Abstract: An adjustable golf swing training apparatus that provides a telescopic swing training arm for teaching a proper golf swing and indicating errors in a golf swing. The telescopic swing arm is magnetically biased toward a predetermined length and may expand and contract to indicate to a golfer that the golfer's swing is in or out of the swing plane. The adjustable golf swing training apparatus also provides an apparatus for repeatedly aligning a golfer in a two-dimensional stance plane in order to consistently utilize the golf swing training apparatus. Indicia are provided for recording the distance of the golfer and the ball from a support plane. In addition, indicia are provided for indicating the spacing between a golfer's feet wherein the distance between the golfer's feet correlate with an indicia that indicates lateral positioning of the golfer with regard to a vertical support member.

Abstract: The golf alignment device of this invention is an adjustable frame, comprising a first side of said frame marked with indicia for positioning the forward foot of the golfer and being marked with indicia for placement of the rear foot according to the club to be used; a slotted second side of the frame extending from the end of the first side of the frame nearest the forward foot, which second side bears indicia for placement of the golf ball; a slotted third side extending from the other end of the first side; a fourth side joined to the ends of the second and third sides to form a frame; a first ball marker arm extending from the second side and within the frame, which arm is perpendicular to the second side and a pivotal second marker arm extending within the frame from the first side, the second marker arm being disposed such that an imaginary line extending from the center of its terminal end within the frame intersects a point just beyond the terminal end of the first marker arm situated within the frame

Abstract: A putting trainer for assisting a golfer perfect his address, the address of the putter, and the putting stroke. The trainer is designed for use on a support surface with a golf ball and a putter. The trainer includes a pair of spaced base members carrying a pair of parallel longitudinally positioned curtains which are arranged perpendicular of a target and in an elevated position which is slightly greater than the height of the ball and the putter blade. The curtains are laterally spaced a distance which is slightly greater than the width of the ball. A guide, which is parallel with the curtains and laterally spaced therefrom a distance equal the distance between the heel and the sweet spot of the putter, is adjustably secured with the base members. In use, with the ball placed between and beneath the curtains with the blade beneath and perpendicular of the curtains, the sweet spot adjacent the ball, and the heel in engagement with said guide.

Abstract: A golf training device for aiding in golf swing training and golf warm-up activities. The golf training device includes a golf club-like shaft, an at least one weighted member, and a stopper. The at least one weighted member is adapted to removably mount onto the shaft, and is defined by two temporary lockable interdigitating members and a locking member. The stopper, which attaches to the bottom end of the shaft, further aids in preventing the at least one weighted member from inadvertent disengagement from the shaft.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for the teaching of golf characterized in that it includes a pedestal (1), a head (2) mounted on said pedestal (1), said head (2) having a face (3) that is essentially reversed with respect to the face of the head of a golf club, and means for indicating the strike angle (4) of said club on said head (2) that includes a disc (8) integral with said head (2) and rotatably mounted on said pedestal (1) essentially in the plane of the pedestal, said head being positioned approximately at the center of said disc, and means for the display (12) of the displacement of said disc (8) in relation to said pedestal (1) following the impact of said club on said retractable head (2). The head (2) can be fixed or movably mounted on the pedestal in such a way that it retracts under the impact transmitted by the golf club in order not to hinder the trajectory of it.

Abstract: A weighted cover for use on any one of a set of golf clubs. The cover including a foot to enclose the head of a golf club and to receive and rigidly retain a weight therein, the foot being of sufficient size to receive any golf club head of the set therein and a sheath connected to the foot that extends outwardly from the foot along the shaft of the club. The sheath being fabricated of an elastic material and defining a diameter less than that of a golf club head. The narrow diameter of the sheath maintaining the club head cover on the club and the length of the sheath serving to ornament and protect the golf club shaft. A strap affixed adjacent the point of connection of the sheath to facilitate further restriction of the diameter of the sheath and retention of the present cover during practice swinging thereof.

