GOLFING AID AND GOLF TRAINING SYSTEM

Abstract

A golfing aid, in particular a golf training aid for promoting a correct swing path and alignment, both when hitting golf balls with irons and woods and putting with a putter, and a golf training system.

Description

The present invention relates to a golfing aid, in particular a golf training aid for promoting a correct swing path and alignment, both when hitting golf balls with irons and woods and putting with a putter, and a golf training system.

Very many golfing aids and golf training systems have been developed which promote a good swing path and provide for alignment, but these aids and systems tend to be cumbersome and expensive.

One example is disclosed in US-A-2006/0019763, which discloses a golf training system for teaching correct alignment and stance to a golfer. This golf training system is relatively complex in being foldable and utilizing sliding mechanisms for positioning the respective members of the system in dependence upon the required use. Also, differently from the present invention, the golf training system does not provide members for promoting a desired swing path, but is concerned only with alignment and positioning of the feet of the user.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a golfing aid, in particular a golf training aid for promoting a correct swing path and alignment, which is of simple construction, and a golf training system.

In one aspect the present invention provides a golf training system, comprising a plurality of separate elongate members, each including a plurality of interconnected elements having a configuration representative of a succession of golf balls, wherein at least one of the elongate members comprises a curved member as a swing path alignment aid.

In one embodiment the elements of the at least one curved member each have successive angular rotations of about 1 degree.

In one embodiment the system comprises a plurality of curved members as swing path alignment aids.

In one embodiment the system comprises at least one linear member as a stance positioning aid.

In one embodiment the system comprises a plurality of linear members as stance positioning aids.

In one embodiment the system comprises at least one linear member as a putting swing path alignment aid.

In one embodiment the linear member has a flat upper surface and includes a recess therein for retaining a golf ball to be putted, such as to allow a golf ball to be putted therealong.

In one embodiment the system comprises a plurality of linear members as putting swing path alignment aids, wherein the linear members each have flat upper surfaces such as to be locatable adjacent one another to provide a flat linear track, and one of the linear members includes a recess therein for retaining a golf ball to be putted, such as to allow the golf ball to be putted therefrom along the track.

In one embodiment the elements comprise substantially circular elements.

In one embodiment adjacent ones of the elements merge into one another, such as to represent a continuous flow of golf balls.

In one embodiment the elongate members each have a thickness of at most about 5 mm.

In one embodiment the elongate members are each integrally formed.

In another aspect the present invention provides a method of training a golfer, comprising the steps of: arranging a plurality of separate elongate members, each including a plurality of interconnected elements having a configuration representative of a succession of golf balls, in a desired configuration, including at least one curved member as a swing path alignment aid; and the golfer swinging a golf club and using the curved member as a swing path alignment aid.

In one embodiment, in the arranging step, a plurality of curved members are arranged as swing path alignment aids.

In one embodiment, in the arranging step, at least one linear member is arranged as a stance positioning aid.

In one embodiment, in the arranging step, a plurality of linear members are arranged as stance positioning aids.

In a further aspect the present invention provides a golf swing path alignment aid, comprising a curved elongate member including a plurality of interconnected elements, wherein the elements have a configuration representative of a succession of golf balls.

In one embodiment the elements of the curved member each have successive angular rotations of about 1 degree.

In one embodiment the elements comprise substantially circular elements.

In one embodiment adjacent ones of the elements merge into one another, such as to represent a continuous flow of golf balls.

In one embodiment the elongate member has a thickness of at most about 5 mm.

In a still further aspect the present invention provides a putting swing path alignment aid, comprising a linear elongate member including a plurality of interconnected elements, wherein the elements have a configuration representative of a succession of golf balls and define a flat upper surface which includes a recess therein for retaining a golf ball to be putted, such as to allow the golf ball to be putted therealong.

In one embodiment the elements comprise substantially circular elements.

In one embodiment adjacent ones of the elements merge into one another, such as to represent a continuous flow of golf balls.

In one embodiment the elongate member has a thickness of at most about 5 mm.

In a yet further aspect the present invention provides a golf training aid, comprising an elongate member including a plurality of interconnected elements, wherein the elements have a configuration representative of a succession of golf balls.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described hereinbelow by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a golf training system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2(a) and (b) illustrate plan and end views of a golf training aid in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention as part of the golf training system of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3(a) and (b) illustrate plan and end views of a golf training aid in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention as part of the golf training system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates golf training aids of the golf training system of FIG. 1 in one mode of use;

FIG. 5 illustrates golf training aids of the golf training system of FIG. 1 in another mode of use;

FIG. 6 illustrates golf training aids of the golf training system of FIG. 1 in a further mode of use;

FIG. 7 illustrates golf training aids of the golf training system of FIG. 1 in a still further mode of use;

FIG. 8 illustrates golf training aids of the golf training system of FIG. 1 in a yet further mode of use;

FIG. 9 illustrates golf training aids of the golf training system of FIG. 1 in a still yet further mode of use; and

FIG. 10 illustrates golf training aids of the golf training system of FIG. 1 in yet another mode of use.

