US20120295724A1

US20120295724A1 - Golf club training handle

Info

Publication number: US20120295724A1
Application number: US13/473,110
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert M. Walker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-05-17
Filing date: 2012-05-16
Publication date: 2012-11-22

Abstract

A device for improving a golfer's swing, the device having a training handle for a golf club wherein the golf club has a longitudinal shaft having at its superior end a gripping area and at its inferior end a head, the training handle originating on or immediately inferior to the gripping area and extending perpendicularly from the longitudinal shaft, the handle being oriented such that it is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the golf club head.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application 61/487,097 filed on May 17, 2011 by the present inventor and the application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

NAMES OF PARTIES TO JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING

Not Applicable

DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

1. Field Of The Invention
The disclosed method and device relates generally to golf clubs and golf club accessories, namely training devices to help one learn or improve their golf swing.
2. Description of Related Art
The disclosed is a novel golf training handle that trains a golfer how to swing properly by controlling hand position, which further translates into maintaining proper motion and body position throughout the swing.
One of the most difficult things for a golfer to master is proper swing. To swing like the pros, a golfer needs to maintain a very specific club position and body position throughout the entire course of the swing. New golfers find learning the swing to be an uncomfortable and awkward experience. Even if they begin with a correct hand and body position, they often lose the correct body positioning part way through their swing. Similarly, although they may begin the swing with the club (and head of the club) in the correct position, the positioning of the golf club tends to deteriorate as the player processes through the swing. The deterioration in positioning can cause the face of the golf club head to strike the golf ball improperly.
There are a plethora of devices on the market designed to assist golfers with their swing, including videos, products, and manuals. Most are difficult to incorporate by the golfer because the nature of learning the swing requires the golfer to assume an unnatural stance and handhold. Because it is unnatural, it is difficult for the golfer to maintain the position through the swing even if they have studied instructional materials.
There are certain products intended to assist a golfer with his swing, for example, a type of club that breaks or detaches when the swing is incorrect, as well as various types of hand grip materials on the club itself. To date, there is however no known device such as the disclosed.
There is a need for a method and device to enable a golfer to maintain proper positioning throughout the swing. The method and device should be easy to use, such that little or no instruction is required to use it. It should be lightweight and highly portable to take to the golf course. It should be relatively inexpensive. It should not interfere with the aesthetics or use of the golf club.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a device and method is disclosed for training a golfer to improve their swing.
An objective of the disclosure is a device and method that controls the golfer's hand position throughout the swing.
An objective of the disclosure is a device and method that teaches a golfer proper swing technique.
An objective of the disclosure is a device and method that saves the golfer expensive golf lessons and eliminates “trial and error” techniques to learn proper golf swing.
An objective of the disclosure is a device and method that improves a golfer's ability to strike the ball with the club face squarely making contact with the ball.
An objective of the disclosure is a device and method to improve a golfer's swing consistency.
An objective of the disclosure is a device for teaching proper golf swing wherein the device is easily portable to the golf range.
An objective of the disclosure is a device for teaching proper golf swing wherein the device is easily mountable on the player's existing golf clubs.
An objective of the disclosure is a device for teaching proper golf swing wherein the device may be commercially manufactured as part of the golf club at the time the golf club is manufactured.
An objective of the disclosure is an improved training golf club.
An objective of the disclosure is a device for improving a golfer's swing, the device comprising a training handle for a golf club wherein the golf club comprises a longitudinal shaft having at its superior end a gripping area and at its inferior end a head, the training handle originating on or immediately inferior to the gripping area and extending perpendicularly from the longitudinal shaft, the handle being oriented such that it is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the golf club head.
A method for improving a golfer's swing, the method comprising mounting a training handle on a golf club wherein the golf club comprises a longitudinal shaft having at its superior end a gripping area and at its inferior end a head, the training handle originating on or immediately inferior to the gripping area and extending perpendicularly from the longitudinal shaft, the handle being oriented such that it is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the golf club head.
An improved training golf club, the golf club comprising a longitudinal shaft having at its superior end a gripping area and at its inferior end a head, the golf club further comprising a training handle originating on or immediately inferior to the gripping area and extending perpendicularly from the longitudinal shaft, the handle being oriented such that it is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the golf club head and the handle being of a length sufficient to enable gripping by a human hand.
Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying figures, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures 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. To enable more thorough understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the disclosed invention.

FIG. 2 is side view of a preferred embodiment of the disclosed invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosed invention.

FIG. 4 is a close-up side view of an embodiment of the disclosed invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the disclosed invention.

