T-BAR PUTTING STROKE TRAINER SYSTEM
A golf putting trainer may be utilized in combination with a golf putter to: a) position the putter face perpendicular to the shoulder line; b) provide a visual aid to set the shoulders parallel to the perceived putt line; c) train a golfer to execute a putting stroke by moving the shoulders, arms, hands, and putter in a synchronized motion around the stroke axis or upper spine; d) provide a visual aid to monitor the motion of the shoulders on-plane. The golf putting trainer may include an adjustable clamp, which can slide up and down the putter shaft to accommodate golfers of various sizes, a main shaft attached to the adjustable clamp, and a shoulder alignment guide attached to the main shaft that allow equal pressure to be applied against both shoulders of a golfer.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/397,028, filed on Jun. 7, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCHNot Applicable
REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTINGNot Applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to a golf putting stroke training aid. More particularly, the training aid provides a T-shaped bar that aids development of a proper putting stroke.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTIONMost of the advanced putting greens on today's golf courses are cut at least 50% shorter than just twenty years ago. As a result, the methodology of putter strokes has evolved to suit the conditions. Modern putting strokes focus on control and accuracy, minimizing all excess motion of the arms, hands, and putter head to create optimum distance control. Critical to these characteristics of control, accuracy, and speed is proper setup, alignment, and a synchronized, rhythmic motion of the shoulders, arms, hands, and putter.
Prior putting aid trainer designs focus on stabilizing the arms, hands, and putter with or against the body during the execution of the putting stroke. Numerous training aids have been developed to help achieve some of these objectives. However, the prior art has not combined all of the aspects of alignment: including proper positioning of the putter face to the shoulder line; proper alignment of the shoulder line to the putt line; synchronization of the shoulders, arms, hands, and putter; and a visual guide to the proper shoulder motion.
The improved golf putting stroke training aid discussed herein is directed to a golf putting trainer to connect and synchronize the motion of the shoulders, arms, hands, and putter around the actual axis (upper spine) of the putting stroke, thus teaching a consistent, arcing, on-plane putting stroke. In addition, the golf putting trainer sets the shoulders perpendicular to the putter face, provides a visual reference to set the shoulders parallel to the putt line, thus creating accurate alignment and positions the body and spine in the ideal position to allow an arcing, on-plane putting stroke.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn an illustrative implementation, a golf putting trainer may provide a main shaft and a shoulder alignment guide attached to an end of the main shaft. The shoulder alignment guide forms a T-shaped assembly with the main shaft, and the shoulder alignment guide may be detachable from the main shaft. The main shaft of the trainer may extend upward with an adequate curvature to allow the shoulder alignment guide of the trainer to contact the front shoulders of a golfer. The end of the main shaft opposite the crossbar is secured to a clamp. The clamp may be adjustable to allow the trainer to slide up or down on a putter shaft into a desired position on the putter shaft. The clamp is also adjustable relative to the main shaft allowing for a custom fit to any type posture or spine angle. Once the trainer is positioned correctly relative to the putter and the golfer, the clamp may then be secured for proper positioning.
When the golf putting trainer is properly attached to the putter shaft, the crossbar will apply equal upward pressure against the front of the right and left shoulder of the golfer. Equal pressure will ensure that the putter face is perpendicular to the shoulder line, a key attribute to executing a properly arcing, on-plane putting stroke. The extended crossbar also serves as a visual alignment aid to set the shoulder line parallel to the putt line, also a key attribute to executing an arcing, on-plane putting stroke.
An object of the golf putting trainer is to set the shoulders perpendicular to the putter face. Another object of the golf putting trainer is to provide a visual guide to set the shoulder line parallel to the putt line. Another object of the golf putting trainer is to train the synchronization of the shoulders, arms, hands, and putter motion around the putting stroke axis, or upper spine.
And still another object of the golf putting trainer is a visual guide of the extended shoulder alignment guide to create the proper on-plane motion of the shoulders. Any side to side motion of the shoulder alignment guide indicates too much upper body rotation causing the putter to move off-plane in an opened to closed motion during the putting stroke.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly various features of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter.
For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions to be taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings describing specific embodiments of the disclosure, wherein:
Refer now to the drawings wherein depicted elements are not necessarily shown to scale and wherein like or similar elements are designated by the same reference numeral through the several views.
