Abstract: A golf club of the type for putting and driving a golf ball. The golf club has a reflective surface which is positionable to direct toward a golfer's eye an alignment image including an image of the ball and the target into which the ball is directed so as to aid the golfer in positioning the head of the golf club relative to the ball. The reflective surface is removable from the head so as to be stowed when not in use. The golf club also includes a leveling device in the head of the club to indicate to the golfer when the head is aligned horizontally. The golf club further includes a first striking surface with a tilted striking surface portion for imparting spin to the golf ball, and a second striking surface opposite the first for directing the ball in an upward trajectory. The tilted striking surface may include a flat central portion and an adjacent flat end portion, both of which contact the golf ball.

Abstract: A lightweight and portable golf training apparatus for improving and perfecting a proper golf club swing is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first guide member that is elevated from the ground and a substantially linear side barrier section, which lies substantially parallel to the intended flight path of the golf ball. A curved edge provides a visual and physical guide to mark the path arc of a properly executed swing. A second guide member is disposed adjacent to the curved edge of the first guide member. The second guide member includes a top surface that is elevated from the ground. Forming a side of the second guide member is a substantially linear main guiding section, which, when positioned in a substantially parallel alignment with the curved edge of the first guide member, defmes a curved pathway for guiding a golf club through the proper swing arc.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-layer structure golf ball having a thread rubber layer, which has good shot feel and attains long flight distance. The golf ball comprises a center made of a vulcanized molded article of a rubber composition, a thread rubber layer formed on the center and a cover formed on the thread rubber layer, whereinthe center has a diameter of from 35 to 38 mm and a deformation amount, formed by applying a load to the center within the range from an initial load of 130 Kg to a final load of 130 Kg, of from 3.5 to 6 mm, andwhen the deformation amount of the center is defined as deformation amount (A) and a deformation amount of the golf ball, formed by applying a load to the golf ball within the range from an initial load of 10 Kg to a final load of 130 Kg, is defined as deformation amount (B), the deformation amounts (A) and (B) meet the following equation:Deformation amount (A)-deformation amount (B)=0.5 to 3 mm.

Abstract: A golf practice apparatus which comprises:a base;an elongated support arm coupled to the base and having a free end;a tether guide including an eyelet coupled to the elongated support arm adjacent the free end; anda reel attached to the elongated support arm near the base and remote from the free end, the reel including a spool,the spool having a central axis which is aligned with a center of the eyelet.

Abstract: A golf swing teaching aid designed to be removably attached to a golf club grip and having a planar member with an opening that encircles the golf club grip and the golfer's hands gripping the club, such that the planar member does not interfere with the golfer's hands or swinging of the golf club. The planar member attaches to the grip at two points, preferably with a friction fit, and locates the edges of the planar member about the grip aligning the planar member with the longitudinal axis of the club. The golfer's hands are located within the opening of the planar member and normally wrap around the grip. The planar member includes a highlighted or contrasting edge to aid the golfer in observing and assessing the position and alignment of the golfer's hands and the golf club face during the swing. The planar member provides the golfer or an instructor with an instantaneous visual picture of the true hand position and swing plane of the golfer's swing to provide for correction of the golf swing.

Abstract: A method for improving a golfer's putting technique so as to track a swing of the putter on a straight line parallel to a predetermined guide line while utilizing a putter having a handgrip connected to a club head by a shaft and wherein the club head incudes a face, the method including the steps of:providing a straight guide line along a surface;mounting a laser apparatus to the shaft of the putter;aligning a beam of light from the laser apparatus in relation to the putter so as pass in transverse spaced-apart relation to the head of the putter and project a spot of light on the surface in vertical, spaced-apart relation to the head; andthereafter swinging the putter in a putting stroke motion while maintaining the beam of light in said alignment, thereby causing the spot of the light to track along a path parallel to the guide line.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover formed on the core, wherein the cover is formed from a mixture of an ionomer resin and an epoxy group containing a polymer or an OH group containing a soft elastomer and has a thickness of from 0.4 to 1.85 mm, a flexural modulus of from 100 to 1,500 kgf/cm.sup.2 and a shore D hardness of from 30 to 65.

