GB2406525A

GB2406525A - Golf putting training aid

Info

Publication number: GB2406525A
Application number: GB0323077A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ray Allen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-10-02
Filing date: 2003-10-02
Publication date: 2005-04-06
Also published as: GB0323077D0

Abstract

A training device for use with a golf putter 2 comprises an attachment to the putter hand-grip 3, which may be in the form of base sections 4, 5 clipped around the hand-grip together with two projecting elements 8, 9 designed to engage against the forearms of the user and prevent rotation of the wrists when the putter is swung in a conventional manner. Generally, the projecting elements are aligned parallel with the desired angle at which the forearms should extend from the putter in use and lie against the inside surfaces of the user's forearms. In alternative embodiments, the attachment can be an integral unit with the hand grip; the elements 8, 9 can project from the hand grip below the position of the hands in use and thus fit around the outside of the user's hands and forearms; or the elements 8, 9 can be replaced by a single conical extension from the hand-grip.

Description

Golf Putting Training Device This invention relates to a training device

for use with a golf putter.

To play golf successfully a player must develop an effective club swinging action. There are several types of golf swing from a drive where the club is rotated through almost 540 degrees, to a putt, where the club can be rotated through less than 10 degrees.

With the putting action it is important to ensure that the club does not rotate on its own axis during the swing. In other words, the putter must be swung with the arms, and not with the wrists.

A player must keep their wrists straight, and their forearms at the correct angle In relation to the club. However, some players flex their wrists during the ball striking part of the swing, which can cause problems.

The present invention is intended to provide a novel approach to solving some of the above problems.

Therefore, according to the present invention, a training device for use with a golf putter including a hand grip portion, comprises golf putter attachment means and a forearm engaging portion, in which in use the forearm engaging portion extends from the hand grip portion and is disposed against at least a portion of the forearms of a user, such that rotation of the user's wrists is prevented when the golf putter is held in the traditional manner.

In a preferred construction the forearm engaging portion can comprises a first elongate forearm engaging element and a second elongate forearm engaging element. The first and second forearm engaging elements can extend from the hand grip portion at an angle which corresponds to a desired angle at which the forearms of the user should extend from the putter in use.

Preferably the first forearm engaging element can extend from a surface of the hand grip which faces forwards when the ball is struck, and the second forearm engaging element can extend from a surface of the hand grip which faces rearwards when the ball is struck.

In a preferred construction the first and second forearm engaging elements can be positioned on the putter to be disposed above the hands in use, and against the inside surface of the user's forearms.

With this arrangement when the putter is gripped in the conventional manner, and the first and second forearm engaging elements are in contact with the user's forearms, the first forearm engaging element prevents the putter being rotated in an anti-clockwise direction from the user's perspective, and the second forearm engaging element prevents the putter being rotated clockwise from the user's perspective.

It will be appreciated that the first and the second forearm engaging elements can be any length, provided they are not longer than the user's forearms and extend at least beyond the user's wrists.

In one construction the attachment means can be a sleeve which is adapted to be seated over the hand grip portion of the putter, and from which the first and the second forearm engaging elements extend. The sleeve can be provided with a clamping screw to hold it in place.

However, the majority of golf putters are provided with a hand grip section which tapers outwardly toward the top of the club. This means that any sleeve would have to be at least as wide as the top of the putter.

Therefore, in an alternative embodiment the attachment means can comprise a first base and a second base, and a clamping means to hold the first and the second base in position on the hand grip portion of the putter. The first base and the second base could be hinged together at one side, such that they could be closed around the hand grip portion and fixed together by a clip of any known type.

The invention also includes a golf putter including a hand grip portion, which Is provided with a forearm engaging portion, in which the forearm engaging portion extends from the hand grip portion, and is disposed against at least a portion of the forearms of a user, in use, such that rotation of the user's wrists is prevented when the putter is gripped in the traditional manner.

The invention can be performed in various ways, but one embodiment will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a side view of a training device for use with a golf putter according to the present invention, in use.

In Figure 1 a training device 1 for use with a golf putter 2 including a hand grip portion 3, comprises golf club attachment means, in the form of first base portion 4, second base portion 5 and clips 6 and 7, and a forearm engaging portion, in the form of first forearm engaging element 8 and second forearm engaging element 9, in which in use the forearm engaging portion (8, 9) extends from the hand grip portion 3 and is disposed against at least a portion of the forearms of a user (not shown), such that rotation of the user's wrists is prevented when the golf putter 2 is held in the traditional manner.

