US20170189782A1 - Golf practice arrangement - Google Patents
Golf practice arrangement Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20170189782A1 US20170189782A1 US15/318,861 US201515318861A US2017189782A1 US 20170189782 A1 US20170189782 A1 US 20170189782A1 US 201515318861 A US201515318861 A US 201515318861A US 2017189782 A1 US2017189782 A1 US 2017189782A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- block
- club
- golf practice
- head
- hosel
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
- A63B69/36—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for golf
- A63B69/3623—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for golf for driving
- A63B69/3632—Clubs or attachments on clubs, e.g. for measuring, aligning
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B15/00—Clubs for gymnastics or the like, e.g. for swinging exercises
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B53/00—Golf clubs
- A63B53/02—Joint structures between the head and the shaft
- A63B53/022—Joint structures between the head and the shaft allowing adjustable positioning of the head with respect to the shaft
- A63B53/023—Joint structures between the head and the shaft allowing adjustable positioning of the head with respect to the shaft adjustable angular orientation
- A63B53/025—Joint structures between the head and the shaft allowing adjustable positioning of the head with respect to the shaft adjustable angular orientation lie angle only, i.e. relative angular adjustment between the shaft and the club head about an axis parallel to the intended line of play when the club is in its normal address position
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
- A63B69/36—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for golf
- A63B69/3623—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for golf for driving
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
- A63B69/36—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for golf
- A63B69/3661—Mats for golf practice, e.g. mats having a simulated turf, a practice tee or a green area
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- A63B2053/005—
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
- A63B2220/50—Force related parameters
- A63B2220/51—Force
- A63B2220/53—Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2225/00—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
- A63B2225/50—Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B53/00—Golf clubs
- A63B53/005—Club sets
Definitions
- a golf club usually has a small sweet spot from where the cleanest hit will be made when contacting the ball. When the sweet spot is hit with a proper swing, the ball will travel straight. Missing the sweet spot of a club will waste power, reduce distance the ball will travel, and often result in a slice or hook that will send the ball off its intended course.
- a practice golf club would train a golfer to use only the sweet spot of the club. Having a club with a small face and where that small face is almost entirely a sweet spot would be a good way to show the golfer where the sweet spot is and consistently hit the sweet spot. Such a practice club ideally would have its entire small face representative of the sweet spot.
- the present golf training system relies on a common action for which many people have developed muscle memory development and translating that action into the ability to have a more repeatable golf swing. That common action is the swinging of a hammer to drive in nails or other similar fasteners. Accordingly, the present golf practice arrangement attempts to replicate the hammering of such fasteners using, in one embodiment, a specially designed club to perform the hammering action and providing a driving block carrying at least one of a drivable fastener or peg element, with the drivable fastener or peg element being driven or otherwise hammered into the block using the training club of the present design.
- the present golf practice arrangement is used to develop a golfer's swing.
- the practice arrangement has a club with a head that has a hosel extending from the head for connection to a shaft.
- the shaft at one end has a grip attached to it and is connected to the hosel at the opposite end.
- the head has a striking face that is adapted for striking a fastener.
- the fastener is driven into a block that is held in place by a holder.
- the holder is in the form of a mat or platform to which the block is affixed. The mat is built for a user of the club to stand upon when striking the fastener into the block with the club.
- the block holder is in the form of at least one stake mounted to and/or extending from the block, with a given stake being able to driven into the ground to keep the block in place during driving practice.
- the fastener may, in a simple form, be a nail that is driven into a wood block.
- Other variations of the fastener or drivable peg are possible, as well.
- the striking face is round having a circular area with which to strike a nail or another drivable peg element, as carried by the driving block. More particularly, the striking face of the head of the practice club may be configured as a circular hammer face.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention in use with the practice club in the ready position;
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention with the practice club after the club has been swung;
- FIG. 3 is a close up of a drivable peg, shown in the form of a nail being struck by the club shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 ;
- FIG. 4 is a view of the head of the club shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 ;
- FIG. 5 is a side view of the head shown in FIG. 4 ;
- FIG. 6 is an end view of the head shown in FIG. 5 ;
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment club head different than that shown in FIG. 6 ;
- FIG. 8 is an end view of the club shown in FIG. 7 .
- FIG. 9 is a side view of another embodiment of the hitting block associated with the present system, the hitting block employing a reusable drivable peg and providing for mounting stakes.
- FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the present driving block system, provided with one or more sensors, a digital controller, and a display.
- FIG. 11 is a side isometric view of a truncated lower portion of another embodiment of the practice golf club, with this version employing an adjustable head.
- FIG. 12 is an exploded, first-side isometric view of the truncated lower portion the practice golf club shown in FIG. 11 .
- FIG. 13 is an exploded, second-side isometric view of the truncated lower portion of the practice golf club shown in FIG. 11 .
- FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the golf practice arrangement 10 of this invention.
- the practice arrangement includes, a club 12 having a head 14 with a hosel 16 extending therefrom.
- the head 14 is of a unitary construction and is essentially configured as a mallet or hammer head. Further, the weight and general balance of a given head 14 may be chosen to replicate that of a standard club size (e.g., wood; 5 iron; wedge; etc.), thus aiding in ability to transfer the skills gained through practice to use of regular clubs on a golf course.
- a standard club size e.g., wood; 5 iron; wedge; etc.
- the head 14 has a body 18 that, in one embodiment, is generally a rectangular prism in shape, with the body 18 defining a body length BL, a body width BW, and a body height BH, as noted in FIG. 4 .
- the body length BL is greater (e.g, at least 2-3 times so) than the body width BW and possibly the body height BH, allowing the head 18 to be configured similar to a hammer or mallet head. More specifically, the body 18 has a square cross section with flat sides 19 and corners 23 that are rounded.
- the head 14 includes a pair of striking or hammer faces 24 that integrally extend from opposite longitudinal or lengthwise ends of the body 18 and are adapted for striking a drivable peg 26 , which, in the version illustrated in FIG. 1 , is a nail.
- the striking faces 24 may be co-formed (e.g., forged, molded, machined, cast) with the body 18 or otherwise integrally attached thereto (e.g., welded) to yield an effectively unitary head 14 .
- Each striking face 24 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , has a circumference or periphery 28 that defines the area of the striking face 24 .
- the striking faces 24 are generally aligned perpendicular to the lengthwise direction (per the body length BL) of the body 18 to facilitate a true, square strike against a given drivable peg 26 .
