WO2004069347A1

WO2004069347A1 - Golf teaching device

Info

Publication number: WO2004069347A1
Application number: PCT/IE2003/000078
Authority: WO
Inventors: Seamus Dunne; Patrick Joseph Barron; Pat Foley; John Foley; Jim Foley
Original assignee: Seamus Dunne; Patrick Joseph Barron; Pat Foley; John Foley; Jim Foley
Priority date: 2003-02-07
Filing date: 2003-05-21
Publication date: 2004-08-19
Also published as: GB0516865D0; IE20030331A1; AU2003303897A1; GB2413771A; GB2413771B

Abstract

A golf teaching device for assisting a golf player in achieving correct positioning and alignment before striking a golf ball comprises a foot alignment rail (2) and a ball positioning rail (4) in spaced apart, substantially parallel alignment. An adjustment rail (6) extends substantially parallel to and between the alignment and positioning rails. The spacing between the alignment rail and the positioning rail is adjustable between a fully expanded configuration wherein the spacing is a predetermined maximum and a fully retracted configuration wherein the spacing is a predetermined minimum. The alignment rail is calibrated with predetermined markings corresponding to positions for locating a player's feet. The positioning rail is calibrated with predetermined markings corresponding to positions for locating a golf ball. The adjustment rail is calibrated with predetermined markings corresponding to the spacing between the alignment and positioning rails.

Description

Golf Teaching Device

The present invention relates to a golf teaching aid and, in particular, to a teaching device for assisting a golf player in achieving correct positioning and alignment before striking a golf ball.

The vast majority of amateur players have great difficulty in attaining correct alignment towards their intended target and end up missing the fairway with their driver and the greens with their irons, due to misalignment of the player's feet and shoulders in relation to their targets. Most players align their feet and shoulders in opposite directions. If the alignment of feet and shoulders towards the target are incorrect, clubface alignment will automatically be incorrect thereby producing an incorrect swing path for the club. If the swing path of the club is incorrect then the angle of attack of the club will most likely also be incorrect, particularly if the ball position is out of place for the particular club in use. Consequently, it can become almost impossible to hit a straight shot since nothing is working in unison and, while the brain is trying to hit the ball in one direction, the body is lined up to hit the ball in a different direction.

It is a common experience for amateur players to feel that a perfect shot has been hit yet watch the ball fly to the left of the green and miss. Incorrect feet alignment to the left of the green is invariably the fault. What appears to be a pull to the left is in fact a perfect shot to the incorrect place because correct alignment was not achieved before the ball was struck. Similarly, if the feet and shoulders are aligned to the right of the green, the result will either be a straight hit to the right or a large pull to the left side of the green. In either case, the chance of hitting the green is slim. Incorrect feet alignment leads to poor feet positioning and poor feet positioning can occur even when there is correct feet alignment.

Professional golfers hit good shots consistently since they set their alignment correctly parallel left of the intended target. Hitting shots with a perfectly aligned set up, while having the ball in the correct position in your stance and while standing the correct distance from the ball, makes striking the ball correctly a far simpler task. Striking the ball correctly with correct feet and clubface alignment achieves far greater accuracy and distance. If correct alignment is attained and the ball is in the correct position in the stance of the player before the ball is struck, then no sub-conscious adjustments are necessary during the course of the swing, thus increasing the chances of striking the ball correctly.

Many amateur golfers can go through their entire golfing life having never experienced what correct ball striking really is. If a golfer has never, even once, experienced what a proper strike on the golf ball actually feels like then he has little chance of ever achieving a consistent correct ball strike.

The present invention has been made from a consideration of the above problems of incorrect alignment of a golf player towards his intended target and in order to provide a device which assists a golf player in achieving correct feet, shoulders and clubface alignment and correct ball and feet positioning and posture before striking a golf ball. The invention seeks to provide a device which shows and teaches what correct alignment is and how to achieve it on a consistent basis until it becomes familiar and routine.

The teaching device of the invention helps players of all standards, from the high handicapper to the professional golfer, to attain consistent and correct feet, shoulders and clubface alignment together with correct ball and feet positioning and posture, thereby achieving better and more consistent ball striking on a regular basis.

