Abstract:
A device and method are provided for encouraging or ensuring proper posture of a golfer during a golf swing. In certain embodiments, the device may be in the form of a brace comprising a strap that fits around the body to resist or prevent excessive bending of the spine, or “hunching over,” during the golf swing. The brace may have a single, continuous strap that winds around the body, forming a crossing pattern across the spine and passing over both shoulders, with the ends of the strap meeting in the front of the body. The ends of the strap may be suitably joined, for example by a buckle, to allow adjustment. The brace may be an integral part of a garment, which may have an outer shell and inner lining.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/458,947, filed Apr. 1, 2003, entitled “Golf Posture Brace and Garment,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to the fields of golf training equipment and orthopedic supports and/or garments. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     While the importance of strength, flexibility, and conditioning has been a primary focus in enhancing athleticism and performance, the role of posture has been comparatively ignored. However, without proper posture, dynamic and coordinated movement will never be optimized. This is because the skeletal system serves as the framework on which muscles act. Sub-par skeletal alignment will result in decreased performance. 
     While posture is important to many sports, in the game of golf it plays one of the most important, if not the most important role. This concept was very simply stated by Ben Hogan by which he stated, “The proper stance and posture enable a golfer to be perfectly balanced and poised throughout the golf swing. Only then will his legs, arms, and body be able to carry out their interrelated assignments correctly.” 
     One of the most common errors in golf poster is a “hunching over” of the spine or rounding of the shoulders during the golf swing. This results from excessive bending of the thoracic vertebrae and leads to poor mechanics and performance and possible injury. 
     A specific example of incorrect golf posture is seen when evaluating the biomechanical effects of one of the most common swing faults of amateur golfers, the “reverse-C” position. A “reverse-C” results when a golfer laterally slides the hips forward during downswing while the head lags behind and weight remains on the trailing side (typically, the right side). This motion results in a “C” position of the spine at finish, which creates 50%-80% more force than a properly executed golf swing which results in a neutral spine. (The Physician and Sports Medicine, Vol.27, NO.7, July 1999.) In fact myoelectric studies of lumbar spine muscles (L3-L4) show greater activity in amateurs than professionals. Data indicates that amateurs generate 80% greater lateral bending and shear forces and 50% more torque. These may predispose golfers with incorrect posture to muscle strains, facet injuries and herniated discs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In certain embodiments, the invention is directed to providing a device a method for encouraging or ensuring proper posture of a golfer during a golf swing. 
     In certain embodiments, the device may be in the form of a brace comprising a strap that fits around the body to resist or prevent excessive bending of the spine, or “hunching over,” during the golf swing. 
     In an embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below, the brace has a single, continuous strap that winds around the body, forming a crossing pattern across the spine and passing over both shoulders, with the ends of the strap meeting in the front of the body. In that illustrated embodiment, the ends of the strap are suitably joined, for example by a buckle. This allows the wearer to individually adjust the brace&#39;s fit and tension through a simple process, by just adjusting the strap at the area where the ends are joined, for example by loosening or tightening the strap at the buckle. The use of a single strap results in the application of equal force throughout the anterior strap portions of the brace as the brace pulls the shoulders back and helps the wearer achieve optimal posture. 
     In certain embodiments, a suitable brace may be incorporated with a base garment. The base garment may be a lightweight jacket and/or shirt and/or vest. In an embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below, the garment itself is comprised of an outer shell with an inner lining. These two garment portions may be suitably joined. The inner lining may be constructed with tunnels and/or loops for the brace. The anterior of the outer shell may have openings for allowing access to the area between the outer shell and inner lining to adjust the brace. 
     In a method of encouraging or ensuring proper posture during a golf swing, a golfer wears the brace and/or garment with the brace, adjusts the brace to provide proper tension, and leaves the tensioned brace in place while engaging in the golf swing. After the golfing activity is completed, the brace and/or garment with the brace is removed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of an inner lining and brace in accordance with one possible embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear view of the inner lining and brace shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of an outer shell to accompany the inner lining and brace of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of the outer shell shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view showing the strap placement of the brace of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear view showing the strap placement of the brace of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view showing the strap placement of the brace of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  shows a top view of an example of a strap tunnel construction; 
         FIG. 9  shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the strap tunnel construction of  FIG. 8 ; and 
         FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of the strap tunnel construction of FIG.  8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following is a description of the brace and garment illustrated in the Figures. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment illustrated as an example, and is capable of variation within the scope of the claims. 
