Abstract:
A golf training aid and methods of performing golf drills therewith are provided. The golf training aid comprises a thin, rigid, card-like member having structures configured to retain one or more golf balls in place until struck. The training aid further includes a plurality of directional indicia for assisting a user to line up golf shots with a target or intended line of travel and identify the proper trajectory for contacting a golf club with a golf ball. The golf training aid may be used to perform golf drills directed toward improving nearly all aspects of the user&#39;s game, particularly putting, wedge and iron shots, and driving, and proper alignment of the club face and user&#39;s feet during the practice of drills.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/195,306, filed Oct. 6, 2008, entitled PRO TOUR CARD, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention is generally directed toward a golf training aid and methods of performing golf drills using the training aid. Particularly, the golf training aid comprises a highly portable device that permits a user to perform putting drills, chipping and iron drills, and driving drills. The training aid also aids the golfer with proper alignment of the club face and feet during the practicing of drills. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Golf is a multi-faceted game requiring the use of a variety of swing techniques depending upon a number of factors such as the lie of the golf ball, the distance to the hole, and the desired line of ball travel. Golf statistics have continued to show that putting, on average, comprises approximately 40 percent of the total golf strokes taken during a golfer&#39;s “round” of golf. By improving his or her putting skills, a golfer may significantly lower the amount of strokes taken during a round of golf. Furthermore, a golfer may also reduce the number of strokes taken during a round of golf by gaining an understanding of other important aspects of their golf swing and putting stroke such as alignment, swing path and plane, ball position and club face angle at impact in an effort to make fundamental improvements and become a more skillful golfer. 
         [0006]    A number of training aids have been developed in order to help the golfer improve his or her skills in various aspects of the game. However, many of these training aids focus only on one aspect of the game, such as putting or driving, thereby requiring a golfer looking to work on multiple areas of the game to purchase additional, and often expensive, aids. Further, many conventional training aids can be quite bulky and may not involve the use of the golfer&#39;s regular clubs or ball(s) to perform the drills, thereby making practicing less convenient for the user. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In one embodiment according to the present invention there is provided a golf training aid for assisting a golfer to perform a plurality of golf drills. The golf training aid comprises a thin substrate material having a thickness that is substantially less than both the length and width thereof. The substrate material comprises one or more golf ball retaining structures formed therein and configured to secure a golf ball in a stationary position until the golfer strikes the ball. The training aid also includes an orifice formed in the substrate material configured to received a golf tee therethrough so as to maintain the substrate material in a relatively fixed location with respect to the ground while the golfer performs one of the golf drills. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment according to the present invention there is provided a golf training kit for assisting a golfer to perform a plurality of golf drills. The kit comprises a golf training aid, a pad, a reference guide, and a carrying case for carrying the golf training aid, reference guide and pad. The golf training aid comprises a thin substrate material including one or more golf ball retaining structures and one or more orifices formed in therein. The golf training aid further includes a plurality of directional indicia thereon. The pad is configured to be placed underneath the golf training aid and to secure the golf training aid to a surface during use of the golf training aid in a golf drill. The reference guide contains instructional information regarding the plurality of golf drills that can be performed with the golf training aid. 
         [0009]    In yet another embodiment according to the present invention there is provided a method of performing a golf drill comprising providing a golf training aid comprising a thin substrate material including one or more golf ball retaining structures and one or more orifices formed in therein. The golf training aid further includes a plurality of directional indicia thereon. Next, the golf training aid is secured to the ground so that shifting of the golf training aid relative to the ground and intended line of travel is substantially inhibited. The method also comprises at least one of the following steps; (a) positioning a golf ball in one of the golf ball retaining structures; (b) placing a golf ball on the ground adjacent the golf training aid and in alignment with one of the directional indicia; (c) inserting a golf tee through one of the orifices and placing a golf ball on the tee. Finally, the user strikes the golf ball with a golf club. 
