Counterweighted Golf Club Swing Training Apparatus

Abstract

A counterweighted golf club training apparatus providing a counterweight element affixed to a shaft protrusion, or portion of the hollow shaft's proximal end protruding through the second end of the grip handle, wherein the center of balance of the apparatus is positioned at a space between the user's hand, thereby redistributing the weight and allowing equal forces to be exerted on each hand without the need for the user to account for swingweight or gravitational effects. Thus, the user is able to swing and practice their movements freely without any individual motion dictating the composition of the overall swing. This apparatus will increase the capability of any user to improve their swing mechanics, train their muscle memory, and confidently advance their ability to correctly swing a club without needing to worry about making mistakes.

Description

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

Be it known that I, Justin Jasiewicz, a citizen of the United States, have invented new and useful improvements in a counterweighted golf club swing training apparatus as described in this specification.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golf is a popular game, always requiring a great deal of athletic skill and prowess to play at a high level, even dating back to its first record of play. The game, in its modern incarnation, requires a player to choose from a multitude of differently weighted clubs with specifically shaped and angled head faces particularly chosen for each shot taken, while utilizing a variety of body motions concurrently (e.g., swinging of torso, twisting of shoulders, and cocking of wrists) to strike the ball with enough precision and strength that it will accurately move in a straight lofting direction toward the hole.

Golfers spend a considerable amount of money on specifically weighted, gripped, and angled clubs of varying materials (and composites thereof) to find a set with the best balance and feel. Additionally, golfer spending must cover the cost of lessons necessary to develop proper form, technique, and methodology of the varying strokes required to play a full round (namely driving, chipping, and putting), with the ideal goal being attainment of a clean stroke that is reproducible with any club in any condition.

The main three problems that exist within the sporting world of golf tend to revolve around the funding required to train and perfect a swing (usually requiring the assistance of a professional); the necessity of purchasing new clubs that are comfortable to a user given their individual height, weight, and level of strength; as well as the time required to accomplish the training with those clubs given personal time constraints and the availability of professionals for lessons.

A wide variety of inventions have sought to try and solve these problems by offering golfers methods of adjusting their clubs with the addition of weights—situated both interiorly and exteriorly about the club; either attached to the head, the shaft, or the handle; as well as those which protrude from the club toward the user along the club's longitudinal axis.

Several of each type of these patented solutions include, but are not limited to:

U.S. Pat. No. 10,661,133 to Cemel, U.S. Pat. No. 7,686,705 to Foley, and 8,177,658 to Johnson all disclose methods of weighting devices for golf clubs that are affixed within, or internally throughout, the shaft of the club with the stated purpose of altering the balance, moment of inertia, and overall capabilities of the club specific to the user. U.S. Pat. No. '133 to Cemel discloses a golf club shaft that comprises a plurality of holes that can be plugged with weighted components. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. '705 to Foley discloses a longitudinally slotted shaft with an inline weight management system that can be used to adjust a club's moment of inertia. While U.S. Pat. No. '658 to Johnson discloses a device that sits entirely within the shaft, held in place by elastomer expansion elements, that is relocated by utilizing a specific elongated magnetic screwing tool that enters the club through the grip end to contract, move, and re-expand the singular weight element.

As opposed to those weighting methods, which only work once installed within the shaft, U.S. Pat. No. 4,588,191 to Stewart, U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,378 to Getts, U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,936 to Matias, and 8,500,609 to Williams all disclose methods of golf club weighting devices that are temporarily affixed around a portion of the shaft's exterior. U.S. Pat. No. '191 to Stewart discloses a spherical, self-clamping weight with an elastomeric, non-slip interior and an exterior cinch strap that can be easily affixed and removed from a golf club. U.S. Pat. No. '378 to Getts discloses a cylindrical counterweight having an aperture sized to accommodate a club's shaft, affixed to a portion of the shaft via two halves screwed together, and held in place by means of internal friction. U.S. Pat. No. '936 to Matias discloses a weight secured around the golf club shaft consisting of a primary sleeve, a secondary sleeve, and an interlocking method of securement via a setscrew where the tension keeps the weight in place. And U.S. Pat. No. '609 to Williams discloses an attachable weight assembly for any cylindrical pole or shaft, where weights are placed into secured storage areas within each of the elongated halves, which then interlock to latch closed around the pole or shaft.

