Golf Teaching Aid
There is described a golf teaching aid provided with a central body (1), elongate target alignment means (2) projecting from the eternal body (1), a putting alignment bar (12) connected to one side of the central body, and one or more club alignment bars (10, 11) connected to an opposite side of the central body in alignment with the putting alignment bar and substantially at a right angle to the target alignment means. The target alignment means can be an elongate bar extending through the central body. In one form, a curved putting guide (13) is mounted to the putting alignment bar (12) to extend alongside that bar. In another form, at least one of the putting alignment bar (12) and the club alignment bars (10, 11) is pivotable sidewardly relative to the target alignment means (2). At least one of the club alignment bars can also have a curved swing guide (25, 26) extending from an outer end distal from the central body (1). A golfer can use the golf teaching aid to practice various golf strokes using different golf clubs.
The present invention relates to a golf teaching aid for a golf player to practice correct golf stance and shots when using different golf clubs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMany golf players incorrectly address the ball on the tee-off area, on fairways, in the rough and on the putting green. As a result, the golf ball is often mis-hit.
Golf teaching aids are known in the art but are generally cumbersome, can be distracting to the eye, and can be damaged or dislodged from their set position if struck by the golf if the golf swing is misjudged. The existing golf teaching aids are also typically rigid in nature and so do not adequately permit the player to practice restricted golf shots as may be required in a hazard area during a game of golf. In addition, conventional golf teaching aids typically do not provide for necessary adjustment of the target line so that the player can better visualize the path the golf ball will take when struck.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one aspect of the present invention there is provided a golf teaching aid, comprising:
a central body;
elongate target alignment means projecting from the central body;
a putting alignment bar connected to one side of the central body;
a curved putting guide mounted to the putting alignment bar to extend alongside the putting alignment bar; and
one or more club alignment bars connected to an opposite side of the central body in alignment with the putting alignment bar substantially at a right angle to the target alignment means, at least one of the club alignment bars having a curved swing guide extending from an outer end distal from the central body.
Typically, the central body will include elongate attachment means to which the putting alignment bar and the one or more club alignment bars are mounted.
Typically also, at least one of the putting alignment bar and club alignment bars will be respectively pivotable sidewardly.
Accordingly, in another aspect of the invention there is provided a golf teaching aid, comprising:
a central body;
target alignment means projecting from the central body;
a putting alignment bar connected to one side of the central body; and
one or more club alignment bars connected to an opposite side of the central body alignment with the putting alignment bar, at least one of the putting alignment bar and the club alignment bars being respectively pivotable sidewardly from a position substantially at a right angle relative to the target alignment means.
In another aspect of the invention there is provided a golf teaching aid, comprising:
a central body;
target alignment means projecting from the central body;
a putting alignment bar connected to one side of the central body;
a curved putting guide mounted to the putting alignment bar to extend alongside the putting alignment bar; and
one or more club alignment bars connected to an opposite side of the central body in alignment with the putting alignment bar substantially at a right angle to the target alignment means.
In another aspect of the invention there is provided a golf teaching aid, comprising:
a central body;
target alignment means projecting from the central body;
a putting alignment bar connected to one side of the central body; and
one or more club alignment bars connected to an opposite side of the central body in alignment with the putting alignment bar substantially at a right angle to the target alignment means, at least one of the club alignment bars having a curved swing guide extending from an outer end distal from the central body.
Typically, a teaching aid embodied by the invention will comprise long and short club alignment members, the long club member and the short club member being independently pivotable relative to one another.
Generally, the target alignment means will project from opposite further sides of the central body. Most preferably, the target alignment means will comprise an elongate member extending from each of the further sides of the central body. The target alignment means is used to visualise the path of the golf ball to its landing point (often referred to as the target line) and normally, will have guide markings spaced apart from one another in a lengthwise direction of the target alignment means.
As will be understood, a golfer can use golf teaching aids embodied by the invention to correctly position themselves when addressing the golf ball in different situations. By providing a visual guide, embodiments of golf teachings aids of the invention can teach the golfer correct positioning of the golf club face to the golf ball, correct stance (eg., alignment of the player's shoulders and feet) relative to the target line and/or golf ball, and/or correct hand swing and/or movement of the golf club for different golf strokes when playing a round of golf.