         [0010]    In still another embodiment according to the present invention there is provided a method of performing a golf drill comprising providing a golf training aid comprising a thin substrate material having opposed end margins and including one or more orifices formed in therein and a plurality of directional indicia thereon. A retaining member is inserted through one of the orifices formed in the golf training aid. One end of the retaining member is inserted into a grip portion of a golf club. The user then grasps the golf club with two hands such that the opposed end margins of the golf training aid contact the user&#39;s forearms in regions above the user&#39;s wrists. A golf ball is provided on a ball-striking surface and then struck while the golf training aid is located between the user&#39;s forearms. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  depicts a golf training aid kit according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is another illustration of a golf training aid kit according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a view of one surface of a golf training aid according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a view of another surface of a golf training aid according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate a putting drill utilizing two golf balls that may be performed with the golf training aid, the drill being directed toward squaring the club face; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate improper putting strokes for the putting drill of  FIGS. 5 and 6 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  illustrates a drill that may be performed with the golf training aid directed toward teaching proper acceleration and alignment (face angle) of the club head through impact with the golf ball; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate improper putting strokes for the putting drill of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  illustrates putting drill utilizing one golf ball that may be performed with the golf training aid; 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  illustrates a proper putting stroke for the putting drill of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  illustrates a chipping drill that may be performed with the golf training aid; 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  is a side view of a proper stroke for the drill of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 16  is a side view of an improper stroke for the drill of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 17  illustrates an additional chipping drill that may be performed with the golf training aid; 
           [0025]      FIG. 18  is a side view of a proper stroke for the drill of  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 19  is a side view of an improper stroke for the drill of  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 20  illustrates a club-path drill that may be performed with the golf training aid; 
           [0028]      FIGS. 21 and 22  illustrate improper strokes for the drill of  FIG. 20 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 23  illustrates an alignment and ball position drill that may be performed with the golf training aid; 
           [0030]      FIG. 24  illustrates another alignment and ball position drill that may be performed with the golf training aid; 
           [0031]      FIG. 25  illustrates yet another alignment and ball position drill that may be performed with the golf training aid; 
           [0032]      FIG. 26  illustrates a drill that may be performed with the golf training aid with the ball in a teed-up position directed toward hitting draw and fade shots; 
           [0033]      FIG. 27  illustrates another putting drill that may be performed with the golf training aid; 
           [0034]      FIG. 28  depicts the golf training aid and a non-slip pad for use on artificial surfaces; 
           [0035]      FIG. 29  depicts the golf training aid and non-slip pad during use in a golf drill on an artificial surface; 
           [0036]      FIG. 30  illustrates a greenside bunker drill that may be performed with the golf training aid; 
           [0037]      FIG. 31  illustrates a proper execution of a golf shot for the drill of  FIG. 30 ; and 
           [0038]      FIGS. 32 and 33  illustrate improper strokes for the drill of  FIG. 30 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0039]    The following description sets forth exemplary embodiments of a golf training aid according to the present invention and golf drills that may be performed with the aid. It is to be understood, however, that these examples are provided by way of illustration and nothing therein should be taken as a limitation upon the overall scope of the invention. 
         [0040]    Turning first to  FIG. 1 , a golf training aid kit  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Kit  10  comprises a carrying case  12  and a storage case  14 . As further illustrated in  FIG. 2 , carrying case  12  comprises flaps  16 ,  18  each presenting respective pockets  20 ,  22  formed therein. Pockets  20 ,  22  are sized so as to accommodate storage of a golf training aid  24 , a set of drill instructions  26 , and a non-slip pad  28  provided with a protective cover  30 , each of which is described in further detail below. Located inside storage case  14  is additional instructional information pertaining to golf drills to be performed with training aid  24  digitally stored on a disc  32 , such as a DVD or CD-ROM. 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , training aid  24  comprises a sheet of relatively thin substrate material having opposed surfaces  34 ,  36 . Surfaces  34 ,  36  contain a plurality of directional indicia  38 ( a - d ) thereon, the function of such indicia is explained further below with respect to the discussion of individual golf drills to be performed with training aid  24 . As illustrated, indicia  38  comprise a plurality of solid or broken arrows that extend outwardly from a central orifice  40 . However, it is understood that indica  38  could take alternate forms including solid or broken lines, with or without arrows, printed upon or formed in training aid  24 . Central orifice  40  extends completely through training aid  24  and is approximately equidistant between opposed longitudinal side margins  42 ,  44  and lateral side margins  46 ,  48 , respectively. 
