US20190001208A1

US20190001208A1 - Golf training aid

Info

Publication number: US20190001208A1
Application number: US15/989,711
Authority: US
Inventors: Howard Craig Plantz; Phil Crowe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-07-03
Filing date: 2018-05-25
Publication date: 2019-01-03

Abstract

A golf training aid. The golf training aid includes a base having a front surface, a rear surface, an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface. A pair of vertical elongated rods extend from the upper surface at an angle towards the first side surface. The pair of elongated rods are substantially parallel to one another and a gap is defined therebetween. At least one alignment guide extends from the front surface of the base and is substantially perpendicular relative to the front surface.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/528,312, filed Jul. 3, 2017, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a golf training aid and, more particularly, to an improved golf training aid to help a golfer's swing path, alignment, ball position, body movement, and timing.
While learning and practicing golf, individuals can learn and reproduce improper swing path, alignment, ball position, body movement, and timing. Many golf swing aides allow golfers to swing a club improperly, creating muscle memory for incorrect movements. For example, the golf swing aide may only focus on the position of the golfer upon impacting the ball. When the measurement is at impact as opposed to the movements and setup prior to impact, a golfer is allowed to move the club in any way outside of the hitting area as long as the club face is returned to the ball. This can create extra movements that limit power, consistency, and direction. Further, tools that do not use the players own clubs or allow them to hit actual golf balls focus on movements that do not give the golfer a true feeling of ball contact, which is necessary and used during actual play.
As can be seen, there is a need for an improved golf training aid to help a golfer's swing path, alignment, ball position, body movement, and timing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a golf training aid comprises: a base comprising a front surface, a rear surface, an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface; a pair of vertical elongated rods extending from the upper surface at an angle towards the first side surface, wherein the pair of elongated rods are substantially parallel to one another and a gap is defined therebetween; and at least one alignment guide extending from and substantially perpendicular to the front surface.
In another aspect of the present invention, a golf training aid comprises: a base comprising a front surface, a rear surface, an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface; a pair of vertical elongated rods extending from the upper surface at an angle towards the first side surface, wherein the pair of elongated rods are substantially parallel to one another and a gap is defined therebetween; a pair of horizontal elongated rods extending from opposing ends of the front surface; and a laser projector projecting a beam of light from the front surface of the base between and substantially parallel to the pair of horizontal elongated rods.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in use;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the present invention in use;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a base of an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
The present invention includes a device used to practice and learn the proper way to use a golf club. The tool is placed to the golfer's right side for right handed golfers and left side for left handed golfers. Using either physical or electronic barriers or guides set at the proper angle for the swing plane, golfers are made aware of the proper plane to swing the club and they are informed when they move the club outside the optimal area or plane. With similar physical or electronic barriers or guides placed on the ground perpendicular to the tool the golfer can properly line up feet, hips, and shoulders with the target line. Using a laser or other light that illuminates the back of the ball in conjunction with the horizontal barriers or guides, golfers are able to verify the ball is in the correct position for optimal results.
When the takeaway is on the proper plane and at the proper cadence, it is easier to return the club to the impact position correctly. When at the top of the golf swing and the club is returned to the ball properly, it will back track over the take away plane releasing the maximum energy into the ball with limited side spin which produces distance and accuracy. By placing this guide to the side of the golfer he/she immediately feels, sees, and hears when they are outside the optimal parameters signaling him/her to stop and start again. No other tools provide this instant information to the golfer so they don't engrain bad swing habits.
Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the present invention includes a golf training aid 10. The golf training aid 10 includes a base 14 having a front surface, a rear surface, an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface. A pair of vertical elongated rods 20 extend from the upper surface at an angle towards the first side surface. The pair of elongated rods 20 are substantially parallel to one another and a gap is defined therebetween. At least one alignment guide 18 extends from the front surface of the base 14 and is substantially perpendicular relative to the front surface.
In certain embodiments, the at least one alignment guide 18 includes a pair of alignment guides 18 extending from opposing sides of the front surface. The alignment guides 18 provide a guide for the golfer to align their feet, hips, and shoulders. As illustrated in the Figures, the alignment guides 18 may include horizontal elongated rods. The front surface may include a pair of openings 26. The pair of horizontal elongated rods 18 are each disposed within a corresponding opening 26 of the pair of openings 26. The horizontal elongated rods 18 may be removeable from the openings 26 for disassembly. In certain embodiments, the rear surface may also include a pair of openings 26. The horizontal elongated rods 18 may be placed within the pair of openings 26 formed on the rear surface for left handed golfers to use the golf training aid 10. In alternate embodiments, the alignment guides 18 may include lasers that allow the golfer to visually align themselves relative to the golf training aid 10.
The pair of vertical elongated rods 20 may also be removably disposed within openings 24. In such embodiments, the upper surface of the base 14 includes a plurality of angled openings 24. The angled openings 24 are angled towards the first side surface and are substantially parallel relative to one another. For example, the angled openings 24, and thereby the vertical elongated rods 20 may be disposed at about a 58-degree up to about a 64-degree angle relative to the upper surface, such as at about a 61-degree angle relative to the upper surface.
In certain embodiments, the present invention may include six angled openings 24 aligned along the length of the base 14. The six angled openings 24 allow for adjustments of the vertical elongated rods 20 for beginner, intermediate, and proficient golfers. The vertical elongated rods 20 can also be rearranged to fix specific swing problems. For exemplary purposes, beginners start with the vertical elongated rods 20 disposed within two of the outer angled openings 24. Intermediate golfers may use the two middle angled openings 24 and proficient golfers may use the most inner angled openings 24. Therefore, the gap between the vertical elongated rods 20 may be expanded for beginner golfers and reduced for expert golfers.
The pair of vertical elongated rods 20 may each include ends 21 curving away from one another. The ends 21 curving away from one another provides additional clearance for the golfers swing and prevents snagging. In certain embodiments, the ends of the vertical elongated rods 20 may be bent away from another, forming the curved ends 21. Alternatively, curved attachments may be releasably attached to the ends of the vertical elongated rods 20, forming the curved ends 21.
In certain embodiments, the present invention includes a laser projector 16 projecting a beam of light from the front surface of the base 14. The beam of light is substantially parallel to the at least one alignment guide 18. In certain embodiments, the beam of light is projected in between horizontal elongated rods of the alignment guide 18. The laser projector 16 may be releasably disposed within a recess 22 formed on the upper surface of the base 14.
A method of using the present invention may include the following. Place the golf training aid 10 to the right for right handed golfers and to the left for left handed golfers. The feet, hips, and shoulders are parallel with the alignment guide 18 on the ground. The ball is placed so that the laser projector 16 is pointed directly at the back of the ball ensuring the golfer is lined up properly to take the club 12 back and through the gap between the vertical elongated rods 20. The golfer begins by slowly taking the club 12 back through the gap to the top of the swing without hitting the vertical elongated rods 20. The golfer returns the club 12 to the back of the ball through the vertical elongated rods 20 without hitting them, finishing the swing as normal. When a golfer hits the vertical elongated rods 20 in any direction, the golfer is indicated that they have made an improper golf swing. When the vertical elongated rods 20 are missed in both directions, then the golf swing was performed properly. Continue practicing hitting golf balls with the tool in place to engrain the proper muscle memory. As an example, many amateur golfers come over the top and strike the golf ball creating left to right spin, causing the ball to go right and lose distance. Practicing with this tool eliminates the possibility of coming over the top. Other golfers take the club back too fast and too far to the inside. Using this tool those golfers have to slow down to get the club between the guides eliminating this swing error.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A golf training aid comprising:

