GB2037589A - Device for use in practising the game of golf - Google Patents

Abstract

The device consists of two outlines 12, 13, showing the position of the user's feet and a pointer C showing the line on which the ball is to be placed. The spacing of the outlines and the angular position of the pointer between them is adjustable so that with the aid of calibration markings 14, 16 the device may be set up to show the correct position of the user's feet and the ball in accordance with the type of club that is to be used. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for use in practising the game of golf This invention relates to a device which may be used when learning or practising the game of golf.

It is well known that beginners at this game experience a major difficulty in that when addressing the ball they do not know how to position their feet correctly in relation to the ball having regard to its intended line of flight and the club which is to be used, whereas unless this is practised under control led conditions until the correct stance is taken up more or less automatically consistently good results cannot be obtained.

One object of the present invention is to provide a device which will enable a user to position his feet in the correct manner in relation to the ball and which may be set up appropriately for each type of club.

According to this invention the device essentially comprises two outlines showing the position to be taken by the user's left and right foot respectively, an elongated pointer, means adjustably connecting the outlines and pointer, and calibration markings for enabling both the space between the outlines and the angular position of the pointer between them to be set up according to the type of club intended to be used. The purpose of the pointer is to indicate the line on which the ball is to be placed, the actual position on this line being determined by the height of the user and the length of his club.

Conveniently the respective outlines are shown on the ends of two platforms which are pivotally connected together at their other ends and with the pointer, while the calibration markings may be provided on the platforms. It is to be observed that the word "plafform" as used here and in the following description is intended to denote something on which the user places his foot and does not necessarily imply that it is rigid or has any appreciable height.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood two embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a plan view of the first embodiment; Figure 2 shows a part of the embodiment of Figure 1 to a larger scale; Figures 3 and 4 are plan views of the embodiment of Figure 1 showing parts of this embodiment in different positions; and Figure 5 is a plan view of the second embodiment.

Referring now to Figure 1 the device there shown comprises two platforms A and B which with a pointer C are hinged together for relative movement about an axis 11. The platforms A and B have respectively the outline 12 of a right and a left shoe on which the user positions his feet when the device is laid on the ground for use, and to adapt the device for users of varying height the platforms may as shown be provided with one or more other outlines 13 which show the position for the feet of users of lesser height.

For setting up the device the platform B is provided with a first set of calibration marks 14 any one of which may be set against a reference mark 15 on the platform A so as to determine the angle between the two platforms, and a second set of calibration marks 16, which correspond in number and signifi cance to the marks of the set 14, against one of which the right-hand side of the pointer C is set to determine the angular position of the pointer between the platforms. Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of the parts of platform B and A which bear the set of marks 14 and the reference mark 15 respectively and it can be seen that the marks of the set 14 have legends identifying particular types of club.

Similar legends may be used to identify the corresponding marks of the second set 16.

In use the device is set up according to the type of club which is to be used and is laid on the ground so that the straight edge 17 of the end of platform A indicates the desired line of flight 18 of the ball. In Figures 1 and 2 the device is shown set up for use with a 5 or 6 iron, the platforms having been moved to bring the reference mark 15 opposite the mark of set 14 identified by the legend '5,6i', and the pointer C having been moved to bring its right hand edge into alignment with the corresponding mark of the set 16.It will be seen that if the user now stands with his feet positioned overthe outlines 12, or 13, and places the ball on the line indicated by the pointer he will be caused to take up a stance, known as a square stance, in which a line 19 touching his toes extends parallel to the line of flight 18 and the ball lies equidistant between his feet. In this way the user is taught to take up a stance and to position the ball in a manner ordinarily recommended for use with 5 or 6 irons.

A similar result is achieved at other settings of the device. For example Figure 3 shows the device set up for use with 1 or 2 woods. As can be seen if the user stands correctly on the outlines 12, or 13, his feet will be further apart, the right foot is drawn back from the line of flight 18 while the ball will lie nearer the left heel. This will produce a closed stance as indicated by the line 19, a position which is recommended for the long woods. For comparison Figure 4 shows the device set in the other extreme position for use with a 9 iron or a pitching or sand wedge. The feet will now come closer together, the right foot is advanced overthe line of flight 18, to give the recommended open stance as indicated by the line 19, and the ball will lie nearerthe right heel.

The device as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 provides for six alternative settings but as indicated in Figure 2 intermediate settings map also be used.

Figure 5 illustrates by way of example a simplified form of the device of Figures 1-4, which is shown set up to provide a square stance, and provides a total of four different settings. As can be seen the angular position of the platform B is selected by setting any one of the four marks 21 on this platform against the right hand edge of platform A while the position of the pointer C is selected by setting its left hand edge against a corresponding one of four marks 22 on the platform A. The figure shows in dotted lines the extreme settings of the platform B and also the relative position of the pointer C and the ball 23 at each of the four settings.Since in this form of the device the platforms have each only one outline 24 of a foot and therefore can be made narrower the edge 25 of platform A has a lateral extension 26 in order to give a more reliable indication of the line of flight 18.

It will be appreciated that when using the device of this invention the platform A will ordinarily not be moved, the necessary adjustments being made merely by moving the platform B and the pointer C.

It may therefore be convenient to pin the platform A to the ground as by means of pegs which may be loose or, in some forms of the device, integral with the platform.

It will also be appreciated that the device may be realised in many different forms. For example in a simple and inexpensive form the platforms and pointer may be made of a flexible and suitably tough material such as an appropriate grade of paper or plastic, or a woven material such as canvas. A device so made could be rolled up and accomodated in the golf bag. A more robust form of the device could be made say of plywood, while in a permanent or semi-permanentform the device could consist of a base, e.g. a sheet of plywood some 1 m. square, which would be marked to show the line of flight, the outline or outlines for the left foot, and the necessary calibration marks, and would therefore constitute the platform A, while the platform B and the pointer C would be separate and pivotally mounted on this base. In a furtherform the device may consist of two wire loops shaped to the outlines of a left and right shoe respectively and each connected by a wire or a metal rod to a pivot point which could be a peg which is pushed into the ground. In this case the pointer could be another wire or rod extending from the pivot point, while the calibration marks could be provided on a disc located at the pivot point.

Claims (11)

1. A device for use when learning or practising the game of golf comprising two outlines showing the position to be taken by the user's left and right foot respectively, an elongated pointer, means adjustably connecting the outlines and the pointer, and calibration markings for enabling both the space between the outlines and the angular position of the pointer between them to be set up according to the type of club intended to be used.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the respective outlines are provided on and adjacent to the free ends of two platforms which are pivotally connected together at their other ends and with the pointer.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the free end of the platform provided with the outline for the left foot is formed to indicate the required line of flight of the ball.

4. A device as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the platform provided with the outline for the left foot includes means for locating this platform on the ground.

5. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the platform provided with the outline for the left foot is constituted by a rigid base which also carries a marking showing the required line of flight of the ball and any necessary calibration markings, and the platform provided with the outline for the right foot. the pointer lie on and are pivotally connected with the base.

6. A device as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5 including two sets of calibration markings, one for use in setting up the spacing between the two outlines and the other for use in setting up the angular position of the pointer.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein both sets of calibration markings are provided on the platform with the outline for the right foot.

8. A device as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4 wherein the two platforms and the pointer are constructed of flexible material whereby the device may be rolled up when not in use.

9. A device as claimed in any of claims 2 to 8 wherein each platform include one or more additional outlines whereby to adaptthe device to users of different height.

10. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outlines consist of two wire loops shaped to the outlines of a left and a right shoe respectively and each connected by a wire or rod to a pivot point, the pointer consists of a wire or rod extending from the pivot point, and the calibration markings are provided on a disc located at the pivot point

11. A device as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 - 4, or Figure 5, of the accompanying drawings.