According to the invention there is provided a golf teaching device for assisting a golf player in achieving correct positioning and alignment before striking a golf ball characterised by a foot alignment rail and a ball positioning rail in spaced apart, substantially parallel alignment and an adjustment rail extending substantially parallel to and between said alignment and positioning rails, the spacing between the alignment rail and the positioning rail being adjustable between a fully expanded configuration wherein the spacing is a predetermined maximum and a fully retracted configuration wherein the spacing is a predetermined minimum.

Preferably, the alignment rail is calibrated with predetermined markings corresponding to positions for locating a player's feet, the positioning rail is calibrated with predetermined markings corresponding to positions for locating a golf ball, and/or the adjustment rail is calibrated with predetermined markings corresponding to the spacing between the alignment and positioning rails.

Preferably, the device comprises two front and two rear pivot members, one end of the two front pivot members being pivotally connected adjacent the front end of the adjustment rail and the other ends being pivotally connected adjacent the front end of the alignment rail and the positioning rail, respectively, and one end of the two rear pivot members being pivotally connected adjacent the rear end of the adjustment rail and the other ends being pivotally connected adjacent the rear end of the alignment rail and the positioning rail, respectively, such that the spacing between the alignment and positioning rails may be adjusted as the members pivot relative to the rails.

Preferably, the device comprises a cursor adapted for sliding movement along the adjustment rail and two central pivot members, one end of the two central pivot members being pivotally connected to the cursor and the other ends being pivotally connected to the front pivot members, respectively.

Preferably, the calibration markings on the foot alignment rail comprise a series of markings at regular intervals along the length of the rail, the markings being in increments of 25mm and ranging from 0 to 19 from left to right and from 0 to -3 from right to left. Preferably, two areas are highlighted to indicate the predetermined position for putting and chipping.

Preferably, the calibration markings on the ball positioning rail comprise a series of markings at regular intervals along the length of the rail, the markings being in increments of 12.7mm and ranging from right to left from a pitching or sand wedge marking to a driver marking, intervening markings being preferably denoted with the descending numerals 9 to 1. Preferably, an area located 50mm to the right of the pitching marking is highlighted to indicate the predetermined position for chipping and putting.

Preferably, the calibration markings on the adjustment rail comprise a series of markings at irregular intervals along the length of the rail, the markings ranging from right to left from a pitching or sand wedge marking to a driver marking. Preferably, intervening markings are denoted with the descending numerals 9 to 1, then "7W", "5W" and "3W" for the wood clubs . Preferably, a chipping position marking and a putting position marking are located to the right of the pitching wedge marking to indicate the predetermined device width for chipping and putting.

Preferably, the device comprises a right foot position bracket having a clip adapted to be attached to the alignment rail and a foot guide in the form of a straight rod adapted in use to extend transversely to the alignment rail.

Preferably, the device comprises a left foot position bracket having a clip adapted to be attached to the alignment rail and a foot guide in the form of an angled rod adapted in use to extend at an angle, preferably about 22.5 degrees, to the alignment rail.

Preferably, the device comprises a putting attachment having a clip adapted to be attached to the positioning rail and a putting guide in the form of a straight rod or bar adapted in use to extend substantially parallel to the positioning rail and to be spaced therefrom by a predetermined distance.

The invention will now be described further, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a teaching device of the invention, in the expanded configuration;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a left foot position bracket for use with the teaching device of figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a right foot position bracket for use with the teaching device of figure 1; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the teaching device of figure 1 in a partially contracted configuration with attached left and right foot position brackets and showing foot, ball and clubface alignment and positioning, in use;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the teaching device of figure 1 in the fully contracted configuration;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a putting attachment for use with the teaching device of figure 1;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of the foot alignment rail of the teaching device of figure 1 showing the calibration markings thereon;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of the ball positioning rail of the teaching device of figure 1 showing the calibration markings thereon; and

Fig. 9 an enlarged view of the adjustment rail of the teaching device of figure 1 showing the calibration markings thereon.