a base comprising a front surface, a rear surface, an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface;

a pair of vertical elongated rods extending from the upper surface at an angle towards the first side surface, wherein the pair of elongated rods are substantially parallel to one another and a gap is defined therebetween; and

at least one alignment guide extending from and substantially perpendicular to the front surface.

2. The golf training aid of claim 1, wherein the at least one alignment guide comprises a pair of horizontal elongated rods extending from opposing ends of the front surface.

3. The golf training aid of claim 2, wherein the front surface comprises a pair of openings, wherein the pair of horizontal elongated rods are each disposed within a corresponding opening of the pair of openings.

4. The golf training aid of claim 1, wherein the pair of vertical elongated rods each comprise ends curving away from one another.

5. The golf training aid of claim 1, wherein the upper surface comprises a plurality of angled openings, wherein the pair of vertical elongated rods are each disposed within a corresponding opening of the plurality of angled openings.

6. The golf training aid of claim 5, wherein the plurality of angle openings is six openings aligned along a length of the base.

7. The golf training aid of claim 1, further comprising a laser projector projecting a beam of light from the front surface of the base and substantially parallel to the at least one alignment guide.

8. The golf training aid of claim 7, wherein the laser projector is disposed within a recess formed on the upper surface.

9. A golf training aid comprising:

a pair of vertical elongated rods extending from the upper surface at an angle towards the first side surface, wherein the pair of elongated rods are substantially parallel to one another and a gap is defined therebetween;

a pair of horizontal elongated rods extending from opposing ends of the front surface; and

a laser projector projecting a beam of light from the front surface of the base between and substantially parallel to the pair of horizontal elongated rods.

10. The golf training aid of claim 9, wherein the pair of vertical elongated rods and the pair of horizontal elongated rods are each disposed within a corresponding opening formed on the base.