The golf training system comprises a set of golfing aids 3, 5, in this embodiment comprising a plurality of, here four, first, linear alignment aids 3a-d, and a plurality of, here two, second, curved alignment aids 5a, b, which allow for a plurality of different modes of use, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow.

In this embodiment the alignment aids 3, 5 are each integrally formed of a plastics material, typically polyethylene, which confers sufficient resilience should the alignment aids 3, 5 be struck by a golf club, and are of a size which allows for storage in a golf bag.

In an alternative embodiment the alignment aids 3, 5 could be formed of a flexible material, typically a rubber material, which allows for the alignment aids 3, 5 to be folded when stored and also confers resilience should the alignment aids 3, 5 be struck by a golf club.

In this embodiment the under faces of the alignment aids 3, 5 have a rough finish, here a 44 VDI rough spark finish. In this embodiment the upper faces of the alignment aids 3, 5 have a fine matt finish, here a 21 VDI fine matt finish.

Referring to FIGS. 2(a) and (b), the linear alignment aids 3a-d each comprise a plurality of interconnected elements 7, which are each representative of a golf ball and define a linear structural member.

In this embodiment the linear alignment aids 3a-d each comprise ten elements 7, but it will be understood that the present invention can encompass any number of elements 7, preferably at least five elements 7, such as to provide shorter or longer lengths. Where the linear alignment aids 3a-d are shorter lengths, a longer length can be achieved by laying the alignment aids 3a-d end on end. In this embodiment a length of ten elements 7 has been found to be optimal when balancing the aspects of use and portability, insofar as the golf training system ideally should allow for storage in a golf bag.

In this embodiment the elements 7 are substantially circular, but in other embodiments could have any form, such as polygonal, which is representative of a golf ball.

In this embodiment adjacent ones of the elements 7 overlap, such as to represent a continuous flow of golf balls.

In another embodiment adjacent ones of the elements 7 could be configured so as to be in abutting relation.

In a further embodiment adjacent ones of the elements 7 could be spaced.

In this embodiment the elements 7 are flat. As will be described in more detail hereinbelow, the flat, upper face of the elements 7 provides a path along which a golf ball can be putted.

In this embodiment the elements 7 have a diameter of about 51 mm, a thickness of about 3 mm, and an overlap of about 2 mm.

In this embodiment one element 7 of each of the linear alignment aids 3a-d includes a recess 11, which is sufficient to prevent a golf ball from rolling off the element 7, thereby facilitating the use of the alignment aids 3a-d for putting, where a golf ball has to be stationary prior to being struck.

In another embodiment one element 7 of only one or some of the linear alignment aids 3a-d could include a recess 11.

Referring to FIGS. 3(a) and (b), the curved alignment aids 5a, b each comprise a plurality of interconnected elements 7 which are each representative of a golf ball and define a curved structure.

In this embodiment the curved alignment aids 5a, b each comprise ten elements 15, but it will be understood that the present invention can encompass any number of elements 15, preferably at least five elements 15, such as to provide shorter or longer lengths. Again, where the alignment aids 5a, b are shorter lengths, a longer length can be achieved by laying the alignment aids 5a, b end on end. As described hereinabove, in this embodiment a length of ten elements 15 has been found to be optimal when balancing the aspects of use and portability, insofar as the golf training system ideally should allow for storage in a golf bag.

In this embodiment the elements 15 are substantially circular, but in other embodiments could have any form, such as polygonal, which is representative of a golf ball.

In this embodiment adjacent ones of the elements 15 overlap, such as to represent a continuous flow of golf balls.

In another embodiment adjacent ones of the elements 15 could be configured so as to be in abutting relation.

In a further embodiment adjacent ones of the elements 15 could be spaced.

In this embodiment the elements 15 are flat.

In this embodiment the elements 15 have a diameter of about 51 mm, a thickness of about 3 mm, an overlap of about 2 mm, and an angular rotation between adjacent ones of the elements 15 of about 1 degree.

The use of the golf training system will now be described hereinbelow.

In one mode of use, as illustrated in FIG. 4, two linear alignment aids 3a, b can be laid end to end, such as to provide for alignment of the stance, and the width of the stance can be determined by counting the number of elements 7 between the feet F of the golfer. In this way, a golfer can intuitively develop the correct alignment and width of his or her stance.

In another mode of use, as illustrated in FIG. 5, two linear alignment aids 3a, b can be laid end to end, such as to provide for alignment of the stance and positioning of the feet F of the golfer, and a third linear alignment aid 3c can be laid perpendicular to the two alignment aids 3a, b, such as to allow for determination of the ball position in the stance relative to the golf club C, where the ball position is determined both by the position along the two alignment aids 3a, b and the position from the two alignment aids 3a, b, again by counting the number of elements 7.

In a further mode of use, as illustrated in FIG. 6, two linear alignment aids 3a, b can be laid end to end, such as to provide for alignment of the stance and positioning of the feet F of the golfer, and the two curved alignment aids 5a, b, as swing alignment aids, can be laid end to end in spaced relation from the two stance alignment aids 3a, b outside the position of the golf ball B, such as to define the swing path of the golf club C.