Referring to figure 1, a teaching device 1 of the invention in the expanded configuration comprises an elongate foot alignment rail 2, an elongate ball positioning rail 4 and an elongate adjustment rail 6 in spaced apart, substantially parallel configuration. Each rail has calibration markings thereon as described hereinbelow with reference to figures 7 to 9. The adjustment rail 6 lies between the alignment and positioning rails 2, 4 and is shorter in length than the other rails.

The adjustment rail 6 is connected to the alignment and positioning rails 2, 4 by a pair of elongate rear pivot members 8, 10 and a pair of elongate front pivot members 12, 14. One end of each rear pivot member 8, 10 is pivotally connected adjacent the rear end of the adjustment rail 6 at pivot point A. The other end of each rear pivot member 8, 10 is pivotally connected adjacent the rear end of the alignment and positioning rails 2, 4, respectively, at pivot points B, C.

Similarly, one end of each front pivot member 12, 14 is pivotally connected adjacent the front end of the adjustment rail 6 at pivot point D. The other end of each front pivot member 12, 14 is pivotally connected adjacent the front end of the alignment and positioning rails 2, 4, respectively, at pivot points E, F.

It will be seen from figure 1 that, in the expanded configuration, the rear and front pivot members 8, 10, 12, 14 extend transversely to the rails 2, 4, 6 and the rear end of the adjustment rail is substantially in line with the rear ends of the alignment and positioning rails, while the front end of the adjustment rail lies rearwardly of the front ends of the alignment and positioning rails .

The spacing between the alignment and positioning rails 2, 4 may be adjusted by sliding the adjustment rail 6 forwardly relative to the alignment and positioning rails 2, 4 so that the front and rear pivot members 8, 10, 12, 14 pivot forwardly at an angle to the rails, as shown in figure 4.

The device also comprises a cursor 16 in the form of a rectangular member mounted for sliding movement along the adjustment rail 6 and connected to the front pivot members 12, 14 by a pair of elongate central pivot members 18, 20. One end of each central pivot member 18, 20 is pivotally connected to the cursor 16 at pivot point G. The other end of each central pivot member 18, 20 is pivotally connected to the front pivot members 12, 14 respectively, at pivot points H, J. Typically, the pivot points H, J are located about three quarters the way along the central pivot members 12, 14 from the pivot point D.

Referring to figure 4, as the spacing between the alignment and positioning rails 2, 4 is reduced, the cursor 16 moves rearwardly along the adjustment rail 6 and the central pivot members 18, 20 pivot rearwardly. Thus, the alignment and positioning rails 2, 4 may be moved towards and away from each other, while remaining parallel, as the device is opened and closed.

The front ends of the alignment and positioning rails 2, 4 are pointed 22 to facilitate setting the device towards the desired target in use. Apertures 24 are provided at the front and rear ends of the alignment rail 2 to allow the device to be secured to the ground in use, for example by locating long tees through the apertures. Thus, when using the device it can be pinned down with two long tees through the apertures 24, after it has been pointed at the target, in order to keep it stable.

Referring to figure 3, a right foot position bracket 26 comprises a clip 28 for attachment to the alignment rail 2 and a foot guide in the form of a straight rod 30 adapted in use to extend transversely to the alignment rail 2. An aperture 32 is provided in the clip 28 so that a calibration marking on the alignment rail may be seen therethrough in use.

Referring to figure 2, a left foot position bracket 34 is similar to the right foot position bracket 26 with the addition of an angled rod 36 which extends at an angle, typically about 22.5 degrees, to the straight rod 30 and is integral therewith at the end remote from the clip 28. The right foot position bracket 26 is placed at right angles to the alignment rail and the left foot position bracket 34 is turned out a quarter turn or 22 degrees left on the alignment rail in order to aid a good set up with perfect foot positioning, allied to perfect alignment and correct ball positioning all at the same time.

Referring to figure 5, the device may be fully contracted or collapsed by moving the cursor on the adjustment rail rearwardly to minimise the spacing between the alignment and positioning rails 2, 4. In the fully contracted configuration, the front end of the adjustment rail lies forwardly of the front ends of the alignment and positioning rails and the front, rear and central pivot members extend nearly parallel to the rails. In this configuration, the device is sufficiently small to be conveniently transported and carried in a golf bag or the like.

