Golf club trainer
A golf club trainer comprises a shaft having an upper end and a lower end, a grip attached to the upper end of the shaft and an integral oversized head attached to the lower end of the shaft for tapping a ball up and down on the integral oversized head. The golf training club is available in all types of golf clubs including drivers, woods, irons, wedges, hybrids and putters. In another embodiment, a removable oversized golf club head tap trainer comprises a paddle having a blade with a front planar surface and a rear surface, and attachment means for removably attaching the paddle to the head of the golf club. The removable oversized golf club head tap trainer is available in various sizes and shapes, and is available for removable attachment to all types of golf club heads including drivers, woods, irons, wedges, hybrids and putters.
The present invention relates generally to a golf training system and method, and more particularly to a golf club trainer for tapping a ball up and down on an oversized golf club head or a removable oversized golf club head tap trainer that is removably attachable to the head of a golf club for fun and improving eye-hand coordination, strength, agility and concentration.
A large number of golf training devices have been developed for use by golfers to aid them in developing and improving their swings. Unfortunately, many of these prior art devices are expensive to purchase, difficult to use and don't yield expected results. As a consequence, these devices have not gained much favor with a large number of golfers.
In addition to the golf training devices, games or other training systems have been developed for entertainment and improvement of eye-hand coordination, strength, agility and concentration. However, there are not many prior art golf training devices, games or systems that are designed to improve a golfer's eye-hand coordination, strength, agility and concentration.
Therefore, there is a need for a golf training device that is designed to improve a golfer's eye-hand coordination, strength, agility and concentration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a golf club trainer for tapping a ball up and down on an integral oversized head for improving eye-hand coordination, strength, agility and concentration. The golf club trainer preferably includes a grip, shaft and an integral oversized head to practice tapping a ball up and down on the oversized head. The integral oversized head preferably includes a hosel, an oversized front club face and an oversized rear. The golf club trainer is available in all types of golf clubs including drivers, woods, irons, wedges, hybrids and putters.
In another embodiment, the present invention provides a removable oversized golf club head tap trainer that is removably attachable to a golf club head for tapping a ball up and down on the removable oversized golf club head tap trainer for improving eye-hand coordination, strength, agility and concentration. The removable oversized golf club head tap trainer is preferably available in various sizes and shapes that are removably attachable to the golf club head. It works with all types of golf club heads including drivers, woods, irons, wedges, hybrids and putters.
The golf club head tap trainer preferably comprises a paddle having a blade with a front planar surface and a rear surface, and an attachment means for removably attaching the paddle to the golf club head. The paddle is preferably made of a somewhat stiff or rigid material that maintains its shape and is appropriate for bouncing a ball up and down thereon. The paddle is preferably larger than the golf club head to make it easier to bounce a ball up and down on the oversized paddle that is designed to simulate an actual golf club head. The paddle may come in a variety of sizes that a user can change based on his/her proficiency of taping the ball up in the air. For example, a novice would use the largest size paddle and then use paddles of decreasing size as he/she masters tapping the ball up in the air with one size paddle, he/she moves on to the next smaller sized paddle, or they may master tapping a ball up and down directly on the golf club head.
The attachment means preferably include a single-piece golf club head tap trainer that slips over and fits snuggly against the golf club head, at least one strip of flexible material that attaches to the rear surface of the blade and forms a loop for insertion of the golf club head, a pocket attached to the rear surface of the blade having an open end for inserting the golf club head therein and at least one strip of flexible material with one end attached to one surface of the blade and an opposite end releasably attached to the opposite surface of the blade for securing the golf club head in the pocket, a pocket attached to the rear surface of the blade with an upper open end for receiving the golf club head therein and an attachment flap extending above the upper open end for releasably closing the pocket with the golf club head inserted therein, and other attachment means.
Various other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be made apparent to those skilled in the art from the accompanying drawings and detailed description thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring now to the drawings,
The oversized head 14 is preferably 25% to 100% larger than a typical golf club head. The oversized head 14 may come in a variety of sizes that a user can use based on his/her proficiency of tapping a ball on the oversized front club face 24. For example, a novice would use a golf club trainer with the largest sized head and then use golf club trainers with heads of decreasing size as he/she masters tapping a ball up in the air with one sized head, he/she moves on to the next smaller sized head, etc. The smaller the head, the better eye-hand coordination, reflexes, agility and concentration are required.
The present invention is most particularly adapted for use in the development and improvement of eye-hand coordination, agility, reflexes and concentration in people of all ages. A user of the golf club trainer must constantly watch the flight of the ball to keep bouncing the ball up and down on the head. Successful execution of continuously tapping the ball requires constant and intense concentration in addition to good eye-hand coordination, reflexes and agility. Practice with the golf club trainer may improve a golfer's performance on the golf course. The present invention also improves arm strength and promotes the proper golf club grip. With enough practice, eventually, a user will be able to bounce a golf ball successfully on the club face of any golf club.
