GOLF GLOVE

Abstract

A golf glove consisting of only a golf grip comprising a two finger sleeve arrangement composed of leather, synthetic leather or fabric material in a configuration to be worn on one hand with the first sleeve adapted to cover at least a portion of the pinky finger in one hand and with the second sleeve being attached to the first sleeve and adapted to cover at least a portion of the adjacent ring finger in the same hand and with the remainder of the golf glove having all or substantially all of the palm of the hand uncovered. The golf grip should be worn on the hand which grips a lower portion of the golf club with respect to the relative position of the other hand on the upper portion of golf club.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a golf glove for a golf club and method of holding a golf club with a golf glove.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golf gloves are conventionally used to grip a golf club. A conventional golf glove covers all of the fingers of one hand and covers the entire palm of the hand up to the wrist. However, aside from allowing the hand to grip the golf club the golf glove serves little purpose and may actually interfere with the gripping function. The present invention provides a golf glove represented by only a golf grip serving as a protective device designed to perform multiple functions to enhance a golfer's grip of the golf club, and as a result, their golf game. The golf grip is a protective sheath that preferably fits over part or all of only two fingers represented preferably by the ring and pinky finger. In addition the golf grip may also include a strip of material which extends either down or across and around the palm between the sheath covering the two fingers for extra protection and stability. The length of the strip extension is a design choice. The golf glove of the present invention may be manufactured from various different materials such as leather, neoprene, or some other conventional-sports materials. The different materials will provide a choice that will satisfy the personal preference of the golfer. The golf glove of the present invention comprises two sleeves adapted to fit the desired two fingers which each sleeve entirely or only partly covering each finger and/or may be perforated with holes or may include expanding panels for comfort and performance and may also include nubs and stripes, etc. and grip enhancements such as rubber pads.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a golf glove consisting only of a golf grip comprising a two finger arrangement composed of leather, synthetic leather or of fabric material in a configuration to be worn on one hand with the grip having one sleeve adapted to receive and cover a portion of the pinky finger of one hand and a second sleeve attached to the first sleeve in a configuration to cover at least a portion of the adjacent ring finger of the same hand with the remainder of the golf glove leaving the rest of the hand uncovered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1a-c illustrates a golf glove consisting of a two-finger golf grip for use on a right hand with FIG. 1a being a front view of the golf grip; FIG. 1b being a rear view and FIG. 1c being a perspective view;

FIGS. 2a-c illustrates an alternate embodiment of the golf glove of the present invention consisting of a two-finger golf grip for use on a right hand with FIG. 2a being a front view showing the golf grip on the two fingers adjacent the middle finger on one side of the hand opposite the thumb; FIG. 2b being a rear view of FIG. 2a, and FIG. 2c being a perspective view;

FIGS. 3a-c illustrate yet another alternate embodiment of the glove of the present invention consisting of a two-finger golf grip for use on a right hand with FIG. 3a being a front view of the golf grip; FIG. 3b a rear view and FIG. 3c a perspective view;

FIGS. 4a-c illustrate still another alternate embodiment of the glove of the present invention consisting of a two-finger golf grip having a multiplicity of holes for use on a right hand with FIG. 4a being a front view of the golf grip; FIG. 4b a rear view and FIG. 4c a perspective view;

FIGS. 5a-b illustrate a variation of the embodiment of FIGS. 4a-c with the holes shown in a different configuration;

FIGS. 6a-c illustrate a further alternate embodiment of the golf glove of the present invention consisting of a two-finger golf grip for use on a right hand with FIG. 6a being a front view showing the golf grip covering all of the two fingers on one side of the hand adjacent the middle finger opposite the thumb; FIG. 6b being a rear view of FIG. 6a, and FIG. 6c being a perspective view;

FIGS. 7a-b illustrate an alternate embodiment of the golf glove of FIGS. 6a-c containing stretch panels covering each finger of each sleeve of the golf grip;

FIGS. 8a-c illustrate a an alternate embodiment of golf glove of FIGS. 6a-c having a configuration of raised bumps therein as opposed to the arrangement of FIGS. 4a-c showing holes in each sleeve of the golf grip with FIG. 8a being a front view; FIG. 8b a rear view of FIG. 8a, and FIG. 8c a perspective view;

FIGS. 9a-b is a variation of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6a-c with each sleeve having a configuration of holes therein with FIG. 9a a front view of the glove and FIG. 9b a rear view of FIG. 9a;

FIGS. 10a-c illustrates yet another embodiment of the golf glove of the present invention consisting of a two-finger golf grip for use on a right hand in combination with a strip of support material extending across the palm from one side of the two-finger golf grip to the side opposite thereto with FIG. 10a being a front view; FIG. 10b a rear view of FIG. 10a, and FIG. 10c being a perspective view; and

FIGS. 11a-b illustrates the two-finger glove configuration in FIGS. I a-c showing both hands gripping a golf club using the two-finger golf grip only on one hand preferably the right hand for a right handed golfer and on the left hand for a left handed golfer which is opposite conventional use of a golf glove with FIG. 11a showing both hands gripping a golf club with the two-finger golf grip placed on the hand surrounding the lower portion of the golf club relative to the other hand and with FIG. 11b showing a slightly different grip variation using both hands around a golf club.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A proper golf grip plays the most important role in the golf swing, because it connects the hands with the club. The “feel” of swinging the club comes from the hands and the “feel” provides feedback about the quality of the swing that enables the golfer to execute the swing properly, and improve their game play. Proper placement of the hands is essential to the quality and consistency of the swing. Their role is to work together as one unit, allowing the golfer to swing the club as efficiently and as powerfully as possible, and deliver the club face squarely into impact with as much speed as possible.

