Golf training aid

Abstract

A golf alignment training device designed for right and left handed golfers, and having a convenient and portable design capable of transport in a standard golf bag. The training device allows for easy alignment with a target while providing easily adjustable front and rear foot position pointers for an appropriate stance, as well as an easily adjustable ball position pointer that corresponds with a particular club selection.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a training device for improving a golfer's swing. More particularly, the invention relates to a training device for improving a golfer's overall swing alignment through the proper spatial placement of the golfer's feet, golf ball and golf club relative to the target objective and the chosen golf club.

2. Description of Related Art

A golfer using a golf club to strike a golf ball to propel it toward a desired target generally wishes to do this consistently whether the distance is a few inches or several hundreds of yards away. Proper execution of a golf swing generally requires that the golf ball be struck with the club face directly inline with the target. To cause the golf ball to travel down along the intended pathway, the golfer's swing of the club needs to have the club head traveling along the target line at the moment of impact with the ball. Deviation in either the club face alignment or swing path will cause a proportional error in the trajectory of the golf ball. This will cause the ball to deviate from traveling to the intended target.

A frequent cause of targeting error involves club face alignment or the club swing path. This often results when a golfer assumes a stance that is not aligned parallel to the target line. After making an error in targeting, the golfer attempts to correct the misalignment and tries to compensate for the error by altering various swing mechanics. As such, an inconsistent golf swing results and is difficult to correct.

To effect a desired shot consistently, it is important for a golfer to properly position his body relative to the target line by assuming a proper stance. Furthermore, it is important for the golfer to execute a proper swing along a swing path having an impact point on the target line with the club face square with respect to the target line and with the club head moving down the target line at the moment of impact.

To correct such inconsistencies, a device that is easily transportable and can be quickly set and arranged for each shot by a golfer is desired. Such a device would provide for a pointer for each of the golfer's feet, for the golf ball, and for the alignment of the device itself with the target. Further, such device should be able to utilize with any size and type of golf club including drivers, woods, irons, wedges, and putters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a golf alignment training device having a linear rigid member such as a rod or pole. Affixed to an end of the training device disposed between terminal ends of the rod are reference indicators incrementally disposed on the alignment device. A target pointer disposed at a first terminal end of the alignment device allows for the use of the rod or a front foot position pointer adjustably attached to the alignment device between the first terminal end and a midpoint of the alignment device. The rear foot position pointer adjustably attached to the alignment device between a second terminal end of the alignment device and the midpoint and a ball position pointer adjustably attached to the alignment device between the front foot position pointer and the rear foot position pointer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the golf alignment training device as configured for a right handed golfer;

FIG. 2 is a top side view of the golf alignment training device as configured for a right handed golfer;

FIG. 3 is a golfer side view of the golf alignment training device as configured for a right handed golfer;

FIG. 4 is a ball side view of the golf alignment training device as configured for a right handed golfer;

FIG. 5 is a right handed golfer target end view of the golf alignment training device as configured for a right handed golfer; and

FIG. 6 is a left handed golfer target end view of the golf alignment training device as configured for a right handed golfer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The preferred embodiment of the golf alignment training device is shown in FIG. 1 in a configuration for a right-handed golfer. Therein, the preferred embodiment includes an essentially linear alignment device 10 having optional reference indicators 20, 30, and 44 coinciding with pointer position receptacles 54, 56, and 58, respectively. Simulated depictions of the placement positions for a forward foot 66, a rearward foot 68, and a golf ball 64 are included to further illustrate the features of alignment device 10. For positioning forward foot 66, forward foot position marker components are provided toward a first distal end of device 10. For positioning rearward foot 68, rearward foot position marker components are provided toward a second distal end of device 10. For selecting a beneficial golf ball location between the forward and rearward foot position markers, ball placement marker components are provided toward a proximal region on device 10. Target alignment marker components are provided at one or more terminal ends of device 10.

The preferred embodiment of the alignment device 10 is that of a rod, which as shown in FIGS. 1-6 comprises an essentially straight, durable rod. Other typical embodiments of the alignment device 10 include rectangular, other polygonal and round rigid solid rods. Alternatively, rigid hollow tubes with permanently fixed end caps may be substituted for a rigid solid rod.

