GOLF STANCE TRAINING DEVICE

Abstract

A golf stance training device is provided for preventing lateral movement of a golfer during a golf swing. Structurally, the device includes a platform for supporting a foot or the golfer and a support for contacting and preventing lateral movement of the golfer's leg. When used on the golfer's rearward leg, the device abuts the forward side of the golfer's foot and the rearward side of the golfer's leg to prevent rearward movement of the rearward leg. When used on the golfer's forward leg, the device abuts the forward side of the golfer's foot and the forward side of the golfer's leg to prevent forward movement of the forward leg.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains generally to golf swing training devices. More particularly, the present invention pertains to systems for preventing rearward or forward sway of the golfer during the golf swing. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful as a golf swing training device for physically preventing rearward movement of the golfer's leg or legs during a golf swing to reduce swing error.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is well known, balance and proper weight displacement are fundamental to maintaining consistency in a golf swing. Lateral movement of the golfer's body from a centered position distorts and adds complexity to the simplest swing arc and forces a golfer to self-correct in order to strike the golf ball properly. Needless to say, those self-corrections introduce further complexity and decrease the consistency of the golf swing.

As a result, the development of a proper golf swing necessarily includes the prevention of undesirable rearward sway during the backswing as well as undesirable forward sway during the follow through. Typically, such sway is noticed in the golfer's hips or upper body. Certain golf training devices which address the problem of rearward sway have attempted to either prevent such sway, or to make the golfer aware of such sway during the golf swing. Specifically, there have been devices which physically contact the golfer's hips, torso or head in order to prevent rearward sway. Further, there have been various devices which have attempted to alert the golfer to swaying, such as through visual guides. Nevertheless, many golfers, whether novices or experts, are still plagued by lateral swaying.

In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device that provides physical contact with a golfer's leg(s) to prevent lateral swaying. More specifically, it as an object of the present invention to provide a portable, no-assembly-required, self-anchoring, anti-sway, golf stance training device. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a golf stance training device that simultaneously contacts a golfer's leg on both its forward and rearward sides to anchor that leg in a stationary position during the golf swing. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a golf stance training device that can be used to prevent rearward lateral sway or forward lateral sway of a golfer during a golf swing. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a golf stance training device that is easy to implement, is simple to use, and is comparatively cost effective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a stance training apparatus is provided to prevent lateral movement of a golfer during a golf swing. Depending of the use of the training apparatus, rearward lateral movement and/or forward lateral movement may be prevented.

Structurally, the stance training apparatus includes a platform having a lower surface for placement on the ground and an upper surface for receiving and supporting the golfer's foot. The platform defines a rearward direction (through the outside of the golfer's foot away from the golfer's center of gravity) and a forward direction (through the instep of the golfer's foot toward the golfer's center of gravity). Further, the platform defines a posterior direction (toward the golfer's heel) and an anterior direction (toward the golfer's toes). A vertical defining an upward direction and downward direction completes the directional system for discussion of the stance training apparatus.

In certain embodiments, the platform is substantially wedge-shaped. As a result of its wedge shape, the platform encourages the golfer to focus his weight on the forward side of his foot to discourage rearward movement. Structurally, the upper surface and the lower surface of the platform essentially share a forward edge. The lower surface extends to its rearward edge in a lower plane perpendicular to the vertical. On the other hand, the upper surface is inclined from the forward edge to its rearward edge. As a result, the upper surface forms a plane transverse to the lower plane (at approximately 30 degrees) and the rearward edge of the upper surface is distanced from the rearward edge of the lower surface by a measure equal to the height of the platform. Each surface is further bounded by a respective posterior edge and respective anterior edge.

In addition to the platform, the stance training apparatus includes a support that extends from a lower end to an upper end. In certain embodiments, the support is curvilinear such that its centerline defines and lies in a single plane. For the stance training apparatus, the lower end of the support is mounted to the platform adjacent the forward edge of the upper surface. Depending on the method of fabrication, the support can be integral with the platform, welded to the platform, or otherwise fixed to the platform.