- each striking face 24 may, in one embodiment, be of a uniform diameter for a predetermined distance toward the body 18 until reaching a corresponding reduced portion 34 that is between the body 18 and a given striking face 24 , in a manner generally consistent with a common hammer head design. It is important to note that the present practice club 12 differs, in large part, from a standard golf club (not shown) in that the hammer-head striking face 24 serves as the club face, instead of the typical triangular/trapezoidal hitting face associated with standard non-putter clubs.
- striking faces 24 are illustrated to be circular, it is to be understood that a given striking face 24 could take on another shape (e.g., ellipse, square), so long as that shape provides a compact hitting area (e.g,, essentially less than 1 ⁇ 2 the area of a standard non-putter club face and, more particularly, less than 1 ⁇ 3 the area thereof).
- each striking face 24 within the circumference/perimeter thereof, is adapted for hitting a given drivable peg 26 . That is to say, at least the striking or hammer faces 24 of the head 14 are sufficiently hard and durable enough (e.g., formed of hardened steel (like a hammer) or hard rubber (like a mallet)) to transfer the energy of a swing of the club 12 to a given drivable peg 26 and, concordantly, to withstand repeated performance of that action.
- the entire head 14 may, in one variation, be formed of the same material chosen for the striking face 24 .
- the body 18 in the illustrated version, is completely within the circumference/perimeter 28 of the striking faces 24 , as projected toward the body 18 . In this way, the striking faces 24 circumscribe the lengthwise direction of the body 18 . Because of this alignment of the striking faces 24 and the body 18 , the mass of the head 14 is directly aligned with the faces 24 . This arrangement ensures that the linear density and balance of the club 12 are high. Also, if designed in the manner illustrated, the size and shape of the striking faces 24 would establish the clearance needed for a successful swing (i.e., if the striking faces 24 would not “catch” on a nearby surface ground) during a swing, the body 18 would not do so either).
- Each striking or hammer face 24 may further be essentially perpendicular to the body axis BA (i.e., established along the body length BL) of the body 18 . Aligning each striking face 24 in such a manner ensures that a given drivable peg 26 may be struck square with any portion of the given striking face 24 , thus facilitating maximum transfer of energy along the corresponding axis (not labeled) of the drivable peg 26 .
- the drivable peg 26 were a nail and the striking face 24 were instead at an angle (other than essentially perpendicular) to the body axis B, hitting the nail with such an angled striking face 24 could actually promote bending of the nail more so than hammering or pounding it, as desired.
- aligning the striking face 24 of the practice club 12 perpendicular or nearly so to the body axis BA distinguishes the striking face 24 of the illustrated embodiment from a typically slanted face of a regular non-putter club, as non-putter clubs are angled to varying degrees to facilitate the generation of a certain amount of lift in addition to forward momentum.
- the club 12 further has a shaft 38 , defining a shaft axis SA (per FIG. 4 ), that is connected to the hosel 16 and extends upward to a grip 40 .
- the club 12 generally includes, in order of arrangement, a head 14 , a hosel 16 , a shaft 38 , and a grip or handle 40 .
- the hosel 16 may be of the type shown in FIG. 3 , where the hosel 16 extends upward perpendicularly from the side 19 from which it extends. In this case, the hosel 16 is centrally located on the side 19 from which it extends.
- the hosel 16 ′ could also be of the type show in FIGS.
- the hosel 16 ′ extends upwardly at an oblique with respect to the side 19 from which it extends.
- the hosel 16 ′ will provide a different feel than that of hosel 16 and may be a matter of preference to a user 44 of the club 12 .
- the hosel 16 ′ is not centered within the side 19 from which it extends, one side 46 of the hosel 16 ′ is aligned with a bottom side 19 ′.
- the opposite striking faces 24 allow the club 12 to be used by a right or left handed user 44 .
- a given striking face 24 may further be arranged to be essentially parallel to the shaft axis SA, thus further promoting the hitting of the drivable peg 26 in a “square” manner that promotes maximum energy transfer along the axis of the drivable peg 26 .
- the shaft 38 of a driver, fairway, or hybrid club 12 is typically made of strong, flexible material such as a graphite composite, aluminum, fiberglass, or another similar material. Having a shaft 38 be made of such a material allows the club 12 to be relatively light, durable, flexible, and able to transfer torque during a swing.
- This material choice for the shaft 38 is unlike the optimal choice for a putter shaft.
- stiffness and minimal or no torque and twisting during use are desired to promote both accuracy and efficient energy transfer.
- putter shafts unlike a shaft 38 of a non-putter club, are typically made of steel.
- the club 12 may be used with a mat or platform 50 , with the mat 50 defining a flat surface 52 on which the user 44 is able to stand.
- the mat or platform 50 in the version illustrated in FIG. 1 , carries a driving block system 53 .
- the driving block system 53 generally includes a block mount or holder 54 and a block 56 , with the block 56 , in turn, carrying one or more drivable pegs 26 .
- the block 56 is in the form of a wood block, and the holder 54 is adapted for holding the wood block 56 within it.
- the holder 54 has a flange 60 on its bottom end that is used to attach the holder 54 to the mat 50 .
- the mat or platform 50 may be made of any material that is substantial enough to support and anchor the holder 54 and, by extension the block 56 , even during practice driving, and to withstand the weight of the user 44 .
- the mat 50 may be made of plywood, fiberglass, plastic, hard rubber, metal, or similar materials.
- the components together should further be light enough to carry, and the mat 50 could be provided with a handle (now shown) to facilitate carrying thereof.
- the holder 54 has a back side 62 and inner side 64 , and an outer side 66 . It is contemplated that the holder 54 may, instead, be moved to the opposite side of the mat 50 as that shown in FIG. 1 .
- the holder 54 can be placed on the opposite side of the mat 50 to accommodate a left-handed user 44 .
- the outer side 66 of the holder 54 includes a screw type clamp 70 that is used to clamp the wood block 56 between the outer side 66 and the opposite inner side 64 .
- the back side 62 is adapted for receiving force as the block 56 is struck. It is to be understood that any holder 54 that adequately anchors and steadies the block 56 to permit striking of the one or more drivable pegs 26 carried thereby is considered to be within the scope of the present driving block system 53 .
- the user 44 will install the wood block 56 as it is shown in FIG. 1 .
- the user 44 may use a nail for the drivable peg 26 , first starting the nail 26 into the block 56 .
- the nail 26 may be sticking out of the block 56 as nearly perpendicular to the block 56 as possible, in order to facilitate driving and not bending of the nail 26 .
- It is possible to use a screw in place of the nail 26 and this would require significantly more force to drive into the block 56 . However, some may wish to enhance the resistance by doing so.