The preferred embodiment of the reference indicators includes a series of front foot reference indicators 20, a series of rear foot reference indicators 44, and a series of club reference indicators 30. The series of reference indicators are spatially located along a centerline extending from the right handed golfer target end 18 and, optionally, a left handed golfer target end 19 on the top side 12 of alignment device 10. The preferred embodiment of the club reference indicators 30 includes a subgrouping of middle golf ball settings 40, a subgrouping of forward golf ball settings 37, and a subgrouping of rearward golf ball settings 39.

Settings 37, 39, and 40 are provided so that golf ball 64 may be aligned with the desired golf ball reference for a selected golf club and a particular stance width, which is the distance between forward foot 66 and rearward foot 68, for a forthcoming club stroke. The preferred embodiment of club settings 37, 39, and 40 are provided to accommodate the use of variety of types of golf clubs including the driver and other woods, short and long irons, wedges, and putter. Typically, the width of the golfer's stance and the position of the golf ball in relation to the golfer's feet depend upon the type of golf club being swung. In the embodiment shown, club settings 40 include a series of three indicators symmetrically located having the center indicator being located proximally to the longitudinal midpoint between ends 18 and 19. Typically, club settings 40 would be used with short irons. Likewise, settings 38 include two groupings of a series of two indicators with each grouping separately located symmetrically opposite and outward from short iron club settings 40 toward the aforementioned terminal ends of device 10. The preferred embodiment of the driver, woods, long iron club settings 36 include two groupings of a series of two indicators with each grouping separately located symmetrically opposite and outward from the medium iron clubs settings 38 and toward the aforementioned terminal ends of device 10.

A further preferred embodiment of the front foot reference indicators 20 include a grouping of a series of six or more indicators located outward from the driver, woods, long iron club settings 36 and toward the golfer target end 18. A further preferred embodiment of the rearward foot reference indicators 44 include a grouping of a series of six or more indicators located outward from the driver, woods, long iron club settings 36 and toward terminal end 19. A further embodiment of the reference indicators 20, 30, and 44 includes being a permanent indenture. Other typical embodiments of the reference indicators 20, 30, and 44 may include being a permanent or semi-permanent mark, label, or etching.

As shown, the position receptacles includes a series of six front foot position receptacles 54, a series of six rear foot position receptacles 56, and a series of eleven club reference ball position receptacles 58 (as shown in FIG. 4). The series of front foot position receptacles 54 and the series of rear foot position receptacles 56 are spatially located along a centerline extending from end 18 and end 19 on the golfer side 14 of alignment device 10. Each of the receptacles in the series of front foot position receptacles 54 is located perpendicular to a corresponding indicator in the series of front foot reference indicators 20. Each of the receptacles in the series of rear foot position receptacles 56 is located perpendicular to a corresponding indicator in the series of rear foot reference indicators 44. If reference indicators 20, 30, and 44 are eliminated, the user may use position receptacles 54, 58, and 56 for proper position settings.

As shown in FIG. 4, the series of club reference ball position receptacles 58 are spatially located along a centerline extending from end 18 and end 19 on the ball side 16 of alignment device 10. Each of the receptacles in the series of club reference ball position receptacles 58 is located in about the same cross sectional plane within device 10 to a corresponding indicator in the series of club reference indicators 30. In the embodiment shown, the position receptacles is of sufficient size to accommodate alignment pointers 24, 34, and 50 as further described below.

The preferred embodiment of the front foot position marker components, the rear foot position marker components, and the club reference ball placement marker components comprise respective indicator guides 22, 46, and 32, each having a respective optional indicator guide portal 23, 47, and 33, and a respective indicator guide receptacle 25, 51, and 35 (as shown in FIG. 5), a respective position pointer 24, 50, and 34, and guide stop components. In the embodiment depicted, indicator guides 22, 46, and 32 include having a tubular body with internal dimensions conforming to the shape and cross section perpendicular to the length of alignment device 10 while allowing sufficient tolerances to allow for a smooth sliding movement along the length of the alignment device 10. See FIGS. 5 and 6. Indicator guide portals 23, 47, and 33 include being located at about the center on the top side of the respective indicator guides 22, 46, and 32, corresponding to the top side 12 of the alignment device 10, having an opening sufficient to allow a user to interpret the corresponding reference indicators 20, 44, and 30. The preferred embodiment of the front foot indicator guide receptacle 25 and rear foot indicator guide receptacle 51 includes being a threaded hole located at the center on the golfer side 14 of the respective indicator guides 22 and 46 corresponding to the golfer side 14 of the alignment device 10. The preferred embodiment of the club reference indicator guide receptacle 35 (as shown in FIG. 4) includes being an aperture located at the center on the ball side 16 of the respective indicator guide 32 corresponding to the ball side 16 (as shown in FIG. 4) of the alignment device 10.