Adjacent the connection of the support to the platform, the plane defined by support intersects the plane formed by the upper surface of the platform at a line extending in the anterior and posterior directions. In certain embodiments, the angle formed between the planes is acute. More specifically, the angle may be about 70 to 85 degrees. As the support extends upward from the platform, it curves in the posterior direction. In certain embodiments, the support is approximately 20 inches in length and its upper end is displaced about 6 inches in the posterior direction.

During use of the stance training device, the golfer positions his foot on the platform, with the forward side of the foot abutting the support. Because the rearward side of the foot is raised on the inclined upper surface of the platform, the platform promotes abutment of the forward side of the foot against the support. Further, the golfer's bodyweight anchors the apparatus against movement.

With the golfer taking his golf stance, his ankle and knee are flexed, bringing his knee in the anterior direction, possibly over his toes. In this stance, the support slants across from the forward side of the foot to the rearward side of the knee. At the same time, the support curves in the posterior direction to ensure contact with the rearward side of the leg. In this manner, the golfer's stance is held in position by the support and prevents movement of the leg in the rearward direction during a golf swing.

If the device is used with the golfer's rear foot, then it prevents rearward lateral movement of the rear leg during the golfer's backswing. It the device is used with the golfer's forward foot, then it prevents forward lateral movement of the forward leg during the golfer's follow through. In certain embodiments, a golfer may use a device on each foot during a golf swing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation front view of a golfer standing on the golf stance training device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the training device shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a forward side view of the training device shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a golf stance training device is shown and generally designated 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the device 10 is positioned on the ground 12 and stood on by a golfer 14 when addressing a golf ball before a golf swing. Specifically, the device 10 includes a platform 16 that has a bottom surface 18 for positioning on the ground 12. Further, the platform 16 includes a top surface 20 for supporting the foot 22 of the golfer 14. As shown, the platform 16 includes a forward edge 24 and a rearward edge 26. For purposes of discussion of the device 10, the device 10 and platform 16 can be said to define a forward direction 28, rearward direction 30, anterior direction 32, and posterior direction 34.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the platform 16 may be wedge-shaped. Specifically, the bottom surface 18 extends in the anterior and posterior directions 32, 34 to define a bottom plane 36. Likewise, the top surface 20 extends in the anterior and posterior directions 32, 34 to define a top plane 38. The bottom plane 36 and top plane 38 are transverse and intersect adjacent the forward edge 24 of the platform 16, forming an angle in the approximate range of 5-25 degrees. In certain embodiments, the angle may be 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, or 20 degrees. With this structure, the platform 16 can be said to be inclined from the forward edge 24 to the rearward edge 26.

As shown in FIG. 1, the platform 16 includes an anterior edge 40 that connects the bottom and top surfaces 18, 20. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the platform 16 includes a posterior edge 42 that connects the bottom and top surfaces 18, 20.

Referring back to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the device 10 includes a support 44 extending from a lower end 46 to an upper end 48. In certain embodiments, the support 44 is a cylindrical rod. As shown in FIG. 1, the lower end 46 of the support 44 is fixed to the top surface 20 of the platform 16 adjacent its forward edge 24 at a joint 49. Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the support 44 may be curved or arcuate from its lower end 46 to its upper end 48. Specifically, the support curves in the posterior direction 34 such that the upper end 48 is displaced from the lower end 46. Cross-referencing FIGS. 2 and 3, the support 44 is shown to lie in a single plane (50 in FIG. 2, the plane of the drawing sheet in FIG. 3). Referring to FIG. 2, the plane 50 is shown to form an angle 52′ with the top surface 20 and an angle 52″ with the bottom surface 18. In certain embodiments, angle 52′ is in the approximate range of 50-80 degrees, and angle 52″ is in the approximate range of 25-75 degrees. As a result of the angle of connection between the support 44 and the platform 16, the upper end 48 of the support 44 is displaced in the rearward direction 30 from the lower end 46.