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.
Golf clubs are fairly standard in design, comprising a straight rod which is a longitudinal shaft culminating in a golf club head at the inferior end and typically a rubber hand gripping area at the superior end where the golfer holds the club. The primary variance in golf clubs is noted in the different types of heads and grips, as the shaft itself is rarely modified.
Essentially the disclosed invention acts for the golfer as “training wheels” do on a bicycle for a new rider. After consistently using the disclosed invention, the golfer trains his body and hands to attain and maintain proper positioning through the entire cycle of the swing.
One of the issues golfers combat is not being able to hold the club properly throughout the course of the entire swing which results in not striking the ball squarely. The disclosed solves that problem by causing the user to maintain the hands in a very specific position that does not shift during the cycle of the swing.
When striking the golf ball, it is very important to make square contact with the face of the head. This causes the ball to fly farther, straighter and truer. The disclosed invention, by controlling the hand and club position throughout the cycle of the swing, greatly improves the golfer's likelihood of making square contact with the ball.
Turning to the illustrations, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the disclosed invention. The view depicts a golfer 10 holding a golf club 12 having a training handle 14 extending out in a parallel position to the golf club head 16. The golf club 12 is essentially a longitudinal shaft 18 having a superior end 20 and an inferior end 22. As is common with golf clubs, the inferior end 22 of the shaft 18 culminates in a golf club head 16 extending perpendicularly from the shaft 18, the longitudinal axis 24 of the golf club head 16 having on either side an area known as the face 26 of the golf club head 16. The superior end 20 of the longitudinal shaft 18 commonly has a gripping area 28 which, on most golf clubs is covered with a gripping material such as a ridged rubberized coating to make it easier to hold the golf club. Extending from the longitudinal shaft 18, in this embodiment, immediately inferior to the gripping area 28, is shown the training handle 14 which is perpendicular to the longitudinal shaft 18 but parallel to the longitudinal axis 24 of the golf club head 16. The handle 14 is shown having a length sufficient for a human hand to easily grasp it. In the figure, the golfer 10 has his first hand 30 encircling, in the customary fashion, the gripping area 26 of the shaft 18 of the golf club 12 and his second hand 32 encircling and grasping the training handle 14, the second hand 32 being perpendicularly oriented to the placement of the first hand 30. The golfer 10 is depicted holding the training handle 14 in a palm up fashion.
As shown in FIG. 1, the position of the right hand, as forced by the training handle, limits the range of motion and positioning available to the golfer. This forces him to use correct form, which further forces the club head to stay in the correct position, optimizing the probability that the face of the club head will strike squarely on the ball when the club is swung to meet the ball.
In FIG. 2 is depicted the training handle 34 in an embodiment where it has been permanently affixed as part of the construction of the club 12 itself. This embodiment is envisioned as accompanying a specific training golf club that a new or improving golfer would purchase as a pre-constructed device for the specific purpose of working on their swing. It could also be incorporated by manufacturers on a whole specific set of golf clubs, especially for new golfers. The break shown in approximately the middle of the shaft on FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 is intended only to indicate that no specific length of golf club is claimed herein and the length may vary from club to club. The handle in this embodiment is shown as a permanently manufactured part of the shaft 18 and originates immediately inferior to the gripping area 28 of the golf club shaft 18, oriented such that it is extending in a parallel position over the golf club head 16. This is the most advantageous positioning although if desired a manufacturer could manufacture the handle emerging from the gripping area itself rather than below it, depending upon the length of the gripping area which varies from club to club.
FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment wherein the training handle 36 is a removably attached aftermarket accessory that the golfer can purchase and mount or clamp to any of his existing golf clubs. In this embodiment, one can see the sleeve 38 at the end of the handle 36 closest to the golf club 12, and can further view the fastener 40 for the sleeve 38. In this embodiment, the user may mount the handle where desired longitudinally on the golf club shaft, depending on their height.
Some users may wish to position it on the gripping area of the golf club while others may wish to mount or clamp it on below the gripping area 28. It should, however, be oriented such that it is extending in a parallel position over the golf club head 16.
FIG. 4 is a close up view of the accessory training handle 50 in place on the golf club 12 with the sleeve 38 and the fastener 40 (which may be any appropriate means of fastening including nuts, bolts, screws, magnets or other reasonable fastening or clamping devices, provided they hold the handle securely enough that it does not move during the swing of the user).
In FIG. 5 is depicted an exploded view of the accessory training handle 50. In this view the sleeve 38 is shown as a two part device culminating in one end 52 that encircles the golf club shaft 18 and a further having a body 54 that horizontally encircles the training handle 50. The sleeve 38 is further held in place on the training handle 50 by a hole 56 through the handle 50 such that a second fastener 58 can project through one side 60 of the encircling sleeve 38, through the handle 50, and through the opposing side 62 of the encircling sleeve whereupon it is tightened or secured, for example a nut and bolt arrangement. The training handle for the embodiment where the user mounts to their existing golf clubs could be mounted in any reasonable manner provided it was removable and provided the desired level of secure hold necessary to remain stationary during use. Although the sleeve system described herein is preferred, other means of clamping or fastening the training handle could be employed provided the objectives described herein are achieved.
In practice, the player begins the swing by holding the golf club such that the training handle is pointed straight out, away from the front of the golfer's body. At the beginning of the back swing the club head is beginning to open up. Close to the end of the back swing the club facing becomes totally open. Holding the training handle limits the direction and position the club can be swung, forcing the player to swing the club head downward in the exact same way it went up.
This results in the club head closing as it is coming down. The face of the golf club head is thus more likely to strike directly on the ball. Close to the end of the follow through the club facing is totally shut as it strikes the ball, resulting in strong, square-on contact.
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.
It is to be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are shown for illustrative purposes and are not intended to be construed as limitations of the disclosed method and system. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain in the course of routine experimentation, that variations and equivalents of the embodiments may be undertaken without departing from the scope of the invention.
Certain terms are used throughout the description to refer to particular method components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, design and manufacturing companies may refer to a component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function.
The terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . .” Also, the term “couple” or “couples” is intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection or through an indirect connection via other intermediate devices and connections. Moreover, the term “method” means “one or more components” combined together. Thus, a method can comprise an “entire method” or “sub methods” within the method.
The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the word “comprising” may mean “one”, or may also mean “one or more.” The use of the term “or” in the claims is used to mean “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or the alternatives are mutually exclusive, although the disclosures supports a definition that refers to only alternatives and “and/or.”
The methods and systems disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation based on the level of disclosure presented. While the methods and systems have been described in terms of their preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that they are not limited to the exact steps described and may vary from such description without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The substitutes and modifications employed by one skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A device for improving a golfer's swing, the device comprising:

