US1674135A

US1674135A - Golf practice equipment

Info

Publication number: US1674135A
Application number: US172726A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frank L Shidler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1927-03-04
Filing date: 1927-03-04
Publication date: 1928-06-19
Anticipated expiration: 1945-06-19

Description

June 19, 1928. 1,674,135

F. L. SHIDLER GOLF PRACTICE EQUIPMENT Ori inal Filed March 4, 1927 INVENTOR:

FRANK L 6/4/04 EH3 mud,

A TTORNEY.

Patented June 19, 1928.

UNITED STATES FRANK L. SHIIDLER', or KANkAknn, ILLINOIS.

GOLF PRACTICE EeUrrMnNT.

Application filed March 4, 1927, Serial No. 172,726. Renewed November 10, 1927.

This invention relates to an equipment and practice means for use in learning and practicing what is known as the follow or carry-through stroke in the game of golf, and has for its object To provide means comprising a ground target or mark convenient to the station of the player, a flight or guide strip or mark in aligned horizontal relation to sald ground target, and a suspended destination target in vertical aligned relation with said ground target and with a remote portion of saidflight strip, the designated elements or features being adapted to provide a guiding and a training means for a learner or a player in attaining a perfect carry-through stroke with the use of a practice club, preferably of a type capable of successive change in the weight of the club head from a primary excessive weight to a lighter final weight of the head. An example of such type of practice club heads forms the subject.

matter of acompanion application for Let ters Patent Serial No. 172,727, and all as will hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying draw1ng1 Fig. 1, is a perspective view illustrating the preferred arrangement of parts in this invention. I I a i Fig. 2, is a perspective view of the head portion of the preferred form of practice club.

In the usual instructions in the game of golf to the learner, are a number of standard lessons, such as proper stance of the feet,

proper position or poise of the body, correct manner of gripping the club shaft, and other minor items, which are deemed of im portance and necessary to be learned and effected before the student can expect to make a proper stroke in golf play.

An essential teaching following such preliminary .training is the attainment of a perfect execution of what is known as the carry-through stroke, in which an absolute requirement is that. from the instant the club head comes in contact with the ball, the club head must continue on to the completion of the stroke in the precise direction in which it is intended to drive the ball. Any variation from such requirement'usually causes the ball totake flight in a corresponding direction, not desired by the player.

Experience has shown that it is very difficult to attain such carry-through stroke without the assistance of some equipment in that it cannot be expected that such muscles, etc. will respond properly, just when and how desired, when called upon to effect the golf stroke properly. In like manner,

lack of opportunity to play regularly, or lnabillty to engage in regular practice will tendto alike failure. And again, physical conditions, want-of complete control of the eyes in executing the golf stroke andlack of coordination, inconstructive practice, of the eyes, body and mind are largely responsible for poor results attained.

With a view to assist in overcoming the difficulties in learning above set forth, the present invention involves an equipment or apparatus as follows:-

Adjacent to the position. ofthe player or learner, and upon the ground, floor or other horizontal surface employed, a ground target 1, usually a circular spot, is arranged or formed, and is intended to represent. the tee or spot at which a golf ball rests in ordinary playing.

From the target or spot 1, a straight strip or mark 2 extends along the ground or other surface to constitute a guide or flight strip for the party practicing.

Above the flight strip 2 and in vertical alignment therewith, a destination'target 3 is suspended by a flexible connection or cord 4, at a height above the flight. strip and at a distance from the ground target 1, so that it will be in the path of the head 5 of a c'lub stick 6 in the hands of the player, to be struck by such head when the player attains the perfect carry-through stroke and only then. lVith a view to the proper elevated position of the destination target 3, its flexible supporting connection 4 has an adjustable formation 4 of any usual and suitable construction, and while said flexible connection may depend from'a convenient overhead ceiling, roofor the like, in the preferred construction shown in Fig. 1, the flexible supporting connection at, is attached at its upper end to one end of an arm or bar, 7, the other end of which arm is pivotally attached to the upper end of an upright stand or post 8, having a base 9 adapted to rest upon the ground or tloor and on a remote portion of the flight strip 2 as shown.

The destination target 3 will usually be of a spheroid shape, and preferably of a l1ollow sound emitting construction so that when struck it will give an audible indication 01 the fact.