Moreover, by providing golf teaching aids in which the club alignment bar(s) are pivotable relative to central body of the golf teaching aid, the player can practise golfing stance, club positioning and club movement when playing restricted golf shots that may be needed in a hazard area such as in a sand bunker or in close proximity to trees or shrubs. Advantageously, embodiments with a pivotable putting alignment bar and/or club alignment bar(s) can also be folded into a compact size facilitating transport and storage.
Any discussion of documents, acts materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the relevant field of technology as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
The features and advantages of the invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
It will be understood like reference numerals designate like parts in the accompanying drawings.
The golf teaching aid illustrated in the drawings can be formed from any suitable plastics material such as high density polyethylene (HDPE), and comprises a central body in the form of a cross-shaped central housing unit 1. Target alignment means consisting of a flat, target alignment bar 2 extends horizontally through the centre of the central housing unit 1. In use, the golf teaching aid is positioned flatly on the ground with the target alignment bar 2 aligned to the desired direction of travel of the golf ball.
The target alignment bar is secured in place by end plugs 6 and 7 of the central housing unit and is provided with guide markings 33 and 34 spaced apart from one another at regular intervals along the bar (see
The central housing unit includes attachment means in the form of a short, flat attachment bar 3 which extends through the centre of the central housing unit 1 substantially at a right to the target alignment bar 2. The attachment bar 3 is secured in place by the central housing unit end plugs 8 and 9, and provides a support for the putting alignment bar 12 and the club alignment bars 10 and 11.
A pin 5 secures the putting alignment bar 12 to the attachment bar 3 (see
As further shown in
Depending on what type of golf stroke is being practised, the golfer aligns their front or back foot 32 and their shoulders with the putting alignment bar 12 substantially square to the target alignment bar 1 (see
The flat, long club alignment bar 10 is connected to the attachment bar 3 by a pin 4 which permits pivoting of the bar 10 through an arc greater than 180° as also shown in
The flat, short club alignment bar 11 is also pivotally connected to the attachment bar 3 by the pin 4 and overlies the long club alignment bar 10 (eg., see
A flat, curved swing guide 25 also projects out of end cap 23 of the short club alignment bar (see
As can be seen in
In addition, embodiments of golf teaching aids as described herein can be used to practice difficult golf strokes as may be required in hazard areas of a golf course. For example, the golfer can adjust their stance with reference to the putting alignment bar and target alignment bar so as to be in an offset position as may be necessary. If needed or desirable, the long club alignment bar 10 or short club alignment bar can also be pivoted relative to the target alignment bar, and the curved swing guide 25 or 26 used to visualize hand swing line and/or path of travel in such instances.
Both the long and short alignment bars 10 and 11 will pivot sidewardly out of the way if struck by a golf club to minimise damage to the club face or injury to the golfer. Moreover, the illustrated embodiment when used correctly does not inhibit the golf player's “take away”, down swing and follow through with the golf club.
It will be understood by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.
Claims
1. A golf teaching aid, comprising:
- a central body;
- elongate target alignment means projecting from the central body;
- a putting alignment bar connected to one side of the central body;
- a curved putting guide mounted to the pulling alignment bar to extend alongside the putting alignment bar; and
- one or more club alignment bars connected to an opposite side of the central body in alignment with the putting alignment bar substantially at a right angle to the target alignment means, at least one of the club alignment bars having a curved swing guide extending from an outer end distal from the central body.
2. A golf teaching aid according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the putting alignment bar and the club alignment bars are respectively pivotable sidewardly.
3. A teaching aid according to claim 2 comprising long and short said club alignment means, the long club alignment member and the short club alignment member being independently pivotable relative to one another.
4. A teaching aid according to claim 2 wherein the putting alignment bar is pivotable relative to the target alignment means
5. A golf teaching aid according to claim 1 wherein the target alignment means projects from opposite further sides of the central body.
6. A golf teaching aid according to claim 5 wherein the target alignment means comprise an elongate member extending through the central body.
