GB2184359A

GB2184359A - Golf training aid

Info

Publication number: GB2184359A
Application number: GB08615002A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Hector
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-11-07
Filing date: 1986-06-19
Publication date: 1987-06-24
Also published as: GB2184359B; GB8615002D0

Abstract

A training aid 50 for guiding a golfer in making a golf swing comprises a rigid member 51 which has straps 85, 86 for attaching it to the arms of a golfer and a hose clip 80 for attaching it to the shaft 81 of a golf club. A bolt 87 passing through selected ones of holes 88, 89 secures the straps 85, 86 to member 51. The member 51 maybe replaced by one or more rigid frames. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Golf training aid The present invention relates to a golf training aid and more particularly to a device for correcting and improving the swing of a golfer.

A perfect golf swing would involve the golf club travelling in a single vertical plane. However, the human form does not permit this and it is necessary for the club to be brought from behind the golfer to hit the ball at a position in front of the golfer, the club then continuing to a position behind the golfer again. This is a relatively complicated operation, and a considerable part of the time of a gold professional is spent on instructing and advising golfers on their swing.

The present invention seeks to provide a device which can guide the golfer in making a correct swing.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a training aid for guiding a golfer in making a golf swing comprising a device which is arranged to be attached to both the golf club and at least one arm of the golfer.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a golf training aid comprising at least one movement-restraining member having a relatively small attachment means for securing the bottom of the member to an intermediate part of a golf club shaft and two relatively large attachment means at respective spaced points for securing the top of the frame to the arms of a golfer.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which; Figure 1 is a side view, in use, of a golf training aid in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a rear view of the aid of Fig. 1 in use by a right-handed golfer; Figure 3 is a side view of a further embodiment, the view corresponding to that of Fig.

1; and Figure 4 is a view of the opposite side of the embodiment of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, Figs. 1 and 2 show a golf training aid 10 comprising two relatively stiff members 11,12 generally of the shape of isosceles trangles.

Each member 11, 12 is formed of two layers of leather. Internal pockets extend along the entire length of the side edges of the members, the pockets containing straps 15 to 18. The members are reinforced with thick wire along the side and top edges. At the side edges the portions of thick wire extend within the internal pockets, alongside the straps, but the top portion (not shown) of wire connecting the two side portions is located outside the respective member.

The bottom ends of straps 15,15 extending within member 11 are attached to a hose clip 21 arranged to be attached to the shaft 30 of a golf club just below the grip 31. The top ends of straps 15,16 are attached by loops 22 to straps 25, 26 which are arranged to be placed around the arms 45, 46 of a golfer just above the elbow.

The bottom ends of the straps 17, 18 extending within member 12 are attached to a hose clip 32 arranged to be attached to shaft 30 between clip 21 and grip 31. The top ends of straps 17,18 are attached by loops 23 to the straps 25, 26.

In addition to the straps 15, 18 and the reinforcing wire, the side pockets also contain weights in the form of metal bars.

In use the members 11 and 12 are attached to the shaft 30 of a golf club just below the grip 31 by means of clips 21,22. The straps 25,26 are then tightened around the arms of the golfer just above the elbow. A righthanded golfer is shown in the Figures, so that arms 45, 46 are the right and left arms respectively. When in the correct position, the centre lines 41, 42 of the members 11, 12 should be in the same plane as the bottom of the club head when it addresses the ball.

As the golf swing is initiated, and the golfer moves the blub backwards, the arrangement of the members 11,12, and in particular straps 15 to 18, 25 and 26 and the weights, ensure that the club automatically travels in the correct arc and reaches the correct position at the top of the swing. The device ensures that the club approaches the ball along the correct line and, as the ball is struck, that the club face adopts the correct angle, and rolling of the wrists is prevented.

An advantage of the above-described device is that it directly helps a golfer in making a perfect swing and corrects his or her faults.

By repeated practice with the device the golfer becomes so familiar with the correct procedure that he or she adopts it even when the device is removed. The length of the various straps, the number and location of the various weights can all be independently adjusted to suit a particular golfer or to correct a particular defect in the swing. Once adjusted the device reproduces an identical swing and shot each time (with the possible exception of air shots). This is an advantage in a class with several pupils, since each pupil needs less individual tuition. The device may be used in connection with any golf club (except a putter).

The device can also be used, possibly with extra weights, as a fitness training aid. By practising with weights in the device, a golfer can subsequently achieve a greater range without the device.