     In the example illustrated, the base garment may be a lightweight wind jacket and/or wind shirt and/or vest comprising an outer shell  30  ( FIGS. 3-4 ) and an inner lining  20  (FIGS.  1 - 2 ). The outer shell  30  and inner lining  20  may be manufactured from any suitable materials. For example, the outside shell may be manufactured from a woven fabric made from 100% polyester with a peached finish. The inner lining, for example, may be a knit jersey lining made from 65% polyester/35% cotton. These materials for the outside shell and inner lining are considered appropriate for a number of reasons, for example, cosmetic appearance, durability, and comfort. Many other materials are possible. 
     In the example illustrated, the garment is collarless with a ribbed V-shaped neck-line, for example ribbed with cotton trim. The illustrated waistband and sleeve cuffs are also ribbed trimmed. Alternatively, the garment can be manufactured with a rounded, crew neck or rounded neck with two or three button or snap closures. Many other possible variations of the style and look of the garment are possible. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show the inner lining  20  along with the brace  10 . The inner lining  20  serves to help encase the brace  10 . This helps to keep the brace  10  in the desired position. 
     The illustrated brace  10  comprises a strap and a mechanism for joining the strap ends, such as buckle  40 . This makes the strap freely adjustable. 
     The inner lining  20  and outer shell  30  may be, if desired, joined together in any of a number of suitable manners. If the inner lining  20  and outer shell  30  are joined, they should preferably be joined in such a way as not to inhibit the operation of the brace  10 . 
     The inner lining  20  may have one or more integral tunnels  21 ,  22  and/or loops  23 ,  24 , through which the strap portions of the brace  10  pass. In the illustrated embodiment, the tunnels  21 ,  22  are designed to pass under the axilla (armpit) and over the clavicle (collar bone). The tunnels  21 ,  22  provide direction for the straps and comfort to a sensitive region of the anatomy. The tunnels may be padded, as described below. The construction of the tunnels in the illustrated embodiment does not add excessive bulk to the garment or create any significant resistance to the movement of the straps. Other constructions and placements of tunnels and/or loops are possible within the scope of the invention. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  show the outer shell  30 . In the illustrated embodiment, the anterior of the garment has two 8″ length openings  31 ,  32 , which may be opened and closed by zippers  33 ,  34 , running vertically on the front. The tops of the zippers are located 9″ from the high point shoulder (“HPS”) of the garment and are 10″ apart. These zippered openings  31 ,  32  allow convenient access to the area between the inner lining  20  and the outer shell  30  where the self-contained brace  10  is located. The zippered openings  31 ,  32  thus provide access to the two end straps of the brace  10  and the fastening buckle  40 , allowing for convenient adjustment of the brace  10 . Other constructions of the openings  31 ,  32 , including variations in size, shape, location, number, and manner of closing, are possible. 
       FIGS. 5 through 7  illustrate where the strap portions of the brace  10  lie from an anatomical standpoint, as seen through the garment. Starting from a right strap end  11 , the strap includes a right front strap portion  12  that passes through a right buckle part  41 . The right front strap portion  12  passes through loop  23  and around the right front side of the wearer. 
     The right front strap portion  12  continues to a crossing back strap portion  13 , visible in FIG.  6 . As crossing back strap portion  13  approaches the left side, the strap passes into tunnel  22 . The strap then continues as left shoulder strap portion  14 , through the tunnel  22  and over the left shoulder. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the strap exits the tunnel  22  at the top of the left shoulder and continues as first diagonal strap portion  15 . Under the right armpit, the strap then enters tunnel  21 . The strap then continues as right shoulder strap portion  16 , through the tunnel  21  and over the right shoulder. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the strap exits the tunnel  21  at the top of the right shoulder and continues as second diagonal strap portion  17 . Under the left armpit, the second diagonal strap portion  17  continues around to the front of the wearer as left front strap portion  18 . The left front strap portion  18  passes through loop  24  and left buckle part  42 . The left front strap portion then terminates at left strap end  19 . 
     The tension in the brace  10  is adjustable by adjusting the strap in relation to the buckle  40 . For example, the right front strap portion  12  may be adjusted within right buckle part  41 , and/or the left front strap portion  18  may be adjusted within left buckle part  42 . The left strap end  11  and/or the right strap end  19  may be tucked under the respective loop  23 ,  24 . 
     Some dimensions of some of the features of the illustrated embodiment are as follows, although many variations are of course possible. The brace strap may be, for example, 1½″ in width. It may be designed to cross the anterior of the garment about 8½″ down from the high point shoulder (HPS). The strap loops  23 ,  24  may be 2″ in length and ¾″ wide and sewn into the garment. The strap tunnels that run through the armpit may end on the posterior aspect of the garment at a distance 2″ over the HPS. 
