GB2355205A

GB2355205A - Golf swing training apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2355205A
Application number: GB0021464A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Harold Swash
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-09-02
Filing date: 2000-09-01
Publication date: 2001-04-18
Anticipated expiration: 2020-09-01
Also published as: WO2001015785A2; GB0021464D0; GB2355205A8; AU7023000A; GB2355205B; GB9920630D0; WO2001015785A3

Abstract

Apparatus for use in training golfers to putt comprises a support 14 on a base 12 for a reciprocal member 20 arranged to hold a golf club 22 in a desired angle and lie, the reciprocal member is adjustably mounted 28 on the support and by pivoting about axis 45 constrains the swing of the club along the desired path. An adjustable rod 46 may also be attached to the support, by resting the sternum against ball 48, a correct body stance may be achieved. The overall aim is to encourage the user to swing from the shoulders with wrists firm.

Description

2355205 TITLE: Golf Training Apparatus

DESCRIPTION

This invention concerns golf training apparatus and, in particular, concerns apparatus for use in training golfers to putt.

Putting strokes usually account for almost 45% of any round of golf yet putting is often the least practised part of the game. Putting as with any other golf shot requires certain key skills for players of every standard to master if they are to putt consistently well and accurately.

Regardless of the golfers stance, the relationship of the ball to the position of the sternum, the hand position on the putter relative to the ball and the arm movement are key elements that need to be addressed to improve the puffing stroke. There is a need, therefore, for training app. aratus to help golfers appreciate and learn the key skills required.

An object of this invention is to provide apparatus for use in training golfers to putt with a simpler technique.

According to this invention there is provided apparatus for use in training golfers to putt, the apparatus comprising a support for a reciprocal rnember arranged to hold a putter in a desired orientation, the reciprocal member being arranged to constrain movement of the puffer by a user executing a putting stroke with the putter to follow a desired path.

2 The desired path of movement of the puffer is ideally achieved by the user executing the puffing stroke from the shoulders and with the wrists firm. Constraining the path of movement of the putter can familiarise the user with the swing required to achieve an improved putting stroke.

The apparatus of the invention preferably has a reference means for positioning of the user of the apparatus. Such referencing means may be a rod or the like mounted on the support and which can be positioned to abut the user's sternum. The rod is preferably telescopic. Advantageously the rod is aligned to pass through the axis of pivoting of the reciprocal member.

The reciprocal member may be an arm or may be an open frame. The reciprocal member is preferably mounted to the support, such as a post, by an assembly allowing adjustment of the angle of the reciprocal member, as well as said reciprocal movement.

The reciprocal member preferably has at its remote end from the support an assembly for holding a putter. The assembly preferably has means for holding right and left handed putters at a desired angle and preferably also with the putter blade with a desired lie. Preferably the reciprocal member has means for adjusting the position of the putter laterally relative to the reference means, so that the putter can be correctly positioned for addressing the ball. Ideally, the putter will be angled so that the user's hands on the puffer are slightly forwards of the ball and the ball in the address position is slightly forward of the user's sternum, which may be positioned suitably relative to the reference means. Lateral adjustment of the 1 3 means for holding the puffer may be along a cross bar of the reciprocal member, which may be a limb of a frame forming the reciprocal member.

The preferred apparatus of the invention may be set up to suit a golfer's height. The reciprocal member is preferably arranged to be height adjustable where it is mounted to the support. The support may have a channel or slot to receive mounting assembly in slidable and lockable fashion.

This invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows putting training apparatus according to the invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawing putting training apparatus 10 has a rectangular base 12 on which is mounted a post 14 by means of brackets 16. Stanchions 18 fixed on three sides of the post and extending to the floor provide support for the post. Alternatively the column 14 can be secured to a wall for more ideal rigidity.

Mounted to the post 14 is an open frame 20 to which a putter 22 can be attached. The frame 20 is generally tubular in section and has a longer side 24 opposite a shorter side 26. The shorter side 26 is mounted to the post via a bracket assembly 28. The longer side 24 has a releasable clamping assernbly 30 thereon for attachment of the putter.

The bracket assembly 28 comprises a block 32 pivotally mounted to a rotatable plate 34 that is slidably mounted in a channel member 36 on a side of the post. The plate 34 has two locking means 38 and 40. Locking means 40 is lever operated and is used to release the plate 34 to slide up and down the c:hannel 4 member 36 for height adjustment of the frame 20. Locking means 38 is used for adjusting the radial position of the plate 34 about its axis of rotation, which is ideally set so that the block 32 is horizontal. The block 32 has a spirit level 44 on its top surface in order for its position to be adjusted correctly.

The horizontal setting of the block 32 is important for correct positioning of spacer rod 46 which is mounted through the block. The spacer rod 46 is telescopic so that it can be extended forwards of the post 14. The rod 46 has a ball 48 on its outer end for comfort. The rod is intended to be extended to meet the sternum of a person using the apparatus when the golfer's putting posture is positioned correctly when holding the putter 22.