Each of the aforementioned patents, regardless of the interior or exterior location of the weighted device, specifically mentions use during training, exercising, or gameplay warm-ups. The main purpose of these weighted attachments and apparatuses is to offer the user strength training, which assists in building the requisite muscle mass necessary to drive a ball further on any given swing of the club. Additionally, a golfer may adjust their club based on personal preferences regarding balance, feel, and handling. However, the motivation remains similar for each patented approach, namely, the ability to augment a golfer's performance through the addition of weight elements at a specific location along a golf club's shaft, regardless of whether it is a putter, iron, wedge, or a driver.

Contrary to approaches which place the additional weight along a golf club's shaft, U.S. Pat. No. 6,358,157 to Sorenson and 9,174,104 to Rogacki each utilize methods of weighting golf clubs by adding components to the grip, or handle, portion of the club. U.S. Pat. No. '157 to Sorenson discloses a strength trainer wherein pairs of changeable weights are fixed concentrically on the shaft at either end of the grip, causing the center of gravity to move to its original point along the shaft near the club head, to a spot closer to the handle's lengthwise center. U.S. Pat. No. '104 to Rogacki discloses an interchangeable putter grip system wherein an inner sleeve is installed atop the club's grip and pre-manufactured outer sleeves are available to be installed thereon, with room available for attaching weighted fasteners via a keyed head and wrench system.

Where Sorenson's primary objective is aimed at correcting muscle memory and improving the strength of a user, Rogacki is focused entirely on creating a customizable and interchangeable grip system that complies with the USGA's Rules relating to design and manufacture of golf clubs for gameplay. Although approaching the problem from different angles, all the aforementioned patented inventions are motivated by the question of how best to improve the feel and balance of a golf club in order to give the user custom-tailored weight and dynamic response.

Unlike those methods of adding weight to the club shaft's interior, or to some external portion of the golf club, U.S. Pat. No. 2,051,083 to Hart, U.S. Pat. No. 3,075,768 to Karns, 4,988,102 to Reisner, U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,967 to Boeckenhaupt, and 7,704,161 to Lindner all disclose methods of adding weight to a golf club internally within its grip, or shaft's handle, portion. U.S. Pat. No. '083 to Hart discloses multiple versions of a balancing device placed within the golf club's handle and upper shaft region comprising a threaded stem with a weighted member thereon and a tapered plug cap capable of longitudinal adjustment via a screwdriver. U.S. Pat. No. '768 to Karns discloses a rubber compartment placed at the opening beneath the grip's cap wherein means of weighting are added after the grip has been attached, either by inserting a solidifying liquid or solid particulate material, alongside a spongy cushioning material to prevent noise and vibrations. U.S. Pat. No. '102 to Reisner discloses a flanged weighted element that is placed within the open end of the shaft, prior to the grip's installation, and bonds to the shaft once the grip is attached. U.S. Pat. No. '967 to Boeckenhaupt discloses a grip and back-weighting assembly which attaches to the proximal end of the golf club's handle and includes an insert capable of holding a plurality of replaceable weights, with dampers there between, within the interior of the handle's shaft, while also featuring a method of securing the insert without the need to permanently connect the components to the club. U.S. Pat. No. '161 to Lindner discloses an apparatus for selectively adding weight to the handled portion of a golf club shaft via an oversized insert which fits into a deformable cylindrical weighted portion already situated within the shaft that will cause it to deform by radial expansion and create a friction fit within the interior of the shaft.