       FIGS. 8 through 10  illustrate an example of a tunnel construction. Attached to the lining  20  is an outer tunnel casing  51  and an inner tunnel casing  52 . A layer of padding  53  may be provided under the inner tunnel casing  52 . The strap of the brace  10  passes between the inner tunnel casing  52  and the outer tunnel casing  51 . For a strap width of 1½″, the casing and padding may be selected to have widths of 2″ and 2½″ respectively. These dimensions allow for uninhibited movement of the strap portions and provide comfort. Various alternatives of the tunnel construction are possible. For example, the inner tunnel casing and/or padding may be omitted, and the dimensions may of course be changed. 
     As can be appreciated from the illustrations and description, the garment is designed and engineered to provide comfort and function, while at the same time serving the purpose of the brace design, which is to dynamically enhance and promote proper posture, specifically thoracic spine posture. The action of the brace serves to resist or prevent excessive bending of the spine, or “hunching over,” during the golf swing. 
     The golf posture brace promotes proper thoracic spine posture, while allowing the golfer the ability to freely swing the club. With the specific inventive aspects discussed, the golf posture brace is a golf training aide designed for function. It can be utilized as a static training aide to providing muscle reeducation and biofeedback or as a dynamic swing aide. It is a training aide that can be inconspicuously utilized on the practice tee, lesson tee and the course. 
     Proper posture in golf, or what a golf teaching professional might call “spine angle,” is the angle formed by the player&#39;s spine and club shaft at address. Address posture is the static stance just prior to initiating movement of the club away from the ball. It has been widely accepted that this angle should be about ninety degrees. The most important position and anatomical consideration of address posture is a proper thoracic curve. While this is the most important, it is also most abused. In a study of golf professionals it was determined that more than ninety percent of golfers are unable to achieve proper posture, and as a result golfers are unable to perform a proper swing. A swing that allows for a high level of performance also limits injury. 
     Once proper posture is achieved the next most important aspect of the golf swing is the ability for a golfer to maximize “shoulder turn,” a golf term. A golfer&#39;s turn is his ability to rotate his thoracic spine, and spinal rotation is most available in the upper thoracic spine, T 1 -T 6 . Therefore, limited thoracic rotation will limit a golfer&#39;s ability to perform. Specifically, an excessive thoracic kyphosis (hunchback) will limit thoracic rotation or “shoulder turn,” as a result of the change in facet orientation. Simply put, poor thoracic spine posture will cause the spine in essence to lock up. A brace in accordance with the invention helps promote good thoracic spine posture and helps avoid the adverse effects of poor thoracic spine posture. The tension created by the first diagonal strap portion  15  and the second diagonal strap portion  17  across the spine help resist excessive bending of the spine. Similarly, the tension in the left shoulder strap portion  14  and the right shoulder strap portion  16  may help keep the shoulders back. 
     It will be appreciated that a brace in accordance with the invention may also be useful in the treatment and/or prevention of injury, specifically, injuries, pathologies and musculoskeletal derangements of, but not limited to the neck, shoulder and thoracic spine. Some of the more common injuries in these areas are a) tendonitis, b) impingement syndromes, and c) winging scapula. Through a comprehensive program consisting of dynamic stabilization, along with a therapeutic stretching and exercise program, many of these musculoskeletal disorders can be resolved, and more importantly prevented. 
     The treatment and prevention of injury through dynamic bracing is accomplished by helping the patient/wearer achieve optimal posture by utilizing an external bracing system. By promoting proper posture, many different results and derived benefits are obtained. Some of these benefits are as follows:
         1. Promoting proper positioning of the scapula on the posterior thorax (scapulothoracic) articulation allows for more coordinated movement, e.g., increased scapulo-thoracic and gleno-humeral rhythm.   2. Promoting proper positioning and movement of the scapula and proper and coordinated movement of the shoulder joint helps prevent the development of impingement syndromes and tendonitis, such as those of the rotator cuff, supra- and infra-spinatus tendon.   3. Promoting a normal thoracic kyphosis (posterior convexity of spine) helps prevent a compensatory increase in the lumbar lordosis (posterior concavity of spine) and associated problems, such as an anterior tilting of the pelvis and hamstring tightness, which can lead to lower back problems.   4. Preventing forward head posture helps avoid a tightening of the deep cervical musculature, which can result in neck pain and/or migraine/tension headaches.   5. Promoting a normal positioning of the spine and preventing muscle and fascial restrictions helps promote healthy blood flow and capillary flow to the vertebral discs, reduces excessive disc pressures, and reduces impingement pressure and entrapments on nerves, thus decreasing neurogenic or radicular pain and/or parasthesias (numbness or tingling).       

     In summary, proper posture is vital to a person&#39;s overall health, comfort and well-being. A brace in accordance with the invention may be used to help promote proper posture. 
     It will be appreciated that numerous variations and uses of the invention are possible, within the scope of the claims.