In use, the right and left foot position brackets 26, 34 are attached to the alignment rail 2 at predetermined correct positions and the width of the device is adjusted by moving the cursor 16 along the adjustment rail 6 to the predetermined correct width position. The right 70 and left 72 feet are placed against the foot position brackets, the left foot aligning with the angled rod of the left bracket and the ball 74 and clubface 76 are placed at the predetermined correct position on the positioning rail 4.

When the device is closed to the width shown in the example in figure 4 and the feet are placed at the indicated width along the alignment rail as indicated by the foot positioning brackets 26, 34, the club can then be placed behind the ball 74 at the position as indicated by the clubhead 76 along the positioning rail thereby giving perfect feet, shoulders and club alignment towards the target. If the clubhead is held too far back along the positioning rail, then the players shoulders will be closed to the target. Similarly, if the clubhead is held too far forward on the positioning rail in the players stance, his shoulders will open to the target. Using the device in this manner can teach players to practice cut or fade shots and to put draw spin on the ball. By getting feet and shoulders aligned perfectly left of the target and getting the ball position correct for the club being used, a perfectly straight ball flight can be achieved. After the ball has been placed, the positioning rail can be pulled in so that it will not inhibit the hitting of the ball with the club.

Since the alignment and positioning rails remain parallel, irrespective of the width to which they are set, the device ensures that a player practices in perfect alignment. By pointing the positioning rail directly at the target, the alignment rail automatically lines up parallel left of the intended target. Consequently, when the player's feet are placed along the alignment rail, as indicated in figure 4, perfect parallel left alignment is achieved on every practice shot.

Referring to figure 6, a putting attachment 38 comprises a clip 40 for attachment to the positioning rail 4 and a putting guide in the form of a straight rod or bar 42 adapted in use to extend substantially parallel to the positioning rail 4 and spaced therefrom by a predetermined distance. The shape and size of the rod 42 may be chosen as desired but typically the rod is 600mm long, 30mm wide and 6mm in depth.

Referring to figure 7, the calibration markings on the foot alignment rail 2 comprise a series of markings 44 at regular intervals along the length of the rail. The markings are in increments of 25mm and range from 0 to 19 from left to right and from 0 to -3 from right to left. Two areas 46, 48 are highlighted by a hatched marking. The hatched markings are also marked with an indication for "putting" and "chipping", respectively. In the specific example, the putting hatched area corresponds to numeral marking "6" and the chipping hatched area corresponds to numeral marking "10". The calibration markings on the foot alignment rail indicate the positions at which to place the feet or to locate the foot position brackets.

Referring to figure 8, the calibration markings on the ball positioning rail 4 comprise a series of markings 50 at regular intervals along the length of the rail. The markings are in increments of 12.7mm and range from right to left from a pitching or sand wedge marking 52 denoted "SW" and "PW" to a driver marking 54 denoted D. Intervening markings are denoted with the descending numerals 9 to 1. A zero position marking lies to the left of the driver marking. An area 56 located 50mm to the right of the pitching marking 52 is highlighted by a hatched marking which is 44mm in length. The calibration markings on the ball positioning rail 4 indicate the positions at which to place a golf ball. The hatched area 56 shows the correct ball positioning for chipping and putting.

Referring to figure 9, the calibration markings on the adjustment rail 6 comprise a series of markings 58 at irregular intervals along the length of the rail. The markings range from right to left from a pitching or sand wedge marking 60 denoted "SW" and "PW" to a driver marking 62 denoted "DR". Intervening markings are denoted with the descending numerals 9 to 1, then "7W", "5W" and "3W" for the wood clubs . The spacings between the markings are determined to give the correct width of device for the particular club selected. A chipping position marking 64 denoted "C" and a putting position marking 66 denoted "P" lie to the right of the pitching wedge marking 60. The calibration markings on the adjustment rail 6 indicate the width to which the device is to be set for a particular club. Thus, the width of the device is selected by setting the cursor on the adjustment rail at particular calibrated points along the rail. The chipping and putting markings 64, 66 show the correct device width to stand at while chipping and putting, respectively.