Different than all prior inventions, which focus on adding weight within a golf club or as an attachment to a portion of the shaft's exterior, U.S. Pat. No. 4,600,195 to Hunter and 5,308,072 to Pettinelli et al. both disclose methods of adding weight elements that protrude from the handle portion longitudinally toward the user. U.S. Pat. No. '195 to Hunter discloses a method of attaching a plurality of removable segmented weights to the grip end of the club shaft in alignment with the shaft's longitudinal axis, extending toward the user, so that the user may grasp them during their swing to alter the club's center of gravity. U.S. Pat. No. '072 to Pettinelli et al. discloses a golf putter counterweight apparatus resembling a J-shaped support rod mounted to the club's handle, extending toward the user, with a weighted element attached to the end thereof.

While a multitude of the aforementioned patents discuss a similar motivation, namely the addition of weight elements to a golf club that will allow a user the ability to individually adjust for balance and feel, as well as accomplishing other listed objectives (i.e. strength training, muscle memory training, movement of the center of gravity or moment of inertia), there are several patents which identify problems within some of those approaches and claimed solutions of the aforementioned inventors and prior art.

In U.S. Pat. No. '967, Boeckenhaupt (col. 3 Ins. 45-63) specifically states that the notion of arranging back weights in a manner which protrudes from the golf club's handle end “creates a problem rather than solves one” in that the “design is disconcerting to the golfer, mechanically increasingly unstable” and “adds weights in a manner that is much too far away from the butt end of the club to be effective”. U.S. Pat. Nos. '502, '658, and '705 all denote the inefficiency and likelihood of failure regarding weight elements attached to the exterior of a golf club's shaft due to either the variations in diameter, from tapering during manufacture, or the strong forces applied during the golfer's swing. As such, in U.S. Pat. No. '195, Hunter (col. 2 In. 18-24) specifically states that the invention's objective is realized “while the device is within the grasp of the participant” and includes “an elongated shaft having a free end” which is located proximate to the handgrip for “assisting the user in retaining the device within his grasp during operation.”

Although, as has been stated above, the motivation to add a weighted component as a means of changing a golf club's balance, feel, dynamic response, or the location of its center of gravity and moment of inertia is not new, there is still a need in the field of invention for a low cost, high efficiency training apparatus that assists golfers in practicing and perfecting the various physical movements that comprise an effective golf swing. Amongst the assorted prior art, several different inventions use friction-based methods of remaining stationary, several others call for inserts (both threaded and slotted), and several more rely on protruding methods of weight alteration, with some overlapping the inclusion of these elements. Comparing the enumerated prior art's various approaches to creating the ideal counterweighted golf club, or swingweight equalizing trainer, as well as the problems listed therein regarding other inventions; it becomes apparent that a proper solution is still sought within the field.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention relates specifically to altered golf clubs, manufactured as a single device, that have formulaically improved weight distribution leading to superior balance and player control due to additional weighting affixed to a portion of the shaft protruding from the grip, or handle, region towards the user along the longitudinal axis, usable solely for performance training purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention, a counterweighted golf club training apparatus, is designed to successfully relocate the center of mass (and thus the center of balance) to a point situated centrally equidistant between a golfer's hands when properly positioned on the grip, thereby equalizing the weight felt by each hand while counterbalancing the club head's (swing) weight. This will allow a golfer-in-training to focus the entirety of their efforts on perfecting their stance (both on its own and in relation to a ball's placement) and on the positioning, then movement, of their hands, arms, torso, and wrists throughout the swing motion. Ordinarily, a golf club's center of mass is located roughly three quarters from the grip's proximal end longitudinally down the shaft toward the club head, which is ideal for gameplay where swing weight helps create momentum for a powerful shot; but while training proper mechanics and technique, this bottom-heavy weight distribution forces the golfer to focus on fighting against the weight and gravity instead of on the physical motions that comprise an ideal golf swing.

