US20050070367A1

US20050070367A1 - Golf training device

Info

Publication number: US20050070367A1
Application number: US10/675,521
Authority: US
Inventors: Loring Pickering; Keely Pickering
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-09-30
Filing date: 2003-09-30
Publication date: 2005-03-31

Abstract

Golf Training Device with a golf club with, a standard golf club handle portion, a shaft portion, a head portion. The head portion is shaped like a concave hemispheric scoop that can removably retain a golf ball. A preferred embodiment includes the top of the shaft having external threads that can interface with internal threads located in the bottom of the handle so that the user can adjust the overall length of the golf club.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of golf training devices and more specifically to a golf training device that helps a user learn to incorporate a pitching action in conjunction with the standard golf swing.
The game of golf has been in existence for hundreds of years. The game includes sticking a small ball with the head of a golf club so that the ball travels toward a hole in the grassy golf course.
Many devices have been developed and marketed over the years that are designed to improve a golfers swing so that the golf ball, when it is struck by the head of the golf club, will travel in the desired direction.
Ben Hogan, one of the worlds greatest golfers, said that he felt, when swinging his best, that he felt as if he was throwing the golf ball at the target from the club head face. He also used a baseball analogy in his book “The Five Lessons” saying that the action of the right arm and right side was that of an infielder scooping up a grounder and throwing the ball to first base with a sidearm—under hand motion. After studying existing golf training products and prior patent art, I have determined that there currently is no golf training device that helps teach a golfer to improve his or her swing by replacing the common swing and strike motion with more of a more accurate swing and pitch motion.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide a golf training device that helps the user aim a golf ball toward the desired location by replacing the standard swing and strike motion to more of a swing and pitch motion.
Another object of the invention is to provide a golf training device that has the weight and feel of a standard golf club but has unique scoop shaped head that creates the sensation of pitching the ball in the desired direction.
Another object of the invention is to provide a golf training device whose shaft can be extended or retracted to suit the height and arm length of the user.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed Golf Training Device comprising: a golf club comprising, a standard golf club handle portion, a shaft portion, a head portion, and said head portion shaped like a concave hemispheric scoop that can removably retain a golf ball. The shaft portion of the head is height adjustable to accommodate users of different heights and arm lengths.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a side view of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the head of the invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the head of the invention with a golf ball in place.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.
Referring now to FIG. 1 we see a side view of the golf swing training device of the present invention 100. The training club 100 is comprised of a standard handle portion 8, a shaft member 4 and a head portion 2. The shaft member 4 includes a male threaded portion 6 at the top of the shaft 4 that interacts with a female portion shown by dotted line 7 in the handle 8. The shaft can be lengthened or shortened to accommodate users of different height and arm length. The shaft member 4 has a slight forward facing bow and is made of semi-rigid material such as nylon plastic so that the shaft a slight spring action when being used. This configuration helps produce the pitching action that will help the user learn how to incorporate a more accurate pitching motion to his or her golf swing. FIG. 2 is a front view of the present invention 100. This view shows that the head portion is round in shape and is intended to be able to removably retain a standard golf ball. The training device 100 can also include a special soft golf ball that can be used in close quarters so that it will not do serious damage. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the head portion 2 of the present invention 100. The head 2 is basically a hemispherical shape 24. The shape is hollowed out 22 so that the perimeter 23 of the head 2 is slightly larger than a standard golf ball so that the golf ball can be removably retained as shown in FIG. 4. The lower lip 20 can be used to help scoop up the ball during practice. Shaft 4 is fixedly attached to the head 4. As part of the practice kit, a netting type cage can be supplied to catch the practice ball after it has been pitched by the head 2 of the present invention 100.
In the above described and illustrated way, a person can practice the pitching action suggested by world class golfer Ben Hogan so that the user can learn to swing more accurately thereby improving his or her golf game.
While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A golf training device having a general configuration similar to a golf club comprising:

a) a golf club handle portion;

b) an elongate shaft portion connected to said handle portion;

c) a head portion connected to an end of said shaft portion; and

d) said head portion having a concave hemishperic scoop forming a pocket sized so that it can snugly but nevertheless removably retain a golf ball by friction fit.

2. The golf training device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a top of said shaft portion is provided with external threads that can interface with internal threads located in a bottom of said handle portion so that the user can adjust the overall length of said golf club.

3. The golf training device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said shaft portion is bowed and is constructed of a semi rigid material that can flex slightly when the user pitches a golf ball toward a target.

4. A golf training device having a general configuration similar to a golf club comprising:

a) a handle portion;

b) an elongate shaft portion connected to said handle portion;

c) a head portion connected to an end of said shaft portion; and

d) said head portion having a concave hemispheric scoop sized so that it can removably retain a golf ball, wherein said golf ball is constructed of a soft flexible foamed plastic material so that said ball will snugly but removably fit within said pocket and will not cause damage when used in close quarters.