Referring to the drawings in general, it will be understood that the illustrations are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to be limiting thereto. While most of the terms used herein will be recognizable to those of ordinary skill in the art, it should be understood that when not explicitly defined, terms should be interpreted as adopting a meaning presently accepted by those of ordinary skill in the art.
A golf putting trainer designed to improve a golfer's putting setup and motion is discussed herein. During the execution of the putting stroke, proper synchronization of the shoulders, arms, hands, and putter motion provides for an improved putting stroke. The proper shoulder motion on-plane ensures that the putter head moves on-plane. A visual guide, such as a shoulder alignment guide of the golf putting trainer discussed herein, may be utilized to ensure that the shoulders move on-plane.
Extended use of the golf putting trainer will train the non-conscious portion of the brain to set the shoulder line perpendicular to the putter face, set the shoulder line parallel to the putt line, train the synchronization of the shoulders, arms, hands, and putter motion, and train the on-plane motion of the shoulders. Any excess upper-body rotation causes the putter move off-plane is immediately demonstrated by the golf putting trainer.
The golf putting trainer trains the golfer to set their shoulder line perpendicular to the putter face, provides a visual guide to set the shoulder line parallel to the putt line, thereby improving the golfer's ability to properly align the putter to the putt line, and train the golfer to move the shoulders, arms, hands, and putter in a synchronized motion around the axis (or upper spine) of a proper on-plane putting stroke.
Shoulder alignment guide 20 may be secured to a top portion of main shaft 15 to form a T-shaped arrangement which is positioned against the front of the left and right shoulder of a golfer. Shoulder alignment guide 20 may be utilized by a golfer to properly align both shoulder parallel to a desired putting line and to teach the golfer to maintain proper alignment throughout the putting stroke. Shoulder alignment guide 20 may be formed of one or more pieces that may be secured to main shaft 15. For example, in some implementations, shoulder alignment guide 20 may include two crossbars may provide thread ends that screw into a top portion of main shaft 15. In other implementations, one or more pieces may be secured to main shaft 15 to form shoulder alignment guide 20 using known attachment means. For example, shoulder alignment guide 20 may be secured to main shaft by hinges; a one piece crossbar may be pressed into a C-shaped portion of the main shaft; or a one piece crossbar may slide through a circular opening in the main shaft and locked in place with a locking pin. Shoulder alignment guide 20 may be removable to allow for easy disassembly, storage, and transport of golf putting trainer 10. As shown in
A bottom portion of main shaft 15 provides an adjustable clamp 25. While adjustable clamp 25 is shown at the bottom of main shaft 15, adjustable clamp 25 may provided at any suitable position along main shaft 15, such as anywhere along the bottom third of main shaft 15. The circled portion of
In use, adjustable clamp 25 is properly positioned on a typical putter shaft and secured with second knob 50. To properly position golf putting trainer 10 on a putter at a desired height on the putter shaft, first 40 and second clamp 45 allows a golfer to the device up or down on the shaft of the putter to position shoulder alignment guide 20 against the front of the golfer's left and right shoulders at putting address. The golfer may also visually set the face of adjustable clamp 25 so that it is at approximately the same angle as the putter face. This will ensure that shoulder alignment guide 20 is approximately perpendicular to the putter face. The golfer may then actuate second knob 50 to lock adjustable clamp 25 at a desired position on the putter.
Next, while remaining in a putting address position, the golfer may adjust the angle of adjustable clamp relative to main shaft 15. The shaft of first knob 30 acts as a pivot point to allow the angle of adjustable clam 25 to be adjusted relative to main shaft 15. As the shaft of the putter is secured to adjustable clamp 25, adjusting the angle of adjustable clamp relative to main shaft 15 also adjust the angle of the putter shaft relative to main shaft 15. Once the adjustable clamp 25 is at a desired angle relative to main shaft 15, the golfer may actuate first knob 30 to lock adjustable clamp 25 at the desired angle. When golf putting trainer 10 is in the proper position, shoulder alignment guide 20 should be against the front of the left and right shoulders with slight pressure. First knob 30 and second knob 50 may be locked to secure golf putting trainer 10 in the proper position. Once adjustable clamp 25 is locked into the proper position, golf putting trainer 10 may be utilized by the golfer to develop a proper putting stroke.
Because adjustable clamp 25 allows golf putting trainer 10 to be secured to any putter at different heights and angles relative to main shaft 15, golf putting trainer 10 provides a nearly universal putting training aid that can be utilized with various different brands and types of putter and can be utilized by various golfers of different height, size, shape, posture, or the like.