A golfer's swing has five major components: the stance, the line-up (footing in relation to the ball, or address), the backswing, the downswing, and the follow-through. By removing the attention usually required by a golfer regarding the creation of the force that will drive the ball, the present counterweighted golf club training apparatus allows the golfer to focus solely on the individual bodily motions and mechanics that result in a swing which is both effective and reproducible. This is vital to developing a confident swing where any incorrect motion or action during part of the backswing, or general swing, steps will affect every part of the swing thereafter. Aside from the necessary footing and ball alignment required for the ideal swing, a golfer's body experiences rotation/turning of the torso, rotation/twisting of the forearms, as well as cocking (and uncocking) of the wrists, in varying degrees, during every swing. These movements need to be fluid and the golfer must be confident in their timing to succeed in producing a powerful and accurate shot. While an experienced golfer may grow accustomed to their club's weight and account for it within their movements, for those persons who have little to no experience (or inadequate prior training which has led to poorly formed habits) the weight of the club head, and the momentum caused by the swinging thereof (or swingweight), may be viewed as an impediment to proper training and muscle memory formation.

The instant invention utilizes an affixed counterweight partially surrounding the hollow interior of the shaft's proximal end as well as protruding axially therefrom, towards the user, to shift the center of balance (moment of inertia) away from the golf club's head to a spatial range between the hands of the user upon the grip. The weighted attachment is precisely calibrated to the type of golf club based on Archimedes' Law of the Lever, wherein the Resistance Arm encompasses the portion of the present invention below the new center of balance and accounts for the weights of: the club head, the length of shaft below the new center of balance, and the length of grip below the new center of balance. While the Effort Arm accounts for the weights of: the length of shaft above the new fulcrum, the length of the grip above the new center of balance, and the counterweight element. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus will feature these two Arms being equal, thus allowing the club to rest at equilibrium when placed upon a fulcrum at the new center of balance, a point within the spatial range along the grip encompassing the area 25% to 49% of the length of the gripped handle from the proximal end thereof. While the formulaic approach remains constant for each type of golf club, the overall calculations remain complex as they depend upon a considerable number of variables including, but not limited to: club head type, club head weight, club head material, shaft length, shaft weight, shaft material, grip weight, grip length, grip material, counterweight weight, counterweight material, and counterweight dimensions.

Guaranteeing that equal weight is felt by each hand of the golfer-in-training, as a user's grip will encompass the new center of balance, will eliminate the variable forces of the swingweight while also giving the individual the ability to focus entirely on their grip, stance, and motions, thus leading to the generation of higher levels of confidence in their overall swing mechanics. The instant invention has been designed such that a user's future swing motions are not dictated, nor negatively affected, by their faults during past swing motions due to the relocated center of balance placed in the range of space where the user's hands meet on the grip. Therefore, mistakes can be made during some motions without disrupting the overall flow of the swing and user's can address, or work to improve, different parts of the swing in different positions at various starting points. At any point, a user can choose to reset their swing and focus their full attention on the overall physical movements and specific motions of their hands, feet, wrists, forearms, shoulders, and/or torso without fighting the swingweight and feeling the need to follow-through on a swing they already can sense, or feel, is wrong.

At address, when the golfer stands in position ready to start their swing, the golf club will be parallel with the arms, and as the backswing occurs the club head will lift and cover the hands, without the golfer-in-training needing to fight its weight. Due to the club head face reference line present on the counterweight, which is an extension of that line on the club's grip, the golfer-in-training always has the ability to check the club's rotation in relation their own physical motions. As the club head naturally swings up into position, the golfer-in-training can shift their focus on moving the shaft from its initial parallel position into one resembling something closer to a 90-degree lag, the angle of the arms in relation to the club shaft. At the top of the golf swing, the golfer-in-training will want to focus on dropping into the slot, dropping one's hands while maintaining the proper lag. This 90-degree lag will continue all the way to the bottom of the swing right before the form is released upon the approach to strike the ball. As the bottom of the swing is reached, the club shaft will move to become fully parallel with the arms again immediately prior to striking the ball. The creation, and sustaining, of this lag is vital to a powerful golf swing because it is where the striking energy released into the ball originates.

