US3718330A - Golf practice equipment - Google Patents

Golf practice equipment Download PDF

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Publication number
US3718330A
US3718330A US00226805A US3718330DA US3718330A US 3718330 A US3718330 A US 3718330A US 00226805 A US00226805 A US 00226805A US 3718330D A US3718330D A US 3718330DA US 3718330 A US3718330 A US 3718330A
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foot
club
guide
ball
stance
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US00226805A
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V Gariti
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Individual
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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
    • A63B69/3667—Golf stance aids, e.g. means for positioning a golfer's feet

Definitions

  • Equipment for practicing and recognizing golf stances and ball ositioning includes two relativel ad'ustable b p d d b l d fl y J mem ers a apte to e p ace on a cor or any out- (g1.
  • Fie'ld 35/29 A a pair of foot guides for placement of the feet in a closed golf stance positioning or a square golf stance position or in an open golf stance position, the mem- [56] References Cited bers being adjustable to properly locate the feet in ac- UNITED ST S T S cordance with the number of the club being used for If practice or play.
  • the equipment may be em- 2,290,623 R0 ..273/187R played to mark n position relative to the foot off 2' 1 a giga 273/187 R which the ball is played, and the ball position so marked may be used as a guide to properly locate the FOREIGN PATENTS 0 APPLICATIONS feet in relation to an actual ball lie.
  • GOLF PRACTICE EQUIPMENT Of great importance in hitting a good golf shot is a proper stance.
  • the golfers stance can be described as the relationship of the feet to each other, relationship of the feet to the intended direction line of flight, and the relationship of the feet and the ball to be struck.
  • the positioning of the ball depends on the length of the golf club shaft, the length of the golfers arms and the angle of the club head.
  • a standard set of golf clubs consists of five woods numbered one through five, long irons numbered one through three, medium irons numbered four through six, and short irons numbered seven through nine. in addition, golfers use putter clubs and wedges.
  • the number designation of the wood clubs and the iron clubs increases the angle on the club face increases.
  • the length of the shaft of the club decreases (one-half inch shorter as club number increases) as the number of the club increases.
  • the short iron clubs with their higher degree angle on the club face, lift the ball higher in the air which results in shorter, more accurate shots.
  • the foregoing may be summarized.
  • the closed stance requires the right foot be slightly back from the direction line (right-handed golfer) while the left foot is on the direction line.
  • This stance is recommended by the experts for the clubs No. 1 through No. 4. It permits much freedom for turning the body and bringing the club head down inside the direction line toward the target. ln addition the feet are turned slightly outward from the body which cases the strain on the right thigh and the back as the golfer twists his body around to generate power. It permits the golfer to lengthen his arc of the club head when swinging.
  • the open stance should be used for the short irons, say No. 8 and No. 9. These clubs require they be used when making short accurate shots.
  • the open stance has the right foot (right-handed golfer) placed at a right angle to the direction line. The left foot is pointed outward about 45 to the direction line. In this stance the golfer does not need body action for power but does need freedom for shoulder movement which leads to accuracy.
  • the golf ball should be played forward of the middle of the stance on the No. 1 club and progressively closer to the direction line as the club shaft decreases in length.
  • the ball also should be played farther back from the target as the club face angle increases. These positions enable the golfer to strike the ball on the upward rise of the club face arc or on the downward movement of the club.
  • the position also places the ball at a comfortable hitting distance from the direction line for each club.
  • the ball should always be played at a 90 angle from the direction line.
  • the objects of the invention are to enable the golfing buff to identify, practice and use properly the open, closed and square stance to learn foot and ball positions, in short to recognize and learn the proper stance and ball positioning.
  • a further object of the present invention is to furnish equipment enabling the golfer to recognize and learn golf stance and ball positioning, and to so construct the equipment as to be adaptable to any physique.
  • a related object is to embody such equipment in convenient kit form, easily assembled and disassembled.
  • Another object of the invention is to enable the novice to physically represent and simulate what he reads by way of expert golf advice.
  • a further object is to furnish equipment enabling a golfer to practice with various foot and ball positions and to mark the equipment permanently with the positions desired for future use.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of what is designated a club number golf and ball guide
  • FIG. 2 is a plan view of a slide to be fitted to the guide
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional views on the lines 33 and 4-4 of FIGS. 1 and 2;
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 are plan views of the two foot guide members