Figures 7 to 9 show examples of possible calibrations which may be used on the rails. However, it will be appreciated that different calibrations may be used on the alignment, positioning and adjustment rails, depending on the design required.

As the device narrows, the cursor on the adjustment rail moves back towards the lower end of the scale to the pitching wedge marking 60, the device is then at the correct width from which to hit a pitching wedge. By bringing the cursor forward to the highest driver marking 62, the device is set to the maximum width, typically 780mm. Thus, the device may set to any width, to accommodate the correct width from which to hit for any club from a pitching wedge or sand wedge to a driver or for any club in-between, while at the same time aligning the user perfectly parallel left of the intended target.

Ball position settings on the positioning rail are calculated using the knowledge that the shaft in each club gets progressively longer by 12.7mm for each club and that the face angle decreases at a constant rate as the set of golf clubs progresses from a pitching wedge to a one iron. Essentially, ball position for each club is a product of a constantly increasing shaft length coupled to a constantly decreasing face angle or loft for each club from a sand or pitching wedge to a one iron. Consequently, the ideal ball position has been determined for each club from the driver to the pitching wedge. Combining such predetermined perfect ball position with perfect body alignment and classical feet positioning leads to better and more consistent shots time after time.

Using the scientific knowledge gained in research to date, the device of the invention may be customised to suit any individual by noting a players set up with his clubs thereby calculating the perfect ball position and stance width for every club in a players bag from a sand wedge to a driver.

The idea behind the varying widths is that any width can be set to match how far from the ball the player stands in order that the clubhead will automatically be set in the correct position behind the ball after the ball has been placed at the correct indicated mark for any given club. This will give consistent and correct distance to stand from the ball on each shot and therefore correct posture is achieved on every shot.

The calibrations on the alignment rail 2 are to indicate the players stance width while the calibrations on positioning rail 4 indicate how far back the ball should be placed in a players stance before the club is placed behind it. The positioning rail gives consistent and correct ball placement on all shots for all clubs. It can therefore be seen that, by setting the cursor to the pre-determined calibrations on the adjustment rail, the device automatically sets to fixed and known widths between the alignment and positioning rails. A whole series of widths can be set that facilitates the hitting of any club from a pitching wedge or sand wedge to a driver thereby showing the correct distance to stand from the ball, the correct ball placement for all clubs and aligns the player precisely parallel left on all shots with the clubface pointing directly at the target.

The device can be adjusted from the fully expanded configuration, which is typically 780mm wide, as shown in figure 1, to the fully contracted configuration, which is typically 70mm wide, as shown in figure 5. Typically, the alignment and positioning rails are 1000mm in length. The device can be made to various sizes for different applications and is universal for left and right handed people.

By moving the cursor on the adjustment rail to a preset position, the device is automatically set to a predetermined width. The device can therefore effectively be set to any width to suit any club from a sand wedge to a driver. The calibrations on the alignment rail are used to determine the feet position and stance width and the positioning rail determines the ball position in the stance of the user. The device therefore can be used to line up the feet directly parallel left of the target when the positioning rail is pointing directly at the target. The device shows a correct stance width for the club being used, shows correct ball positioning in the stance of the user, and lines up shoulders with feet when the club head is placed in the correct position behind the ball along the positioning rail. These principles apply to each club in the bag from a sand wedge to a driver.

By taking account of the iron being used, say for example a pitching wedge, the cursor on the adjustment rail is set to the pitching wedge mark and the ball is placed at the pitching wedge marking on the positioning rail, as indicated in figure 4. The device is now set to put the user in perfect position by setting the pitching wedge behind the ball.

The device will automatically put the user in total and perfect parallel left alignment towards the target, have the ball in the correct position in the player's stance while giving correct posture at the same time. The club head will be in the exact and correct position with the clubface facing straight at the intended target thereby being ready to hit a perfect shot with all of the essential elements, feet, hips, and shoulders lined up correctly and working in unison.

