Abstract:
A golf club having a club head with a cut-out cavity which is configured to accept the footwear of a golfing instructor, caddy, playing partner, or other individual available to assist the golfer. The club head has a flat bottom and a downwardly and rearwardly sloping top surface. It is aerodynamically designed, both as to the outer shape of the club head and the configuration of the cavity, to increase driving distances.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the sport of golf and specifically to a golf club with a unique club head. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The ultimate goal of the golfer is hit the golf ball in a pre-selected, pre-aimed direction and a desired distance. In order to accomplish this, all parts of the golfer&#39;s body must be properly aligned. Not only must the golfer ensure that his stance relative to the ball is correct for optimum accuracy, alignment, etc., but the head, shoulders, arms, hands, and lower body need to be correctly positioned, in order to obtain the best possible golf shot. 
     There are a myriad number of training aids, devices, and teaching equipment designed to educate the golfer in the basic and advance techniques of the sport, all having varying degrees of success. Yet the best results usually come from one on one, personal instruction from a golf pro or other competent teacher who provides hands on lessons. Such teaching sessions routinely place the golfing instructor across from the golfer, commenting on stance and positioning, while the golfer holds the club and aligns his body and the club accordingly. Oft times the instructor will personally reposition the golfer and his club, consistent with the advice being given. 
     While this common teaching method is most helpful, it is usually difficult for the instructor to verbally instruct and properly position the golfer, while at the same time ensuring that the club the golfer is holding is stationary and maintained at the correct shaft angle, with the club face properly aimed at the target. When an instructor attempts to explain proper golfing practices and techniques while physically manipulating the golfer in position, the club being held by the golfer will have a tendency to wander and move from its set, pre-aimed placement, thus impeding the progress of the teaching session. There is currently no equipment or teaching process which allows the golf instructor to control the placement of the golf club, ensuring it is maintained in proper alignment, while simultaneously providing verbal and physical instruction. 
     Positioning a golf club, generally, such that it is properly aligned and aimed at the desired target, prior to swinging the club, is key to an acceptable golf shot. However, even many good golfers will slice, hook, or misdirect a golf shot because, prior to taking the shot, the club is being held at the wrong shaft angle or the club face is not correctly aligned. A golf club having a club head which simply addresses and corrects this problem, i.e. serves to ensure that the club is properly placed and maintained in position prior to the golfer taking a swing, would constitute a major improvement. A golf club having a club head which, at the same time serves to increase the length of drives would be an added benefit. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is thus the object of the present invention to provide a golf club and golf club teaching and club positioning methods which overcome the disadvantages and limitations of prior golfing equipment and teaching practices. 
     This object is accomplished by the present invention, a golf club having a club head with a cut-out cavity configured to accept the footwear of a golfing instructor, caddy, playing partner, or other individual available to assist the golfer. The club head has a flat bottom. Once it is placed flush on the ground surface and the club is positioned at the proper shaft angle with the club face aligned towards the target, the individual assisting the golfer places his foot into the cavity of the club head to maintain the club in this position. The golfer then literally “steps into the golf shot” by accepting the pre-aligned club, grabs hold of the club&#39;s handle, and positions himself with the club. When the assister&#39;s foot is removed from the cavity, the golfer is free to swing the club, confident it is in the proper pre-shot position. The golf club of the present invention can not only be advantageously used while playing a round of golf, but it also is an integral component in the teaching process. The golfing instructor can maintain control of the club with his foot within the cavity, thus keeping the club aimed and maintaining it at the correct shaft angle, while, at the same time, verbally instructing and physically manipulating and positioning the body, hands, and feet of the golfer holding the club. The club head itself is aerodynamically designed, as to both the outer shape of the club head and the configuration of the cavity, to increase driving distances. 
     The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention, itself, however, both as to its design, construction and use, together with additional features and advantages thereof, are best understood upon review of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective front view of the golf club head of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the golf club head of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the golf club head of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of the golf club head of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the golf club head of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the golf club head of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is an elevation view of the golf club head of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is the opposite elevation view of the golf club head of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of the present invention taken from  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 10  is a view of the golf club head of the present invention in proper position of the ground surface. 
         FIG. 11  is view of the manner in which the golf club head of the present invention is to be used. 