         [0042]    Training aid  24  also comprises one or more golf ball retaining structures  50 ,  52  formed therein. Particularly, retaining structures  50 ,  52  are formed in at least two corner regions of rectangularly-shaped training aid  24 . As illustrated, retaining structures  50 ,  52  comprise apertures that extend entirely through the substrate material from which training aid  24  is formed. However, the present invention is not intended to be limited to this embodiment. In alternate embodiments according to the present invention, retaining structures may comprise arcuately-shaped segments that extend entirely or partially through the substrate material. In such embodiments, the arcuately-shaped segments engage the golf ball along an arc formed in a hemispherical portion of the ball below the ball&#39;s equator. 
         [0043]    In certain embodiments, golf training aid  24  is formed of a rigid extruded synthetic resin material such as PVC, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene or other suitable material, and is configured to be the approximate size of a credit card or identification card. Thus, the golf training aid may be conveniently carried by the user in a wallet or money clip. The material may also exhibit a certain resiliency which permits some flexing of the golf training aid  24  without breaking. 
         [0044]    A set of drill instructions  26  is also provided. In certain embodiments, the drill instructions contain both textual and visual instructions for the golfer on how to perform a plurality of drills using the golf training aid  24 . When folded up, the instructions  26  present an area approximately the same as training aid  24 . 
         [0045]    Pad  28  permits training aid  24  to be used on an artificial surface, such as carpet, artificial turf, linoleum, or wood flooring. Pad  28  is formed of a flexible natural or synthetic resin material, such as neoprene, EPDM, PVC foam, polyethylene, rubber, silicone, urethane, or cork, that is somewhat tacky so as to frictionally hold training aid  24  in a relatively constant position with respect to the ground or surface onto which the ball will be placed. In certain embodiments, pad  28  is sized to have approximately the same overall dimensions as training aid  24 . 
         [0046]    Golf training aid  24  can be used to perform a number of golf drills aimed at improving various skills such as putting, hitting iron shots, and driving. In certain embodiments, these drills comprise providing and securing training aid  24  to the ground so that shifting of the training aid relative to the ground is substantially inhibited. The drills also comprise at least one of the following steps; (a) positioning a golf ball in one of the golf ball retaining structures (note that as explained below, orifice  40  may be used as a golf ball retaining structure); (b) placing a golf ball on the ground adjacent training aid  24  and in alignment with one of directional indicia  38 ; and (c) inserting a golf tee through one of the orifices formed in training aid  24  and placing a golf ball on the tee (note that as explained below, the golf ball retaining structures may be used as an orifice through which a tee may be inserted). Lastly, once the golf ball is positioned, the user strikes the ball with a golf club. 