Abstract: A golf ball, comprising:a core;an inner cover layer formed over the core, the inner cover layer having a Shore D hardness of at least 60 as measured on the curved surface thereof, andan outer cover layer formed over the inner cover layer, the outer cover layer having a Shore D hardness of no more than 53 as measured on the curved surface thereof,at least one of the inner and outer cover layers comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of polycarbonates, reaction-injection-molded polyurethanes, and styrene-butadiene elastomers,the golf ball having a PGA compression of 100 or less and a coefficient of restitution of at least 0.750.

Abstract: A device for teaching correct putting that can be attached to the shaft of a putter. A mirror is pivotally attached to an arm which extends behind and is parallel to the face of the putter such that the center of gravity for the mirror is between the pivot point and the face of the putter. The mirror is oriented at such an angle that a golf ball and a target cup can be viewed simultaneously by a golfer using a putter to which the device has been attached. Rotation of the mirror caused by the relative position of the pivot point and the center of gravity for the mirror will, under the influence of gravity, maintain this desired visual image in the mirror throughout the putting stroke. A straight line is placed on the reflecting surface of said mirror in such an orientation that the plane which contains the visible line and which is perpendicular to the reflecting surface of said mirror is perpendicular to the face of the putter and aligned with the desired point of impact on the face of the putter.

Abstract: A method for practicing a golf swing wherein a laser swing aid is used for defining a swing path for a club head and for aligning a club head of a golf club with a ball along a target path. The swing aid includes a body containing a power source coupled to a laser source coupled to an optics system. The optics system is arranged to produce a light beam in a plane. The body of the swing aid is positioned a distance apart from and separate from the club head and ball. The plane of the beam formed by the swing aid is positioned to produce a line of light aligned with the target path, the club head, and the ball. The line of light is formed and positioned to be visible across the club head and the ball along the target path and throughout at least a portion of a desired swing path.

Abstract: A golf ball has plural dimples on its surface. Each dimple has a dimple deepest portion not corresponding to a center of the dimple as viewed in radial direction toward a center of the golf ball. A cross acute angle, between, a straight line which goes through the dimple deepest portion and the center of the dimple, and a great circle zone which goes through poles and the center of the dimple, is arranged to be -85.degree. to 85.degree.. The dimple deepest portion is positioned nearer to a seam than the center of the dimple and the depth of the dimple diminishes gradually and monotonically from the deepest portion to a radially outer portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices, systems and methods for aiding a golfer in properly aligning his stance prior to hitting a golf ball at any one of a plurality of pre-sighted targets; the principal feature of the invention is a golf mat designed to be pivotally attached to a support surface and having a pattern of lines visible to the golfer, the pivotal lines and mat positioned with respect to a plurality of pre-sighted targets so the golfer may properly align has stance prior to hitting a golf ball at the target.

Abstract: A putting stroke teaching aid apparatus includes a pair of standards that are separated from one another along a target line, a reel supported on one of the standards and a cord supported on the reel and movable between a retracted position wound on the reel and an extended position unwound from the reel. The reel is spring loaded to exert a retracting force on the cord such that slack in the cord is taken up by the reel when the cord is extended and secured in place in a pair of slots formed in the standards so that the cord can be aligned directly over the target line by adjusting the positions of the standards on the putting surface. At least one of the standards can be formed with a central cutout aligned vertically with the cord when the cord is supported on the standards, and a plurality of slots can be provided on each standard so that the cord can be supported parallel to the putting surface at different heights.

Abstract: A two-piece solid golf ball comprising a solid core and a cover has a specific gravity of 1.0-1.1. The cover has a Shore D hardness of at least 60. The ball satisfies 1.10.ltoreq.A/B.ltoreq.1.60 wherein A and B are distortions (mm) of the solid core and the ball under a load of 100 kg, respectively. The ball will follow an adequately high trajectory to ensure an increased flying distance when ordinary golfers with a head speed of about 40 m/sec. hit it with drivers and especially with long irons. The ball also offers a soft feel on hitting.

