GOLF ALIGNMENT AID

Abstract

The invention relates to a golf stance aid for a golfer. The golf stance aid includes a foot alignment member for aligning with the golfer's feet. The golf stance aid includes a ball alignment member. The ball alignment member has a golf ball indicator for positioning a golf ball. The ball alignment member has a swing alignment indicator. The swing alignment indicator is positioned to promote an inside-out swing path when the golfer swings a golf club between the swing alignment indicator and the foot alignment member on a downward path towards the golf ball. The golf stance aid includes a first connection member and a second connection member. The connection members pivotally connect the foot alignment member and ball alignment member to form an adjustable parallelogram structure.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/455,781, filed on Jun. 20, 2006, and entitled GOLF ALIGNMENT AID, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When a golfer is practising hitting golf balls, it is difficult to know if the golfer's swing path is correct.

The correct swing path with an iron club from the fairway is a downward strike that hits a golfball then carries on into the turf The most common mistake in this regard is trying to scoop the golf ball into the air with too shallow a swing plane.

The correct swing path with a driver and fairway clubs is from inside the ball flight line to square impact with the golfball. The most common swing path mistake when swinging a driver and fairway clubs is swinging the golf club from outside the ball flight line, where it is impossible to get the golf club face square at impact with the golf ball.

In both of the above situations, it is difficult for a golfer to identify and therefore correct these mistakes.

In trying to address these difficulties, golf stance aid devices have traditionally had numerous parts and a wide array of adjustment features. An example of this is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,234. The number of different features in this patent that need to be adjusted may become tedious for golfers. Furthermore, for novice golfers, these numerous features can be very overwhelming. At the other extreme, there exist golf stance aid devices which are too simplistic—merely allowing the golfers to align themselves perpendicular to the ball.

Accordingly, it is apparent that there is a need for a user-friendly but not simplistic golf stance aid for novice golfers that may overcome the above mentioned difficulties and disadvantages.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved golf alignment aid that overcomes the above disadvantages. More particularly, the present invention provides a golf aid stance device that promotes a correct golf stance with a correct a swing path for swinging the golf club from inside the ball flight line to square impact with the golf ball.

One aspect of this invention involves a golf stance aid for a golfer. The golf stance aid includes a foot alignment member for aligning with the golfer's feet. The golf stance aid includes a ball alignment member. The ball alignment member has a golf ball indicator for positioning a golfball. The ball alignment member has a swing alignment indicator. The swing alignment indicator is positioned to promote an inside-out swing path when the golfer swings a golf club between the swing alignment indicator and the foot alignment member on a downward path towards the golf ball. The golf stance aid includes a first connection member and a second connection member. The connection members pivotally connect the foot alignment member and ball alignment member to form an adjustable parallelogram structure.

In one embodiment, there may be a measuring member which attaches to the ball alignment member. The measuring member spans the distance between the foot alignment member and the ball alignment member. The measuring member has means for retaining indicia for recording changes in distance between the golf ball as aligned with the ball alignment member and the golfer's feet as aligned with the foot alignment member. When a golfer takes golf lessons, a golf instructor will provide the golfer with the correct distance of separation between the ball and the golfer's feet for a given golf club and golfer body-type. To precisely record this separation distance, the golf stance aid device allows the golfer to make indicia on the measuring member for each of the different positions. This thereby allows the golfer at a later time to practice with the correct golf stance, without the expense of continually having a golf instructor nearby.

Alternatively, the invention may be described as involving a method of promoting a set golf stance and golf swing through a golf stance aid. The golf stance aid includes a foot alignment member. The golf stance aid includes a ball alignment member which is parallel to the foot alignment member. The ball alignment has a golf ball indicator for positioning a golf ball. The ball alignment member has a swing alignment indicator. The golf stance aid includes a first connection member and a second connection member. The connection members pivotally connect the foot alignment member and ball alignment member to form an adjustable parallelogram structure. The method includes placing in front of a golfer's feet the golf stance aid. The method also includes positioning a golf ball as indicated by to the golf ball indicator. The method further includes adjusting the distance between the foot alignment member and ball alignment member by manipulating the adjustable parallelogram structure until a desired distance between the golfer's feet, as determined by the foot alignment member, and the golf ball, as determined by the ball alignment member, is obtained. The golfer's feet are aligned with the foot alignment member so that the swing alignment indicator is so positioned to promote an inside-out swing path when the golfer swings the golf club said downward path towards the golfball. The golf club is swung on a downward path towards the golfball so the golf club passes between the swing alignment indicator and the foot alignment member on said downward path.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the golf stance aid.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 1 where the golf stance aid is illustrated in collapsed form.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the golf stance aid where the members are tubes.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the golf stance with means for fixing the measuring member angle relative to the ball alignment member.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the golf stance with a modified ball alignment member for hitting a golfball off the grass while promoting an inside-out downward swing path.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 5 configured for hitting a golf ball off of a golf tee while promoting an inside-out downward swing path.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the golf stance where the swing alignment is one piece.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings and first to FIG. 1, a golf stance aid apparatus is illustrated generally at 1. The apparatus includes a foot alignment member 2 which aligns along a golfer's feet 18, and a ball alignment member 4 which aligns with a golf ball 17. The foot alignment member 2 and ball alignment member 4 are pivotally connected with pivots 13 by first connection member 6 and second connection member 8, respectively. An adjustable parallelogram structure is thus formed by foot alignment member 2, ball alignment member 4, first connection member 6, second connection member 8, and pivots 13.