The frame 20 is pivotably mounted in the block 32 and a clamping device 50 is provided to clamp the frame at a desired angle relative to the post. The block 32 is rotatable about an axle fixed to the pivot plate and disposed on axis 45, so that the block and hence the frame can move reciprocally about the axle. The angle of the axle is adjustable by rotating the plate 34. Preferably it is set to be horizontal.

The clamping assembly 30 comprises an open-sided sleeve 52 intD which the putter 22 is fitted. Means for clamping or urging the sides of the sleeve onto the putter are provided. The sleeve is mounted on a disc 54 that is rotatable for a right-handed putter and also a left-handed putter so that the sleeve and hence the putter is angled to position the users hands forward of the striking position fo r a golf ball. It Gan also be set vertical for the use of so called long putters which are longer than 1200mm.

The clamping assembly 30 is rotatable about the frame side 24 so that it can allow the puffer to be positioned according to a desired lie for the user. In other words, so that the angle of the puffer blade relative to the ground can be adjusted. Furthermore, the position of the clamping assembly along the frame side 24 can be altered.

The apparatus 10 is intended to be used for training golfers to putt correctly and hence improve their performance. Many golfers use a putting action in which there is wrist movement to a greater or lesser extent. A problem with wrist movement in the putting stroke is that it cannot always be controlled for alignment and side spin can be imparted to a golf ball using a wrists putting action. Ideally, a putting stroke is executed with the wrists locked, the movement of the putter being generated in the shoulders.

Furthermore, the golfer needs to be positioned correctly relative to the ball so as to impart top-spin roll in the putting stroke to give the ball a smoother roll. If the golf ball is struck on the downstroke it can jump and hence go off line.

The apparatus 10 when set up correctly for a particular golfer and used for putting practice can teach and instil in the golfer an improved putting stroke.

To use the apparatus of the invention with a conventional putter, the frame height and angle has to be adjusted to a particular golfer with the spacer rod end located against the sternum of the golfer. The putter blade needs to be square to the target and the putter angled so that the putter's hands are forward of the ball. The ball should be positioned about 2" ahead of the golfer's sternum. With the apparatus so adjusted, the golfer can execute putting strokes that are constrained 6 by the reciprocal movement of the frame 20. By keeping the wrists firm and generating putting movement from the shoulders, the golfer will eventually become accustomed to the feel of the optimum putting stroke. By having the hands forward and the ball forward of the sternum, the golf ball will be struck on the upstroke, which imparts the top spin roll to the ball. Top spin improves the roll of the ball and hence accuracy.

The apparatus 10 may also be used to practice putting with long-handled puffers, with which only one arm, moving from the shoulder is used to impart the desired movement to the putter. However, the axis of rotation of the reciprocal member is set to the height of the putter.

Preferably the apparatus of the invention is used with puffers designed by the present Applicant and which are described in US Patent Number 5637044. These putters have a putting face inscribed with concentric grooves which have the advantage of imparting the top spin roll to a struck golf ball, which will grip the ball and cause the ball to roll more accurately to the target.

Claims

7 CLAIMS:

1 Apparatus for use in training golfers to putt, the apparatus comprising a support for a reciprocal member arranged to hold a putter in a desired orientation, and a reciprocal member mounted on the support, the reciprocal member being arranged to constrain movement of the putter by a user executing a putting stroke with the putter to follow a desired path.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the desired path of movement of the putter is achieved by the user of the apparatus executing the putting stroke from the shoulders and with the wrists firm.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, having a reference means for positioning of the user of the apparatus.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the referencing means is a rod or the like mounted on the support and which is positionable to abut a user's sternum.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the rod is telescopic.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the rod is aligned to pass through the axis of pivoting of the reciprocal member.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1to 6, wherein the reciprocal member is an arm.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the reciprocal member is an open frame.

8

9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the reciprocal member is mounted to the support by an assembly allowing adjustment of the angle of the reciprocal member, as well as said reciprocal movement.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the support is a post.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any on. e of claims 1 to 10, wherein the reciprocal member has at its remote end from the support an assembly for holding a putter.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the assembly has means for holding right and left handed putters at a desired angle.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the assembly also has means for holding the putter blade with a desired lie.

14. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the reciprocal member has means for adjusting the position of the putter laterally relative to the reference means, so that the putter can be correctly positioned for addressing the ball.

15. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the reciprocal means has a cross bar and lateral adjustment of the means for holding the putter is provided along a cross bar of the reciprocal member.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the cross bar is a limb of a frame forming the reciprocal member.

17. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the apparatus is adjustable to suit a user's posture.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the reciprocal mernber is arranged to be height adjustable where it is mounted to the support.

9

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the support has a channel or slot to receive the mounting assembly in slidable and lockable fashion.

20. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims I to 19 having means for locking the reciprocal member during set up adjustment of the apparatus to suit the intended user.

21. Apparatus for use in training golfers to puff substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.