- the nail 26 started the user 44 will stand on the mat 50 , as shown in FIG. 1 . He/she will then draw the club 12 back as in a traditional swing, as shown in FIG. 1 .
- the user 44 will then swing the club 12 as would be normally done in a golf swing to strike the nail 26 with the striking face 24 .
- the user 44 can see how far the nail 26 has been driven with each hit as a measure of swing strength.
- the user 44 may start a nail 26 in another location in the block 56 .
- the block 56 has many nails 26 driven into it, the user can flip the block 56 and re-clamp it so that a new face is exposed within the holder 54 .
- the block 56 may also be replace with a new block 56 .
- the driving block system 53 could be used without the mat 50 .
- the block holder 54 would need to include an anchor mechanism (akin to 60 as used in the embodiment of FIG. 1 ) to mount the block 56 stationary while driving a drivable peg 26 into the block 56 .
- the anchor mechanism could be, by way of example only, anchor weights, a stake 60 s (as per FIG. 9 ) for driving into the ground (if being used outdoors), or a latch or vise element to permit anchoring to another stationary object (such variants not shown).
- variants could be used for the drivable peg 26 to be driven into the block 56 .
- One such variant could be a reusable through-peg 26 a , as shown in FIG. 9 and associated with the driving block system 53 a .
- the through-peg 26 a is of sufficient length sufficient length to extend all the way through the block and still having enough material associated therewith to extend out at least one side of the block 56 a .
- the reusable through-peg 26 a could be driven into one side of the block 56 a only to have the opposite end of the through-peg 26 a be driven out the other side of the block 56 a .
- the through-peg 26 a would simply need to be driven from the opposite side of the block 56 a .
- the block 56 a would not necessarily have to be made of wood but instead made of, for example, a plastic, composite, or any material sufficiently durable and stiff enough to withstand, repeatedly, the driving action upon the one or more reusable pegs 26 a and to provide adequate resistance for that driving action.
- the reusable through-peg 26 a could be made of any material (e.g., metal, composite, etc.) that could withstand repeated hitting and resist wear associated with being driven into/through the block 56 .
- the block holder 54 could be provided with a lock-pivot mechanism (not shown), to permit quick reversal of the side of the block 56 to be used for practice driving.
- the block 56 and/or the drivable peg 26 a may be provided with one or more sensors 72 (e.g., pressure, force, etc.).
- the one or more sensors 72 could be linked (e.g., via a wired or wireless connection) to a digital controller 74 (e.g., a computer or PLC) and/or a display 76 .
- a digital controller 74 e.g., a computer or PLC
- a display 76 e.g., a display 76 .
- Such a layout would permit, e.g., readout from a given sensor 72 to be displayed and/or saved to a computer memory.
- the readout could be displayed and/or saved in terms of a force generated by the user 44 , or, of course, possibly converted into an approximate drive distance.
- the generated data could further be manipulated by the digital controller 74 for, e.g., training purposes.
- the driving block system 53 may be provided with additional sound deadening mechanisms (e.g., within the block 56 via foam or some other known sound-absorbing material; and/or on one or more sides (e.g., sides not receiving the drivable pegs 26 ) thereof), one variation of which is shown in FIG. 9 .
- the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 provides for a block 56 with a hollow outer block member 56 o and interior sound deadening insert 56 i .
- the outer block 56 o is configured to provide the structural features (e.g., durability, stiffness, resistance to driving of the through-peg 26 a ) expected of the block, while the interior insert 56 i is primarily configured to provide sound deadening (e.g., via material choice (e.g., foam or another low-density and/or porous filler material) and/or via structural features such as a honeycomb or other lattice structure that impedes sound travel).
- material choice e.g., foam or another low-density and/or porous filler material
- the interior insert 56 i may be chosen so as to target a desired overall resistance associated with the driving of a through-peg 26 a (i.e., the insert 56 i might be configured to provide less resistance (possibly little or none) if the outer block 56 o is intended to provide most of the resistance during hitting).
- the insert 56 i might be configured to provide less resistance (possibly little or none) if the outer block 56 o is intended to provide most of the resistance during hitting).
- it may more readily facilitate the use of this practice system in, e.g., indoor driving range facilities, garages, or, possible even, homes.
- the insert 56 i could be provided, by way of example, via co-molding with outer block 56 o ; insertion into a four or five-sided block element 56 o (i.e., one or two sides open to permit insertion), with the possibility of attaching (e.g., via bolting, welding, etc.) the one or two missing sidewalls, upon insertion; or by any other desired means. It is also to be understood that, while the through-peg 26 a is shown used with the block 56 a incorporating a sound-deadening interior 56 i , it is to be understood that a through-peg 26 a could be used with a more standard block 56 .
- the use of the club 12 of this invention teaches a user 44 to hit the sweet spot of a traditional golf club by training the user 44 to hit the small striking face 24 on a nail 26 , which is a small target, and teaches the user 44 to hit the target (i.e., the drivable peg 26 ) square. Feedback is instantly provided every swing by how far the drivable peg (e.g., nail) 26 is driven and by the feel through the swing.
- the area of the striking face 24 is approximately the size of the sweet spot of an ordinary golf club.
- the alignment of the striking face 24 relative to both the body axis B of the body 18 of the head 14 and relative to the shaft axis A of the club shaft 38 help to ensure that the drivable peg 26 is struck square and true, getting maximum energy transfer to the drivable peg 26 , while minimizing the tendency to bend the drivable peg 26 . If a sensor-feedback system (such as per FIG. 10 ) were to be included, more specific force/driving data could be displayed and/or recorded through use of a display readout, computer, and/or a digital controller.
- FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate another version of the invention in the form of a club 112 having a head 114 , a hosel 116 , and a shaft 138 .
- Like numbered elements as those set forth above with respect to the club 12 can be expected to have similar construction and function, except where expressly stated to the contrary.
- the head 114 while still being essentially configured as a mallet or hammer head, is adjustably mounted via a pivot mount system 160 .
- the weight and general balance of the head 114 may be chosen to replicate that of a standard club size, while the pivot mount system 160 is configured to permit selective positioning of the head 114 in any of various locations so as to mimic the feel and swing of any of a variety of clubs (e.g., wood; 5 iron; wedge; etc.).
- a single club 112 and head 114 can be used to train for play with any of a range of regular clubs typically used on a golf course.
- the pivot mount system 160 providing a connection between the head 114 and the hosel 116 , includes a mounting pin 162 , a mounting nut 164 , an inset spring 166 , a first pin receiver 168 extending from the hosel 116 , and a second pin receiver 170 extending from the head 114 .