The apparatus further includes a measuring member 10. The measuring member 10 has a first end 7 and a second end 9. In this embodiment, the measuring member 10 is pivotally connected to ball alignment member 4 at the second end 9 by pivot 14. Measuring member 10 has means 11 for retaining indicia 12. The indicia 12 are used for recording changes in distance between: the golf ball 17, as aligned with the ball alignment member 4, and a golfer's feet 18, as aligned by the foot alignment member 2. The indicia 12 may be based on the instructions of a golf instructor. The indicia 12 may be read in relation to the foot alignment member 2. More particularly, the measuring member may be used in reference to a point of intersection 15 with the foot alignment member 2. The indicia 12 correspond to a specific type of golf club and a recommended distance of separation between the golf ball 17 and the golfer's feet 18.

The indicia 12 may be read in relation to the foot alignment member 2. More particularly, the measuring member 10 may be used in reference to a point of intersection 15 with the foot alignment member 2.

A further embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 4, which illustrates a variation generally similar to the previous embodiment and like parts have like numbers with the additional numeral designation “.4”. In this embodiment, a means 20 is illustrated for fixing a set angle at which the measuring member 10.4 crosses both the foot alignment member 2.4 and ball alignment member 4.4. This means is exemplified by two holes 22 and 24, respectively in the measuring member 10.4 adjacent to the position where the measuring member 10.4 attaches to the ball alignment member 4.4, and two corresponding holes, 26 and 28, respectively, in the ball alignment member 4.4. The means 20 for fixing a set angle is achieved by aligning these said holes 22 and 26, with holes 24 and 28, respectively. This enables the measuring member 10.4 to be at 90 degrees to the foot alignment member 2.4. The holes 22 and 26 may be kept aligned with holes 24 and 28 through the use of nuts and bolts.

The measuring member 10.4 further includes tapered sides 30. The embodiment in FIG. 4 also illustrates that measure member 10.4 may act as a further alignment indicator for golf ball 17.4, in addition to the golf ball 17.4 aligning with the ball alignment member 4.4. Elaborating, the golf ball 17.4 in this embodiment should be placed substantially parallel to and extending from the measure member 4.4.

FIG. 4 also illustrates the golf stance aid apparatus 1.4 adjusted such that the foot alignment member 2.4 and ball alignment member 4.4 are separated by a maximum amount. This configuration of the golf stance aid apparatus 1.4 may be used when the golfer is using a driver golf club.

Referring now to FIG. 2, this illustrates the golf stance aid apparatus 1 in collapsed form. The pivots 13 and 14 enable the foot alignment member 2, ball alignment member 4, first connection member 6, second connection member 8, and measuring member 10 to align or collapse in a substantially parallel manner. This allows for easy storage of the golf stance aid apparatus 1.

For the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, all of the said members are bars made of steel with a protective paint coating 16. It will be appreciated, however, by those skilled in the art, that a number of variations of the invention are possible, including the members being made of such materials as other alloys, wood, types of plastic, and types of graphite.

A further alternative embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 3 which is generally similar to the previous embodiment and where like parts have like numbers with the additional numeral designation “.3”. In this example, instead of bars, tubes are used for foot alignment member 2.3, ball alignment member 4.3, first connection member 6.3, second connection member 8.3, and measuring member 10.3.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the invention, where like parts have like numbers with the additional numeral designation “.5”. Here the ball alignment member 4.5 comprises a first section 40 and a second section 42. The first section 40 of the ball alignment member 4.5 is a bar. The second section 42 of the alignment member 4.5 extends from the first section 40. The second section is in two parts in this embodiment and has a first aperture member 44 defining a first aperture 60 and a second aperture member 46 defining a second aperture 64.