         [0047]    Golf training aid  24  is particularly well suited for use with regulation golf balls, and the golf drills described herein are intended to be performed using regulation golf balls so as to simulate as real of a playing experience as possible. To be considered a regulation golf ball, the ball must not be substantially different from the traditional and customary form and make for golf balls sanctioned by the United States Golf Association (USGA). The material and construction of the ball must not be contrary to the purpose and intent of the Rules propagated by the USGA. For a regulation golf ball, the weight of the ball must not be greater than 1.620 ounces avoirdupois (45.93 gm) and the diameter of the ball must not be less than 1.680 inches (42.67 mm). This specification will be satisfied if, under its own weight, a ball falls through a 1.680 inches diameter ring gauge in fewer than 25 out of 100 randomly selected positions, the test being carried out at a temperature of 23±1° C. The ball must not be designed, manufactured or intentionally modified to have properties which differ from those of a spherically symmetrical ball. The initial velocity of the ball must not exceed the limit specified (test on file) when measured on apparatus approved by the USGA. The combined carry and roll of the ball, when tested on apparatus approved by the USGA, must not exceed the distance specified under the conditions set forth in the Overall Distance Standard for golf balls on file with the USGA. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate a putting skills drill using golf training aid  24  and a pair of golf balls  54 ,  56 . This particular drill is directed toward getting the user to square the face  58  of putter  60  in relation to the intended line of travel at impact with balls  54 ,  56 . First, golf training aid  24  is placed on the ground and anchored into place using a retaining member, such as golf tee  62 , inserted through central orifice  40 . Next, golf training aid can be rotated about a vertical axis defined by tee  62  and extending through central orifice  40  to align directional indicium  38   a  with the intended line of travel for balls  54 ,  56 . Balls  54 ,  56  are placed in golf ball retaining structures  50 ,  52  whereby movement of the balls is prevented and their locations are fixed relative to each other. The user is now ready to strike the balls with putter  60 . 
         [0049]    A proper stroke whereby putter face  58  squarely contacts the balls at impact, as shown in  FIG. 6 , will cause balls  54  and  56  to travel forward along approximately parallel paths to each other and at approximately the same speed. Further, because the upper portion of golf tee  62  extends vertically above the plane of golf training aid  24 , but below the equatorial region of the golf balls, the user is forced to elevate the putter off the ground so as to eliminate scuffed or chunked putts while promoting higher contact on the ball resulting in improved topspin.  FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate an improper stroke in which either the toe section  64  or heel section  66  of putter  60  contacts one of balls  54 ,  56  ahead of the other ball. This un-square contact causes balls  54 ,  56  to travel along a path that is not in alignment with directional indicium  38   a . Further, the ball which first makes contact with the putter face  58  will roll ahead of the other ball, rather than traveling substantially evenly therewith. 
         [0050]    The same set up can be used in another drill that is directed toward teaching the user to square the path of the putter during the putting stroke. In this drill, golf training aid  24  is anchored to the ground, directional indicium  38   a  is aligned along the desired line of travel, and balls  54 ,  56  are placed in ball retaining structures  50 ,  52 . The user then strikes the balls with a square club face  58 . If the balls travel to the right or left of the intended line, the user can immediately see that the putter&#39;s path of travel was not square, thus resulting in a “pushing” or “pulling” of balls  54 ,  56 . Thus, the user gains an awareness of the putter&#39;s path of travel and how to correct his swing to square the path of travel. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 9-11  illustrate another drill that may be performed using golf training aid  24 . This drill is aimed at teaching proper acceleration of the putter through contact with a golf ball. This drill is very similar to the drill of  FIGS. 5-8 , however, little or no back swing of the putter is made. Golf training aid  24  is positioned on the ground and anchored into place in the same manner as described for prior the putting drill above. After directional indicium  38   a  is aligned with the intended line of travel for balls  54 ,  56 , the balls are placed in golf ball retaining structures  50 ,  52  to await striking with putter  60 . Next, the user lines the putter up with the assistance of directional indicium  38   a  as close to the golf balls as possible. The user then pushes putter  60  through the balls without taking any substantial backstroke while trying to maintain as square of a club face as possible. Again, tee  62  forces the user to elevate putter  60  off the ground to promote proper contact with the ball. 
         [0052]      FIG. 9  illustrates a proper putting stroke for this drill. Putter face  58  makes square contact with balls  54 ,  56  which proceed to roll in the same direction as indicium  38   a  at a substantially even rate.  FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrates improper putting strokes wherein the user “pushes” balls  54 ,  56  to the right or left, thus causing the balls to travel in a skewed path relative to indicium  38   a.    
