Abstract:
The present invention relates to a golf training apparatus which is a golf club training attachment made of, e.g., rubber. The device may be used in practice settings as a teaching tool.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a golf training apparatus and especially to a golf training device for guiding the swing of a golf club.  
           [0002]    Proper striking of a golf ball requires more than a simple swinging motion of the golf club. Numerous factors come into play, any one of which, if improperly executed can cause a poor golf shot. A proper address of the ball by the player, proper grip of the club, proper body position and proper swing of the golf club are four of the key variables that must be correctly executed to achieve a good shot. If, however, the player properly addresses the ball, properly grips the club and assumes the correct body position, an erroneous shot can still result due to improper swing of the golf club. Further in this regard, if one does not make proper contact, the golfer&#39;s head can be forced into movement, the club head can be pulled out of proper alignment with the golf ball, the body can be forced into an incorrect position, and the like. Any one of these errors could spell disaster to the shot. It is therefore, quite essential that the player makes proper contact with the ball. In fact, a properly struck ball will force one to meet other criteria that are necessary for the successful golf shot. The correct swing of the golf club is therefore very important to a successful execution of the golf shot whether off the tee, on the fairway, out of a sand trap, or the like.  
           [0003]    The ranks of golf professionals and low handicap amateurs are said to have “grooved” their swings. This statement, of course, refers to the fact that these individuals have mastered a correct swing and solid contact with the ball according to their individual physical makeup, so that swinging of the club in the proper manner is a natural reaction. Hence the proper address is made, the club head is smoothly carried away from the ball in the proper arc, properly brought down into engagement with the ball and guided into a proper follow through after striking the ball. Each of these steps is accompanied by proper body action and reaction. In the “grooved” swing, one continually executes these functions as a natural event with a close degree of accuracy whereby a large majority of shots are consistent and predictable.  
           [0004]    Throughout golf history, numerous items have been devised to facilitate education or instruction of a golfer in the art of stance, club grip, body movement, swing of the club and the like. In fact, numerous teaching aids have heretofore been devised for instructing one in the proper swing of a golf club. Such devices provide means to compel the individual to swing the club along a predetermined arc or plane. In general, these devices have utilized varying geometric swing paths for both back swing and follow through. A majority of these devices provide a slide or the like, secured to the apparatus and designed to receive a real or simulated club and follow the particular predetermined swing path. Numerous shaped swing paths have been shown in the prior art.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The present invention relates to a golf club training attachment made of, e.g., urethane rubber. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, on a golf club iron, an opening may be cut between the lowest grooves of its face, with the rubber piece glued into the opening. The device of the present invention may be used in practice settings as a teaching tool. In practice, if one “topped” the ball, i.e., struck the ball with the club so that the top portion of the ball is hit, the golf club training attachment of the present invention would strike the ball. In contrast, if the present invention goes “underneath” the ball when striking the ball with the club, the ball will have been struck properly. Thus, the present invention is both a teaching and training tool for golfers of all abilities.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]    Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the written description of the drawings in which:  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf club training attachment in accordance with the present invention, the attachment in place on a golf club head.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 2 is a side view of the golf club training attachment of FIG. 1.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the golf club training attachment apart from a golf club head.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 4 is a side view of the golf club training attachment of FIG. 3, in place on a golf club head. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0011]    The present invention relates to a golf club attachment to be placed on a golf club iron.  
         [0012]    As shown in FIG. 1, the attachment  10  is preferably of a triangular shape, and in a particularly preferred embodiment, has the following dimensions: Length 1 in., height (where attachment  10  meets club head  11 ) ¼ in., width (at its lowest point against the club face  12 ) ⅜ in. An opening is cut between or below any of the lowest grooves or lines  13  of the face of a golf club iron  14 , with the attachment affixed to the opening.  
         [0013]    Further as shown in FIG. 2, the attachment  10  is constructed and is affixed to the face portion of a golf club iron  14  such that the attachment  10  allows the iron to lay “flat” on the ground when addressing the ball. The attachment device is thus an extension of an existing golf club iron, to be used for training/teaching purposes; in practice, if the ball is “topped,” or struck improperly, the golf club training attachment would strike the golf ball, alerting the golfer that an improper swing had taken place. In contrast, if the training attachment goes underneath the ball when striking the ball with the club, the ball will have been properly struck.  
         [0014]    In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a “dove tail” extension  15  of the attachment  10  enhances the affixing of the attachment  10  to the opening. A “set screw”  16  may also preferably be utilized to help hold the attachment  10  in place, as shown in FIG. 4. The set screw  16  is inserted into a hole  17  drilled into club head  11 , and into attachment  10 .  
         [0015]    The golf club training attachment device of the present invention is not meant to be used during regular play, although it could, in theory, be used for such a purpose. It is conceivable that the training attachment could also be affixed to traditional golf “woods” of varying lofts, as well as any iron, e.g., from  1  iron to sand wedge.  
         [0016]    While this invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments thereof, it is apparent that numerous other forms and modifications of this invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art. The appended claims in this invention generally should be construed to cover all such obvious forms and modifications which are within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.