Golf swing practice device

Abstract

A modular golf swing practice device includes a base, a post removably coupled to the base, an arm removably coupled to the post, and a practice ball tethered to the arm. The post extends upright from the base and the arm extends from the post in a direction opposite the base. A non-rotatable means of tethering a ball to the arm is provided to permit the tether to wrap around the arm when the ball is struck with sufficient force.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/703,742, filed 29 Jul. 2005, entitled “Golf Swing Practice Device.”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to portable devices for practicing a golf swing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a golf swing practice device that is of simple construction and cost-effective to manufacture.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a golf swing practice device that is readily portable.

In accordance with these objects, a modular golf swing practice device is provided that includes a base, a post removably coupled to the base, an arm removably coupled to the post, and a practice ball tethered to the arm.

According to one aspect of the invention, the post extends upright from the base and the arm extends from the post. A non-rotatable means for attaching a ball to the arm with a tether is provided to permit the tether to wrap around the arm when the ball is struck with sufficient force.

According to another aspect of the invention, the base is a modular unit comprising a front leg, a rear leg, a first side leg, and a second side leg. The front, rear, and side legs are adapted to be removably coupled together to form the base.

Another aspect of the invention provides means for tethering a second practice ball to the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf swing practice device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a practice ball which may be tethered to the ball holder.

FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating a golfer striking a ball carried by the arm of the device with a club.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the string wound around the arm after the golfer has struck the ball with the club.

FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating a golfer striking a ball carried by the base of the device with a club.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a golf swing practice device or golf ball holder 10 having a tubular, modular arrangement. The ball holder 10 comprises a base 12 that rests on a surface 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 12 comprises a front leg 16, a rear leg 18, and a pair of opposed side legs 20 which are coupled together by a series of base elbows 22 or other suitable coupling means. Extending upright from the front leg 16 of the base 12 is a post 24. The post 24 is positioned at an approximately 90 degree angle relative to the base 12 or other suitable angle. The post 24 is desirably coupled to the base 12 by a T-fitting 26 or other coupling means. An arm 28 extends from the post 24 at an approximately 90 degree angle relative to the post 24 in a direction opposite the base 12 and may be coupled to the post 24 by an elbow 30. An endcap 32 may be placed over the free end 34 of the arm 28 to provide a smooth surface at the free end 34. Elbows 22 and 30 and T-fitting 26 may be secured in the assembled position by screws or other fastening elements for additional stability. If permanent assembly is desired, elbows 22 and 30 and T-fitting 26 may by permanently fixed by adhesive.

In a preferred embodiment, the individual modular components of the ball holder 10 are formed of a lightweight and durable material and are of a hollow, tubular configuration. The modular arrangement provides for easy assembly and disassembly of the ball holder 10 for transport. The ease of transport and assembly allows the ball holder 10 to be used in a variety of both indoor and outdoor settings. While the illustrated embodiment shows a base 12 having a square configuration, the base 12 may be sized and configured in any suitable manner which permits the ball holder 10 to rest securely in an upright position, e.g., rectangular. The ball holder 10 is desirably also configured to rest on various surfaces, e.g., outdoors on lawn or payment, or indoors on carpet or hard flooring.

A first end 36 of a string or tether 38 is tied to the arm 28 near the arm free end 34 such that the end 36 is fixedly attached to the arm 28 and therefore not free to rotate circumferentially around the arm 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the arm 28 includes a pair of holes 40 through which the string 38 may be passed. In an alternative embodiment, the string 38 may be tied to the arm 28 by use of a ring or eyelet extending from the arm 28 (not shown). A practice ball 42, desirably a lightweight plastic ball, is tied to the other end 44 of the string 38, e.g., by an eyelet 46. The string 38 has a length such that the ball 42 just touches the surface 14. The length may be selected so as to accommodate placement of a conventional golf tee beneath the ball 42 if desired (not shown). FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a practice ball 42′ in which the ball 42′ is a slotted wiffle-type ball. The string 38 may be passed through one or more slots 48 to secure the ball 42′ to the string 38.