         [0053]    A single-ball putting drill is illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . The drill begins by placing golf training aid  24  on the ground and aligning indicium  38   d  (see,  FIG. 4 ) with the intended line for ball  54  to travel. Once indicium  38   d  has been aligned, golf tees  62   a  and  62   b  are inserted through golf ball retaining structures  50 ,  52  in order to secure training aid  24  to the ground. Note, in this drill, structures  50 ,  52  are not used to hold golf balls. Rather this function is being fulfilled by central orifice  40 . A golf ball  54  is placed over central orifice  40  which acts to prevent movement of the ball until struck. The purpose of this drill is to utilize golf tees  62   a ,  62   b  to force the user to elevate putter  60  so as to strike ball  54  squarely on the equator and produce proper top spin of the ball. The user also employs side indicia  38   b ,  38   c  to ensure that the user&#39;s head is centered correctly over the ball. The user knows he has ideal head position if he can see equal amounts of indicia  38   b ,  38   c  when standing over the ball. 
         [0054]    Turning next to  FIGS. 14-16 , a chipping drill using golf training aid  24  is illustrated. This drill is directed toward improving the user&#39;s ability to hit a chip shot when a ball is lying in the grass or rough off the green. This drill may also be used in the practicing of fairway shots and fairway bunker shots utilizing a very similar technique. In the context of greenside chipping, one may encounter one of the following two ball conditions or lies; a ball that is buried or sitting down in the grass so that a majority of the ball resides below the top margin of the grass, or a ball that is sitting up so that a majority of the ball is exposed. For a ball that is buried, it is important for the user&#39;s club face to approach the ball at a steep angle of attack to eliminate contact with the grass behind the ball. 
         [0055]    As shown in  FIG. 14 , golf training aid  24  is placed on the ground with directional indicium  38   b  pointing towards the desired direction of ball travel, and a golf tee  62  is inserted through central orifice  40 . However, unlike the prior drills described above, tee  62  should be inserted only partially into the ground such that the top of the tee is approximately at the same height as when hitting a driver off of the tee, such as shown in  FIG. 15 . In certain embodiments, this means that between approximately ⅓ to ⅔ of the tee should reside above golf training aid  24 . A ball  68  is then placed directly in front of training aid  24 , spaced approximately the length of one club head from the forward margin of the training aid, and in alignment with directional indicium  38   b . It then becomes incumbent upon the user to strike ball  68  with club  70  without striking tee  62 . Thus, tee  62  becomes an obstacle to be avoided, thereby forcing the user to swing the club along a steeper club path. This drill encourages quick setting of the wrists and a proper angle to clear tee  62  on the club take away as well as the downswing.  FIG. 16  illustrates an improper shot whereby the club angle on the downswing is not steep enough, thus club head  70  contacts tee  62  on its approach to ball  68 . The user then immediately senses the striking of tee  62  and can make the necessary adjustments in his next attempt at striking the ball. 
         [0056]    If the ball is sitting up in the rough, it becomes less critical to contact the ball at a steep angle of attack. Therefore, tee  62  may be lowered, approaching the configuration shown in  FIG. 5 . Also, the ball can be placed slightly more forward of training aid  24 , such as one to two club head lengths, than with the drill for when the ball is buried. In a sitting up lie, the directional indicia  38  of golf training aid  24  are used to assist the user with club path and club alignment during the shot. 
         [0057]    As noted above, this drill can also be used to practice fairway shots and fairway bunker shots. When practicing these shots, the configuration of the golf training aid  24  and tee  62  may be similar to either the drill for a buried lie or for a ball sitting up lie described above, depending upon the angle of attack needed for the particular shot. 