The preferred embodiment of the position pointers 24, 50, and 34 consists of a solid rod that is adapted to rest in or above respective indicator guide receptacles 25, 51, and 35 as shown in FIG. 4. In addition, the preferred embodiment of attachment includes positioning and temporarily affixing pointers 24, 50, and 34 above respective indicator guide receptacles 25, 51, and 35. These are positioned such that a terminal end on each of the position pointers 24, 50, and 34 extends into an aperture adapted to receive that terminal end thereby allowing the temporary affixing of the position pointer.

The preferred embodiment of the guide stop components includes the stop pins 26 and 48 spatially located along a centerline extending from the right handed golfer target end 18 and the left handed golfer target end 19 on the top side 12 of alignment device 10. The preferred embodiment of the front foot stop receptacle 25 has a further spatial location defined as between the right handed golfer target end 18 and the outermost front foot reference indicator 20. While not shown, an alternative embodiment may include the use of a front and rear foot club stop pins to separate the club guide 32 region from the foot placement regions of guides 22 and 46. The preferred embodiment of the rear foot stop pin 48 has a further spatial location defined as between the outermost rear foot reference indicator 44 and the left handed golfer target end 19.

The preferred embodiment of the target alignment components include a target alignment pointer 52, a right handed golfer target alignment receptacle 60, and a left handed golfer target alignment receptacle 62 (as shown in FIG. 6). The target alignment receptacles 60 and 62 are located at opposite terminal ends of the alignment device 10. The preferred embodiment of the target alignment receptacles 60 and 62 consists of a threaded hole located in center of each respective target end 18 and 19 of the alignment device 10. The single target alignment pointer 52 can be affixed to either the right handed golfer target alignment receptacle 60 or the left handed golfer target alignment receptacle 62. One example of an alignment pointer 52 consists of a solid rod with one end threaded to match the threaded target alignment receptacles 60 and 62. Other typical embodiments of affixing the target alignment pointer 52 to either of the alignment receptacle 60 and 62 include any means of creating a nonpermanent frictional fitting between one end of the target alignment pointer 52 and the alignment receptacles 60 and 62. A further typical embodiment includes integrating and forming a target indicator onto each end 18 and 19 of the alignment device 10 wherein the target indicator may be a retractable spring-loaded pointer that can be retained within or on device 10 while not in use.

Other typical embodiments of the alignment device do not require the front foot positioning components, the rear foot positioning components, and the club reference/ball placement components, nor their respective indicator guides 22, 46, and 32, indicator guide portals 23, 47, and 33, and indicator guide receptacles 25, 51, and 35. Such typical embodiments include using the position pointers 24, 50, and 34 attached directly to the respective position receptacles 54, 56, and 58. Other typical method of attachment include a threaded or nonpermanent frictional fitting between one end of the position pointers 24, 50, and 35, and the respective position receptacles 54, 56, and 58.

The top side 12 view of the preferred embodiment of the golf alignment training device as configured for a right handed golfer is shown in FIG. 2. The notable items in FIG. 2 include the target alignment pointer 52 in proper placement relative to the right handed golfer target end 18, and the position pointers 24, 50, and 34 in proper placement relative to their respective indicator guide receptacles 25, 51, and 35 (as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4) located on their respective indicator guides 22, 46, and 32.

The golfer side 14 view of the preferred embodiment of the golf alignment training device as configured for a right handed golfer is shown in FIG. 3. The notable items in FIG. 3 include the stop pins 26 and 48 in proper placement relative to their respective ends of device 10.

The ball side 16 view of the preferred embodiment of the golf alignment training device as configured for a right handed golfer is shown in FIG. 4. The notable items in FIG. 4 include the club reference ball position receptacles 58 in proper placement relative to the ball side 16 of the alignment device, and the club reference ball indicator guide receptacle 35 in proper placement relative to the respective club reference ball indicator guide receptacle 32.