The removable oversized golf club head tap trainer 34 preferably comprises a paddle 40 having a blade 42 with a front planar surface 44, a rear surface 46 and an attachment means 48 for removably attaching the golf club head 36 to the paddle 40. The paddle 40 is preferably made of a somewhat stiff or rigid material to that maintains its shape and is appropriate for bouncing a ball up and down thereon. The paddle 40 is preferably removably attachable to the golf club head 36 through a plurality of different attachment means 48. The attachment means 48 preferably include fitting or slipping the golf club head tap trainer 34 over the golf club head 36, straps for holding the golf club head tap trainer 34 on the golf club head 36, and Velcro or other releasable attachment means for attaching the golf club head tap trainer 34 to the golf club head 36.
The paddle 40 is preferably 25% to 100% larger than the actual golf club head 36. The paddle 40 may come in a variety of sizes that a user can use based on his/her proficiency of tapping a ball 38 on the paddle 40. For example, a novice would use the largest sized paddle and then use paddles of decreasing size as he/she masters tapping a ball up in the air with one sized paddle, he/she moves on to the next smaller sized paddle, etc. The smaller the paddle, the better the eye-hand coordination, reflexes, agility and concentration are required.
The golf club head tap trainer 52 preferably comprises a paddle 56 having a blade 58 with a front planar surface 60 and a rear surface 62, and an attachment means 64 for removably attaching the paddle 56 to the golf club head 50. The paddle 56 is preferably made of a somewhat stiff or rigid material that maintains its shape and is appropriate for bouncing a ball up and down thereon. The paddle 56 and attachment means 64 are preferably an injection molded single-piece design that slips over and fits snuggly against the golf club head 50. The paddle 56 is preferably larger than the golf club head 50 to make it easier to bounce a ball up and down on the oversized paddle 56 that is designed to simulate an actual golf club head. The blade 56 is essentially oblong in shape to simulate an oversized face of a golf club head.
While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain substitutions, alterations and omissions may be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is meant to be exemplary only, and should not limit the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. A golf club training device comprising
- a substantially linear shaft having an upper end and a lower end;
- a grip attached to the upper end of the shaft; and
- an integral, oversized paddle attached to the lower end of the shaft, the paddle including an upwardly disposed planar surface for tapping a ball up and down on the upwardly disposed planar surface of the integral oversized paddle.
2. A training device comprising:
- a paddle having an outer surface that is removably attachable to a golf club head; and
- attachment means disposed on the outer surface of the paddle for removably attaching the golf club head to the outer surface of the paddle.
3. The training device of claim 2, wherein the paddle includes a blade with a front planar surface and a rear surface.
4. The training device of claim 2, wherein the paddle is made of a stiff or rigid material that maintains its shape and is appropriate for tapping a ball up and down on the paddle.
5. The training device of claim 2, wherein the paddle is oversized and larger than the golf club head.
6. The training device of claim 2, wherein the paddle is available in various shapes and sizes.
7. The training device of claim 2, wherein the attachment means is made of a flexible material.
8. The training device of claim 2, wherein the attachment means is made of a flexible resilient material that is integral with the paddle and includes an opening for receiving the golf club head therein.
9. The training device of claim 8, wherein the attachment means slips over and fits snuggly against the golf club head.
10. The training device of claim 3, wherein the attachment means includes at least one strip of flexible material that attaches to the rear surface of the blade and forms a loop for insertion of the golf club head therein.
11. The training device of claim 3, wherein the attachment means includes a pocket attached to the rear surface of the blade with an open end for insertion of the golf club head therein.
12. The training device of claim 11, wherein the attachment means further includes at least one strip of flexible material that wraps around the hosel of the golf club head for securing the golf club head in the pocket.
13. The training device of claim 3, wherein the attachment means includes a pocket attached to the rear surface of the blade with an upper open end for receiving the golf club head therein and an attachment flap extending above the upper open end for releasably closing the upper open end of the pocket.
14. A golf club head tap trainer comprising:
- a paddle having a blade with a front planar surface and a an exterior rear surface, wherein the paddle is removably attachable to a golf club head; and
- attachment means for removably attaching the golf club head to the exterior rear surface of the paddle.
15. The golf club head tap trainer of claim 14, wherein the paddle is made of a stiff or rigid material that maintains its shape and is appropriate for tapping a ball up and down on the paddle.
16. The golf club head tap trainer of claim 14, wherein the attachment means is made of a flexible resilient material that is integral with the paddle and includes an opening for receiving the golf club head therein.
17. The golf club head tap trainer of claim 14, wherein the attachment means includes at least one strip of flexible material that attaches to the rear surface of the blade and forms a loop for insertion of the golf club head therein.
18. The golf club head tap trainer of claim 14, wherein the attachment means includes a pocket attached to the rear surface of the blade with an open end for insertion of the golf club head therein.
19. The golf club head tap trainer of claim 18, wherein the attachment means further includes at least one strip of flexible material that wraps around the hosel of the golf club head for securing the golf club head in the pocket.
20. The golf club head tap trainer of claim 14, wherein the attachment means includes a pocket attached to the rear surface of the blade with an upper open end for receiving the golf club head therein and an attachment flap extending above the upper open end for releasably closing the upper open end of the pocket.
Type: Application
Filed: May 10, 2005
Publication Date: Nov 16, 2006
Inventor: B. Gruenke (Delafield, WI)
Application Number: 11/126,136
International Classification: A63B 69/36 (20060101);