- the mounting pin 162 includes a cylindrical pin body 172 , a cylindrical head end 174 , and threaded end 176 (distal to the cylindrical head end 174 ).
- the first pin receiver 168 include a first through hole portion 178 and a second through hole portion 180 , the first through hole portion 178 being in communication with and larger in diameter than the second through hole portion 180 .
- the first through hole portion 178 is configured to rotatably receive and retain therein the cylindrical head end 174 .
- the second through hole portion 180 is able to receive and thereby pivotably retain the cylindrical pin body 172 .
- the first pin receiver 168 is configured to rotatably receive yet retain the mounting pin 162 .
- the retention of the first end portion of the mounting pin 162 relative to the first pin receiver 168 is facilitated by the cylindrical head end 174 being too large to fit through the second through hole portion 180 of the first pin receiver 168 .
- cylindrical head end 174 will be provided with an internal hex key end, a Phillips and/or flat screwdriver slotting, and/or another means by which the cylindrical head end may be turned and torqued to facilitate threading with the mounting nut 164 via the threaded end 176 of the mounting pin 162 .
- the attached mounting nut 164 thereby ensures the retention of the second end portion of the mounting pin 162 , relative to the second pin receiver 170 .
- the second pin receiver 170 may particularly include a two-portion through hole 182 , an inner pin-receiving portion 184 and an outer nut receiving portion 186 .
- the inner pin-receiving portion 184 faces the first pin receiver 168 and is configured to receive a portion of the cylindrical pin body 172 therethrough (i.e., cylindrical to match the portion of the pin body 172 received thereby).
- the outer nut receiving portion 186 is sized and configured to receive the mounting nut 164 therein. For example, both may have a standard hex nut shape.
- the outer nut receiving portion 186 and the mounting nut 164 fitting together in such a manner helps to reduce the chances of the mounting nut 164 from coming unthreaded from the threaded end 176 of the mounting pin 162 . That nested configuration also reduces the opportunity for wear of those connected portions.
- the inner pin-receiving portion 184 the corresponding portion of the mounting pin 162 received therethrough could be co-sized in a manner to prevent rotation (e.g., polygonal; a shape with a key element; etc.).
- an inner pin-receiving portion 184 and the corresponding portion of the mounting pin 162 formed in such a manner would act along with the anti-rotation feature offered by the outer nut receiving portion 186 and the mounting nut 164 to create a redundant locking effect.
- the inset spring 166 is carried on the mounting pin 162 with one end of the inset spring 166 being inset in the second through hole portion 178 of the first pin receiver 168 and the other end thereof being inset in the inner pin-receiving portion 184 of the second pin receiver 178 .
- the inset spring 166 by being so mounted, biases against the first pin receiver 168 and the second pin receiver 170 . Such biasing, in turn, acts on the opposed ends of the mounting pin 162 in mariner that resists rotation/pivoting of the pivot mount system 160 .
- the head 114 can be set a particular angle relative to the hose 116 and expect to be retained in the desired angular position over the course of number of practice swings and/or until expressly reset by the user.
- Such resetting may be achieved by loosening the mounting pin 162 relative to the mounting nut 164 , repositioning the head 114 to a desired angle, and then retightening that connection.
- pivot mount system 160 involve indicia thereon in order to signify particular club settings, lift angles, etc. Further, the pivot mount system 160 could be provided with preferred pivot locations (e.g., click-in locations, not shown) corresponding to those particular club settings or club angles. The user could then further benefit by knowing exactly which type of club the practice club 112 would be set to mimic at a given time.
- FIGS. 11-13 further illustrate a means by which to attach the hosel 116 to the shaft 138 .
- the shaft 138 has a threaded shaft mount hole 190 formed therein
- the hosel 116 has a countersunk through hole 192 therein (a portion of which may or may not be threaded)
- a small threaded connector 194 may be extended through the countersunk hole 192 so as to threadingly engage with the threaded shaft mount hole 190 .
- a head (not labeled) of the small threaded connector 194 may reside in the countersunk portion of the countersunk through hole 192 in the hosel 116 .
- small threaded connector 194 could instead be configured to be engaged by a standard screwdriver or another tightening mechanism and still be within the desired scope.
Abstract
A golf practice arrangement that is used to develop a golfer's swing. The practice arrangement has a club with a head that has a hosel extending from the head for connection to a shaft. The shaft at one end has a grip attached to it and is connected to the hosel at the opposite end. The head has a striking face that is adapted for striking a fastener and a body that is aligned behind the striking face. The fastener is driven into a block that is held in a holder affixed to the mat. The mat is built for a user of the club to stand upon when striking the fastener into the block with the club. The fastener may be a nail that is driven into a wood block. The striking face is round having a circular area with which to strike.
Description
- Learning to swing a golf club properly can be a challenging endeavor. A golf club usually has a small sweet spot from where the cleanest hit will be made when contacting the ball. When the sweet spot is hit with a proper swing, the ball will travel straight. Missing the sweet spot of a club will waste power, reduce distance the ball will travel, and often result in a slice or hook that will send the ball off its intended course.
- A practice golf club would train a golfer to use only the sweet spot of the club. Having a club with a small face and where that small face is almost entirely a sweet spot would be a good way to show the golfer where the sweet spot is and consistently hit the sweet spot. Such a practice club ideally would have its entire small face representative of the sweet spot.
- Additionally, another challenge associated with learning to develop a swing is being able to harness a repeatable swing. Getting a repeatable swing is best accomplished by developing muscle memory for that action. The more common that swing action becomes for a golfer, the easier it should become to repeat it.
- The present golf training system relies on a common action for which many people have developed muscle memory development and translating that action into the ability to have a more repeatable golf swing. That common action is the swinging of a hammer to drive in nails or other similar fasteners. Accordingly, the present golf practice arrangement attempts to replicate the hammering of such fasteners using, in one embodiment, a specially designed club to perform the hammering action and providing a driving block carrying at least one of a drivable fastener or peg element, with the drivable fastener or peg element being driven or otherwise hammered into the block using the training club of the present design.
- The present golf practice arrangement is used to develop a golfer's swing. In one embodiment of the system, the practice arrangement has a club with a head that has a hosel extending from the head for connection to a shaft. The shaft at one end has a grip attached to it and is connected to the hosel at the opposite end. The head has a striking face that is adapted for striking a fastener. The fastener is driven into a block that is held in place by a holder. In one variation the holder is in the form of a mat or platform to which the block is affixed. The mat is built for a user of the club to stand upon when striking the fastener into the block with the club. In yet another variation, the block holder is in the form of at least one stake mounted to and/or extending from the block, with a given stake being able to driven into the ground to keep the block in place during driving practice.