In
From this position, the subject's shoulder line will be positioned perpendicular to the putter face. Further, shoulder alignment guide 20 may be visually used to align the shoulders parallel to a desired putt line. Shoulder alignment guide 20 should stay secured with equal pressure against the front of the left and right shoulders throughout the putting stroke to ensure that the motion of the shoulders, arms, hands, and putter is synchronized. As shown in
Therefore, it can be seen that golf putting trainer 10 is designed to provide motion feedback for putting stroke synchronization, and visual feedback for proper putter position at golf ball address; for visual feedback for proper body and shoulder position at golf ball address; and visual feedback for the path of the shoulder motion around the putting stroke axis or upper spine.
It will be appreciated from the description above that various modifications, improvements, or enhancements may be made to golf putting trainer 10 without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. For example, the device may be formed from various materials or a combination of materials, attachment means for shoulder alignment guide and adjustable clamp modified or substituted with known alternatives; main shaft may prove equally effective with a different shape or bend at the top; shoulder alignment guide may be substituted with alternative implementations; and/or the like.
Implementations described herein are included to demonstrate particular aspects of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the implementations described herein merely represent exemplary implementation of the disclosure. Those of ordinary skill in the art should, in light of the present disclosure, appreciate that many changes can be made in the specific implementations described and still obtain a like or similar result without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. From the foregoing description, one of ordinary skill in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this disclosure, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications to adapt the disclosure to various usages and conditions. The implementations described hereinabove are meant to be illustrative only and should not be taken as limiting of the scope of the disclosure.
Claims
1. An apparatus for golf putting stroke training, the apparatus comprising:
- a main shaft;
- a shoulder alignment guide secured to a first end of the main shaft, wherein the shoulder alignment guide is detachable from the main shaft; and
- an adjustable clamp secured to a second end of the main shaft.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shoulder alignment guide comprises at least one crossbar.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising at least one strap attached to the at least one crossbar.
4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the shoulder alignment guide comprises a plurality of shoulder hooks attached to the at least one crossbar.
5. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of shoulder hooks is coupled to at least one strap.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shoulder alignment guide comprises at least one shoulder plate.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustable clamp is pivotally adjustable to allow an angle of the adjustable clamp relative to the main shaft to be modified.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the angle of the adjustable clamp is modified with a first knob.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustable clamp is adjustable between a secure position in which a putter shaft is secured by the adjustable clamp and an unsecure position in which the putter shaft is detachable from the adjustable clamp.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the adjustable clamp is adjusted between a secure position and an unsecure position with a second knob.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustable clamp secures a putter in a desired position in which a putter face is perpendicular to the shoulder alignment guide.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a portion of the main shaft is curved.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a length of the main shaft is adjustable.
14. A method for training a golfer to develop a proper putting stroke, the method comprising:
- attaching a golf putting trainer to a putter, wherein the golf putting trainer comprises, a main shaft; a shoulder alignment guide secured to a first end of the main shaft, wherein the shoulder alignment guide is detachable from the main shaft; and an adjustable clamp secured to a second end of the main shaft;
- aligning the putter in a desired position relative to the golf putting trainer, wherein the desired position arranges a face of the putter perpendicular to the shoulder alignment guide;
- grasping the putter so that shoulder alignment guide exerts slight pressure on both shoulders of the golfer; and
- maintaining slight pressure against both shoulders of the golfer throughout a putting stroke of the golfer.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising position the golfer into a putting stance and locking the adjustable clamp at a desired height on the putter.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the shoulder alignment guide comprises at least one crossbar, a plurality of shoulder hooks, or at least one shoulder plate.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein the adjustable clamp is pivotally adjustable to allow an angle of the adjustable clamp relative to the main shaft to be modified.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising positioning the golfer into a putting stance and locking the angle of the adjustable clamp relative to the main shaft.
19. The method of claim 14, wherein a length of the main shaft is adjustable.
20. The method of claim 14, further comprising visually aligning the shoulder alignment guide with a desired putting path.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 7, 2011
Publication Date: Dec 8, 2011
Applicant: Wright Putting Dynamics, LLC (Spring, TX)
Inventor: Richard Wade Wright (Spring, TX)
Application Number: 13/154,609
International Classification: A63B 69/36 (20060101);