The device can also be used as a putting aid by teaching good and perfect alignment when aligned to any particular hole while practising, grooving a straight back and straight through stroke and teaching how to keep the putter facing the hole at the same time. The putting attachment, as shown in figure 6, can be attached to the positioning rail to assist in showing when the putter is being taken straight back and brought straight through the ball while facing the hole at all times.

The device may be used to make pitching, chipping or bump and run shots. The device can be used to practice pitch shots as it teaches and shows correct alignment towards the target when playing pitch shots, keeping the ball centred in the stance of the user at the same time. To hit chip shots, the device will show correct foot placement on the alignment rail, as indicated by the hatched area 48, when the foot position bracket 26, 34 is placed at the hatched position. The correct ball placement for chipping is indicated by the hatched area 56 on the positioning rail. By using those two positions, the user is in perfect position to hit crisply struck chip shots, when the cursor on the adjustment rail is set to the chipping marking 64, while aligning the user correctly parallel left of the target at the same time.

For putting, the same ball position is used as indicated on the positioning rail, while the hatched area 46 on the alignment rail gives the correct left foot position when the foot position bracket 26 is placed at that position. Using these two reference points, the user can get into correct position over the ball, when the cursor is set to the putting marking 66 on the adjustment rail and the device is aligned perfectly parallel left of the hole. Likewise, bump and run shots are played from the same positions as the chip shots.

Typical dimensions for the device of the invention include each rail being 20mm wide; the taper of the pointed ends of the alignment and positioning rails being 40mm in length; the distance from pivot point F (or E) to the front end of the positioning (or alignment) rail being 310mm; the distance between pivot points F and C being 650mm; each pivot member being 20mm wide; the front and rear pivot members being 400mm long and the central pivot members being 310mm long; the separation of pivot points E and H being 100mm and the adjustment rail being 670mm long.

The device is preferably made from aluminium but any suitable material may be used, for example, timber, plastic or another metal such as, stainless steel, brass or bronze. The device may be made from material of one colour or of similar or different materials of the same or different colours. If the adjustment rail and the front pivot members are a different colour to the rest of the device, there is the added effect of the device acting as a visual aid in pointing the device in the required direction. The device may be held together by tapping, for example using countersunk 4mm stainless steel screws. Alternatively, the device may be bolted or riveted together.

The teaching device of the invention can be used to align a player for any club from a sand wedge to a driver. The device shows the perfect distance from the tips of the player' s toes to the golf ball for each club and the perfect ball position from which to hit each club. The device perfects clubface alignment, pointing the clubface straight at the target. The device can show perfect alignment of feet, shoulders and clubface towards the target. With the device pointing directly at the intended target, the feet are aligned perfectly parallel left of the target.

The device can be used to teach a perfect putting stroke by attaching the putting attachment, shown in figure 6, to give perfect alignment and grooving a consistent stroke at the same time. The device can be used to teach a player to hit cut shots by standing open to the alignment rail when hitting shots from a set position on the positioning rail.

The device can be pre-set to predetermined widths by setting the cursor on the adjustment rail to the indicated settings, enabling the device to be set to the correct width necessary to hit with any club, from a pitching wedge or sand wedge to a driver. The device can be set to the users natural putting stance width, that is, the distance to stand from the ball, which can be different for every player, enabling the user to stand correctly over the ball while aligning correctly parallel left with the putter facing directly at the hole.

The device can be used to teach how to hit draw or fade shots by adjusting the feet positions using the left and right foot position brackets along the alignment rail, where close is draw and open is fade. The device can also show if the club is on line in the half way back and half way through positions. The device promotes the correct takeaway from the ball, the one piece takeaway, and promotes the correct path to come back to the ball in order to strike the ball correctly.

The device helps to show golfers the path of their swing by checking the divot marks against the positioning rail. The device promotes a correct release of the club head through the ball and promotes constant hand position of the club in relation to the ball. The device shows whether the feet are correctly set in relation to the line of the direction to the target.

The device promotes and ensures consistent and correct ball position in the player' s stance in relation to the feet and promotes and teaches constant and correct hand position in relation to the body at address. The device promotes and can be used to give perfect posture by getting the feet, knees, hips and shoulders perfectly aligned parallel left of the target and by teaching the correct distance for a player to stand from the ball. Consequently, the device teaches and promotes perfect ball striking and consistency on each shot.

