WO2015049597A1 - Golf swing training aid - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a golf swing training aid (10) that includes an elongate track (12) with first and second stops (18, 20) spaced longitudinally apart from one another on the track. A weight (44) is freely movable along the track between the first and second stops. The aid includes a track mounting apparatus by means of which the track can be mounted on a forearm of a golfer with the track oriented at any selected one of a plurality of different orientations relative to the forearm. In each of these orientations, the first stop (18) is higher than the second stop (20) when the golfer (80) grips a golf club (82) and addresses a golf ball (84) in preparation for a swing. At the address position, the weight (44) is in contact, under gravity, with the second stop (20). When the golfer then executes an acceptable backswing at the end of which the second stop is higher than the first stop, the weight moves into a first audible contact with the first stop (18). When the golfer then executes an acceptable downswing that returns the golf club to a position to impact the golf ball, the weight moves into a second audible contact with the second stop (20). When the golfer executes an acceptable follow through at the end of which the second stop is higher than the first stop, the weight moves into a third audible contact with the first stop (18). By training his golf swing such that all three audible contacts are heard, the golfer can improve his swing plane and the tempo and rhythm of his swing.

Description

"GOLF SWING TRAINING AID" BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

THIS invention relates to a goif swing training aid.

Persons skilled in the art of the golf swing know that power and accuracy in the swing are achieved inter alia from a good swing speed combined with the correct swing plane, commencing at the address position, through a full and complete backswing in which there is an adequate shoulder turn, through the downswing during which the club is released at impact with the ball and finally through a full and balanced follow through. The entire swing must be executed with a smooth tempo and rhythm.

Numerous devices have been proposed in the past to assist golfers to execute the swing with the appropriate tempo and rhythm. Most of the known devices are mounted to an existing golf club or are embodied in a simulated golf club which is swung by the goifer. Some examples of known devices which are mounted to an existing golf club are described in:

US 2.950.115 - this document describes a device including a weight which can slide on the shaft of the golf club between a start position near the grip to a release position in which the weight has slid down the shaft to impact audibly on a stop near to the head of the golf ciub. The weight is restrained at the start position by a mechanical catch which only releases the weight to slide down the shaft during the downswing, when the club head is moving at a critical, high speed. The objective for the goifer is to generate an audible impact of the weight on the stop at the moment that the club head impacts the golf ball, indicating that the club head is, as desired, moving at the maximum speed at impact with the ball.

US 4,027,886 - this document describes a device which acts in a manner similar to that of US 2,950,115, except that the weight is held magnetically, rather than by a mechanical catch, at the start position. One problem with these known devices that are mounted to an existing golf club is that their presence alters the swing characteristics of the club, with the result that the club is then not truly representative of a club used during real play. Another problem is that the devices do not provide any indication of whether other components of the golf swing, eg the backswing and followthrough, have been executed correctly.

Examples of known devices in which the golfer swings a simulated "club" are described in:

US 2,388,463 - this document describes a swing trainer with a head in which a weight can move to impact in a tactile and audible manner with stops to indicate the quality of his swing to the golfer.

US 5,577,966 - this document describes a swing trainer with a hollow shaft shaped internally to generate an audible tone when swung. The tone varies in dependence on the velocity at which the device is swung, thereby providing an audible feedback indicative of speed, tempo and rhythm of the swing.

US 7,798,910 - this document describes a swing trainer in which weights are slidable on a shaft between stop positions at which they are detained magnetically. At the correct swing speed, tempo and rhythm, the weights overcome the magnetic detaining forces and impact audibly on the stops at various positions in the swing.

A problem with the known simulated club devices is that such devices are not themselves truly representative of an actual golf club.