Abstract: An illuminatable golf ball includes an outer translucent shell and a sealed inner core portion surrounded by the outer shell. The ball includes a self-contained lighting device formed and contained at least in part within the inner core portion. The lighting device includes an energy source, a pair of lighting elements, and connectors extending between the energy source and the lighting elements defining an electrical circuit. The lighting device includes a switch for energizing and deenergizing the lighting device. The switch can include a plunger insertable into the ball through an opening in the outer shell and through a bore in the inner core portion. The plunger is configured to change the state of the electrical circuit when it is inserted into and removed from the bore to energize and deenergize the lighting elements. The switch can also be timer actuated and of the force actuatable type.

Abstract: A solid golf ball having a core, a cover, an intermediate skin between the core and the cover defining a generally continuous inner annular surface, wherein the inner annular surface of the skin is stretched over the core. Desirably, to prevent breakage, the annular surface is at least 1/4 inch wide. Preferably, the skin has a substantially uniform thickness and covers substantially the entire outer surface of the core so that the golf ball will react in a uniform manner regardless of where on the cover the ball is struck. The skin preferably comprises a polymeric material which is stretched so as to have a predetermined amount of initial strain so as to reach a certain level of crystallization of material. This predetermined amount of initial strain is desirably 150%, preferably 200% and, most preferably 400%. A method of manufacturing a golf ball having a stretched intermediate skin is also disclosed.

Abstract: A golf ball including:a core,an inner cover layer formed directly over the core, the inner cover layer substantially consisting of ionomer and having a thickness of 0.05-0.10 inches and a Shore D hardness of 56-65, andan outer cover layer comprising an ionomer, having a Shore D hardness of at least 60, and being harder than the inner cover layer,wherein the golf ball has a PGA compression of no more than about 110 and a coefficient of restitution of at least 0.780, and the ratio of the diameter of the ball to the sum of the thickness of the inner cover layer and the thickness of the outer cover layer is less than 1911, and the sum of the thickness of the inner cover layer and the thickness of the outer layer is at least 0.09 inches.

Abstract: A golf swing weight distribution indicator and method of determining a golfer's relative weight distribution during a practice swing includes an adjacent pair of weight sensing pads upon which the golfer stands with one foot upon each pad. A pressure sensing device senses the pressure of each foot upon its respective pad at predetermined points in a golf swing, such as immediately prior to the swing, at the end of the back swing and the end of the forward follow-through swing. A display device connected to the sensing device indicates the golfer's pre-swing weight distribution, and the back and forward swing weight distributions. The sensing device and display may indicate the percentage of a golfer's total body weight upon each pad and, therefore, upon each foot for use in analyzing and replicating the golfer's swing.

Abstract: A golfing aid is disclosed. The golfing aid has an upper rectangular plate having a lower surface and an upper surface adapted to receive a golfer thereon. A lower rectangular plate is provided having an upper surface and a lower surface positionable on the ground. The upper and lower plates each have a front edge, a rear edge, a toe edge and a heel edge. A first box is adjustably positionable upon the lower plate. The first box has parallel first and second plates and parallel third and fourth plates with two parallel adjustment rods extending through two of the plates. The adjustment rods have adjustment handles adapted to extend a downwardly projecting support surface selectively at the will of an operator. Each front and rear face of the lower first box is provided with an opening. A second box is adjustably positionable beneath the lower surface of the upper plate.

Abstract: A golf club swing training method wherein the golfer swings a club while having a length of elastic material connected at one end to the elbow and connected at the other end at the contralateral hip of the golfer.

Abstract: A simple, lightweight, portable golf swing training device to fix the rear knee of a golfer in the correct position at setup and to restrict its lateral movement away from the target during backswing, with no interference of the forward movement of the knee, hips or body during the downswing, impact or follow through. The device comprises a base unit with a vertical rod, which has a height that extends at least to the rear knee, affixed thereto. A golfer uses the device by positioning his rear foot on the base rearwardly of the vertical rod and his rear knee forwardly of the vertical rod. By restricting the knee's freedom to over rotate or slide laterally away from the target or collapse away from the target line; the golfer's hips are prevented from either over rotating and/or sliding laterally away from the target. A video camera may be used to videotape a golfer before and during the use of the golf swing training device to compare knee positions.