  • FIGS. 7 and 7A are plan views of sets of markers
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective (broken) of a measuring tape
  • FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the assembly of the slide and the guides.
  • FIG. 10 is a diagram showing accepted stances and ball positions
  • FIG. 11 is a plan view similar to FIG. 9 but showing the calibration process commencing with the No. 1 club;
  • FIG. 12 shows the guide calibrated for the four long clubs
  • FIG. 13 is a plan view similar to FIG. 9 but showing calibration for the clubs of medium length, commencing with club No.5;
  • FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 12 showing calibra tion extended to the three clubs of medium length;
  • FIG. 15 is a plan view similar to FIG. 9 but showing calibration for' the No. Sand No. 9 clubs;
  • FIG. 16' shows calibration completed
  • FIGS. l7A-C show ball marker location.
  • FIGS. 1 through 8 The component parts of the golf practice equipment of the present invention are shown in FIGS. 1 through 8. The completed assembly is shown in FIG. 9, ready for calibration to the physique of the golfer. Additional figures illustrate the manner of calibration, ball positioning.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of the club member guide. It may be nothing more than a wood block 20.
  • FIG. 2 is a plan view of the slide 22 to be fitted or coupled in sliding relation to the guide 20, and to this end one edge of the guide 20 is formed with a dovetail slot 24 and the related or opposing edge of the slide 22 is formed with a dovetail 23 enabling the two to be slidably fitted together.
  • One end of the guide 20 is additionally provided with an opening 25 and one end of the slide is provided with an opening 26.
  • the opening 25 provided in the end of the guide 20 enables the straight end 29, FIG. 5, of a first foot guide 30 to be detachably fitted therein.
  • the opening 26 at one end of the slide 22 enables the straight end 39 of a second foot guide 40 to be entered therein.
  • the assembly,'including the guide 20, the slide 22 and the two foot guides 30 and 40 extending outward in opposite directions is shown in FIG. 9.
  • markers Two sets of markers are supplied, FIGS. 7 and 7A.
  • the markers are to be applied to the guide 20 and the slide 22 as will be described.
  • the markers are backed with .pressure sensitive adhesive, adhering to backer sheets 50 and 51.
  • the markers stickers include nine stickers 52, identified by club number (1 through 9). These are to be applied to the club number guide 20.
  • the first four (clubs 1 through 4) are of a distinctive color, e.g., red.
  • the other five (clubs 5 through 9) are of contrasting color, e.g., blue.
  • the marker assembly also includes a long arrow 55 and a plurality of club marker strips 57.
  • a tape measure 58 is also supplied. This is used to measure the width of the golfers shoulders, tip to tip.
  • Each of the foot forms is of an easily bent member such as a wire of suitable gauge, but obviously the construction material is not important since form only is of the essence as will be seen.
  • each of the foot guides embodies what may be termed foot outlines in the broad sense of presenting a plurality of niches for placement therein of the golfer's foot.
  • foot guide 30 there is a first foot outline in niche 30-1 representing a narrow foot spread, a second foot outline 30-2 representing a middle or intermediate foot spread and a third foot outline 30-3 representing a wide foot spread.
  • the foot outlines thus defined progress from left to right and constitute three different positions for the right-hand foot. As will be described the foot when properly positioned is aligned at right angles to the span of the niche.
  • the left-hand foot guide progressing leftward, includes a foot outline 40-1 (narrow spread) a second foot outline 40-2 (intermediate spread) and finally a third and outermost foot guide 40-3 representing the wide foot spread.
  • the foot niches are separated by bends A, 30B, 40A and 40B, spaced legs as 31-32 and 41-42, and three toe limiters or stops 35-36-37 and 45-46-47 separated by the designated bends and legs.
  • the attaching end 29 of the right-hand foot guide 30 fits snugly into the corresponding opening at the right-hand end of the guide 20; the attaching end 39 of the left-hand foot guide 40 is fitted into the receiving opening 26 of the slide 22.
  • the slide is fitted to the dovetail of the guide.
  • intermediate foot outlines 30-2 and 40-2 are identified with three clubs of intermediate length, namely irons 5, 6 and 7 (and wood No. 5 as well) while the outermost foot outlines 30-3 and 40-3 are identified with the longer clubs collectively woods 1, 2, 3 and 4 and irons l, 2, 3 and 4.
  • the foot guides are configured in compliance with the accepted stances, and in this connection the toe limiters of both foot forms, FIGS. 5 and 6, are angled as indicated relative to assumed horizontal lines.
  • This horizontal line may be taken as the direction line, FIG. 9, which represents the assumed flight of path of the ball, and it will be seen that with the feet placed within the niches approximately at right angles to the toe limiters of the respective foot forms 30-3 and 40-3 (when using any one of the four longer clubs) the right foot will be displaced appreciably behind the direction line, as it should be, while the toes of the left foot are approximately on the direction line, as it should be, whereby the feet are positioned in the so-called closed stance.
  • the toes of the practicing golfer are on a line which for all practical purposes is parallel to the direction line, constituting a square stance position.