The first aperture member 44 has a first portion 48 and a second portion 50, which together provide an L-shape form. The first portion 48 extends from the first section 40 of the ball alignment member 4.5. In this example, the first portion 48 is connected to the ball alignment member by bolts 52 and 54. The first portion 48 rests on the first section 40 of the ball alignment 4.5 and is adjacent to the member measuring member 10.5. The first portion 48 has an edge 56. The edge 56 is substantially parallel with the measuring member 10.5. The edge 56 may be used for aligning with the golf ball 17.5 which extends past the first portion 48 of the first aperture member 44. The edge 56 may also be referred to as the first part of a fairway ball indicator 61. The fairway ball indicator 61 is used by the golfer when the golfer hits the golf ball 17.5 off a fairway. The fairway ball indicator 61 is used to determine where the golf ball 17.5 should be relative to the golf stance aid apparatus.

The second portion 50 of the first aperture member 44 extends from the first portion 48 of the first aperture member 44. The second portion 50 defines the first aperture 60. The first aperture 60 is shaped for receiving a first golf tee 58. The first aperture 60 may be referred to as the second part of the fairway ball indicator 61, where the golf ball 17.5 may align with the first aperture 60 along axis 38. The fairway ball indicator 61 in this example thus comprises the first edge 56 and first aperture 60. The golf ball 17.5 is placed at the right-angled intersection of lines extending therefrom. The axis 38 is substantially parallel with axis 36 defined by the foot alignment member 2.5.

The first aperture 60 is so positioned as to promote an inside-out swing path when the golfer swings the golf club over the space between the first aperture 60 and the foot alignment member 2.5 on a downward path towards the golf ball 17.5. An example of this swing path is illustrated by arrow 63. In other words, the first aperture 60 may define a swing alignment indicator, and more specifically, a fairway swing alignment indicator 67. The more the golf club overlaps the fairway swing alignment indicator 67 on the swing path, the more this tends to inhibit the correct inside-out swing path. Accordingly, the golfer may monitor the swing path with respect to the fairway swing alignment indicator 67. This may be done by visually monitoring the swing path as the golf club is swung downward. Alternatively, the first aperture may hold a first golf tee 58, for example, a urethane golf tee holder. In this mode, the fairway swing alignment indicator 67 will point to an incorrect swing path when the first golf tee 58 is hit by the golf club on the downward swing.

In this embodiment, the second aperture member 46 is spaced-apart from the first aperture member 44. The second aperture member 46 is connected to the first section 40 of the ball alignment member 2.5 by bolts 66 in this example. The second aperture member 46 defines the second aperture 64. The second aperture 64 is so shaped as to receive a second golf tee 62.

Referring now to FIG. 6, this illustrates the mode for using the tee swing alignment indicator 71. The golf ball 17.5 is supported by the first golf tee 58 above the first aperture 60. The first aperture 60 in this mode is the tee ball indicator 69 for placing the golf ball. The second aperture 64 is so positioned as to promote an inside-out swing path when the golfer swings the golf club over the space between the second aperture 64 and the foot alignment member 2.5 on a downward path towards the golf ball 17.5. An example of this swing path is illustrated by arrow 65. In other words, the second aperture 64 may define a swing alignment indicator, and more specifically, a tee swing alignment indicator 71. The more the golf club overlaps the tee swing alignment indicator 71 on the swing path, the more this tends to inhibit the correct inside-out swing path. The golfer may monitor the swing path with respect to the tee swing alignment indicator 71 by visually monitoring the swing path as the golf club is swung downward. Alternatively, the second aperture may hold a second golf tee 62, for example, a long driving range tee or urethane tee holder. In this mode, the tee swing alignment indicator 71 will point to an incorrect swing path when the second golf tee 62 is hit by the golf club on the downward swing.

FIG. 7 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention, where like parts have like numbers with the additional numeral designation “.7”. This illustrates the fairway swing alignment indicator 67.7 where, instead of having a first aperture member 42 and a separate second aperture member 46, there is a single member 68. Otherwise, the embodiment of FIG. 7 is positioned and functions in a manner substantially similar to FIG. 5.

By way of example, dimensions for the golf alignment aid apparatus 1 in one embodiment of the invention such as illustrated in FIG. 1 may be as follows. The measuring member 10 is 30 inches in length. Both the foot alignment member 2 and ball alignment member 4 are 48 inches in length. The measuring member 10 is 12 inches to the right (from the perspective of FIG. 1) of the first connection member 6 as measured along ball alignment member 4. The measuring member 10 is 24 inches to the left (from the perspective of FIG. 1) of the second connection member 8 as measured along ball alignment member 4. The pivots 13 and 14 are hinges formed by ⅜ inch carriage bolts with wing nuts. The first golf tee 58 and second golf tee 62 are made of urethane that is soft enough to not damage the golf clubs, tough enough to withstand repeated impacts from the golf club, and stiff enough to stay in shape.