The counterweight element's location within and beyond the grip region of the golf club will allow the golfer-in-training to rely on gravity's assistance as their hands naturally drop while maintaining the proper lag, thus building up their muscle memory and growing their confidence in the habits being formed.

An example embodiment of the instant invention comprises a golf club head, of any type or style, a golf club shaft, both elements manufactured with those materials commonly utilized within the industry, a grip containing a hole at its proximal end large enough for the club shaft to slide through, but otherwise of common length and material usually utilized within the industry, and a counterweight element. The counterweight element's mass, length, and material will depend upon the aforementioned elements of the embodiment, but will be cylindrical in shape with the end attachable to the golf club shaft tapered to match the width of the grip's proximal end, although utilizing a full cylinder as the counterweight element is also contemplated herein. The face of tapered end of the counterweight element, or the end to be affixed to the shaft, will have a portion extruded to allow for the insertion and affixation of a portion of the club shaft within the counterweight element. While the counterweight element's overall material is contemplated as being metallic in nature (while also including the possibility of ceramic or polymeric), the exterior of the element will have a coating that deters rust, pocking, or surface marring while including a club head face reference line.

Another embodiment of the instant invention disclosed herein contemplates the addition of an accelerometer affixed within the portion of the hollow shaft prior to its affixation within the counterweight element. Likewise, an accelerometer may also be placed at the location where the hollow shaft enters and is affixed to the club head.

Another embodiment of the instant invention contemplated herein would see the utilization of a solid polymer shaft in lieu of the ordinarily used hollow graphite carbon or metallic shafts, and a potential embodiment that remove the club head entirely. The presence of the grip portion and counterweight element would remain unchanged, while the dimensions of the counterweight element would be altered to account for the change in weight due to the utilization of a polymer rod, either with or without a club head, in place of a carbon-based or metallic hollow shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the invention's preferred embodiments captured within the Figures, where like reference numbers refer to similar elements throughout the Figures, and:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of the counterweighted golf training apparatus in accordance with the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a top and side view of multiple versions of the counterweight element;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the grip portion of the counterweighted golf training apparatus, with dashed lines denoting the hollow area occupied by the shaft;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the counterweighted golf training apparatus without the counterweight element present on the shaft protrusion and with the ordinary industrially manufactured center of balance denoted by the dashed line;

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the counterweighted golf training apparatus with dashed lines denoting the shaft's location within the grip handle and counterweight;

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the counterweighted golf training apparatus with the club head rotation reference line imposed upon the counterweight element, and dashed lines denoting the center of balance newly positioned spatial range;

FIG. 7 illustrates a polymer flexi-shaft embodiment of the counterweighted golf club training apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY

Embodiments of the Invention

The detailed description shows exemplary embodiments by way of illustration, including the best mode. These exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the principles of the present disclosure, but it should be understood that other embodiments might be realized by logical and mechanical changes made without departing from the spirit and scope of the principles of the present disclosure. This detailed description is presented for purposes of illustration not limitation. Though certain components and aspects of the system may be described in detail herein, it should be stated that multiple alternatives may be realized in the practical manufacturing of the physical apparatus.

With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of counterweighted golf club training apparatus 18 comprises a club head 10 embodying a distinct club head face angle 12 dependent on the club type, a shaft 14, a grip 16, a proper handgrip region 17, and a counterweight element 20. In various example embodiments, grip 16 may be composed of material that conforms to a user's hands to allow for appropriately comfortable slip-resistant gripping during use of counterweighted golf club training apparatus 18. Although suitable for any type of golf club (e.g. wood, iron, wedge, hybrid, putter), the example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 is a counterweighted driver training apparatus 18. Depending on the type of golf club utilized, club head 10 will possess a different shape, weight, and face angle 12. Club head 10 and shaft 14 may be composed of a myriad of different materials suitable to withstand the forces involved throughout the motions of swinging a golf club and impacting a golf ball. In the example embodiment of counterweighted golf club training apparatus 18, club head 10 may comprise steel coated to deter rusting and surface marring, while shaft 14 is contemplated as comprising graphite. Other materials considered for use during the manufacturing of club head 10 and shaft 14 include, but shall not be limited to, titanium, aluminum, stainless steel (and other grades thereof), scandium, carbon-metal composites, carbon fiber, graphite, and wood.