The right handed golfer target end 18 view of the preferred embodiment of the golf alignment training device as configured for a right handed golfer is shown in FIG. 5. The notable items in FIG. 5 include the end view of the front foot indicator guide 22 as it is placed behind the front foot stop pin 26, the front foot position pointer 24 in proper attachment to and through the front foot indicator guide receptacle 25 (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3) of the front foot indicator guide 22, and the club reference ball position pointer 34 in proper attachment to and through the club reference ball indicator guide receptacle 35 (as shown in FIG. 4) of the club reference indicator guide 32 (as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4).

The left handed golfer target end 19 view of the preferred embodiment of the golf alignment training device as configured for a right handed golfer is shown in FIG. 6. The notable items in FIG. 6 include the end view of the rear foot indicator guide 46 as it is placed behind the rear foot stop pin 48, the rear foot position pointer 50 in proper attachment to and through the rear foot indicator guide receptacle 51 (as shown in FIG. 1 and 3) of the rear foot indicator guide 46, and the left handed golfer target alignment receptacle 62 in proper placement relative to the left handed golfer target end 19 of the alignment device 10.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A golf alignment training device comprising:

an alignment device having a linear rigid member;

reference indicators incrementally disposed on the alignment device;

a target pointer disposed at a first terminal end of the alignment-device;

a front foot position pointer adjustably attached to the alignment device between the first terminal end and a midpoint of the alignment device;

a rear foot position pointer adjustably attached to the alignment device between a second terminal end of the alignment device and the midpoint; and

a ball position pointer adjustably attached to the alignment device between the front foot position pointer and the rear foot position pointer.

2. The golf alignment training device of claim 1 wherein the alignment device material of the rod is a solid material or a hollow tube with end caps.

3. The alignment device of claim 2 whereby a circumference design geometry is selected from the group consisting of a square, a rectangle, other polygon, and round shapes.

4. The golf alignment training device of claim 1 whereby the series of reference indicators are specifically identified and grouped into multiple position locations for the front foot position pointer, the rear foot position pointer, and the ball position pointer.

5. The golf alignment training device of claim 1 whereby the means of affixing the reference indicators is selected from the group consisting of indentures, etchings, paints, and bonded materials.

6. The golf alignment training device of claim 1 whereby position retainers are located on side portions of the alignment device in accordance with the location of the corresponding reference indicator.

7. The golf alignment training device of claim 1 wherein the target pointer, the front foot position pointer, the rear foot position pointer, and ball position pointer are releasably attached to the training device with a retractable spring loaded fitting, threaded fitting, frictional fitting or combination thereof.

8. (canceled)

9. The golf alignment training device of claim 1 whereby attachment of the front foot position pointer, the rear foot position pointer, and the ball position pointer to the alignment device is adjustable to a user's desired selection.

10. A method for variably locating position pointers of a golf training device, wherein the training device comprises: a device having a linear rigid member; reference indicators incrementally disposed on the device; a target pointer disposed at a first terminal end of the device; a front foot position pointer adjustably attached to the device between the first terminal end and a midpoint of the device; a rear foot position pointer adjustable attached to the alignment device between a second terminal end of the device and the midpoint; and a ball position pointer adjustably attached to the device between the front foot position pointer and the rear foot position pointer, comprising:

placing and sliding an indicator guide around the alignment device;

aligning the indicator guide with a corresponding reference indicator by sighting the reference indicator through an indicator guide portal; and

affixing an end of the position pointer through an indicator guide receptacle and into a corresponding position receptacle.

11. A method for variably locating position pointers of claim 10 whereby the method for variably locating the position pointer into the position receptacle is selected from the group consisting of retractable spring loaded fitting, threaded fitting, and frictional fitting.

12. The golf alignment training device of claim 1 wherein said alignment device further comprises a means for confining the movement of the front foot position pointer, the rear foot position pointer, and the ball position pointer within a specific grouping of related reference indicators.

13. The alignment device of claim 12 whereby said means of confining the movement of the position pointers to a specific grouping of reference indicators is accomplished with a stop pin affixed to a stop receptacle on the alignment device.

14. The alignment device of claim 13 whereby said means of confining the movement of the position pointers is accomplished between the stop pins and stop receptacles are located on the alignment device at each end and at a dividing point between each grouping of reference indicators.

15. The alignment device of claim 14 whereby said means of confining the movement of the position pointers wherein the stop pins is affixed to the stop receptacles with at least one affixing means is selected from a group consisting of threaded, frictional, welded and bonded attachments.

16. The golf alignment training device of claim 7 wherein the first terminal end of the training device may be disposed at either terminal end of the terminal device.