         FIG. 12  is a representation of a golfing instructor and golfer using the golf club of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Golf club  1  comprises shaft  2  with handle  4 , connected to club head  6  via hosel  8 . Club head  6  has a given width W and length L. See  FIG. 5 . Club head  6  further comprises club face  10 , top wall  12  and sidewalls  14  and  16 , smoothly curving down from the top wall. Top wall  12  slopes down the length of club head  6 , from club face  10  at the front of the club head, to the back of the club head, forming lateral rear surfaces  18  and  20 . These lateral rear surfaces extend down to bottom wall  22 . Bottom wall  22 , extending the width and length of club head  6 , has substantially flat bottom surface  24  which also extends continuously the width and length and underneath the club head. Bottom wall  22  terminates at rear surface  26 . 
     Cut-out cavity  28  extends inwardly, into club head  6 , over bottom wall  22 . Cavity  28  comprises open space  30 , bordered by overhanging, curved upper lip section  32 , curved back wall  34  defining the forwardmost or front part of the cavity, and substantially flat lower surface  36 . Lower surface  36  slopes downwardly from back wall  34  to rear surface  26 . The width of cavity  28  is generally tapered inwardly into club head  6 , i.e. the cavity is widest at rear surface  26  at the back of the club head, and is narrowest at back wall  34 , inset into the club head. Bottom wall  22  forms the closed bottom of cavity  28 . See expecially,  FIGS. 2 ,  5 , and  9 . By this configuration, cavity  28  is uniquely shaped to accommodate the front section of generic footwear, including a golf shoe, sneaker, tennis shoe, or the like  46 . In fact, cavity  28  is specifically designed to accept the footwear of a fellow golfer, golf instructor, caddie, or other individual involved with the teaching or aiming function of golf club  1 . 
     Golf club  1  is utilized as a most effective teaching tool as follows. Flat bottom surface  24  of bottom wall  22  of club head  6  is placed on ground surface  40 , such that it rests flat on the ground surface. Club face  10  is properly aimed toward the target. In this position, golf club  1  is set such that its shaft  2  is at the correct golf shaft angle A in relation to ground surface  40 . 
     Golf instructor  42 , assisting golfer  44 , positions himself such that he faces toward golf club  1  and steps into and inserts his foot, enclosed in footwear  46 , into cavity  28  to maintain golf club  1  in a stationary position. See  FIGS. 11 and 12 . In so doing, the correct shaft angle A of club shaft  2 ,  FIG. 10 , is maintained, as golfer  42  grabs hold of handle  4  of the club. Club face  10  is also properly set towards the desired target. Instructor  42  can now maintain control of the position and angle of golf club  1 , as he provides instruction to golfer  44 . While his foot is within cavity  28 , instructor  42  can also discuss with golfer  44  the proper positioning of his head, shoulders, arms, hands, hips, legs and feet, while the golfer is holding golf club  1  and the club is properly positioned and maintained at the correct shaft angle. With his footwear  46  within cavity  28 , instructor  42  can also easily move toward golfer  44 , to assist in manipulating the positions of his body to generally further advance the instruction process. 
     The use of golf club  1  in the process as described provides the optimum golf instructor/student training position for effectively teaching fundamental and advanced golfing techniques. 
     Golf club  1  can also be effectively utilized by the experienced golfer who wishes to ensure that his club is properly aimed at the desired target and set at the correct shaft angle. In this case, golf instructor, caddie, golfing partner or other individual  42  assisting golfer  44  steps into cavity  28 , once golf club  1  is pre-aimed at the target. As with the teaching method, the correct shaft angle is thus again set as golfer  44  “steps into the golf shot” by grabbing hold of golf club  1  and setting himself in the proper position behind the club. The golfer&#39;s assistant  42  next removes his foot from cavity  28 . Golfer  44  is now in position to swing golf club  1 , properly aimed and set at the correct shaft angle, to produce the best possible shot. 
     Golf club  1 , while advantageously employed in the teaching and pre-aiming methods described above, is, in and of itself, a club which will materially increase driving distance. Cavity  28  decreases the weight of club head  6 , thus allowing the golfer to increase the speed of his back swing and down swing. In addition, the unique shapes of club head  6 , with its tapered top wall  12 , and the configuration of cavity  28  behind the club face within the club head, provides an aerodynamic design which dramatically increases the distance a golf ball travels upon impact. 
     Certain novel features and components of this invention are disclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention as disclosed is not necessarily limited to the exact form and details as disclosed, since it is apparent that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.