- The fastener may, in a simple form, be a nail that is driven into a wood block. Other variations of the fastener or drivable peg are possible, as well.
- In another aspect of the invention the striking face is round having a circular area with which to strike a nail or another drivable peg element, as carried by the driving block. More particularly, the striking face of the head of the practice club may be configured as a circular hammer face.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention in use with the practice club in the ready position; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention with the practice club after the club has been swung; -
FIG. 3 is a close up of a drivable peg, shown in the form of a nail being struck by the club shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is a view of the head of the club shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 ; -
FIG. 5 is a side view of the head shown inFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 6 is an end view of the head shown inFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment club head different than that shown inFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 8 is an end view of the club shown inFIG. 7 . -
FIG. 9 is a side view of another embodiment of the hitting block associated with the present system, the hitting block employing a reusable drivable peg and providing for mounting stakes. -
FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the present driving block system, provided with one or more sensors, a digital controller, and a display. -
FIG. 11 is a side isometric view of a truncated lower portion of another embodiment of the practice golf club, with this version employing an adjustable head. -
FIG. 12 is an exploded, first-side isometric view of the truncated lower portion the practice golf club shown inFIG. 11 . -
FIG. 13 is an exploded, second-side isometric view of the truncated lower portion of the practice golf club shown inFIG. 11 . -
FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of thegolf practice arrangement 10 of this invention. The practice arrangement includes, aclub 12 having ahead 14 with ahosel 16 extending therefrom. Thehead 14 is of a unitary construction and is essentially configured as a mallet or hammer head. Further, the weight and general balance of a givenhead 14 may be chosen to replicate that of a standard club size (e.g., wood; 5 iron; wedge; etc.), thus aiding in ability to transfer the skills gained through practice to use of regular clubs on a golf course. - The
head 14 has abody 18 that, in one embodiment, is generally a rectangular prism in shape, with thebody 18 defining a body length BL, a body width BW, and a body height BH, as noted inFIG. 4 . In this illustrated variant, the body length BL is greater (e.g, at least 2-3 times so) than the body width BW and possibly the body height BH, allowing thehead 18 to be configured similar to a hammer or mallet head. More specifically, thebody 18 has a square cross section withflat sides 19 andcorners 23 that are rounded. Thehead 14, as illustrated, includes a pair of striking or hammer faces 24 that integrally extend from opposite longitudinal or lengthwise ends of thebody 18 and are adapted for striking adrivable peg 26, which, in the version illustrated inFIG. 1 , is a nail. Thestriking faces 24 may be co-formed (e.g., forged, molded, machined, cast) with thebody 18 or otherwise integrally attached thereto (e.g., welded) to yield an effectivelyunitary head 14. Eachstriking face 24, in the embodiment shown inFIG. 1 , has a circumference orperiphery 28 that defines the area of thestriking face 24. Thestriking faces 24 are generally aligned perpendicular to the lengthwise direction (per the body length BL) of thebody 18 to facilitate a true, square strike against a givendrivable peg 26. - The cross section of each
striking face 24 may, in one embodiment, be of a uniform diameter for a predetermined distance toward thebody 18 until reaching a corresponding reducedportion 34 that is between thebody 18 and a givenstriking face 24, in a manner generally consistent with a common hammer head design. It is important to note that thepresent practice club 12 differs, in large part, from a standard golf club (not shown) in that the hammer-headstriking face 24 serves as the club face, instead of the typical triangular/trapezoidal hitting face associated with standard non-putter clubs. While thestriking faces 24 are illustrated to be circular, it is to be understood that a givenstriking face 24 could take on another shape (e.g., ellipse, square), so long as that shape provides a compact hitting area (e.g,, essentially less than ½ the area of a standard non-putter club face and, more particularly, less than ⅓ the area thereof). - The entire area of each
striking face 24, within the circumference/perimeter thereof, is adapted for hitting a givendrivable peg 26. That is to say, at least the striking or hammer faces 24 of thehead 14 are sufficiently hard and durable enough (e.g., formed of hardened steel (like a hammer) or hard rubber (like a mallet)) to transfer the energy of a swing of theclub 12 to a givendrivable peg 26 and, concordantly, to withstand repeated performance of that action. For issues such as ease of forming, durability, and/or transfer of energy to a givenstriking face 24, theentire head 14 may, in one variation, be formed of the same material chosen for thestriking face 24. - The
body 18, in the illustrated version, is completely within the circumference/perimeter 28 of thestriking faces 24, as projected toward thebody 18. In this way, thestriking faces 24 circumscribe the lengthwise direction of thebody 18. Because of this alignment of thestriking faces 24 and thebody 18, the mass of thehead 14 is directly aligned with thefaces 24. This arrangement ensures that the linear density and balance of theclub 12 are high. Also, if designed in the manner illustrated, the size and shape of thestriking faces 24 would establish the clearance needed for a successful swing (i.e., if thestriking faces 24 would not “catch” on a nearby surface ground) during a swing, thebody 18 would not do so either). - Each striking or
hammer face 24 may further be essentially perpendicular to the body axis BA (i.e., established along the body length BL) of thebody 18. Aligning eachstriking face 24 in such a manner ensures that a givendrivable peg 26 may be struck square with any portion of the givenstriking face 24, thus facilitating maximum transfer of energy along the corresponding axis (not labeled) of thedrivable peg 26. If, for example, thedrivable peg 26 were a nail and thestriking face 24 were instead at an angle (other than essentially perpendicular) to the body axis B, hitting the nail with such an angledstriking face 24 could actually promote bending of the nail more so than hammering or pounding it, as desired. Thus, aligning thestriking face 24 of thepractice club 12 perpendicular or nearly so to the body axis BA distinguishes thestriking face 24 of the illustrated embodiment from a typically slanted face of a regular non-putter club, as non-putter clubs are angled to varying degrees to facilitate the generation of a certain amount of lift in addition to forward momentum. - The