As a result of the above-noted structural design, the device 10 is able to prevent undesired lateral movement of the golfer's rear leg 14a or forward leg 14b. As shown in FIG. 1, the golfer's rearward foot 22a is received on the top surface 38 of the platform 16. Abutment of the golfer's foot 22a into the support 44 is promoted by the incline of the top surface 38. As the support 44 slants in the rearward direction 20 and curves in the posterior direction 34, it crosses in front of the golfer's leg 14a before contacting the rearward side 54 of the golfer's leg 14a below the knee. As a result, the golfer's leg 14a is held static in position by the device 10a due to the body weight of the golfer 14 anchoring the platform 16 against the ground 12, thereby preventing rearward lateral movement of the golfer's leg 14a.

As shown in FIG. 1, the device 10b prevents forward leg movement of the forward leg 14b. Again, the golfer 14 places his foot 22b on the platform 16, with the platform's inclined surface 20 urging abutment of the foot 22b against the support 44. However, for the forward leg 14b, the support 44 does not cross in front of the leg 14b. Instead as it rises, slanting in the rearward direction 30 and curving in the posterior direction 34, it rides up alongside the forward side 56 of the forward leg 14b. The support 44 contacts the forward leg 14b on its forward side 56 below the knee, preventing forward lateral movement of the forward leg 14b during the golf swing (specifically during the follow-through portion of the swing). While FIG. 1 appears to show devices 10 having different angles 52′ and angles 52″, it is envisioned that a single device 10 having a constant angle 52′ and angle 52″ could be used on either the rear leg 14a or forward leg 14b, or that two devices 10 having the same angles 52′ and 52″ could be simultaneously used on the rear leg 14a and forward leg 14b.

While the particular Golf Stance Training Device as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that they are merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A stance training apparatus for a golfer comprising:

a platform for supporting a foot of the golfer, defining a forward lateral direction and a rearward lateral direction; and

a support connected to the platform and extending to an end for contacting a side of the golfer's leg to prevent movement of the golfer's leg in one of the lateral directions during a golf swing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support contacts a forward side of the golfer's foot during the golf swing.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the platform has a forward edge and a rearward edge, and wherein the platform is inclined from the forward edge to the rearward edge to support the golfer's foot.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the platform defines a posterior direction, and wherein the support is displaced in the posterior direction from the platform to the end.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the support is displaced in the rearward direction from the platform to the end.

6. A stance training apparatus for a golfer comprising:

a means for supporting a rearward foot of the golfer; and

a means for contacting the rearward side of a rearward leg of the golfer to prevent movement of the golfer's rearward leg during a golf swing, wherein the contacting means is connected to the supporting means.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the contacting means abuts a forward side of the golfer's rearward foot adjacent the supporting means.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the supporting means promotes abutment of the forward side of the golfer's rearward foot into the contact means.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the contacting means crosses in front of the golfer's rearward leg from the forward side to a rearward side.

10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the bodyweight of the golfer anchors the apparatus against movement of the golfer's rearward leg during a golf swing.

11. A stance training apparatus for a golfer comprising:

a platform having a bottom surface for positioning on the ground and a top surface for supporting a foot of the golfer, the platform having an anterior edge and a posterior edge interconnected by a forward edge and a rearward edge, said platform defining a posterior direction and a rearward direction; and

a support connected to the platform at a joint adjacent the forward edge and extending from the top surface to an end in a first direction away from the ground for simultaneously contacting a forward side of the golfer foot and a side of the golfer's leg to prevent movement of the golfer's leg in a lateral direction during a golf swing.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the support forms an acute angle with the bottom surface of the platform.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the support forms an angle of about 75 degrees with the bottom surface of the platform.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the support is displaced in the posterior direction from the joint to the end.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the support is displaced in the rearward direction from the joint to the end.

16. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the bottom surface defines a bottom plane and the top surface forms a top plane, and wherein the top plane is transverse to the bottom plane.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the bottom plane and top plane intersect at an angle of about 30 degrees adjacent the forward edge.

18. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the bottom surface defines a bottom plane and the support lies in a support plane, and wherein the bottom plane is transverse to the support plane.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the bottom plane and the support plane intersect at angle of about 75 degrees.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the support is curvilinear, and is displaced in the posterior direction from the joint to the end.