In FIG. 1's illustrated exemplary embodiment, shaft 14 is a hollow cylindrical tube manufactured utilizing one of the aforementioned materials. Grip 16 may be comprised of rubberized materials, such as various elastomers and polymers, or varieties of leather, such as fake leather, cabretta, or those derived from animal skin. Counterweight element 20 may be comprised of steel coated to deter rusting and surface marring; the presence of either would otherwise affect its overall weight and thereby affect its effectiveness as a component of counterweighted golf club training apparatus 18 as well as the location of the new center of balance.

Turning now to FIG. 2, counterweight element 20 may further be comprised of other metals (or alloys thereof) with densities that can act as replacements of steel, such as (but not limited to) bronze, copper, nickel, brass, iron, tungsten, tin, terbium, silver, or gold. Other materials are considered as potential surrogates, such as ceramics, for example carbide or brick, coated in polymers, such as silicone, phenolic resins, or melamine.

In the illustrated example embodiment, counterweight element 20 is one singular mass of some material, or combination thereof, coated to deter rusting and surface marring, with extruded cylindrical bore 22 that mirrors in depth and width the length and diameter of shaft protrusion 30 exposed beyond the proximal end of grip 16, respectively. The overall dimensions of counterweight element 20 are dependent upon the weight required to formulaically place the center of balance of a given club type at a point on grip 16 25% to 49% longitudinally inward from the proximal end. Illustrated in the example embodiment of FIG. 1 is counterweighted driver training apparatus 18 that envisions counterweight element 20 weighing between 1 and 6 lbs. and measuring between 2 and 11 inches in length with a diameter of its tapered end equivalent to that of the grip's 16 proximal end. In consideration of changes in the mass of counterweight element 20 due to alteration of club type and club head, or materials thereof, other example embodiments contemplated will see counterweight element 20 shortened or lengthened based on the weight required for proper balancing. Likewise, the diameter of counterweight element 20 may change as required for proper balancing; meaning that the narrowest diameter of counterweight element's 20 tapered end will not remain fixed in all contemplated embodiments. While the illustrated example embodiment of FIG. 1 shows counterweight element 20 that tapers to a diameter equivalent to that of the grip's 16 proximal end, other iterations of the instant invention may see counterweight element 20 as an untapered cylinder, which will allow users with larger hands to push up against counterweight element 20 when their hands are placed upon grip 16, as opposed to overlaying their hands upon the tapered portion of counterweight element 20.

Turning next to FIG. 3, grip 16 is illustrated as separate from the other components of counterweighted golf club training apparatus 18. As will also be seen in FIG. 5, the dashed lines illustrated show the hollow cylindrical portion of grip 16 which shaft 14 will occupy when the apparatus is manufactured and the individual components are combined. Clearly visible in FIG. 3, grip 16 is properly illustrated as gradually tapered such that the proximal end's diameter is slightly larger than that of the distal end, but it is also contemplated herein that an untapered grip may be used, so long as the hole in its proximal end is large enough for shaft 14 to move through and beyond. Lastly, a bracket illustrating the approximate area that should be occupied by a user's hands when actively utilizing counterweighted golf training apparatus 18 is denoted by proper handgrip region 17.