The first and second forearm engaging elements 8 and 9 extend from the hand grip portion 3 at an angle which corresponds to a desired angle at which the forearms of the user should extend from the putter in use. In Figure 1 the first and second forearm engaging elements 8 and 9 extend from the hand grip portion 3 at an angle of 30 degrees. However, this angle can be changed according to the player's requirements.

The first and second base portions 4 and 5 are hinged together at one edge (not visible) and are held together and in place on the putter 2 by means of clips 6 and 7. The first and second base portions 4 and 5 extend down a major portion of the hand grip portion 3, and in use the user grips the base portions 4 and 5.

The first and second forearm engaging elements 8 and 9 also extend from the hand grip portion 3 at a point above the area of the base portions 4 and 5 which the user grips in use. With this arrangement the first and second forearm engaging elements 8 and 9 are disposed against the inside surface of the user's forearms in use.

Figure 1 shows the side of the putter which faces the user when a ball is struck in use. As such the first forearm engaging element 8 extends from the side of the hand grip 4 which faces forwards when the ball is struck, and the second forearm engaging element 9 extends from the side of the hand grip 4 which faces rearwards when the ball is struck.

Therefore, if the user is right handed the first forearm engaging element 8 is disposed against the inside of their left forearm, and the second forearm engaging element 9 is disposed against the inside of their right forearm in use.

With this arrangement when the putter 2 is gripped in the conventional manner, the first forearm engaging element 8 prevents the putter 2 being rotated in an anti-clockwise direction, and the second forearm engaging 9 element prevents the putter 2 being rotated in a clockwise direction.

To fit the training device 1 to the putter 2 the first and second base portions 4 and 5 are fitted around the hand grip portion 3, and the clips 6 and 7 are connected.

To remove the training device 1 the clips 6 and 7 are undone, and the first and second base portions 4 and 5 can be rotated apart about the hinge (not visible) and removed from the putter 2.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), a golf putter is provided with integral first and second forearm engaging portions, which extend from a hand grip portion in the same manner as first and second forearm engaging portions 8 and 9 described above.

The embodiments described above can be altered without departing from the spirit of the invention. In particular, the first and second forearm engaging elements 8 and 9 can extend from the hand grip portion below the hands in use, and can be shaped and dimensioned to fit around the outside of the user's hands and forearms.

In another alternative embodiment (not shown) the first and second forearm engaging elements 8 and 9 could be replaced with a single forearm engaging element in the shape of a cone, or a portion of a cone, which extends radially from the hand grip portion.

Thus a training device is provided which can prevent a golfer from flexing their wrists during play. Further, a device is provided which can be fitted to conventional putting clubs.

Claims

Claims 1. A training device for use with a golf putter including a hand

grip portion, comprising golf putter attachment means and a forearm engaging portion, in which in use the forearm engaging portion extends from the hand grip portion and is disposed against at least a portion of the forearms of a user, such that rotation of the user's wrists is prevented when the golf putter is held in the traditional manner.
2. A training device for use with a golf putter as claimed in Claim 1 in which the forearm engaging portion comprises a first elongate forearm engaging element and a second elongate forearm engaging element, and in which the first and second elongate forearm engaging elements extend from the hand grip portion at an angle substantially parallel to a desired angle at which the forearms of the user extend from the putter in use.
3. A training device for use with a golf putter as claimed in Claim 2 in which the first and second forearm engaging elements extend from the hand grip portion above the hands in use, such that they are disposed against the inside surface of the user's forearms.
4. A training device for use with a golf putter according to any of the preceding Claims in which the attachment means comprises a first base and a second base, and clamping means to hold the first and the second base in position on the hand grip portion of the putter.
5. A training device for use with a golf putter as claimed in Claim 4 in which the first base and the second base are hinged together at one side, such that they can be closed around the hand grip portion of the putter in use and fixed together at their opposite sides by clip means.
6. A training device for use with a golf putter substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawing.
7. A golf putter including a hand grip portion, which is provided with a forearm engaging portion, in which the forearm engaging portion extends from the hand grip portion, and is disposed against at least a portion of the forearms of a user, in use, such that rotation of the user's wrists is prevented when the putter is gripped in the traditional manner.