US8.371.953 - this document describes a training aid consisting of sleeves which the golfer wears on his forearms and which have visually distinguishable sections to indicate visually to the golfer correct forearm positions at different points of the goif swing. A problem here is that the golfer is required to observe the sleeves during the swing, which detracts from the requirement that he keep his eye on the baii.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to present invention there is provided a golf swing training aid comprising an elongate track, first and second stops spaced longitudinally apart from one another on the track, a weight which is freely movable under gravity along the track between the first and second stops when one of the stops is higher than the other, a track mounting apparatus by means of which the track can be mounted on a forearm of a golfer with the track oriented at any selected one of a plurality of different orientations relative to the forearm, in each of which orientations the first stop is higher than the second stop when the golfer grips a golf club and addresses a golf baii in preparation for a swing, at which time the weight is in contact, under gravity, with the second stop, and whereby when the golfer then executes an acceptable golf swing, the weight moves into a first audible impact with the first stop at or towards the end of the backswing, into a second audibie impact with the second stop when the club is returned on a downswing to strike the golf bail and into a third audibie impact with the first stop at or towards the end of the followthrough.

Preferably the track mounting apparatus is configured for adjustment of the track between a first orientation in which is aligned with the forearm and at least one second orientation in which it is inclined at an acute angle relative to the forearm. With the track at the first orientation the training aid is suitable for training a full swing by the golfer. At each of the second orientations the training aid is suitable for training a partial swing by the golfer, in practice, the track mounting apparatus may be configured for adjustment of the track to three or more different, second orientations in which it is inclined at an acute angle relative to the forearm, each of such second orientations being suitable for training a partial swing, such as a half swing, three-quarter swing and so on.

In the preferred embodiment the track mounting apparatus is configured to hold the track positively and releasably at any one of the selected orientations. With this feature, the track is held at the same orientation relative to the forearm throughout the swing. The track mounting apparatus may for example comprise a track mounting member formed with angularly spaced recesses, a track mount carrying a spring loaded detent and connecting means for connecting the track mounting member in an opposing relationship with the track mount such that the detent can engage releasably, under spring bias, in any selected one of the recesses. Typically the recesses are arranged on a circle and there are two spaced apart detents arranged to locate simultaneously in diametrically opposite recesses.

According to the invention the track comprises an elongate base with upstanding track support members at either end thereof and an elongate rod supported at each end thereof by one of the track support members. The weight typically comprises a sleeve which is freely slidable on the rod between the track support members which act as the first and second stops.

Each track support member may comprise a hollow, open topped box formed with longitudinally oriented holes in opposite, inner and outer walls thereof to allow the rod to be inserted to a position in which its end is located in the box and a cap that fits over the open top of the box and includes a formation that closes the hole in the outer wall of the box thereby to hold the end of the rod captive in the box.

Conveniently the rod and weight are of metal and the base is made of a plastics material selected such that an audible sound is generated when the weight impacts on a track support member. Convenient!y also, the track mounting apparatus comprises an adjustable, flexible strap for securing the track to the forearm of the golfer. The strap may carry mating elements of a hook and loop fastener for securing the strap around the forearm of the golfer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a golf swing training aid according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows an exploded, perspective view of the aid;

Figure 3 illustrates the other side of the disc seen in Figures 1 and 2;

Figures 4 to 7 show the aid in use, at various stages during a full goif swing;

Figures 8 and 9 show the aid in use, at different stages during a half goif swing; and

Figure 10 shows the aid in use, at the top of the backswing in a three-quarter golf swing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

The illustrated golf swing training aid 10 includes an elongate track indicated generally by the numeral 12. The track 12 has a base 14 with an elongate base bar 16 and first and second upstanding track support members 18, 20, one at either end of the base bar. Each track support member 18, 20 is in the form of an open-topped box 21. fn each case, the box 21 includes spaced apart, inner and outer walls 22, 24 formed with respective, longitudinally oriented, aligned holes 26, 28. The base bar carries a central track mounting member in the form of a round disc 30 one face of which is formed with sixteen part-spherical recesses 32 spaced apart equally at 22.5° intervals in a circle about a central hole 34 extending through the disc and base bar. The base bar, disc and track support members are formed as a one-piece plastics moulding.

