GOLF TRAINING DEVICE
This invention is an instruction teaching device to create a proper golf swing. The device helps the user to synchronize their hip rotation with the rotation of their hands. Rotating the hips and hands at the same time is difficult to master, especially for a beginner. With this device, if a user does not rotate his or her hips at the correct time, then the user's hands will encounter the forwardly extending rod that is affixed to the user's waist. Thus, this invention teaches correct timing.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/305,374 filed on Feb. 17, 2010, and incorporates said provisional application by reference into this document as if fully set out at this point.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to golf training device and, more particularly, to a guide that is attachable to a waist of a golfer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIt is well known in the field of golfing that a proper swing can result in a much lower score which, of course, translates to a better game. Imperfections in the golfer's swing can result in the ball traveling in a different direction than was intended. Examples of such misdirected shots include a slice, a hook, a topped shot, etc.
Although most golfers understand, at least in theory, how to hit a shot correctly, it is often difficult to put into practice the abstract knowledge that might have been gleaned from television, publications, etc. As a consequence, a variety of training devices have been developed to assist the user in improving his or her stroke. However, notwithstanding these devices, there remains a need for a device which can be easily transported and then utilized and which is focused on assisting the user in rotating their hips and hands simultaneously.
Although there are any number of golf training devices, all suffer from disadvantages. As a specific example, consider the device taught in Dailey (U.S. Pat. No. 1,669,457). One obvious disadvantage of this device is that it requires different configurations to be used by left and right-handed golfers. Further, the Dailey device is described as being constructed of metal and has significant mass at its outer extremity (e.g., loop 2). This means that it will inevitably be less responsive to the golfer's motions than would be desired. Still further, this device requires a specialized belt 6 with two connectors 7 and 8 that support Dailey's trainer. Of course, this means a variety of different belt sizes may need to be provided to accommodate the differing waistlines of different golfers. Finally, Dailey's loop 2 configuration makes it only useful for golfers who are seeking to improve their full swing. Other aspects of the golfer's game (e.g., chipping, pitching, putting, etc.) are not addressed.
Heretofore, as is well known in the golfing arts, there has been a need for a golf training device and, more particularly, a golf training device that encourages a golfer to properly synchronize hand and hip rotation. Accordingly, it should now be recognized, as was recognized by the present inventor, that there exists, and has existed for some time, a very real need for a golf training method that would address and solve the above-described problems.
Before proceeding to a description of the present invention, however, it should be noted and remembered that the description of the invention which follows, together with the accompanying drawings, should not be construed as limiting the invention to the examples (or preferred embodiments) shown and described. This is so because those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains will be able to devise other forms of this invention within the ambit of the appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to a preferred embodiment of the instant invention, there is provided herein an instructional device which encourages a golfer to perform a proper golf swing. The preferred device helps the user to time their hip rotation to coincide with the rotation of their hand. There has been a wide variety of devices created in order to improve the golf swing, although never a device of this sort. Rotating the hips in synchronization with turning of the hands is a difficult feat to master, especially for a beginner. With this device, if the user does not rotate their hops at the correct time, they will hit a rod with their hands. Thus, this invention teaches correct timing.
The foregoing has outlined in broad terms the more important features of the invention disclosed herein, so that the detailed description that follows may be more clearly understood, and so that the contribution of the instant inventors to the art may be better appreciated. The instant invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Rather the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various other ways not specifically enumerated herein. Additionally, the disclosure that follows is intended to apply to all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Further, it should be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting, unless the specification specifically so limits the invention.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein the reference numerals indicate the same parts throughout the several views, there is provided herein a system and method for allowing a golfer to self-correct his or her swing. According to the preferred embodiment, and as is generally set out in
A key aspect in the instant device is that it is designed to assist the golfer in timing hip rotation to match the rotation of his or her hands. That is, it well known to those of ordinary skill in the art that proper timing can lead to more predictable ball trajectories and the instant invention is designed to assist the golfer in obtaining such timing.
As is generally suggested in
In another clip embodiment suitable for use with the instant invention, there is provided a clip similar to the clip 600 wherein the opposing arms of the clip are again preferably urged into a closed position by a spring or other elastic construct. However, in this embodiment the clip generally resembles i a clothespin, although the preferred clip includes an outwardly curving hollow face portion similar to that displayed in
In other preferred arrangements, the rod will be essentially molded or otherwise formed into the shape indicated, with the idea that having less mass at the end of the rod 900 and a correspondingly greater mass near the golfer's body could be advantageous in some circumstances. In some preferred embodiments, the center of mass of the instant invention 100 will be closer to the golfer's body than to the outer terminus of the rod, thereby reducing its moment of inertia as compared with a version where the weight is concentrated more toward the remote terminus of the device 100.
Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the end and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While the inventive device has been described and illustrated herein by reference to certain preferred embodiments in relation to the drawings attached thereto, various changes and further modifications, apart from those shown above or suggested therein, may be made therein by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit of the inventive concept the scope of which is to be determined by the following claims.
Claims
1. A training device for use by a golfer having a waistband, comprising:
- (a) a clip suitable to be removably attached to the golfer's waistband; and,
- (b) a substantially linear low mass rod attached to said clip, said rod extending forward beyond the golfer's body when said clip is attached to the waistband on either a left side or a right side of the golfer.
2. A training device for use by a golfer according to claim 1 wherein said training device has a center of gravity that is closer to said clip than to a terminus of said rod that is remote from said clip.
3. A training device for use by a golfer according to claim 1 wherein said rod is made from a material selected from a group consisting of plastic, rubber, carbon fiber, aluminum, and, wood.
4. A training device for use by a golfer according to claim 1 wherein said rod is removably attached to said clip.
5. A training device for use by a golfer according to claim 1 wherein said rod comprises a plurality of telescoping segments.
6. A training device for use by a golfer according to claim 1 wherein the waistband is a golfer's belt.
7. A training device for use by a golfer having a waistband, comprising:
- (a) a clip suitable to be removably attached to the golfer's waistband on a left side or on a right side at a single point of attachment; and,
- (b) a rod attached to said clip, said rod extending forward beyond the golfer's body when said clip is attached to the waistband.
8. A training device for use by a golfer according to claim 7 wherein said training device has a center of gravity that is closer to said clip than to a terminus of said rod that is remote from said clip.
9. A training device for use by a golfer according to claim 7 wherein said rod is removably attached to said clip.
10. A training device for use by a golfer according to claim 7 wherein said rod comprises a plurality of telescoping segments.
11. A training device for use by a golfer according to claim 7 wherein said clip comprises one or more hook and loop straps.
12. A training device for use by a golfer, comprising:
- (a) a belt positionable to encircle a golfer's waist; and,
- (b) a substantially linear low mass rod attached to said belt, said rod extending forward beyond the golfer's body when said clip is attached to the belt on either a left side or a right side of the golfer.
13. A training device for use by a golfer according to claim 12, wherein said rod is removably attached to said belt.
14. A training device for use by a golfer according to claim 12 wherein said rod comprises a plurality of telescoping segments.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 17, 2011
Publication Date: Aug 18, 2011
Inventors: Phillip Butts (Frisco, TX), Conor Butts (Frisco, TX)
Application Number: 13/029,829
International Classification: A63B 69/36 (20060101);