Abstract: A lighted practice golf club for assisting in teaching a golfer to maintain the correct plane or line of travel for a golf club throughout the club swing. The club includes a special golf club a handle light positioned in a first end and a headlight positioned in a second end of the shaft of the golf club. A tubular passage extends through the shaft between the first and second ends. The shaft is comprised of an electrically conductive material and is electrically connected to a power source located in the shaft. One of the electrical terminals of the headlight is in electrical communication with the electrically conductive material of the shaft, and an electrical conducting wire extends through the tubular passage and is in electrical communication with the power source and the other of the electrical terminals of the headlight such that electrical power is supplied to the headlight by the electrical conducting wire and the shaft of the golf club.

Abstract: A golf ball which maintains a good shot feel and attains a long flight distance which comprises a solid center, a thread rubber layer formed by winding a thread rubber around the solid center and a cover formed on the thread rubber layer, wherein the solid center has a diameter of 30 to 38 mm and a surface hardness, measured by a JIS-C hardness tester, of 40 to 80, the difference in hardness between the center and surface of the solid center being within 5, the cover being formed of a base resin containing an ionomer resin as a main component and the cover having a flexural modulus of 300 to 600 MPa and a hardness, measured by a Shore D-scale hardness tester, of 60 to 80.

Abstract: A method of training golf swing including the steps of adjusting the position of a guide relative to a golf club so that the guide projects vertically when the club is held in an address position, a tip at a free end of the guide bears against the radius side of a leading forearm when the club is held in a back swing position, and the tip bears against the radius side of the leading forearm when the club is held in a follow through position. Repeatedly swinging the golf club between back swing and follow through positions. Correcting golf swing to ensure that at the back swing position the tip bears against the radius side of the leading forearm. Correcting golf swing to ensure that at the follow through position the tip bears against the radius side of the leading forearm. By use of the method the golf swing is trained to be within a plane and errors such as wrist cocking are detected and can be corrected.

Abstract: In a wound golf ball comprising a wound core having thread rubber wound on a center to form a thread rubber layer thereon and a cover around the wound core, the center has an optimum combination of a diameter A of 26-32 mm with a specific gravity D, the thread rubber layer is formed of inorganic filler-loaded thread rubber and has a specific gravity in the range of 0.93-1.05, and the cover is formed of an inorganic filler-loaded resin and has a specific gravity in the range of 1-1.4. The ball is improved in flying distance.

Abstract: A golf ball having:a core; anda cover having an exterior surface with a plurality of dimples;wherein the core, the cover, and the dimples are correlated with respect to each other such that the golf ball has a coefficient of restitution greater than 0.791 measured at an incoming velocity of 143.8 ft/sec, an initial velocity greater than 255 ft/sec when tested under the conditions set forth in the Initial Velocity rule for golf balls established by the United States Golf Association, and the ball travels less than 280 yards when tested under the conditions set forth in the Overall Distance Standard for golf balls established by the United States.

Abstract: A practice sight (20) for a putter (26) is shown. The sight is attached to the top (60) and hosel (80) of the head (22). The sight has a planar mirror (44) at a 45.degree. angle to the face (30) of the putter. Front and rear sight pins 46 and 48 attached to the base (52) of the sight in front of the mirror provide a reference for adjusting the attitude of the head. The golfer looks down at the mirror and sees the sight pins, a golf ball (26), and a golf ball hole (34) or flag. He lines up the putter head with the hole by rotating the head of the putter until the front sight pin disappears behind the rear sight pin while keeping the golf ball and hole in view in the mirror and centered on the center line of the mirror.

Abstract: Golf ball having a surface texture defined by fractal geometry and golf ball having indents whose orientation is defined by fractal geometry. The surface textures are defined by two-dimensional fractal shapes, partial two-dimensional fractal shapes, non-contiguous fractal shapes, three-dimensional fractal objects, and partial three-dimensional fractal objects. The indents have varying depths and are bordered by other indents or smooth portions of the golf ball surface.