  • the open stance position is identified with the innermost foot form 30-1 and 40-1, and it will be seen that the right foot will therefore be well forward of the direction line, FIG. 9, while the left foot is slightly behind the direction line; the right foot is squared to the direction line while the left foot, in relation, is turned outward or slightly counterclockwise, the classic open stance.
  • the index indicia arrows 53 and 54, are lifted from the backing sheet, FIG. 7, and applied respectively to the left and right ends of the slide 22, arrow heads pointing to the guide.
  • Arrow 53 (red) is identified with the long clubs (1-2-3-4) and is located on the left end of slide 22; arrow 54 (blue) for the remaining clubs 5-6-7-8-9 is on the right end of the slide.
  • the long arrow 55 for indicating the direction line is transferred to the guide 20. It may be located almost anywhere on the fact of the guide 20, as long as it is aligned parallel to the bottom edge. The direction arrow 55 is thus simply parallel to ball flight. As will be explained, a real practice ball will be used to aid recognition of actual ball positions.
  • Arrow 55 and the indexers 53 and 54 could be painted on their respective parts, or stamped thereon. A single arrow could be used instead of indicia 53 and 54; the dual marker arrangement described conserves space on guide member 20 and avoids the necessity for an unduly long guide member.
  • CALIBRATION heels one inch for each of the successive clubs in the long club group, whether woods or irons.
  • the feet With the slide 22 approximately centered relative to the length of the club number guide 20, the feet are positioned in the closed stance, FIG. 11, and the guide and slide are moved until the outer niches force the heel separation to comply with the shoulder span. This may be done by laying the tape between the heels or by making scribe marks on a sheet beneath the assembly or any other convenient way.
  • the golfer When the foot guides are accordingly adjusted, the golfer then transfers the No. 1 club marker (group 52 markers, FIG. 7) to the guide 20 with its arrow head aligned with the head of index arrow 53 previously transferred to the slide, or, as will be recognized, both arrows can be transferred at this time. Any time thereafter that index arrow 53 is aligned with the No. 1 arrow on the guide 20 the niches 30-3 and 40-3 are spaced to conform to the foot positioning proper for the No. 1 club, in the closed stance of course.
  • arrows No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 for the right hand golfer are transferred to and fixed on the club number guide 20, spaced approximately one inch apart starting with No. 2 arrow located to the right of No. l, and the assembly has been calibrated for all the long clubs, FIG. 12.
  • the stance, closed, does not vary for clubs 1-2-3-4, only the spacing between the heels of the feet located in niches 30-3 and 40-3.
  • club No. 5 When using club No. 5, the heels should be spaced four inches less than the shoulder span, in a square stance. This involves calibration indexed to the intermediate niches 30-2 and 40-2, FIG. 13. The feet are so located and the slide is shifted and the feet repeatedly re-positioned until the proper heel separation is attained for club No. 5.
  • Club marker No. 5, FIG. 7, is lifted and transferred to the guide 20, its arrow head being aligned with and pointing to the head of index arrow 54.
  • the club markers 52, FIG. 7, for clubs -6-7 -89 and the wedges are blue or any other color contrasting with club markers 1-2-3-4.
  • FIG. 10 In the closed stance both feet point outward (splayed) and the right foot is pulled back from the direction line; in the square stance, the feet point outward and the toes are on a line parallel to the line of flight of the ball; in the open stance, the left foot points outward and is behind the line of flight while the right foot is at right angles to and ahead of the line of flight.
  • the club numbers in FIG. 10 are exemplary only and may change somewhat for different golfers.
  • BALL POSITIONING Ball positioning is a relatively simple matter once the guide has been calibrated, especially since ball positioning for the long clubs, all agree, is measured from the heel of the leading foot, the left foot for a righthanded golfer. Thus, for club No. l, the ball is usually played one inch to the right of the left foot.
  • the practice equipment of this invention enables the golfer to determine whether, for a better shot,the ball should be played further back. Assuming that one inch should be tried, the golfer sets the equipment for the closed stance, FIG. 1 1, takes that stance, and then fixes No. 1 ball marker on guide one inch off his left heel as shown in FIG. 17A. Next ball markers 2, 3 and 4 are located on the guide one inch from each other starting with No. 2 ball marker one inch to the right of No. 1'
  • Member 20 can be made long enough to accommodate the physique of any golfer.
  • the foot guides are adjusted for the No. 5 club stance, the center of the stance is determined and the ball marker (No. 5) is located on guide 20 to be at the center of the stance, FIG. 178; the No. 6 ball marker is fixed to the guide 1 inch to the right of No. 5, and No. 7 ball marker is located one inch to the right of No. 6.
  • the No. 9 club ball position should be one inch forward or to the left of the right heel when the golfer is in proper stance for the No. 9 club.
  • the No. 9 ball marker is so located on the club head guide 20, FIG. 17C, and the No. 8 ball marker is located one inch to the left.
  • the shaft of a selected club may be laid on the guide at 90 to the direction line marker 55 and across the appropriate ball marker, or 90 to the direction line on the golf course, with the marker tape 57 on the direction line, and the actual ball position will be at the head end of the club.