club 12 further has ashaft 38, defining a shaft axis SA (perFIG. 4 ), that is connected to thehosel 16 and extends upward to agrip 40. Thus, theclub 12 generally includes, in order of arrangement, ahead 14, ahosel 16, ashaft 38, and a grip or handle 40. Thehosel 16 may be of the type shown inFIG. 3 , where thehosel 16 extends upward perpendicularly from theside 19 from which it extends. In this case, thehosel 16 is centrally located on theside 19 from which it extends. Thehosel 16′ could also be of the type show inFIGS. 7 and 8 , where thehosel 16′ extends upwardly at an oblique with respect to theside 19 from which it extends. Thehosel 16′ will provide a different feel than that ofhosel 16 and may be a matter of preference to auser 44 of theclub 12. As can be seen inFIG. 7 , thehosel 16′ is not centered within theside 19 from which it extends, oneside 46 of thehosel 16′ is aligned with abottom side 19′. In both designs of thehead 14, the opposite striking faces 24 allow theclub 12 to be used by a right or lefthanded user 44. It is further noted that a givenstriking face 24 may further be arranged to be essentially parallel to the shaft axis SA, thus further promoting the hitting of thedrivable peg 26 in a “square” manner that promotes maximum energy transfer along the axis of thedrivable peg 26. - The
shaft 38 of a driver, fairway, orhybrid club 12 is typically made of strong, flexible material such as a graphite composite, aluminum, fiberglass, or another similar material. Having ashaft 38 be made of such a material allows theclub 12 to be relatively light, durable, flexible, and able to transfer torque during a swing. This material choice for theshaft 38, though, is unlike the optimal choice for a putter shaft. For a putter shaft, stiffness and minimal or no torque and twisting during use are desired to promote both accuracy and efficient energy transfer. Thus, putter shafts, unlike ashaft 38 of a non-putter club, are typically made of steel. - The
club 12, in one variation, may be used with a mat orplatform 50, with themat 50 defining aflat surface 52 on which theuser 44 is able to stand. The mat orplatform 50, in the version illustrated inFIG. 1 , carries a driving block system 53. The driving block system 53 generally includes a block mount orholder 54 and ablock 56, with theblock 56, in turn, carrying one or more drivable pegs 26. In the version ofFIG. 1 , theblock 56 is in the form of a wood block, and theholder 54 is adapted for holding thewood block 56 within it. Theholder 54 has a flange 60 on its bottom end that is used to attach theholder 54 to themat 50. The mat orplatform 50 may be made of any material that is substantial enough to support and anchor theholder 54 and, by extension theblock 56, even during practice driving, and to withstand the weight of theuser 44. Thus, themat 50 may be made of plywood, fiberglass, plastic, hard rubber, metal, or similar materials. Where themat 50 and the driving block system 53 are desired to constitute a portable system, the components together should further be light enough to carry, and themat 50 could be provided with a handle (now shown) to facilitate carrying thereof. Theholder 54 has a back side 62 andinner side 64, and an outer side 66. It is contemplated that theholder 54 may, instead, be moved to the opposite side of themat 50 as that shown inFIG. 1 .FIG. 1 shows theholder 54 positioned in a right-handed user's 44 position, theholder 54 can be placed on the opposite side of themat 50 to accommodate a left-handed user 44. The outer side 66 of theholder 54 includes ascrew type clamp 70 that is used to clamp thewood block 56 between the outer side 66 and the oppositeinner side 64. The back side 62 is adapted for receiving force as theblock 56 is struck. It is to be understood that anyholder 54 that adequately anchors and steadies theblock 56 to permit striking of the one or moredrivable pegs 26 carried thereby is considered to be within the scope of the present driving block system 53. - To use the practice arrangement the
user 44 will install thewood block 56 as it is shown inFIG. 1 . Next theuser 44 may use a nail for thedrivable peg 26, first starting thenail 26 into theblock 56. Thenail 26 may be sticking out of theblock 56 as nearly perpendicular to theblock 56 as possible, in order to facilitate driving and not bending of thenail 26. It is possible to use a screw in place of thenail 26, and this would require significantly more force to drive into theblock 56. However, some may wish to enhance the resistance by doing so. With thenail 26 started, theuser 44 will stand on themat 50, as shown inFIG. 1 . He/she will then draw theclub 12 back as in a traditional swing, as shown inFIG. 1 . Theuser 44 will then swing theclub 12 as would be normally done in a golf swing to strike thenail 26 with thestriking face 24. Theuser 44 can see how far thenail 26 has been driven with each hit as a measure of swing strength. When thenail 26 is fully driven into theblock 56, theuser 44 may start anail 26 in another location in theblock 56. When theblock 56 hasmany nails 26 driven into it, the user can flip theblock 56 and re-clamp it so that a new face is exposed within theholder 54. Theblock 56 may also be replace with anew block 56. - Other alternatives can be associated with the driving block system 53. First of all, the driving block system 53, in variations thereof, could be used without the
mat 50. To do so, it is understood that theblock holder 54 would need to include an anchor mechanism (akin to 60 as used in the embodiment ofFIG. 1 ) to mount theblock 56 stationary while driving adrivable peg 26 into theblock 56. The anchor mechanism could be, by way of example only, anchor weights, a stake 60 s (as perFIG. 9 ) for driving into the ground (if being used outdoors), or a latch or vise element to permit anchoring to another stationary object (such variants not shown). - Additionally, other variants could be used for the
drivable peg 26 to be driven into theblock 56. One such variant could be a reusable through-peg 26 a, as shown inFIG. 9 and associated with the drivingblock system 53 a. The through-peg 26 a is of sufficient length sufficient length to extend all the way through the block and still having enough material associated therewith to extend out at least one side of the block 56 a. The reusable through-peg 26 a could be driven into one side of the block 56 a only to have the opposite end of the through-peg 26 a be driven out the other side of the block 56 a. To perform the next round of practice driving, the through-peg 26 a would simply need to be driven from the opposite side of the block 56 a. In such an instance where some sort ofreusable peg 26 a were to be employed, the block 56 a would not necessarily have to be made of wood but instead made of, for example, a plastic, composite, or any material sufficiently durable and stiff enough to withstand, repeatedly, the driving action upon the one or morereusable pegs 26 a and to provide adequate resistance for that driving action. Likewise, the reusable through-peg 26 a could be made of any material (e.g., metal, composite, etc.) that could withstand repeated hitting and resist wear associated with being driven into/through theblock 56. - In yet another variation, the
block holder 54 could be provided with a lock-pivot mechanism (not shown), to permit quick reversal of the side of theblock 56 to be used for practice driving. Further, as illustrated schematically inFIG. 10 , theblock 56 and/or thedrivable peg 26 a may be provided with one or more sensors 72 (e.g., pressure, force, etc.). The one ormore sensors 72 could be linked (e.g., via a wired or wireless connection) to a digital controller 74 (e.g., a computer or PLC) and/or adisplay 76. Such a layout would permit, e.g., readout from a givensensor 72 to be displayed and/or saved to a computer memory. In particular, the readout could be displayed and/or saved in terms of a force generated by theuser 44, or, of course, possibly converted into an approximate drive distance. The generated data, could further be manipulated by thedigital controller 74 for, e.g., training purposes. - Yet further, the driving block system 53 may be provided with additional sound deadening mechanisms (e.g., within the