In use, the golfer assures that the string 38 is not wrapped around the arm 28 and that the ball 42 just touches the surface 14. The golfer then strikes the ball 42 with a club 50, as shown in FIG. 3. Because the end 36 is not free to rotate, the string 38, or at least a portion of it, will wrap around the arm 28 upon striking of the ball 42 while remaining tethered to the ball 42, as shown in FIG. 4.

With reference again to FIG. 1, the base 12 may also provide a means for securing a second practice ball 42 to the ball holder 10 at a position along the base 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the rear leg 18 of the base 12 includes a pair of holes 52 for receiving a pin 54 or other anchoring device which may be driven into the ground 14, making the ball holder 10 well-suited to outdoor use. The pin 54 may include an eyelet 56 or other means for tying a first end 36 of a string 38 to the pin 54. The practice ball 42 is tied to the other end 44 of the string 38, e.g., by an eyelet 46, as previously described.

FIG. 5 illustrates use of the second practice ball 42. The golfer first secures the pin 54 in the ground surface 14 and positions the ball 42. In desired, the ball 42 may be placed on a conventional golf tee (not shown). The golfer then strikes the ball 42 with the club 50 to move or advance the ball 42 to the full extension of the string 38 while the ball 42 remains tethered to the pin 54.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention.

Claims

1. A golf swing practice device comprising:

a base;

a post extending from said base and removably coupled to said base;

an arm extending from the post and removably coupled to said post; and

nonrotatable attachment means for attaching a practice ball to said arm with a tether to permit the tether to wrap around the arm when the ball is struck with sufficient force.

2. The golf swing practice device of claim 1 wherein said post extends upright from said base at approximately 90 degrees to the base.

3. The golf swing practice device of claim 2 wherein said post is removable coupled to said base by a t-fitting.

4. The golf swing practice device of claim 1 wherein said arm extends from said post at an angle of approximately 90 degrees.

5. The golf swing practice device of claim 4 wherein said arm is removably coupled to said post by an elbow fitting.

6. The golf swing practice device of claim 1 further comprising a second nonrotatable attachment means for attaching a second ball to said base.

7. The golf swing practice device of claim 6 wherein said second nonrotatable attachment means comprises a tether having a first end attached to said base at an attachment point and a second end connected to said ball.

8. The golf swing practice device of claim 1 wherein said base further comprises:

a front leg;

a rear leg;

a first side leg; and

a second side leg.

9. The golf swing practice device of claim 8 wherein said front leg, rear leg, first side leg, and second side leg are removably coupled together to form said base.

10. The golf swing practice device of claim 8 wherein said front leg, rear leg, first side leg, and second side leg are removably coupled together by elbow fittings.

11. The golf swing practice device of claim 1 wherein said nonrotatable attachment means comprises a tether having a first end attached to said arm at an attachment point and a second end connected to said ball.

12. The golf swing practice device of claim 11 wherein the first end of said tether is attached to said arm by passage through an eyelet extending from said arm.

13. The golf swing practice device of claim 11 wherein the ball includes an eyelet for attachment to the second end of said tether.

14. The golf swing practice device of claim 11 wherein said ball includes at least one slot permitting passage of said tether though said ball for attachment of said ball to said tether.

15. The golf swing practice device of claim 8 further comprising a second nonrotatable attachment means for tethering a second ball to said base.

16. The golf swing practice device of claim 15 wherein said second tethering means comprises a pin sized and configured for attachment to the base by passage through at least one opening in said base; and wherein a ball is tethered to said pin.

17. The golf swing practice device of claim 16 wherein said pin includes an eyelet for tying a tether to said pin.

18. The golf swing practice device of claim 8 further comprising a pair of holes extending through said rear leg of said base, said pair of holes being adapted for receiving an anchoring device therethrough.

19. The golf swing practice device of claim 18 wherein said anchoring device is a pin adapted to be driven through said pair of holes to anchor said base.

20. A method of practicing a golf swing comprising:

providing a golf swing practice device, said golf swing practice device including a base; a post extending from said base and removably coupled to said base; an arm extending from the post and removably coupled to said post; and nonrotatable attachment means for attaching a practice ball to said arm with a tether to permit the tether to wrap around the arm when the ball is struck with sufficient force; swinging a preselected golf club to strike said practice ball; and observing said tether wrap around said arm.