  • the distance for actual play of the ball from the direction line is the distance separating the marker 57 on the club shaft from the face of the club head.
  • the golfer may select any available stance when using the present invention for putting practice or even actual play.
  • the practice equipment may incorporate a putter club marker (FIG. 7) and a putting ball marker 86 (FIG. 7A).
  • the putter club marker is placed on the guide 20 at a location which, when aligned with the red arrow 53, position the foot guides 30 and 40 for the stance selected by the golfer.
  • the putting ball marker 86 is positioned on the guide 20 at a location, relative to the golfers feet, that locates the ball in accordance with his preference. Golf experts agree that for putting the ball should be located no more than three or 4 inches forward of the direction line. Since this distance is easily determined, a club shaft label for establishing the outward ball position is unnecessary.
  • the present invention enables the correct golf stance tov be assumed in its actual performance, enables the golfer to recognize and feel the difference between the three basic stances, and enables the golfer to locate the ball accurately for each club.
  • the equipment enables the golfer to place his feet and body, automatically, at a correct and comfortable distance from the golf ball.
  • the-invention has been described as applied to a right-handed golfer, it applies equally to a left-handed player.
  • the assembly need only be turned over, end-for-end, and the guide indicia applied to the opposite side from that described. All other procedures remain the same, except that the references to right and left feet are reversed.
  • the guide, slide and markers may be of variant form and shape and need not necessarily conform to the precise details set forth by way of the preferred embodiment; hence variations may be made with the principles set forth by way of example.
  • Golf practice equipment for guiding a golfer in consistent selection of stance, comprising:
  • a first foot guide extending outwardly in one direction from the club guide and presenting at least one foot niche for locating one foot of the golfer in a given position;
  • a second foot guide extending outwardly from the slide in the opposite direction from the first foot guide and presenting at least one foot niche for locating the other foot of the golfer in a given stance relative to the one foot, movement of the slide in one direction along the club guide resulting in relative closure of the two foot guides to shorten the spacing between the foot niches and movement of the slide in the opposite direction relative to the club guide resulting in relative opening movement of the foot guides to lengthen the spacing between the foot niches;
  • indexing means on the slide to be set opposite a club indicium on the club guide accordingly to move the foot niches of the respective foot guides closer to one another for clubs of diminishing length.
  • each foot guide includes at least two different niches, each co-ordinated to a foot niche in the other foot guide to define a distinctive type of stance for the golfer.
  • each foot guide includes three separate niches, each paired with a foot niche in the other foot guide, said pairs of foot niches defining a wide, closed stance for the long golf clubs, an intermediate, square stance for the middle clubs, and an open, narrow stance for the short clubs.
  • club guide has at least one ball marker, identifying ball placement relative to the golfer's heels for a given club.
  • the foot guides are of wire form bent to afford the niches and in which the front of each niche constitutes a toe limiter positioned to define the stance and with respect to which the foot is to be positioned at right angles.
  • club indicia on the club guide are of two colors respectively distinguishing a selected group of ion clubs and all remaining clubs in another group
  • each index marker related to one of said two groups of club indicia.
  • club guide includes a direction line marker, extending longitudinally of the club guide, and further comprising means for marking each golf club shaft to enable the golfer to orient the ball properly, in two coordinate directions, from his feet and body.
  • a first foot guide extending outwardly in one direction from the club guide and presenting a given number of foot niches, each locating one foot of the golfer in a given position relating to a particular stance;
  • a second foot guide extending outwardly from the slide in the opposite direction from the foot guide and presenting a plurality of foot niches, each paired with a foot niche in the first foot guide and each locating the other foot of the golfer in a particular stance relative to the one foot, movement of the slide in one direction along the club guide resulting in relative closure of the two foot guides to shorten the spacing between the foot niches and movement of the slide in the opposite direction relative to the club guide resulting in relative opening movement of the foot guides to lengthen the spacing between the foot niches;
  • each foot niche in each guide including a toe limiter defining the toe position and at least one side element defining angular orientation of the foot;
  • indexing means on the slide to be set opposite a club indicium on the club guide accordingly to move the foot niches of the respective foot guides closer to one another for clubs of diminishing length;
  • each ball marker identifying ball placement relative to the golfers feet for a given club.