Turning now to FIG. 4, counterweighted golf club training apparatus 18 without counterweight element 20 is shown to highlight the presence of exposed shaft protrusion 30 located beyond the proximal end of grip 16. The length of shaft protrusion 30 projecting through and beyond grip 16 is within a range of 1 to 3 inches, and is dependent upon the overall dimensions of counterweight element 20, which in turn is dependent on the type of golf club, and material thereof, as that will directly affect its weight and original, non-counterweighted center of balance (as denoted by the dashed line perpendicularly intersecting shaft 14).

Referring next to FIG. 5, counterweighted golf club training apparatus 18 is pictured in its entirety with untapered cylindrical counterweight element 20 embodiment present where, similar to FIG. 3, the dashed lines within grip 16 and counterweight element 20 denote the location of shaft 14 in its entirety. Additionally considered within an alternate embodiment, and presently illustrated, are accelerometers 50. While the illustrated contemplated embodiment may include two accelerometers 50, or may only include a single one, the placement within shaft 14 at such a location as to also be in contact with counterweight element 20, and the placement within (or without) shaft 14 at a location where it meets club head 10, are intentionally chosen locations. At those described locations, it is possible to a mass the most amount of useful data, such as rotation, positioning in space of both self and club throughout swinging motions, and acceleration of both user and club, which can be captured and analyzed after the user has completed their game or performance training with counterweighted golf club training apparatus 18.

Turning next to FIG. 6, counterweighted golf club training apparatus 18 is pictured in its entirety with this example embodiment illustrating permanent reference line 60 added to the surface of counterweight element 20. Upon its attachment to the rest of counterweighted golf club training apparatus 18, counterweight element 20 will be affixed to shaft 14 through the coating of shaft protrusion 30 in some adhesive (ex. epoxy) and inserting it into counterweight element bore 22 so that reference line 60 is aligned in parallel with club head face 12. During use of counterweighted golf club training apparatus 18, a user need only glance at reference line 60 to know whether their swing is properly aligned or whether they are incorrectly twisting their body leading to an improper turning of the club head face 12, which will cause an imperfect impact with the golf ball. Additionally illustrated, by a box of dashed lines, is a new center of balance's 70 spatial range, which will depend on the club type and minute mathematical determination of weight balance in consideration of material and dimensions of all previously mentioned components. Regardless, new center of balance 70 is illustrated as being within a user's proper handgrip region 17, such that they are not fighting the force of gravity upon the swingweight when practicing or training their swing mechanics and forming new habits or muscle memory. To that end, proper handgrip region 17 encompasses the spatial range for new center of balance 70, as there is considerable variance in the size of any given user's hands and that said center of balance 70 will occupy a region of space betwixt said gripped hands.

Lastly, FIG. 7, illustrates another contemplated embodiment of counterweighted golf club training apparatus 18, wherein shaft 14 is composed of a polymeric material capable both of retaining its structure during a user's physical movements and of exhibiting flexion upon the application of force. While the inclusion of club head 10 is illustrated within FIG. 7, the absence thereof is also considered as a viable alternate apparatus, thereby allowing a user to utilize the invention indoors without fear of causing damage.

Claims

1. A counterweighted golf club training apparatus comprising:

a hollow shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;

a head disposed at the distal end;

a grip handle comprising: a first end; a second end disposed adjacent to the proximal; an opening at the second end, said opening configured to slidingly receive a shaft protrusion therethrough; and

a counterweight longitudinally oriented and affixed endwise to the shaft protrusion, said counterweight configured to position a center of balance of the counterweighted golf club training apparatus at a point from the second end between 25% and 49% of the length of the grip handle;

wherein the center of balance is positionable between the hands of a user wielding the counterweighted golf club training apparatus thereby properly balancing the counterweighted golf club training apparatus to assist users in practicing their swing mechanics and training their body's muscle memory.

2. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the counterweight is fixed to the shaft protrusion.

3. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the counterweight is threadably or magnetically attachable to the shaft protrusion.

4. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the counterweight comprises a metallic, ceramic, and/or polymeric longitudinal member having sufficient mass to reposition the center of balance more proximal to the user, wherein a cylindrical bore that aligns in depth, width, and length with the shaft protrusion is extruded from the center of a base of the counterweight.

5. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the grip handle is tapered from a maximum diameter at the second end to a minimum diameter at the first end whereby the grip handle is affixed to an exterior of the hollow shaft.

6. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one indicium designed upon the counterweight to signal the rotational angle of the head's face relative to user.

7. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the counterweight is cylindrical in shape.

8. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 7, wherein the counterweight is tapered between the maximum diameter and the minimum diameter along only ⅓ to ½ of its length.

9. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 8, wherein the minimum diameter is equal to the diameter of the grip handle's second end.

10. A counterweighted golf club training apparatus comprising:

a hollow shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;

a head disposed at the distal end;

a grip handle comprising: a first end; a second end adjacent to the proximal end; a circular opening at the second end configured to slidingly engage with a shaft protrusion therethrough;

a wireless accelerometer; and

a counterweight longitudinally oriented and affixed endwise to the shaft protrusion, said counterweight configured to position a center of balance of the counterweighted golf club training apparatus at a point upon the grip handle between 25% and 49% of the length of the grip handle from the second end;

wherein the center of balance is positionable between the hands of a user wielding the counterweighted golf club training apparatus thereby properly balancing the counterweighted golf club training apparatus to assist users in practicing their swing mechanics and training their body's muscle memory.

11. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 10, wherein the accelerometer is affixed to the shaft protrusion to contact the counterweight when the counterweight is fixed thereto.

12. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 10, wherein the accelerometer is attachable to the hollow shaft adjacent to the club head.

13. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 10, wherein the counterweight comprises a metallic, ceramic, and/or polymeric longitudinal member having sufficient mass to reposition the center of balance more proximal to the user wherein a cylindrical bore that aligns in depth, width, and length with the shaft protrusion is extruded from the center of a base of the counterweight.

14. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 10 further comprising at least one indicium designed upon the counterweight to signal the rotational angle of the head's face relative to user.

15. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 10, wherein the counterweight is cylindrical in shape.

16. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 15, wherein the counterweight is tapered between the maximum diameter and the minimum diameter along only ⅓ to ½ of its length.

17. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 16, wherein the minimum diameter is equal to the diameter of the grip handle's second end.

18. A counterweighted golf club training apparatus comprising:

a solid shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;

a grip handle comprising; a first end; a second end adjacent to the proximal end; a circular opening at the second end configured to slidingly engage with a shaft protrusion therethrough; and

a counterweight longitudinally oriented and affixed endwise to the shaft protrusion, said counterweight configured to position a center of balance of the counterweighted golf club training apparatus at a point upon the grip handle between 25% and 49% of the length of the grip handle from the second end;

wherein the center of balance is positionable between the hands of a user wielding the counterweighted golf club training apparatus thereby properly balancing the counterweighted golf club training apparatus to assist users in practicing their swing mechanics and training their body's muscle memory.

19. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 18, wherein the solid shaft is composed of a polymeric material capable both of retaining its structure during a user's physical movements and of exhibiting flexion upon the application of force.

20. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 18, wherein a club head is affixed to the solid shaft's distal end.

21. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 18, wherein the counterweight comprises a metallic, ceramic, and/or polymeric longitudinal member having sufficient mass to reposition the center of balance more proximal to the user, wherein a cylindrical bore that aligns in depth, width, and length with the shaft protrusion is extruded from the center of a base of the counterweight.

22. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 18 further comprising at least one indicium designed upon the counterweight to signal the rotational angle of the head's face relative to user.

23. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 18, wherein the counterweight is cylindrical in shape.

24. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 23, wherein the counterweight is tapered between the maximum diameter and the minimum diameter along only ⅓ to ½ of its length.

25. The counterweighted golf club training apparatus of claim 24, wherein the minimum diameter is equal to the diameter of the grip handle's second end.