop and master complicated swing movements and timing; and The disclosure teaches the user, through the combination of color coding/sequencing and “word” and “picture” association to automatically make the proper motion (subconscious brain) instead of manually (conscious brain).

[0075] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference has been made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language has been used to describe these embodiments. However, this specific language intends no limitation of the scope of the invention, and the invention should be construed to encompass all embodiments that would normally occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. The particular implementations shown and described herein are illustrative examples of the invention and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the invention in any way. For the sake of brevity, conventional aspects of the system (and components of the individual operating components of the system) may not be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines, or connectors shown in the various figures presented are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical or logical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships, physical connections or logical connections may be present in a practical device. Moreover, no item or component is essential to the practice of the invention unless the element is specifically described as “essential” or “critical”. Numerous modifications and adaptations will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.