GB2514129A

GB2514129A - Golf training aid

Info

Publication number: GB2514129A
Application number: GB1308624.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leslie Edward Coe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-05-14
Filing date: 2013-05-14
Publication date: 2014-11-19
Anticipated expiration: 2033-05-14
Also published as: GB2514129B; GB201308624D0; WO2014184509A1

Abstract

A golf training aid comprising a base plate 10 for placement on the ground, supporting a first linear stick A extending parallel to the ground, an arm 20 pivoted to the base plate adapted to support a second linear stick B, the arm 20 pivoting in a plane normal to the first stick A, angle measurement means 12 to set the arm at a predetermined angle, and means 13, 23, 24 to releasably lock the arm at the predetermined angle to the base. The base may comprise spikes 16 to locate it in the ground and a tongue 15 to place the base under a mat.

Description

I _______________________________

TITLE: Golf Training Aid The present invention relates to a golf training aid.

When playing a golf stroke, it is well known to swing the club so that the club head follows a circular path in a swing plane which is at an angle off the vertical. This is especially critical on the last phase of the swing when the club starts at its highest point and travels to hit the ball at its lowest point. The angle changes, depending on the length of club being used, e.g. a wood or 7 or 9 iron for instance.

It is know to provide a pair of "alignment sticks". One first stick is placed on the ground adjacent the ball forward and aft of the ball to give a guide as to the intended direction of travel of the ball. The other second stick is pushed into the ground at one end, with the stick at an angle representing the angle off the vertical of the desired swing plane. The user tries to keep the swing of the club in the correct swing plane by looking at the second stick and drives the club head at the lowest point of the swing passed the first stick when the ball is located.

A problem with these sticks is that the angle of the second stick in the ground is not accurately set. Also the sticks cannot be used on driving ranges where special mats are used, as the second stick cannot be inserted into the mat. Also the sticks cannot be used when practising indoors as the second stick cannot be inserted into the floor.

The invention seeks to provide a golf training aid which overcomes these disadvantages of known alignment sticks, and which has further benefits.

According to the present invention there is provided a golf training aid comprising: a) a base plate for placement of the ground and adapted to support a first linear stick extending therefrom parallel to the ground, b) an arm pivoted to the base plate adapted to support a second linear stick extending therefrom, said arm pivoting in a plane normal to the first stick, c) angle measurement means to set the arm at a predetermined angle, and d) means to releasably lock the arm at the predetermined angle to the base.

Preferably the base plate has securement means to secure the base plate to a golf driving range mat. Preferably the securement means is at least one tongue extending from the base plate to tuck under a golf mat whilst supporting the first stick on top of the mat.

Preferably the base plate has removable ground engaging members to secure the base plate into soil. The ground engaging member may be one or more spikes which screw into the base plate.

Preferably the base plate includes a stabiliser to stabilise the plate when the plate is free standing on the ground. The stabiliser may be in the form of a third stick extending either side of the base plate normal to the first stick.

Preferably the first, second, and third sticks are releasably secured in elongate recesses in the base plate or arm.

Preferably the first second and third sticks are aligmnent sticks.

Preferably an elongate recess is provided on the arm to receive the first stick. Preferably the arm recess can be spaced at varying distances along the arm to raise or lower the first stick relative to the base plate.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view, and Figure 2 shows the golf aid of Figure 1 in use.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a golf training aid 1.

Aid 1 has a base plate 10 for placement on the ground. Base plate 10 has an elongate recess 11 adapted to support a first linear stick in the form of a first alignment stick A. When inserted in the recess 11, first alignment stick A extends from the base plate parallel to the ground.

An arm 20 is pivoted to the base plate by means of a pivot axis pin 21 (or any other pivot device). Arm 20 has an elongate recess 22 adapted to support a second linear stick in the form of a second all gnment stick B. When inserted in the recess 22 the second alignment stick B extends from the arm. Arm 20 pivots in a plane normal to the first alignment stick A. An angle measurement means in the form of a protraetor 12 on the base 10 is provided to set the arm at a predetermined angle.