The track 12 also includes an elongate, round cross-section rod 36 of stainless steel. The length of the rod 36 is greater than the clear distance between the inner walls 22 of the track support members 18, 20 and the diameter of the rod is less than that of the holes 26, 28. During assembly of the track, the rod is passed through the holes 26, 28 of one track support member and into the other track support member through the hole 26, such that the ends of the rod locate in the respective open-topped boxes 21 forming the track support members. The rod is then anchored in this position by means of respective caps 38. The caps are of moulded plastics construction and each of them has a top wall 40 dimensioned to locate over and close the open top of an associated rod support member and a downwardly depending tab 42 which then blocks the hole 28 in the end wall of that support member. The caps are fixed in position by, for example, adhesive. It will be understood that with the caps 38 in position, the holes 28 are blocked by the tabs 42 with the ends of the rod 36 held captive within the rod support members.

The aid 10 includes a weight 44 in the form of a sleeve 46 of stainless steel with a bore slightly greater than the diameter of the rod. The rod passes through the bore with the weight being freely slidable on the rod between the track support members 18, 20 which accordingly act as stops. It will be understood that the weight 44 is located on the rod 36 during the assembly procedure described above. If the track is oriented such that the first rod support member or stop 18 is higher than the second rod support member or stop 20, the weight 44 will slide down the rod under gravity until it impacts against the stop 20. Similarly if the orientation is such that the second stop 20 is higher than the first stop 18, the weight 44 will slide down the rod in the opposite direction until it impacts against the stop 18. The plastics material of which the stops are moulded is selected such that the impact of the weight 44 against either stop 18, 20 makes a sharp, audible sound, typically a sharp "click".

The track mounting member or disc 30 forms part of a track mounting apparatus which also includes a track mount 50. The track mount 50, which is formed as a one-piece plastics moulding, has end regions 52 formed with slots 54 and a central region 56 formed with a central hole 58 and openings 60 on either side of the central hole. Extending into each of the openings 60 is an arm 62 formed at its end with a part-spherical detent 64. Being part of the plastics moulding, the arms 62 have some resilience. The centre to centre spacing of the detents 64 is equal to the diameter of the circle on which the centres of the recesses 32 are located.

In the assembled aid 10, the disc 30 is arranged in opposition to the track mount and these components are held together by a nut and screw combination 66 which, when appropriately tightened, clamps the components together. When the disc and track mounted are clamped together in this way, the detents 64 can locate in diametrically opposite recesses 32. The track 12 can be rotated relative to the track mount, with the resilience of the arms 62 allowing them to deflect as necessary to allow the detents 64 to disengage from the recesses in which they are located and relocate successively in other pairs of diametrically opposed recesses 32.

The track mounting apparatus also includes a flexible, adjustable strap 70. This is provided by a length of flexible webbing 72 carrying elements 74, 76 of a hook and loop fastener and a buckle 78 at one end. The webbing 72 is threaded through the slots 54 in the end regions 52 of the track mount 50 as shown.

In use, the strap 70 is used to mount the track 12 on the forearm of a golfer 80 a shown in Figure 4. This is achieved by placing the track mount on the forearm, passing the strap around the forearm, looping its free end back through the buckle 78 and securing it by engaging the elements 74, 76 of the hook and loop fastener. In practice, the strap is arranged quite tightly enough to immobilize the track mount relative to the forearm.

Figure 4 shows the golfer 80 at an address position, gripping a golf club 82 in the correct manner with the head 84 of the golf club behind a golf ball 86 on the ground. Assuming that the golfer is intending to make a full swing, the track 12 is oriented, in the manner described above, such that it is aligned longitudinally with the forearm. At this orientation, the first stop 18 is higher than the second stop 20, so the weight 44 is at a low position, in contact with the second stop.

The golfer now executes the backswing, to the position seen in Figure 5. if the backswing is executed in an acceptable manner, the second stop 20 is higher than the first stop, so the weight 44 slides along the rod 36 under gravity into contact with the first stop 18. As the backswing is executed at some speed, the weight moves rapidly and its impact with the first stop 18 generates the audible "click" mentioned previously, thereby indicating to the golfer that he has in fact made an acceptable backswing.