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US00226805A 1972-02-16 1972-02-16 Golf practice equipment Expired - Lifetime US3718330A (en)

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US22680572A 1972-02-16 1972-02-16

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5255921A (en) * 1992-07-06 1993-10-26 Spence Brian M Golf swing training kit
WO1994019069A1 (en) * 1993-02-16 1994-09-01 Russell, William, James Golf training device

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB191116930A (en) * 1911-07-24 1911-11-09 Robert James Brown Improvements in Apparatus for Teaching Golf.
US2790642A (en) * 1954-04-06 1957-04-30 Andrew T Rolfe Putting guide device
US3638950A (en) * 1970-10-08 1972-02-01 William Kenneth Hyotlaine Golfer{40 s stance gauge including undue sway indicator
US3658344A (en) * 1970-10-07 1972-04-25 Quinton Kimble Golfer{40 s stance guage

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB191116930A (en) * 1911-07-24 1911-11-09 Robert James Brown Improvements in Apparatus for Teaching Golf.
US2790642A (en) * 1954-04-06 1957-04-30 Andrew T Rolfe Putting guide device
US3658344A (en) * 1970-10-07 1972-04-25 Quinton Kimble Golfer{40 s stance guage
US3638950A (en) * 1970-10-08 1972-02-01 William Kenneth Hyotlaine Golfer{40 s stance gauge including undue sway indicator

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5255921A (en) * 1992-07-06 1993-10-26 Spence Brian M Golf swing training kit
WO1994019069A1 (en) * 1993-02-16 1994-09-01 Russell, William, James Golf training device

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JPS5133465B2 (enExample) 1976-09-20
JPS4912931A (enExample) 1974-02-04

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