It will be understood by someone skilled in the art that many of the details provided above are by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is to be determined with reference to the following claims.

Claims

1. A golf stance aid for a golfer comprising:

a foot alignment member for aligning with the golfer's feet;

a ball alignment member having a golf ball indicator for positioning a golf ball and a swing alignment indicator, the swing alignment indicator being positioned to promote an inside-out swing path when the golfer swings a golf club between the swing alignment indicator and the foot alignment member on a downward path towards the golf ball; and

a first connection member and a second connection member, the connection members pivotally connecting the foot alignment member and ball alignment member to form an adjustable parallelogram structure.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the golf stance aid further includes a measuring member, the measuring member attaching to the ball alignment member and spanning a separating distance between the foot alignment member and the ball alignment member, the measuring member having means for retaining indicia for recording changes in the separating distance between the foot alignment member and the ball alignment member.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the measuring member has a point of intersection between the foot alignment member and the measuring member, said point of intersection aligning to corresponding indicium on the measuring member, the apparatus having means for fixing a set angle at which the measuring bar crosses both the foot alignment member and the ball alignment member.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the swing alignment indicator is a fairway swing alignment indicator, the fairway swing alignment indicator comprising a first aperture, the first aperture being defined by the ball alignment member.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first aperture is so shaped for receiving a first golf tee.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the golf ball indicator is a fairway ball indicator, the fairway ball indicator comprising a first part for positioning the golfball substantially parallel to the measuring member, the first part aligning with the measuring member.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the fairway ball indicator further comprises a second part for aligning the golf ball with the first aperture.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the foot alignment member defines an axis, the second part of the fairway ball indicator being so positioned to form a line with the golf ball that is substantially parallel said axis.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second part of the fairway ball indicator is the first aperture of the ball alignment member.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the golf ball indicator is a tee ball indicator, the tee ball indicator comprising a first aperture for receiving a first golf tee and thereby supporting the golf ball, the first aperture being defined by the ball alignment member, the swing alignment indicator being a tee swing alignment indicator, the tee swing alignment indicator comprising a second aperture, the second aperture being defined by the ball alignment member.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the second aperture is so shaped for receiving a second golf tee.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the second aperture of the ball alignment member aligns with the first aperture of the ball alignment member.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the foot alignment member defines an axis, the second aperture of the golf alignment member being so positioned to form a line with the first aperture of the ball alignment member that is substantially parallel to said axis.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the measuring member has a set of indicia where a specific indicium corresponds to a specific type of golf club and a recommended distance of separation between the golf ball as aligned by the ball alignment member and the golfer's feet as aligned by the foot alignment member.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the ball alignment member comprising a first section and a second section, the first section of the ball alignment member, the foot alignment member, the first connection member, and second connection member being bars, the second section of the ball alignment member extending from the golf alignment member, the second section of the ball alignment defining the first aperture and the second aperture.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, the second section of the ball alignment member being L-shaped.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, the second part of the ball alignment member comprising a first aperture member and a second aperture member, the first aperture member being adjacent to the measuring member, the first aperture member defining the first aperture, the first aperture member being L-shaped, the second aperture member extending from the ball alignment member, the second aperture member defining the second aperture.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the second part of the ball alignment member is made of urethane.

19. A method of promoting a set golf stance and golf swing through a golf stance aid, the golf stance aid comprising a foot alignment member, a ball alignment member which is parallel to the foot alignment member, the ball alignment having a golf ball indicator for positioning a golf ball, the ball alignment member having a swing alignment indicator, a first connection member and a second connection member, the connection members pivotally connecting the foot alignment member and ball alignment member to form an adjustable parallelogram structure, said method comprising:

placing the golf stance aid in front of a golfer's feet;

positioning the golf ball in a position as indicated by the golf ball indicator;

adjusting the distance between the foot alignment member and ball alignment member by manipulating the adjustable parallelogram structure until a desired distance is obtained between the golfer's feet, as determined by the foot alignment member, and the golf ball, as determined by the ball alignment member;

aligning the golfer's feet with the foot alignment member so that the swing alignment indicator is so positioned to promote an inside-out swing path when the golfer swings the golf club said downward path towards the golf ball; and

swinging a golf club on a downward path towards the golf ball so the golf club passes over a space between the swing alignment indicator and the foot alignment member on said downward path.

20. The method as claimed in claim 19, including the step of:

adjusting the distance between the foot alignment member and the ball alignment member by manipulating the adjustable parallelogram structure until a set distance between the golfer's feet and golfball is obtained, as determined by the set of indicia of the measuring member, wherein for the set of indicia, specific indicium is determined by each type of club to be used; and

marking an indicium on the measuring member corresponding to said desired distance for future reference.