Various modifications may be made to the above described device. For example only one of the members 11,12 need be provided.

Also the straps 15 to 18 may be attached to the exterior of the members; alternatively separate straps may be attached to the top and bottom corners of the members. The weights may be alternatively or additionally located at positions other than at the edges of the members.

The members 11,12 may be made of other suitable materials apart from leather. For example one or more members of moulded plastics material may be employed. If these are suitably stiff and heavy, the need for separate reinforcement elements and weights is avoided. Also the bottom ends of the plastics members may be formed with suitable integral clips for attachment to the gold club shaft.

Members 11,12 of aluminium may alternatively be used.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, a golf training aid 50 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention comprises a substantially rectangular rigid member 51 of sheet metal material. Two straps 55, 56 are attached to the bottom of member 51 by means of rivets 54. A hose clip 80 embraces the straps 55, 56 just below the bottom edge of member 51, the hose clip also being arranged to be secured around the shaft of a golf club. A portion 81 of the shaft is indicated in Fig. 4.

Separate straps 85, 86 are attached to the top of member 51 by means of a common connection 87, eg a bolt and butterfly nut with bolt passing through one of a plurality of holes 88 through member 51. The effective lengths of the straps are thus adjustable. Both straps 85, 86 have a plurality of through holes 89. Thus further, individual adjustment of the effective lengths of the straps 86, 86 can be made by appropriate selection of which hole 89 to pass the bolt through. Straps 85, 86 each have a loop through which passes a respective further strap 75, 76 for securing around the arms of the golfer.

The golf training aid illustrated is for a righthanded person. Accordingly the straps 55, 56 and clip 80 are angled to the right as illustrated in Fig. 4, so that shaft 81 adopts the position shown. This has the advantage of enabling the player to have the hands ahead of the club-head at address. Obviously the arrangement is reversed for a left-handed person.

The training aid is very simple to make, and has the same advantages as the embodiment described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2. It has the further advantage of being readily adjustable to fit persons with a large range of sizes. The straps 85, 86 are jointly adjustable by selection of which hole 88 to use, and individually adjustable by selection of which hole 89 to use.

Various modifications may be made in connection with the device described in connection with Figs. 3 and 4. For example additional straps may be connected between the arms of the golfer and one or more further points of the member 51. One or more wieights may be attached to the member 51 at desired positions thereof. The member 51 itself may be of suitably stiff and heavy plastics material.

Further modifications may be made to the device of either of the above-described embodiments. In particular any alternative suitable means for attaching the device to the golf club shaft and/or to the arms of the golfer may be employed. If desired the device may be permanently attached to the shaft of a golf club. It is envisaged that the device may be arranged to be attached to the golf club shaft and only one arm of the golfer. Alternatively a device may be provided with is arranged to be attached to only the two arms of a golfer, i.e. there is no bottom attachment to the golf club shaft; such a device would still maintain the correct relative disposition of the arms. In a further modification a golf training aid comprises a first device for attachment only to the arms of a golfer and a second device for attachment between the first device and the shaft of the golf club. With such an aid, either the first or both devices may be used as required.

Claims

1. A training aid for guiding a golfer in making a golf swing comprising a device which is arranged to be attached to both the golf club and at least one arm of the golfer.

2. A training aid according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a substantially rigid member of sheet material arranged to be attached by respective straps to the arms of a golfer.

3. A training aid according to claim 3 wherein the rigid member has a plurality of holes and each of the straps also has a plurality of holes, a securing means being arranged to pass through selected ones of said holes to enable the straps to be adjustably attached to the rigid member.

4. A training aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the rigid member has connected thereto a hose clip for attaching the shaft of a golf club thereto.

5. A training aid according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises at least one relatively stiff frame substantially in the shape of an isosceles triangle.

6. A training aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the device comprises weights.

7. A golf training aid comprising at least one movement-restraining member having a relatively small attachment means for securing the bottom of the member to an intermediate part of a golf club shaft and two relatively large attachment means at respective spaced points for securing the top of the frame to the arms of a golfer.

8. A golf training aid substantially as herein before described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 or Figs. 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

CLAIMS Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect: Claim 1 above has been deleted or texually amended.

New or textually amended claims have been filed as follows:-

1. A training aid for guiding a golfer in making a golf swing comprising a device which is arranged to be attached to both the golf club and both arms of the golfer.