         [0058]    The drill of  FIGS. 17-19  is a further variation of the drill of  FIGS. 14-16 , which aids the user in squaring the club face upon contact with the ball. In this drill, golf training aid is placed on the ground such that the longitudinal margin  42  proximate golf ball retaining structures  50 ,  52  is toward the ball. Directional indicium  38   a  is aligned with the desired line for ball travel, and then two tees  62   a ,  62   b  are placed through retaining structures  50 ,  52  at approximately the same height as described above with reference to  FIG. 15 . A ball  68  is placed approximately one club head length in front of golf training aid  24 . Tees  62   a ,  62   b  effectively span the width of club head  70 . Therefore, if the club head travels from the outside in or inside out at an improper angle of attack, the user immediately recognizes this by striking one of the tees as shown in  FIG. 19 . 
         [0059]      FIGS. 20-22  illustrate a club path drill whereby the user is able to discern club path travel by viewing the divot taken during the shot. Golf training aid  24  is placed on the ground with directional indicium  38   b  pointed toward the desired line of ball travel. Tee  62  is placed through central orifice  40  to secure training aid in place. Next, ball  68  (shown in phantom) is placed between training aid  24  and the user. The other directional indicium on training aid  24  can be used as points of reference for alignment of ball  68  and club head  70 . The user then strikes ball  68  with club head  70  so as to leave a divot  74 . As shown in  FIG. 20 , divot  74  is substantially parallel with golf training aid  24  and provides the user with immediate feed back that the club head&#39;s path of travel was square. As shown in  FIG. 21 , divot  74   a  is skewed away from training aid  24  indicating to the user that the club head&#39;s path of travel was from the outside in. Likewise, as shown in  FIG. 22 , divot  74   b  is skewed toward training aid  24  indicating to the user that the club head&#39;s path of travel was from the inside out. In alternate embodiments of this drill, ball  68  may be placed forward of golf training aid  24  and in alignment with directional indicium  38   b  as described above with reference to  FIGS. 14-16  to promote a steep angle of attack on the ball. 
         [0060]      FIGS. 23-25  illustrate various alignment and ball position drills that may be performed using golf training aid  24 . As shown in  FIG. 23 , training aid  24  is placed on the ground and secured with tee  62  through central orifice  40 . Ball  68  is placed outside along longitudinal margin  42  so that training aid  24  is located between the ball and the user&#39;s feet. Longitudinal margin  44  can be used as a guide to ensure that the user&#39;s feet are in proper position for hitting the shot along the desired line of ball travel for hitting the shot. Thus, the user&#39;s feet should be in alignment with margin  44 . The drill of  FIG. 24  is very similar, except that ball  68  is placed along side margin  44  and in between training aid  24  and the user&#39;s feet.  FIG. 25  is an alternate embodiment wherein the ball is placed forward of training aid  24  and in alignment with directional indicium  38   b  to promote crisp contact with ball  68 . Again, the directional indicium  38  and longitudinal margins  42 ,  44  can be used as points of reference to properly position the ball, club head path, and user&#39;s feet for hitting the desired shot. 
         [0061]      FIG. 26  illustrates a drill directed toward practicing hitting draw and fade tee shots with a driver. In this drill, golf training aid  24  is placed on the ground with directional indicium  38   b  pointed along the desired line. A tee  76  is placed through central orifice  40  at a proper driving height and ball  68  is placed on top of tee  76 . A second tee  78  is placed through ball retaining structure  52  and pressed into the ground so that its top margin is well below the top margin of tee  76 . Tee  78  may be a different color than tee  76 , such as red, so as to be highly visible and readily distinguishable during the drill. As shown, this set up is for practicing hitting a draw shot by a right-handed user, therefore, training aid  24  is oriented such that structures  52 ,  54  are away from the user&#39;s feet. To hit the draw, the user swings driver  80  to try to get ball  68  to travel over tee  78  thereby producing an inside out club head path. 