At this point, the golfer commences the downswing in order to return the club head 84 to an impact position, seen in Figure 6 at which the club head delivers an impact to the golf ball in order to launch the ball on the chosen path and trajectory. This movement brings the second stop 20 to a position lower than the first stop 18, providing a gravitational force to cause the weight to move back along the rod 36 into an impact with the second stop. Thus a second, audible "click" is heard by the golfer at the moment of impact between the club head and the ball. After the ball has been struck, the golfer continues into the fo!lowthrough. If the foUowthrough is executed in a proper, acceptable manner, i.e. to the position seen in Figure 7, the second stop 20 is again brought to a position higher than the first stop, so the weight 44 again traverses the rod 36 into an impact with the first stop. This produces a third, audible "click" to indicate to the golfer that the foUowthrough has been properly executed.

In summary, if the golf swing is executed properly, the golfer will hear a first "click" at the top of the backswing, i.e. when the club is properly "set" for commencement of the downswing, a second "click" at the moment of impact with the ball, when the club head has been "released", and a third "click" at the end of the foUowthrough.

In each case, the shuttling movement of the weight 44 along the rod 36 is caused both by gravitational forces and by centrifugal forces generated by the movement of the forearm at the various stages of the swing.

The aid 10 described above assists the golfer to execute the backswing, downswing and foUowthrough on the correct plane to achieve an accurate ball flight. If, for example, the backswing takes place in a plane which is too "flat", i.e lower than the correct plane, the weight 44 will not move into contact with the first stop at end of the backswing, so the "click" is not generated.

The aid also assists the golfer to achieve a proper tempo and rhythm in the swing. By way of example, if the swing is too fast or is carried out in a jerky, unsmooth manner, the transition from backswing to downswing will happen too quickly for the weight 44 to impact the first stop at the top of the backswing so, once again, the audible "click" is absent.

By training himself to swing in a manner that generates all three "clicks' at the relevant stages of the swing, and generating the required muscle memory to ensure that this swing becomes consistent and repetitive, the golfer can expect to improve the standard of his swing and, hopefully, his overall standard of play.

The golfer illustrated in the drawings is a right handed golfer, and it will be noted that the aid 10 is secured to his left forearm, i.e. the forearm facing towards the target. Where the golfer is left-handed, the aid 10 will be secured to his right forearm. In the case of a right handed golfer who suffers from the affliction known as a "flying elbow", in which the right elbow undesirably moves upwardly and outwardly relative to the body, rather than staying close to the body, during the backswing, the aid 10 may be secured to his right forearm. In this case too, there will be no audible "click" at the top of the backswing, indicating to the golfer the inherent fault in his swing.

The above description is of a golfer practising a full golf swing, i.e. a swing designed to generate maximum club head speed at the moment of impact with the ball and hence to maximize the distance that the ball is propelled. However persons skilled in the art will recognize that many shots which a golfer is required to play during a game of golf do not require a full swing. One common example is where the golfer is required to hit the ball a shorter distance than would be generated by a full swing. A typical example is a short pitch to the green.

In order to practise partial shots of this nature, the aid 10 is adjusted as necessary. This is achieved by rotating the track 12 such that it is oriented at an acute angle to the forearm at the address position. Figure 8 shows the track 12 oriented to an acute angle 90 of 45° relative to the forearm at address. It will be understood that this is achieved by rotating the track 12 relative to the track mount such that the detents 64 locate in a different pair of recesses 32.

With the track 12 reoriented as shown in Figure 8, the required three "clicks" will be heard during the execution of a partial swing, in this case a half swing. With regard to the backswing, the orientation of the track is such that even though the backswing stops short of a full backswing, the orientation of the track at the end of the partial backswing wit! cause to the weight 44 to traverse inter alia under gravitational force from the second stop 20 to the first stop 8, as shown in Figure 9, generating the first "click". On the downswing, the second "click" will be generated as before even though the swing speed is less than in a full swing. Although the fo!lowthrough on a partial shot is typically not as long as that on a full swing, the orientation of the track is again such that, at the end of the required length of followthrough, the second "click" will be generated.