block 56 via foam or some other known sound-absorbing material; and/or on one or more sides (e.g., sides not receiving the drivable pegs 26) thereof), one variation of which is shown inFIG. 9 . The embodiment shown inFIG. 9 provides for ablock 56 with a hollow outer block member 56 o and interiorsound deadening insert 56 i. The outer block 56 o is configured to provide the structural features (e.g., durability, stiffness, resistance to driving of the through-peg 26 a) expected of the block, while theinterior insert 56 i is primarily configured to provide sound deadening (e.g., via material choice (e.g., foam or another low-density and/or porous filler material) and/or via structural features such as a honeycomb or other lattice structure that impedes sound travel). Further, theinterior insert 56 i may be chosen so as to target a desired overall resistance associated with the driving of a through-peg 26 a (i.e., theinsert 56 i might be configured to provide less resistance (possibly little or none) if the outer block 56 o is intended to provide most of the resistance during hitting). By providing some sort of sound deadening mechanism, it may more readily facilitate the use of this practice system in, e.g., indoor driving range facilities, garages, or, possible even, homes. Theinsert 56 i could be provided, by way of example, via co-molding with outer block 56 o; insertion into a four or five-sided block element 56 o (i.e., one or two sides open to permit insertion), with the possibility of attaching (e.g., via bolting, welding, etc.) the one or two missing sidewalls, upon insertion; or by any other desired means. It is also to be understood that, while the through-peg 26 a is shown used with the block 56 a incorporating a sound-deadeninginterior 56 i, it is to be understood that a through-peg 26 a could be used with a morestandard block 56. - The use of the
club 12 of this invention teaches auser 44 to hit the sweet spot of a traditional golf club by training theuser 44 to hit the smallstriking face 24 on anail 26, which is a small target, and teaches theuser 44 to hit the target (i.e., the drivable peg 26) square. Feedback is instantly provided every swing by how far the drivable peg (e.g., nail) 26 is driven and by the feel through the swing. The area of thestriking face 24 is approximately the size of the sweet spot of an ordinary golf club. Additionally, the alignment of thestriking face 24 relative to both the body axis B of thebody 18 of thehead 14 and relative to the shaft axis A of theclub shaft 38 help to ensure that thedrivable peg 26 is struck square and true, getting maximum energy transfer to thedrivable peg 26, while minimizing the tendency to bend thedrivable peg 26. If a sensor-feedback system (such as perFIG. 10 ) were to be included, more specific force/driving data could be displayed and/or recorded through use of a display readout, computer, and/or a digital controller. -
FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate another version of the invention in the form of aclub 112 having ahead 114, ahosel 116, and ashaft 138. Like numbered elements as those set forth above with respect to theclub 12 can be expected to have similar construction and function, except where expressly stated to the contrary. Foremost, thehead 114, while still being essentially configured as a mallet or hammer head, is adjustably mounted via apivot mount system 160. Further, the weight and general balance of thehead 114 may be chosen to replicate that of a standard club size, while thepivot mount system 160 is configured to permit selective positioning of thehead 114 in any of various locations so as to mimic the feel and swing of any of a variety of clubs (e.g., wood; 5 iron; wedge; etc.). Thus, asingle club 112 andhead 114 can be used to train for play with any of a range of regular clubs typically used on a golf course. - The
pivot mount system 160, providing a connection between thehead 114 and thehosel 116, includes a mountingpin 162, a mountingnut 164, aninset spring 166, a first pin receiver 168 extending from thehosel 116, and asecond pin receiver 170 extending from thehead 114. The mountingpin 162 includes a cylindrical pin body 172, acylindrical head end 174, and threaded end 176 (distal to the cylindrical head end 174). The first pin receiver 168 include a first throughhole portion 178 and a second through hole portion 180, the first throughhole portion 178 being in communication with and larger in diameter than the second through hole portion 180. - The first through
hole portion 178 is configured to rotatably receive and retain therein thecylindrical head end 174. Meanwhile, the second through hole portion 180 is able to receive and thereby pivotably retain the cylindrical pin body 172. Thus, the first pin receiver 168 is configured to rotatably receive yet retain the mountingpin 162. The retention of the first end portion of the mountingpin 162 relative to the first pin receiver 168 is facilitated by thecylindrical head end 174 being too large to fit through the second through hole portion 180 of the first pin receiver 168. It is further to be understood that thecylindrical head end 174 will be provided with an internal hex key end, a Phillips and/or flat screwdriver slotting, and/or another means by which the cylindrical head end may be turned and torqued to facilitate threading with the mountingnut 164 via the threadedend 176 of the mountingpin 162. The attached mountingnut 164 thereby ensures the retention of the second end portion of the mountingpin 162, relative to thesecond pin receiver 170. - The
second pin receiver 170, per the illustrated embodiment, may particularly include a two-portion through hole 182, an inner pin-receivingportion 184 and an outernut receiving portion 186. The inner pin-receivingportion 184 faces the first pin receiver 168 and is configured to receive a portion of the cylindrical pin body 172 therethrough (i.e., cylindrical to match the portion of the pin body 172 received thereby). Meanwhile, the outernut receiving portion 186 is sized and configured to receive the mountingnut 164 therein. For example, both may have a standard hex nut shape. By the outernut receiving portion 186 and the mountingnut 164 fitting together in such a manner, it helps to reduce the chances of the mountingnut 164 from coming unthreaded from the threadedend 176 of the mountingpin 162. That nested configuration also reduces the opportunity for wear of those connected portions. It is to be understood that the inner pin-receivingportion 184 the corresponding portion of the mountingpin 162 received therethrough could be co-sized in a manner to prevent rotation (e.g., polygonal; a shape with a key element; etc.). In essence, an inner pin-receivingportion 184 and the corresponding portion of the mountingpin 162 formed in such a manner would act along with the anti-rotation feature offered by the outernut receiving portion 186 and the mountingnut 164 to create a redundant locking effect. - The