The golf glove of the present invention preferably consists of a two-finger golf grip for use on a right or left hand as is illustrated in FIGS. 1-10 inclusive. In the first embodiment the two-finger golf grip consists of only two sleeves of material with one sleeve adapted to receive and cover a portion of the pinky finger of one hand and a second sleeve attached to the first sleeve in a configuration to cover at least a portion of the adjacent ring finger of the same hand and with the remainder of the golf glove leaving the rest of the hand uncovered or exposed. In the second embodiment the two sleeves cover all of the pinky finger and the adjacent ring finger. Alternate embodiments include at least a plurality of holes in each of the sleeves or dimples in the form of raised bumps or containing a panel of material which may or may not be stretchable. In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 10 a strip of material extends from said two sleeves around a part of the palm of the hand and preferably between the thumb and the index finger leaving the remainder of the palm of the hand and the other fingers uncovered and exposed.

The following description relates to the method of holding a golf club with the golf grip of FIGS. 1-10 of the present invention. The method as described is limited to proper hand placement around the golf club using the golf grip of FIGS. 1-10 with the golf grip intended for right hand players as is shown in FIGS. 11a-b. However, the invention equally applies to left handed players with the proviso that everything disclosed below for the right hand will be applied to the left hand.

It is common knowledge that for a right handed golfer, the right hand grips the golf shaft in the lower or “bottom” position and is the “power” hand. The left hand or “top” hand, is intended to be situated above the right hand on the golf club shaft and is the hand that controls accuracy. The opposite applies to left handed players.

There are three types of conventional grips: Overlap, Interlock, or Baseball Grip.

For the Interlock grip, the golfer interlocks the pinky finger of the bottom hand with the index finger of the top hand. For the Overlap grip, the golfer will have the pinky finger of the bottom hand overlap with index finger of the top hand. In the Baseball grip, the pinky and index fingers only touch instead of overlap.

Various conventional products are designed to work with the top or “accuracy” hand. This invention is designed to work with the bottom or “Power” hand. The golf grip of the present invention sheathes the pinky and ring finger which provides various benefits:

1. The invention enhances the traditional grip. The material and thickness of the device positively enhances the interaction of the power and accuracy hands, by generating a more positive grip.

2. The material and thickness of the golf grip positively enhances the interaction of the power and accuracy hands, by generating a more positive feel of the interaction translating into an enhanced swing sensation.

3. Repetitive swings can cause chaffing or blistering on the hand. The invention protects the fingers on the bottom hand from such chaffing or blistering. Use of the golf grip of the present invention in conjunction with a conventional golf glove for the top hand, also protects the top hand from chaffing or blistering.

4. Perspiration from game play can also interfere with proper grip and swing. The invention mitigates the effects of perspiration on the hands. It leaves all but the ring and pinky fingers exposed for better air circulation. A glove and method of gripping a golf club wearing the glove has been disclosed in accordance with the present invention. Although particular embodiments have been disclosed herein in detail, this has been done for purposes of illustration only, and is not intended to be limiting with respect to a scope of the claims, which follow. In particular, it is contemplated by the inventor that various substitutions, alterations, and modifications may be made without departing from a spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. For example, each embodiment of the glove may include an arrangement of holes to increase air circulation. One or both of the sleeves that make up the glove may include holes or may be solid. The holes may be round, rectangular, octagonal or virtually any other shape without departing from a scope of the invention. The two sleeves of the glove may be integral, connected or separate. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are considered to be within the scope of the following claims. The claims presented are representative of the inventions disclosed herein. It should be understood that the preferred construction of the golf glove is a two fingered golf grip. However, the golf grip may be three fingered as well although this is less desirable.

Claims

1. A golf glove consisting of only a golf grip comprising a two finger sleeve arrangement composed of leather, synthetic leather or fabric material in a configuration to be worn on one hand with the first sleeve adapted to cover at least a portion of the pinky finger in one hand and with the second sleeve being attached to the first sleeve and adapted to cover at least a portion of the adjacent ring finger in the same hand and with the remainder of the golf glove having all or substantially all of the palm of the hand uncovered.

2. A golf glove according to claim 1 wherein each sleeve is configured to receive and completely cover the pinky and the ring finger, respectively.

3. A golf glove according to claim 1 wherein the two sleeves of said golf grip are integrally formed from a common piece of material.

4. A golf glove according to claim 3 wherein said golf grip further comprises a strip of material which integrally connects to said two sleeves and covers a small area surrounding the palm of the hand.

5. A golf glove according to claim 4 wherein said strip of material extends from said two sleeves around the palm of the hand between the thumb and the index finger.

6. A method of holding a golf club in two hands using a golf glove, wherein the golf club has a lower portion and an upper portion, said method comprising the step of using a golf glove consisting of only a golf grip comprising a two finger sleeve arrangement for covering a portion of a ring finger and pinky finger in one hand, while leaving all or substantially all of the palm of the same hand uncovered, prior to grasping said lower portion of the golf club with the hand and gripping the upper portion of the club with the other hand.

7. The method according to claim 5 wherein said two finger sleeve arrangement completely covers the pinky and ring finger.