Figure 10 shows a further reorientation of the track relative to the forearm, in this for the purpose of practising a three-quarter shot, i.e. a shot stronger than the half shot but weaker than the full shot..

Given the number of recesses 32 in the disc 30, it will be understood that it is possible to set the track at selected acute angles of 22.5° (for a three- quarter swing), 45° (for a half swing) or 67.5° (for a quarter swing) relative to the forearm at address, thereby enabling the golfer to practise a variety of shots of different length with each golf club.

An advantage of the aid 10 is that the golfer is able to swing normally with a proper golf club and is only required to listen out for the audible "clicks" that are indicative of an acceptable swing.

Many variations are possible within the scope of the invention. Purely by way of example, the track could for example comprise a hollow tube with spaced apart stops and an internal weight that can slide back and forth inside the tube between audible impacts with the respective stops.

Claims

1.

A goif swing training aid comprising an elongate track, first and second stops spaced longitudinally apart from one another on the track, a weight which is freely movable under gravity along the track between the first and second stops when one of the stops is higher than the other, a track mounting apparatus by means of which the track can be mounted on a forearm of a golfer with the track oriented at any selected one of a plurality of different orientations relative to the forearm, in each of which orientations the first stop is higher than the second stop when the golfer grips a golf club and addresses a golf bail in preparation for a swing, at which time the weight is in contact, under gravity, with the second stop, and whereby when the golfer then executes an acceptable golf swing, the weight moves into a first audible impact with the first stop at or towards the end of the backswing, into a second audible impact with the second stop when the club is returned on a downswing to strike the golf ball and into a third audible impact with the first stop at or towards the end of the followthrough.

2.

A golf swing training aid according to claim 1 wherein the track mounting apparatus is configured for adjustment of the track between a first orientation in which is aligned with the forearm and at least one second orientation in which it is inclined at an acute angle relative to the forearm.

3.

A golf swing training aid according to claim 2 wherein the track mounting apparatus is configured for adjustment of the track to three or more different, second orientations in which it is inclined at an acute angle relative to the forearm.

4.

A golf swing training aid according to either one of claims 2 or 3 wherein the track mounting apparatus is configured to hold the track positively and releasably at any one of the selected orientations.

5.

A golf swing training aid according to claim 4 wherein the track apparatus comprises a track member formed with angularly spaced recesses, a mount carrying a spring loaded detent and connecting means for connecting the track member in an opposing relationship with the mount such that the detent can engage releasably, under spring bias, in any selected one of the recesses.

6.

A golf swing training aid according to claim 6 wherein the recesses are arranged on a circle and there are two spaced apart detents arranged to locate simultaneously in diametrically opposite recesses.

7.

A golf swing training aid according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the track comprises an elongate base with upstanding track support members at either end thereof and an elongate rod supported at each end thereof by one of the track support members.

8.

A golf swing training aid according to claim 7 wherein the weight comprises a sleeve which is freely slidable on the rod between the track support members which act as the first and second stops.

9.

A golf swing training aid according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the track support members comprise hollow, open topped boxes formed with longitudinally oriented holes in opposite, inner and outer walls thereof to allow the rod to be inserted to a position in which its ends are located in the boxes and caps that fit over the open tops of the boxes and include formations that close the holes in the outer walls of the boxes thereby to hold the end of the rod captive in the boxes.

10.

A golf swing training aid according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the rod and weight are of metal and the base is made of a plastics material selected such that an audible sound is generated when the weight impacts on a track support member.

11.

A golf swing training aid according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the track mounting apparatus comprises an adjustable, flexible strap for securing the track to the forearm of the golfer.

12.

A golf swing training aid according to claim 11 wherein the strap carries mating elements of a hook and loop fastener for securing the strap around the forearm of the golfer.