The device teaches a player to swing slowly with better rhythm and to hit the ball further and straighter by hitting it correctly rather than hitting it harder. The device teaches a slower swing made correctly which achieves greater distance and accuracy. The device encourages and promotes a slower swing from the top as the player' s ball striking improves. The device shows where the player's head is in relation to the ball and promotes consistency in keeping the head behind the ball until after the ball strike.

The device can show and teach perfect ball positions in relation to stance for perfect pitching, putting, chipping and bump and run shots. The device can teach and promote consistent and correct club grip and hold. The device can indicate what type of swing the player is making by analysing ball flight and direction, while feet are constantly aligned perfectly parallel left of the target at all times by excluding variation in alignment and ball position. The device facilitates putting both feet in the classical correct position by indicating when the left foot is turned out 22.5 degrees left and the right foot is at right angles to the line of the direction of the intended target.

It will be appreciated that the present invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiments, which are described by way of example only.

Claims

1. A golf teaching device for assisting a golf player in achieving correct positioning and alignment before striking a golf ball characterised by a foot alignment rail and a ball positioning rail in spaced apart, substantially parallel alignment and an adjustment rail extending substantially parallel to and between said alignment and positioning rails, the spacing between the alignment rail and the positioning rail being adjustable between a fully expanded configuration wherein the spacing is a predetermined maximum and a fully retracted configuration wherein the spacing is a predetermined minimum.

2. A teaching device according to claim 1 wherein the alignment rail is calibrated with predetermined markings corresponding to positions for locating a player's feet, the positioning rail is calibrated with predetermined markings corresponding to positions for locating a golf ball, and/or the adjustment rail is calibrated with predetermined markings corresponding to the spacing between the alignment and positioning rails.

3. A teaching device according to any preceding claim further comprising two front and two rear pivot members, one end of the two front pivot members being pivotally connected adjacent the front end of the adjustment rail and the other ends being pivotally connected adjacent the front end of the alignment rail and the positioning rail, respectively, and one end of the two rear pivot members being pivotally connected adjacent the rear end of the adjustment rail and the other ends being pivotally connected adjacent the rear end of the alignment rail and the positioning rail, respectively, such that the spacing between the alignment and positioning rails may be adjusted as the members pivot relative to the rails.

4. A teaching device according to any preceding claim further comprising a cursor adapted for sliding movement along the adjustment rail and two central pivot members, one end of the two central pivot members being pivotally connected to the cursor and the other ends being pivotally connected to the front pivot members, respectively.

5. A teaching device according to any preceding claim wherein the calibration markings on the foot alignment rail comprise a series of markings at regular intervals along the length of the rail, the markings being in increments of 25mm and ranging from 0 to 19 from left to right and from 0 to -3 from right to left.

6. A teaching device according to any preceding claim wherein the calibration markings on the ball positioning rail comprise a series of markings at regular intervals along the length of the rail, the markings being in increments of 12.7mm and ranging from right to left from a pitching or sand wedge marking to a driver marking, intervening markings being preferably denoted with the descending numerals 9 to 1.

7. A teaching device according to any preceding claim wherein the calibration markings on the adjustment rail comprise a series of markings at irregular intervals along the length of the rail, the markings ranging from right to left from a pitching or sand wedge marking to a driver marking.

8. A teaching device according to any preceding claim further comprising a right foot position bracket having a clip adapted to be attached to the alignment rail and a foot guide in the form of a straight rod adapted in use to extend transversely to the alignment rail.

9. A teaching device according to any preceding claim further comprising a left foot position bracket having a clip adapted to be attached to the alignment rail and a foot guide in the form of an angled rod adapted in use to extend at an angle, preferably about 22.5 degrees, to the alignment rail.

10. A teaching device according to any preceding claim further comprising a putting attachment having a clip adapted to be attached to the positioning rail and a putting guide in the form of a straight rod adapted in use to extend substantially parallel to the positioning rail and to be spaced therefrom by a predetermined distance.