         [0062]    If the user desires to practice a fade shot, golf training aid  24  is oriented such that structures  52 ,  54  are toward the user&#39;s feet. Accordingly, tee  78  would then be placed through structure  54 . The user places ball  68  on tee  76 . However, this time the user swings driver  80  in an outside in path of travel so as to get ball to travel over tee  78  which is now slightly toward the user&#39;s feet. 
         [0063]      FIG. 27  illustrates a putting drill using golf training aid  24  that is designed to prevent the user&#39;s wrists from moving and promote a “one unit” putting stroke. One of the most common mistakes made in putting is excessive wrist movement throughout the stroke resulting in inaccurate and inconsistent putting. The present drill is directed at eliminating wrist movement during the putting stroke. The user places a tee  62  through central orifice  40  and then anchors the tee within the end of grip portion  82  of putter  60 . Note, tee  62  should project outwardly from grip portion  82  so that the lateral margins  46 ,  48  of training aid  24  contact and are secured by the user&#39;s forearms  84 ,  86 . A putting stroke with excessive wrist movement will cause training aid  24  to lose contact with one or both of the user&#39;s wrists. A proper “one unit” putting stroke in which both forearms remain in contact with training aid  24  causes the user to use larger arm and shoulder muscles during the put and avoid wrist movement. 
         [0064]    As noted above, golf training aid  24  can be used indoors on artificial surfaces such as carpet, linoleum, concrete, hard woods, and artificial turf. However, it is generally not possible to insert a golf tee into these surfaces as many of the above-described drills require. Non-slip pad  28  may be utilized in place of a tee for securing golf training aid  24  to the indoor flooring. As shown in  FIG. 28 , golf training aid  24  is simply placed on top of non-slip pad  28  and firmly pressed down so as to secure the two elements together. Nearly any of the drills described above which utilize a golf tee for anchoring golf training aid to the ground can now be performed. 
         [0065]      FIG. 29  illustrates how the above-described chipping drill may be performed indoors using golf training aid  24  and non-slip pad  28 . Pad  28  and training aid  24  are placed on top of the indoor flooring  88 , shown here as carpet. Ball  68  is placed forward of training aid  24  approximately the length of one club head. A second ball  90  is placed on central orifice  40  which retains ball  90  is a constant location. Ball  90  takes the place of a protruding tee so as to provide an obstacle to promote a steep club take away and downstroke. The user then swings club  70  in a manner to as to avoid striking ball  90 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 30  illustrates a golf drill that can be performed using golf training aid  24  directed toward practicing greenside bunker shots. In this drill, golf training aid  24  is placed in a bunker on top of the sand  92  and secured thereto with golf tee  62  inserted through central orifice  40 . This drill may also be performed by standing training aid  24  on one of its longitudinal ends  42 ,  44 , and then gently pushing training aid  24  into the sand  92  so that it remains in a vertical orientation on its own. Directional indicium  38   b  is aligned along the intended line of ball travel. Next, the user draws two lines  94 ,  96  in the sand, using, or example, club head  70 . The lines  94 ,  96  essentially extend away from and are substantially co-axial with training aid lateral side margins  46 ,  48 , respectively. Lines  94 ,  96  are oriented such that they lie between training aid  24  and the user&#39;s feet. A ball  98  is placed just in front of the forward line  96 . 
         [0067]    The proper execution of this drill is illustrated in  FIG. 31 . The user swings club  70  so that initial contact with sand  92  is made between lines  94 ,  96 . Making contact in this manner provides the user with the greatest degree of distance control during the shot.  FIG. 32  illustrates an improper shot in which initial contact with the sand is made at or forward of line  96 . This type of contact generally results in a thin or skulled shot sending the ball screaming off on a low trajectory with little or no spin. A skull often travels farther than expected or desired, especially on skulled shots around the green.  FIG. 33  illustrates another improper stroke whereby initial contact with sand is made on or behind line  94  resulting in a chunked or fat shot whereby the ball travels far shorter than desired.