The p actice club used will preferably be of the type described in detail in my aforesaid companion application for Letters Patent, Serial No. 172,727, in which the practice club head 5 is formed so as to receive a series of intercluingeable excess weights 5' which are secured in a substantial manner to the club head by suitable fastening means.

The present equipment and system of use intended solely for practice and not for playing the game, and no ball is used in such practice, the omission being intentional, it being very desirable that in order to attain perfect control of the eyes during practice, thatthe player should be clearly impressed with the fact that nothing takes flight during ractice and that he is to direct his gaze sole y to the ground directly in front of himself during theentire time the stroke is being executed. In actual use the interchangeable series of excess weights 5 ot the practice club are successively used, commencing with the heaviest one and at the commencement of the practice exercise of the learner or player. The excessive weight of the club head thus provided enables the learner to accomplish the correct carry-through stroke with ease and a minimum effort on his part, in that the compelling action of the excess weight, when once in motion, influences the learners muscles, body, etc., to come into line and perform the exact functions and movements necessary to assist in making a perfect stroke. As the practice lesson progresses, the learner auton'iatically performs such movements and the same becomes easy and natural to perform without efiort or close attention to details. At this point in the progress of the learner, the lighter excess weights 5 are attached and used in sequence so that when the learner has worked down to the bare club head, with no excess weight carried, it will be found that the control in making a carry-through stroke has passed from the club head to the learners muscles, body, etc.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. An equipment for golf and like practice and instruction comprising in combination, a ground target or mark, a flight strip or mark extending therefrom, a destination target, and means for supporting the destination target in aligned relation above a part of the flight strip remote from the ground target.

2. An equipment for golf and like practice and instruction comprising in combination, a ground target or mark, a flight strip or mark extending therefrom, a destination target having a spheroid shape, and means for supporting the destination target in aligned relation above a part of the flight strip remote from the ground target.

:5. An equipment for golf and like prac lice and instruction comprising in combination, a ground target or mark, a flight strip or mark extending therefrom, a destination target having a hollow sound producing spheroid shape, and means for supporting the destination target in aligned relation above a part of the flight strip remote from the ground target.

4. An equipment for golf and like practice and instruction comprising in combination, a ground target or mark, a flight strip or mark extending therefrom, a destination target, and means for supporting the destination target in aligned relation above a. part of the flight strip remote from the ground target, the same comprising a portable stand, an adjustable arm at the upper end of said stand, and a flexible connection between an end of said arm and the destination target.

5. An equipment for golf and like ractice and instruction comprising in com ination, a ground target or mark, a flight strip or mark extending therefrom, a destination target having a spheroid shape, and means for supporting the destination target in aligned relation above a part of the flight strip remote from the ground target, the same comprising a portable stand, an adjustable arm at the upper end of said stand, and a flexible connection between end of said arm and the destination target.

(3. An equipment for golf and like praclice and instruction comprising in combination, a ground target or mark, a flight strip or mark extending therefrom, a destination target having a hollow sound producing spheroid shape, and means for supporting the destination target in aligned relation above a part of the flight strip remote from the ground target, the same comprising a portable stand, an adjustable arm at the upper end of said stand, and a flexible connection between an end of said arm and the destination target.

7. An equipment for golf and like practice and instruction comprising in combination, a ground target or mark, a flight strip or mark extending therefrom, a destination target, and means for supporting the desti nation target in aligned relation above a part of the flight strip remote from the ground target, the same comprisin a portable stand, an adjustable arm at t e upper end of said stand, and a flexible and extensible connection between an end of said arm and the destination target.

8. An equipment for golf and like practice and instruction comprising in combination, a ground target or mark, a flight strip or mark extending therefrom, a destination target having a spheroid shape and means for supporting the destination target in aligned relation above a part of the flight strip remote from the ground target, the same comprising a portable stand, an adjustable arm at the upper end of said stand, and a flexible and extensible connection between an end of said arm and the destination target.

9. An equipment for golf and like practice and instruction comprising in combination, a ground target or mark, a flight strip or mark extending therefrom, adestination target having a hollow sound producing spheroid shape, and means for supporting the destination target in aligned relation above a part of the flight strip remote from the ground target, the same comprising a portable stand, an adjustable arm at'the upper end of said stand, and a flexible and ex tensible connection between an end oi said arm and the destination target.

Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 26th day of February, 1927.

FRANK L. SHIDLER.