Golf training lens (ad-visor)

Abstract

A golf training lens comprises a thin transparent sheet of low light transmitting plastic with a row of transparent horizontal cut lines and two rows of transparent vertical cut lines. When attached to the brim of a cap, the device creates a single distinct horizontal visual guide line and a single distinct vertical visual guide line. These lines and their intersection create a ball center point, a shot path, a club face alignment guide, a foot alignment guide and a swing guide.

Description

[0001] The present application refers to a provisional application filed Jan. 3, 2003, Ser. No. 60/438,167.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to golf training aids, and more particularly to a golf training lens designed to improve a golfer's game visually.

[0003] In the past, numerous visual devices have been proposed to aid a golfer's ability. These devices have had multiple shortcomings. Some devices limit their use to a single aspect of the game, such as, keeping the golfer's eye on the ball, establishing a shot line, or maintaining body alignment. Further, some devices have physical limitations, such as, a blurred image caused by a sighting line or mark to close to the eye, or mechanical fastening apparatuses that obstruct the golfers peripheral vision.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention comprises a transparent lens transmitting low levels of light. The sighting device is a series of narrow cut lines forming one horizontal plane and two vertical planes. A steel spring clip, of another inventor will be provided to attach the invention to a cap or visor. Once the invention is affixed in position on the brim of a cap, the golfer will only see one vertical plane.

[0005] Therefore, it is the object of my invention to produce a golf training lens, which provides a clear visible image, with no peripheral obstructions, that is simple to use.

[0006] It is another object of my invention to provide a distinct visual horizontal plane. This horizontal plane can be used to project a visual shot line in relationship to the golf ball and the path desired, allow the golfer to position his or her body according to the shot line, and allow the golfer to align his or her feet parallel to the plane. The horizontal plane will also keep the golfer's club head in a preferred lineal swing relative to said plane.

[0007] It is yet another object of my invention to provide a distinct visual vertical plane. This vertical plane can be used primarily to create a cross, or a center point, to position the golf ball therein. This center point can be used to concentrate the golfer's eyes on the golf ball during his or her swing. Secondly, the vertical plane can be use to align the face of the golfer's club to ensure a square ball strike.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a front view of a training aid embodying the present invention without a mounting device.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention shown mounted to a cap.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a view of what the golfer can see while looking through the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 4 is an additional view of what the golfer can see while looking through the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The preferred embodiment of the invention 10 is a thin transparent plastic lens allowing a low level of light to pass through. The preferred method of restricting light transmission through the lens is produced with color pigment. Horizontal cut lines (12, 14, 16, 18, and 20) in the lens, which allow complete light penetration, create the horizontal sighting guide. Vertical cut lines (22, 24, 26, and 28) in the lens, which allow complete light penetration, create the vertical sighting guide. Both the vertical and horizontal cut lines should be between 1/32 and 1/16 of an inch. The physical intermittent line breaks (36, 38, 40, 42, 44, and 46) on the lens serve no other purpose than to maintain structural integrity of the lens. The area shown as 30 is the preferred mounting location of a spring steel clip 32, which is the source of attachment for the golftraining aid to the brim 48 of a cap or visor 34. The location area 30 and clip 32, are solely for reference and not of this invention, and are not intended to limit the embodiment of this invention.

[0013] When in use, the golfer's view is directed through the sighting guide cuts, not at them. This causes lines 22 and 24 to merge becoming line 50, lines 26 and 28 to merge becoming line 52, and lines 14, 16, and 18 to merge becoming line 54 as shown in FIG. 3. The point 56 at which the horizontal and vertical guides intersect is the center point.

[0014] To use the device, the golfer must first attach it squarely to the brim of a cap or visor as shown in FIG. 2. The golfer then gets into position with the ball sighted in the center point 56. Maintaining the ball in the center point 56, the golfer's stance can be adjusted using the horizontal guide (12, 54 and 20) to establish a desired shot line 64. Once the golfer's body is aligned with the shot line, the golfer's feet 58 must be positioned parallel to the horizontal guide line. This is done by rotating the head straight down to bring the horizontal guide to the toes as shown in FIG. 4, repositioning the feet accordingly, and returning the head and view back to the center point.

[0015] Once the golfer's stance and shot line have been established, the face of the club head 60 can be adjusted. The club face is brought into the vertical guide view 50. The golfer can adjust his or her grip of the club to align the club head face 60 parallel to an inside edge of the vertical guide view 50. By doing this, the club face will strike the ball squarely ensuring ball travel in the projected shot line 64.

[0016] The aforementioned descriptions can be useful in both putting and driving. For putting in particular, the swing of the club head can be visually monitored. During a back swing, ball strike, and follow through, the golfer's club head 62 should remain in the horizontal sight guide (12, 54, and 20). This procedure ensures a straight club swing.

[0017] The foregoing descriptions are included to illustrate the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims.

Claims

1. A visual golf training aid comprising:

a thin transparent plastic lens allowing a low level of light transmission;

five narrow cut lines in one horizontal plane allowing complete light transmission;

four narrow cut line in two vertical planes allowing complete light transmission.

2. A visual golf training aid described in claim 1 in which:

the five horizontal cut lines, when in use, comprise a single horizontal sight guide used to perceive a shot line, align body and feet, maintain a straight club swing;

the four vertical cut lines, when in use, comprise a single vertical sight guide used for club face alignment.

3. A visual golf training aid described in claim 2 in which:

the intersection of the single horizontal sight guide and the single vertical sight guide create a center focal point used to maintain proper head alignment.