7. A golf teaching aid according to claim 1 wherein the central body includes elongate attachment means to which the putting alignment bar and the one or more club alignment bars are mounted.
8. A golf teaching aid according to 7 wherein the central body is a cross-shaped housing unit receiving the attachment means, the attachment means being an attachment bar disposed substantially perpendicularly to the target alignment means.
9. A golf teaching aid according to claim 1 wherein the curved putting guide is adapted for being selectively orientated to one side of the putting alignment bar or to an opposite side of the putting alignment guide.
10. A golf teaching aid according to claim 1 wherein the curved swing guide is adapted for being selectively oriented to one side of the corresponding said club alignment bar or to an opposite side of the club alignment bar.
11. A golf teaching aid, comprising:
- a central body;
- elongate target alignment means projecting from the central body;
- a putting alignment bar connected to one side of the central body; and
- one or more club alignment bars connected to an opposite side of the central body in alignment with the putting alignment bar, at least one of the putting alignment bar and the club alignment bars being respectively pivotable sidewardly from a position substantially at a right angle relative to the target alignment means.
12. A teaching aid according to claim 11 comprising long and short said club alignment means, the long club alignment member and the short club alignment member being independently pivotable relative to one another.
13. A teaching aid according to claim 11 wherein the putting alignment bar is pivotable relative to the target alignment means.
14. A golf teaching aid according to claim 11 wherein the target alignment means comprises an elongate bar projecting from opposite further sides of the central body.
15. A golf teaching aid according to claim 11 wherein the central body incorporates elongate attachment means to which the putting alignment bar and the one or more club alignment bars are mounted.
16. A golf teaching aid, comprising:
- a central body;
- elongate target alignment means projecting from the central body;
- a putting alignment bar connected to one side of the central body;
- a curved putting guide mounted to the putting alignment bar to extend alongside the putting alignment bar; and
- one or more club alignment bars connected to an opposite side of the central body in alignment with the putting alignment bar substantially at a right angle to the target alignment means.
17. A golf teaching aid according to claim 16 wherein the curved putting guide is adapted for being selectively orientated to face right or left relative to the putting alignment bar.
18. A golf teaching aid according to claim 16 wherein at least one of the putting alignment bar and the club alignment bars are respectively pivotable sidewardly.
19. A teaching aid according to claim 18 comprising long and short said club alignment means, the long club alignment member and the short club alignment member being independently pivotable relative to one another.
20. A teaching aid according to claim 18 wherein the putting alignment bar is pivotable relative to the target alignment means.
21. A golf teaching aid according to claim 16 wherein the target alignment means comprises an elongate bar projecting from opposite further sides of the central body.
22. A golf teaching aid according to claim 16 wherein the central body incorporates elongate attachment means to which the putting alignment bar and the one or more club alignment bars are mounted.
23. A golf teaching aid, comprising:
- a central body;
- target alignment means projecting from the central body;
- a putting alignment bar connected to one side of the central body; and
- one or more club alignment bars connected to an opposite side of the central body in alignment with the putting alignment bar substantially at a right angle to the target alignment means, at least one of the club alignment bars having a curved swing guide extending from an outer end distal from the central body.
24. A golf teaching aid according to claim 23 wherein the curved swing guide can be selectively oriented to one side of the corresponding said club alignment bar or to an opposite side of the club alignment bar.
25. A gold teaching aid according to claim 23 wherein at least one of the putting alignment bar and the club alignment bars are respectively pivotable sidewardly.
26. A teaching aid according to claim 25 comprising long and short said club alignment means, the long club alignment member and the short club alignment member being independently pivotable relative to one another.
27. A teaching aid according to claim 25 wherein the putting alignment bar is pivotable relative to the target alignment means.
28. A golf teaching aid according to claim 23 wherein the target alignment means comprises an elongate bar projecting from opposite further sides of the central body.
29. A golf teaching aid according to claim 23 wherein the central body incorporates elongate attachment means to which the putting alignment bar and the one or more club alignment bars are mounted.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 29, 2006
Publication Date: Jun 14, 2007
Inventor: Dennis Henderson (Salamander Bay)
Application Number: 11/564,445
International Classification: A63B 69/36 (20060101);