A clamp formed by a knurled knob 23 on a threaded shaft 24 extending from arm 20 through an arcuate slot 13 in the protractor 12 forms means to releasablY lock the arm at the predetermined angle to the base.

Base plate io includes an elongate recesS 14 normal to recess 11 to receive a third alignment stick C to stabilise the plate when the plate is free standing on the ground. The third stick C extends, in use, either side of the base plate normal to the first alignment stick A. This allows the aid to be used on a hard floor in a building, e.g. when practising a golf swing at home.

The base plate 10 has securement means to secure the base plate to a golf mat. The securement means is in the form of a pair of tongues I 5A,l SB extending from the base plate to tuck under the edge of a golf mat whilst supporting the first stick on top of the mat. This allows the aid to be used on a driving range with a golf mat to tee off from.

Base plate 10 also has removable ground engaging members to secure the base plate into soil.

The ground engaging member maybe for example four spikes 16A,168,l6C,16D which screw into the bottom face of the base plate. This allows the aid to be used on grass.

Ann 20 supports a carriage 25 which can slide up and down on arm 20 and can be locked into a fixed position on the ann 20 by means of a locking knurled knob 26. Knob 26 includes an elongate recess 27 to receive the first alignment stick instead of elongate recess II. When base plate 10 is secured to the edge of a mat using tongues ISA,15B, the mat may be too thick to allow first alignment stick A to be inserted in elongate recess 11. First alignment stick A can be inserted in the elongate recess 27 and the carriage 25 raised or lowered relative to the base plate 10 at varying distances along the arm 20 depending Ofl the thickness of the mat to align the first alignment stick A to rest on the top of the mat.

In use as shown in Figure 2, a golfer ideally wants to swing the club X in so that the club head follows a circular path Y in a swing plane which is at an angle off the vertical as defined by the second aljgmnent stick B. The angle of stick B is set by using the protractor 12 to adjust the angle of arm 20 relative to base plate 10. As the user swings the club, the user can watch visually the second alignment stick to make sure the club head follows the circular path Y angled off the vertical. The golfer also ensures that the club head is adjacent the first alignment stick A to hit the ball Z at the bottom of the swing.

A golfer or an instructor will change the angle of arm 20, depending on the length of club being used, e.g. a wood or 7 or 9 iron for instance.

The aid of the invention may be made small and light weight for ease of transport and storage.

The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A golf training aid comprising: a) a base plate for placement of the ground and adapted to support a first linear stick extending therefrom parallel to the ground, b) an arm pivoted to the base plate adapted to support a second linear stick extending therefrom, said arm pivoting in a plane normal to the first stick, c) angle measurement means to set the arm at a predetermined angle, and d) means to releasably lock the arm at the predetermined angle to the base.
2. A golf training aid according to claim 1, wherein the base plate has securement means to secure the base plate to a golf driving range mat.
3. A golf training aid according to claim 2, wherein the securement means is at least one tongue extending from the base plate to tuck under a golf mat whilst supporting the first stick on top of the mat.
4. A golf training aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the base plate has removable ground engaging members to secure the base plate into soil.
5. A golf training aid according to claim 4, wherein the ground engaging member is one or more spikes which screw into the base plate.
6. A golf training aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the base plate includes a stabiliser to stabilise the plate when the plate is free standing on the ground.
7. A golf training aid according to claim 6, wherein the stabiliser is in the form of a third stick extending either side of the base plate normal to the first stick.
8. A golf training aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the first, second, and third sticks are releasably secured in elongate recesses in the base plate or arm.
9. A golf training aid according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the first second and third sticks are aligmnent sticks.
10. A golf training aid according to any preceding claim, wherein an elongate recess is provided on the arm to receive the first stick.
11. A golf training aid according to claim tO, wherein the ann recess can be spaced at varying distances along the arm to raise or lower the first stick relative to the base plate.
12. A golf training aid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.