a training handle for a golf club wherein the golf club comprises a longitudinal shaft having at its superior end a gripping area and at its inferior end a head, the training handle originating on or immediately inferior to the gripping area and extending perpendicularly from the longitudinal shaft, the handle being oriented such that it is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the golf club head.

2. The handle of claim 1 wherein the handle is of sufficient length to enable gripping by a human hand.

3. The handle of claim 1 wherein the handle is of diameter similar to that of the gripping area.

4. The handle of claim 1 wherein the handle is permanently constructed to the golf club.

5. The handle of claim 1 wherein the handle is removably mounted to the golf club.

6. The handle of claim 5 further having at one end a mounting means for mounting the handle to the golf club shaft.

7. The handle of claim 6 wherein the mounting means is a cylindrical sleeve at one end of the handle, wherein the sleeve further can be removably tightened on the golf club shaft.

8. The handle of claim 7 wherein the sleeve is removably tightened by at least one through hole, at least one bolt traversing through the holes and at least one nut.

9. The handle of claim 1 wherein the handle further comprises an exterior gripping material.

10. A method for improving a golfer's swing, the method comprising:

mounting a training handle on a golf club wherein the golf club comprises a longitudinal shaft having at its superior end a gripping area and at its inferior end a head, the training handle originating on or immediately inferior to the gripping area and extending perpendicularly from the longitudinal shaft, the handle being oriented such that it is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the golf club head.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the handle is of sufficient length to enable gripping by a human hand.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the handle is permanently constructed to the golf club.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the handle is removably mounted to the golf club.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the handle further comprises at one end a mounting means for mounting the handle to the golf club shaft.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the mounting means is a cylindrical sleeve at one end of the handle, wherein the sleeve further can be removably tightened on the golf club shaft.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the sleeve is removably tightened by at least one through hole, at least one bolt traversing through the holes and at least one nut.

17. The method of claim 10 wherein the handle is encircled with a gripping material.

18. An improved training golf club, the golf club comprising a longitudinal shaft having at its superior end a gripping area and at its inferior end a head, the golf club further comprising a training handle originating on or immediately inferior to the gripping area and extending perpendicularly from the longitudinal shaft, the handle being oriented such that it is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the golf club head and the handle being of a length sufficient to enable gripping by a human hand.