Abstract: A mirrored device which allows the athlete to observe his motions as he performs. Specifically as this invention relates to golf, the system trains these fundamentals: steady head control; correct alignment; proper golfing posture; the proper swing paths for the backswing and downswing. These goals are accomplished by: a large mirror to reflect the golfer's side that is opposite the direction he is driving the ball, this mirror is comprised of a diagram and moveable,adhesive strips which serve as visual guides for instillment of the mentioned fundamentals; a pair of angularly arranged mirrors which are supported by a visored headgear that the golfer wears.The user adjusts the small angled mirrors for sighting himself. Following the charting of his proper backswing and downswing planes with the moveable strips, he guides his club, and hands along the relection of these strips with the purpose of memorizing the feel of these correct motions.

Abstract: A golf ball constructed of a molded outer cover defining an outer diameter of the golf ball to be between 2 and 2.2 inches. One or more inner materials within the golf ball is of a sufficient density to allow the golf ball to float in water. The golf ball may comprise an inner core of a light weight material of sufficient density to allow the golf ball to float. The inner core may include a cork material. An elastic material such as elastic windings may be wrapped around the inner core. The golf ball will have the characteristics and feel of a conventional golf ball while being able to float. The increased size of the golf ball will give the beginning golfer an easier target to strike with the club face thereby improving his or her confidence in ball striking ability. The increased size will also increase the wind resistance and thereby overemphasizing balls hit with improper spin, resulting in quicker learning time. Better golfers can use this feature to practice and perfect cut and draw shots.

Abstract: A golf swing training device includes an aerodynamically shaped housing which may be attached by a suction cup to the upper surface of a golf club, preferably a wood because of the larger upper surface area. The housing contains a pair of batteries for selectively illuminating a light source, preferably a red LED, protruding from the top of the housing. The illuminated light source creates a visual "track" of light as the as the club is swung and helps the golfer visualize the path of the club head and the swing plane.

Abstract: The head of a mallet-type putter includes on its upper surface indicia in the form of a first long line, a second short line, and a series of even shorter lines extending from the end of the short line and sweeping rearward in a curved are to become parallel with the first long line. In order to compensate for a golfer's sighting error resulting from eye predominance, the long line is arranged to align putts that are ten feet or longer in distance from the golf ball to the putting cup. The short line and the arcuate array of even shorter lines are arranged to align putts that are shorter than ten feet in distance from the golf ball to the putting cup. The golfer may measure the degree of eye dominance, if any, by a sighting method that closely approximates conditions found on all golf courses including a 4 1/4 inch putting cup, and this measurement is used to arrange the different sighting lines on the putter head.

Abstract: A golf swing training device that includes a guide arm supported by a support body, preferably a stake. The stake maintains the relative position of the guide arm when the device is in use. In the preferred embodiment and at its connecting end, the guide arm includes a connecting cavity extending vertically therethrough. When in use, the stake is inserted through the connecting cavity thereby frictionally retaining and maintaining the guide arm thereon. Also when in use, the guide arm extends directly over the golf ball and defines a golf swing area through which a proper golf swing may pass. At its focus end, the guide arm is narrower than the golf ball to avoid distracting the golfer's attention from the golf ball. The guide arm extends from the golf ball in a direction substantially perpendicular to the golf swing. When not in use, the support body, or stake, may be stored in a storage cavity within the guide arm.

Abstract: A method for swing training particularly suitable to golf and sports employing a similar power swing is disclosed wherein preferably pliable body spacer objects such as balls of varying sizes, weights, and pliability are placed between a limb and another body surface to restrict movement of said limb wherein specific muscles groups are stretched and trained while imitating swing motion to induce muscle memory. A lightweight ball of at least 25 cm. diameter is placed between the thighs and a smaller ball, e.g. a medicine ball of about 10-25 cm. diameter is gripped between the elbows. Also a ball or other object may be gripped under an armpit.