In a still further mode of use, as illustrated in FIG. 7, two linear alignment aids 3a, b can be laid end to end, such as to provide for alignment of the stance and positioning of the feet F of the golfer, and the two curved alignment aids 5a, b, as swing alignment aids, can be laid end to end in spaced relation from the two alignment aids 3a, b inside the position of the golf ball B, such as to define the swing path of the golf club C.

In a yet further mode of use, as illustrated in FIG. 8, two linear alignment aids 3a, b can be laid end to end, such as to provide for alignment of the stance and positioning of the feet F of the golfer, and the two further linear alignment aids 3c, d, as swing alignment aids, can be laid in spaced, end-to-end relation along the line of the golf ball B and in spaced relation from the two linear alignment aids 3a, b, such as to define the swing path of the golf club C.

In a still yet further mode of use, as illustrated in FIG. 9, two linear alignment aids 3a, b can be laid end to end, such as to provide for alignment of the stance and positioning of the feet F of the golfer, and the two further linear alignment aids 3c, d, as swing alignment aids, can be laid in spaced, parallel relation about the golf ball B, one inside and the other outside the line of the golf ball B, and in spaced relation from the two linear alignment aids 3a, b, such as to define the swing path of the golf club C.

In yet another mode of use, as illustrated in FIG. 10, two linear alignment aids 3a, b can be laid end to end, such as to provide for alignment of the stance and positioning of the feet F of the golfer, and one further linear alignment aid 3c, as a putting swing alignment aid, can be laid in spaced, parallel relation to the two alignment aids 3a, b along the desired putting line. In this embodiment the golf ball B is located on the one of the elements 7 which includes the recess 11, such that the golf ball B is maintained in a stable position and can be struck by the putter P. Where the golf ball B is struck on line, the golf ball B will run along the length of the linear alignment aid 3c, but, where the golf ball B is struck off line, the golf ball B will fall off one side of the linear alignment aid 3c. In this way, the user is provided with a clear indication of the alignment of the putting stroke.

Finally, it will be understood that the present invention has been described in its preferred embodiments and can be modified in many different ways without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A golf training system, comprising a plurality of separate elongate members, each including a plurality of interconnected elements having a configuration representative of a succession of golf balls, wherein at least one of the elongate members comprises a curved member as a swing path alignment aid.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the elements of the at least one curved member each have successive angular rotations of about 1 degree.

3. The system of claim 1, comprising a plurality of curved members as swing path alignment aids.

4. The system of claim 1, comprising at least one linear member as a stance positioning aid.

5. The system of claim 4, comprising a plurality of linear members as stance positioning aids.

6. The system of claim 1, comprising at least one linear member as a putting swing path alignment aid.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the linear member has a flat upper surface and includes a recess therein for retaining a golf ball to be putted, such as to allow the golf ball to be putted therealong.

8. The system of claim 6, comprising a plurality of linear members as putting swing path alignment aids, wherein the linear members each have flat upper surfaces such as to be locatable adjacent one another to provide a flat linear track, and one of the linear members includes a recess therein for retaining a golf ball to be putted, such as to allow the golf ball to be putted therefrom along the track.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the elements comprise substantially circular elements.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein adjacent ones of the elements merge into one another, such as to represent a continuous flow of golf balls.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the elongate members each have a thickness of at most about 5 mm.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the elongate members are each integrally formed.

13. A method of training a golfer, comprising the steps of: arranging a plurality of separate elongate members, each including a plurality of interconnected elements having a configuration representative of a succession of golf balls, in a desired configuration, including at least one curved member as a swing path alignment aid; and the golfer swinging a golf club and using the curved member as a swing path alignment aid.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, in the arranging step, a plurality of curved members are arranged as swing path alignment aids.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein, in the arranging step, at least one linear member is arranged as a stance positioning aid.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, in the arranging step, a plurality of linear members are arranged as stance positioning aids.

17. A golf swing path alignment aid, comprising a curved elongate member including a plurality of interconnected elements, wherein the elements have a configuration representative of a succession of golf balls.

18. The alignment aid of claim 17, wherein the elements of the curved member each have successive angular rotations of about 1 degree.

19. The alignment aid of claim 17, wherein the elements comprise substantially circular elements.

20. The alignment aid of claim 17, wherein adjacent ones of the elements merge into one another, such as to represent a continuous flow of golf balls.

21. The alignment aid of claim 17, wherein the elongate member has a thickness of at most about 5 mm.

22. A putting swing path alignment aid, comprising a linear elongate member including a plurality of interconnected elements, wherein the elements have a configuration representative of a succession of golf balls and define a flat upper surface which includes a recess therein for retaining a golf ball to be putted, such as to allow the golf ball to be putted therealong.

23. The alignment aid of claim 22, wherein the elements comprise substantially circular elements.

24. The alignment aid of claim 22, wherein adjacent ones of the elements merge into one another, such as to represent a continuous flow of golf balls.

25. The alignment aid of claim 22, wherein the elongate member has a thickness of at most about 5 mm.