inset spring 166 is carried on the mountingpin 162 with one end of theinset spring 166 being inset in the second throughhole portion 178 of the first pin receiver 168 and the other end thereof being inset in the inner pin-receivingportion 184 of thesecond pin receiver 178. Theinset spring 166, by being so mounted, biases against the first pin receiver 168 and thesecond pin receiver 170. Such biasing, in turn, acts on the opposed ends of the mountingpin 162 in mariner that resists rotation/pivoting of thepivot mount system 160. - Accordingly, between tightening action offered by the mounting
nut 164 and spring force generated by theinset spring 166, thehead 114 can be set a particular angle relative to thehose 116 and expect to be retained in the desired angular position over the course of number of practice swings and/or until expressly reset by the user. Such resetting may be achieved by loosening the mountingpin 162 relative to the mountingnut 164, repositioning thehead 114 to a desired angle, and then retightening that connection. Alternatively, depending on how tight that connection was originally, it may be possible merely to apply enough force to thehead 114 to cause it to pivot relative to thehosel 116 via the mountingpin 162. - Although not shown, it is to be understood that the
pivot mount system 160 involve indicia thereon in order to signify particular club settings, lift angles, etc. Further, thepivot mount system 160 could be provided with preferred pivot locations (e.g., click-in locations, not shown) corresponding to those particular club settings or club angles. The user could then further benefit by knowing exactly which type of club thepractice club 112 would be set to mimic at a given time. -
FIGS. 11-13 further illustrate a means by which to attach thehosel 116 to theshaft 138. In particular, theshaft 138 has a threadedshaft mount hole 190 formed therein, thehosel 116 has a countersunk throughhole 192 therein (a portion of which may or may not be threaded), and a small threaded connector 194 may be extended through the countersunkhole 192 so as to threadingly engage with the threadedshaft mount hole 190. It is to be further understood that a head (not labeled) of the small threaded connector 194 may reside in the countersunk portion of the countersunk throughhole 192 in thehosel 116. Finally, while shown to be a hex-keyed style connector, it is to be understood that small threaded connector 194 could instead be configured to be engaged by a standard screwdriver or another tightening mechanism and still be within the desired scope. - The invention is not limited to the details given above, but may be modified within the scope of the following claims. It is further understood that any of the various features described above are not necessarily limited to use with a particular embodiment and may, instead, be used in conjunction with any of the other variations contemplated (i.e., features provided herein may be “mixed and matched” and be within the scope of the present system).
Claims (12)
1. A golf practice arrangement comprising:
a club having a head connected to a hosel, said head including a body and a striking face connected to said body, said striking face having an area for striking a fastener;
a shaft being connected to said hosel at one end and said other end of said shaft adapted for being gripped by a user;
a mat on which said user may stand;
a holder affixed to said mat for holding a block, said block adapted for having said fastener driven into it by striking said fastener with said head of said club.
2. The golf practice arrangement of claim 1 , wherein said holder includes a clamp adapted for reasonably securing said block whereby said block may be changed.
3. The golf practice arrangement of claim 2 , wherein said area of said striking face circumscribes said body so that no portion of said body extends beyond said area.
4. The golf practice arrangement of claim 3 , wherein said body is a rectangular prism.
5. The golf practice arrangement of claim 4 , wherein said striking face is connected to a reduced portion spanning between said striking face and said body, said reduced portion being circumscribed by said striking face and said body, said reduced portion having a cross sectional area smaller than said area of said striking face and smaller than the cross sectional area of said body.
6. The golf practice arrangement of claim 5 , wherein said striking face is circular, said reduced portion is circular in its cross section, the diameter of said reduced portion being less than a distance between opposing sides of said body and less than the diameter of said striking face.
7. The golf practice arrangement of claim 6 , wherein said body of said head has a substantially square cross section.
8. The golf practice arrangement of claim 7 , wherein said fastener is a nail.
9. The golf practice arrangement of claim 8 , wherein said hosel is centrally aligned with respect to said body.
10. The golf practice arrangement of claim 9 , wherein said hose) extends perpendicularly with respect to a side of said body to which said hosel is affixed.
11. The golf practice arrangement of claim 8 , wherein a side of said hosel is aligned with a side of said body.
12. The golf practice arrangement of claim 11 , wherein said hosel is bent at an oblique angle with respect to a face of said body to which said hosel is affixed.
Priority Applications (1)
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Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20180229087A1 (en) * | 2017-02-15 | 2018-08-16 | William L. Amundsen | Offset Golf Club Head |
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2015
- 2015-09-18 WO PCT/US2015/050890 patent/WO2016044702A1/en active Application Filing
- 2015-09-18 US US15/318,861 patent/US20170189782A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2017
- 2017-10-11 US US15/729,741 patent/US20180043231A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3325168A (en) * | 1964-01-02 | 1967-06-13 | Robert V Fyanes | Golf swing training apparatus |
US3399898A (en) * | 1964-10-02 | 1968-09-03 | Carl A. Burkland | Golf putter |
US3384376A (en) * | 1965-01-12 | 1968-05-21 | Andrew M. Greenlee | Practice golf putter |
US3414267A (en) * | 1966-10-03 | 1968-12-03 | Robert B. Engle | Golf swing training device |
US3771788A (en) * | 1971-11-08 | 1973-11-13 | M Hurley | Putt-cue device with two different sized striking heads |
US4529202A (en) * | 1983-07-25 | 1985-07-16 | Jacobson William W | Golf club head |
US4881737A (en) * | 1989-02-09 | 1989-11-21 | Mullins Billy J | True roll putter |
US5127654A (en) * | 1991-12-16 | 1992-07-07 | Thackrey James D | Golf clubhead target |
US5228696A (en) * | 1992-07-08 | 1993-07-20 | John Gianferrara | Golf practice target |
USD357519S (en) * | 1993-07-06 | 1995-04-18 | Duane Ellickson | Golf putter head |
US5415399A (en) * | 1994-01-18 | 1995-05-16 | Nicholas J. Marinelli | Golf putter construction |
US6244973B1 (en) * | 1999-03-26 | 2001-06-12 | Kenneth C. Eichelberger | Target for swinging a golf club |
US6849001B2 (en) * | 2003-02-03 | 2005-02-01 | Timothy A. Simpson | Practice golf club and target apparatus |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20180229087A1 (en) * | 2017-02-15 | 2018-08-16 | William L. Amundsen | Offset Golf Club Head |
US20190247723A1 (en) * | 2017-02-15 | 2019-08-15 | William L. Amundsen | Offset Golf Club Head |
US10493330B2 (en) * | 2017-02-15 | 2019-12-03 | William L. Amundsen | Offset golf club head |
US20190381369A1 (en) * | 2017-02-15 | 2019-12-19 | William L. Amundsen | Offset Golf Club Head |
US11213724B2 (en) * | 2017-02-15 | 2022-01-04 | William L. Amundsen | Offset golf club head |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2016044702A1 (en) | 2016-03-24 |
US20180043231A1 (en) | 2018-02-15 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |