GB2118049A

GB2118049A - Golf swing training device for detecting head movement

Info

Publication number: GB2118049A
Application number: GB08221099A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Albert Norman Gooding
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-03-31
Filing date: 1982-07-21
Publication date: 1983-10-26
Also published as: GB2118049B

Abstract

Known devices for indicating such head movement are difficult to interpret due to the absence of any readily detectable correlation between what the golfer sees and the particular head movement error occurring. The present device comprises a base 6 having a support member 5 supporting a sighting means 4 above a golf ball address position and between such position and the head 23 of a golfer 1. The sighting means comprises spaced apart proximal and distal sighting elements 17, 16 having respective framing elements 18, 19 defining similarly shaped sighting apertures 20 dimensioned so that the proximal sighting aperture subtends a larger angle to the golfer's eye, in use of the device, than does the distal aperture. The framing surface 19 of the element 16 has a visually contrasting appearance to that of the proximal framing surface 18 whereby head movement of the golfer 1 during swing is indicated by a change in the size and/or shape of the distal surface 19 as viewed by the golfer through the proximal aperture 20. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Golf swing training device This invention relates to a training device for use in perfecting the swing of a golfer.

An important element of the complete swing in golf is the maintenance of the head position in a substantially fixed position throughout the swing.

Many golfers however are prone to move their heads unknowingly either to the left or right or to raise or lower the upper part of the body with consequential head movement.

Although sighting devices have been previously proposed to indicate head movement these are not in general readily able to indicate the precise nature of the head movement so that it is very difficult to correct the golfer's problem.

It is an object of the present invention to avoid or minimize the above problem in a relatively simple and economical manner.

The present invention provides a golf swing training device for use in perfecting the swing of a golfer with a golf club or putter, said device comprising a base having an upwardly extending support member formed and arranged for supporting a sighting means above a golf ball address position and between said address position and the head of a golfer, in use of the device, but substantially clear of the golf club or putter trajectory during a swing thereof, said sighting means comprising spaced apart proximal and distal sighting elements having respective framing surfaces defining similarly shaped sighting apertures dimensioned so that the proximal sighting aperture subtends a larger angle to the golfer's eye, in use of the device, than does the distal aperture, the framing surface of the distal sighting element having a visually contrasting appearance to that of the proximal sighting element framing surface whereby, in use of the device, head movement of the golfer during swing is indicated by a change in the size and/or shape of the distal element framing surface as viewed by the golfer through the proximal element sighting aperture.

With a training device of the present invention any undesirable head movement is immediately detectable and recognisable by the golfer from the change in the shape of the distal framing surface as viewed through the proximai sighting aperture.

Different types of head movement result in clearly distinct changes in size and shape of the observed distal framing surface. Further details of the various different indications will appear from the detailed description hereinbelow. In addition it may be noted that the training device of the present invention is of relatively simple and economic construction.

Further preferred features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following detailed description given by way of example of a preferred embodiment illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a side-on perspective view of a training device of the invention being used by a golfer; Fig. 2A is a plan illustrating the golfer's view of the device; and Fig. 2B is a view corresponding to Fig. 2A indicating one particular type of head movement.

Fig. 1 shows a golfer 1 holding a club 2 in an address position in relation to a golf ball 3 below the sighting means 4 of a training device 5 of the present invention. The training device 5 comprises a base 6 in the form of a generally U-shaped frame member 7 having on one, free, limb 8 a relatively heavy roller 9 and upwardly extending from the outer end of the other link 10 of the frame member 7, an inclined support member 11. The upper end 12 of the support member 11 mounts the sighting unit 4 so as to permit a relatively clear and unobstructed passage thereunder for the golf club 2 or putter as the case may be during the swing thereof.

The sighting unit 4 is in the form of a generally U-shaped section channel 13 having a central base portion 14 pivotally connected 1 5 to the upper end 1 2 of the support member 11 with the aid of a clamping means 22, and two square apertured side members constituting respectively a lower, distal, and an upper, proximal, sighting element, 16, 17. Each sighting element 16, 1 7 has an uppermost framing surface 18, 19 facing the golfer 1 and defining a square sighting aperture 20, 21.

As may be seen in Fig. 2A the sighting apertures 20,21 are dimensioned relative to each other so that the proximal sighting aperture 20 subtends a slightly larger angle at the golfer's eye 23 than does the distal sighting aperture 21 whereby the distal framing surface 1 9 appears to the golfer's eyes as a relatively narrow symmetrical indicator frame 25 in the correct head position.Since the proximal and distal framing surfaces 18, 19 are made of visually contrasting surfaces - in the present case the distal framing surface is yellow though it could be some other bright colour such as white or orange and/or chequered (colour blind user) and the proximal framing surface is a less bright colour such as green which would readily merge with the colour of the grass 24 below the device - the frame is readily visible to the eye without the need for concentrating thereon. Thus the golfer can devote maximum concentration to the ball 3 and golf club face 2 both of which are easily visible through the sighting apertures 20, 21 and immediately become aware of any head movement due to the relatively substantial change in the size and/or shape of the indicator frame 25 obtained with only a relatively small head movement.In the case of Fig. 2B a sway to the right by the golfer is indicated by the narrowing and in fact disappearance of the right hand side of the indicator frame 25 and a substantial broadening of the left hand side.

Other faults are indicated as follows: sway to the left - right hand broadening and left hand narrowing: sway back on to heels -- upper side broadening and lower side narrowing: sway forward onto toes - lower side broadening and upper side narrowing: raising of head -- narrowing on all sides; and lowering of head -- broadening on all sides.

Particularly large lateral movements of the head can also result in complete loss of sight of the ball through the sighting apertures.

In addition to the above listed basic head movement faults, various combinations thereof may also arise and will also be readily shown by the shape of the yellow indicator frame 25 e.g. a sway to the right and back onto the heels at the same time.

It will be appreciated that the sighting unit disposition will vary from one golfer to another depending on his physique and his optimum stance at address position with club and ball. The sighting unit is therefore desirably pivotally rather than fixedly connected to the support so as to provide for pivotal movement at least about an axis X'-X' parallel to the golfer's stance X-X and preferably also about an axis Y'-Y',parallel to a centre line Y-Y through his stance X-X at right angles to it. In the latter case the pivotal connection of the specific embodiment would need to be replaced by a two-way or universal pivotal joint.In use, the disposition of the sighting unit 4 is adjusted with the club face or putter face centred on the centre line Y"-Y" as viewed through the sighting apertures and the golfer in his normal address position for that particular club.

The ball lies against the club face and the device is correctly prepared for practice with the indicator frame border 25 symmetrical. During a swing of the club or putter the frame 25 should remain symmetrical, any particular type of head movement being not only readily detectable but also readily identifiable in nature as already indicated hereinabove.

In practice detailed information as to the necessary corrective action required to be taken by a golfer in order to correct a particular head movement fault identified during use of the device of the present invention would be provided by a professional golfer and/or possibly also in a suitable training manual. Further practice on the device taking into account the required corrective action would then help to monitor the progress of the golfer in overcoming the particular head movement problem and quickly identify any future lapses in technique.

The device may be made of any suitable robust material. Conveniently the base and support are formed from a metal e.g. steel rod and the sighting element formed of metal or of a generally rigid plastics e.g. glass reinforced plastics or polypropylene or like shatterproof safe material.

The roller 9 is conveniently of metal and relatively heavy to counterbalance the sighting element and stabilise the device. The use of a roller also facilitates repositioning of the device during training between shots to avoid divots from previous shots by simply drawing the device towards the golfer across the turf. Naturally the device can also be used for training indoors with Airflight balls playing into a net, and/or for putting practice with a normal ball.

Claims

1. A golf swing training device for use in perfecting the swing of a golfer with a golf club or putter, said device comprising a base having an upwardly extending support member formed and arranged for supporting a sighting means above a golf ball address position and between said address position and the head of a golfer, in use of the device, but substantially clear of the golf club or putter trajectory during a swing thereof, said sighting means comprising spaced apart proximal and distal sighting elements having respective framing surfaces defining similarly shaped sighting apertures dimensioned so that the proximal sighting aperture subtends a larger angle to the golfer's eye, in use of the device, than does the distal aperture, the framing surface of the distal sighting element having a visually contrasting appearance to that of the proximal sighting element framing surface whereby, in use of the device, head movement of the golfer during swing is indicated by a change in the size and/or shape of the distal element framing surface as viewed by the golfer through the proximal element sighting aperture.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sighting apertures are generally rectangular.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said distal element framing surface is generally lighter and/or brighter than said proximal element framing surface.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the distal element framing surface is coloured generally yellow, white or orange.

5. A device as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 wherein said distal element framing surface is chequered.

6. A device as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein said proximal element framing surface is coloured generally green.

7. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said proximal and distal elements are generally parallel.

8. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the sighting means is pivotally adjustable for tilting the piane of the proximal sighting aperture about a horizontal axis generally at right angles to a sighting axis extending between the ball address position and the golfer's eye.

9. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the sighting means is pivotally adjustable for tilting the plane of the proximal sighting aperture about a generally horizontal axis generally parallel to a sighting axis extending between the ball address position and the golfer's eye.

10. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the sighting apertures are dimensioned so as to afford a view of both the golf ball with the club face or putter face squarely aligned at the address position through said sighting apertures.

11. A golf swing training device for use in perfecting the swing of a golfer with a golf club or putter substantially as described hereinbefore with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.