Golf alignment apparatus

A golf alignment device that has a ground arm for placement parallel to a line directed at a target some distance away from a golfer and a ball placement line arm coupled to the grounded arm for indicating the ball placement with respect to the golfer and the target line, so that a golfer is aided in maintaining a perpendicular relationship between the two. Using such a device, a golfer is able to practice his swing for a variety of club faces.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to the field of golfing aid; more 
particularly, the present invention relates to helping improve the 
positioning and alignment of a golfer. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Golfers often have difficulty lining up golf shots. It is very easy for a 
golfer to lose the target line that runs from the golf ball on the tee to 
the green or a point in the fairway, especially when the target is a great 
distance away. This difficulty is accentuated by the fact that the golfer 
is attempting to line up such a shot while setting up squarely to a golf 
ball directly in front of them while that target line extends far into the 
distance. In other words, maintaining a target line at a 90.degree. angle 
to the ball placement line when the target distance is 100 to 400 yards 
away causes difficulty in attaining the proper alignment. In fact, the 
margin for error is great in golf unless the alignment to the target line 
can be consistently observed or maintained. Alignment errors one inch to 
the right or to the left of the target line near the position of the golf 
ball can have a drastic effect on the ultimate direction the ball takes 
during flight. 
Prior art golf aids exist that assist the practicing golfer in such areas 
as addressing the golf ball correctly, with the proper stance, swing, or 
ball placement. One of the problems with certain golf aids in the prior 
art is that the devices are often too cumbersome in design for use as a 
portable device in the fairway or even during driving range practice. That 
is, the prior art suggests pocket portability for practice purposes but 
there is no embodiment which illustrates the feasibility for such a 
design. In addition, because they are cumbersome, these designs often do 
not lend themselves to the possibility of a miniature configuration. For 
example, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,563,010. 
Another problem is that prior art golf aid designs create distractions on 
the ground in front of a practicing golfer. For instance, see U.S. Pat. 
Nos. 5,110,132, 5,224,709, and 5,246,234. It is desirable to provide a 
golf aid that is less of a distraction than those of the prior art. 
One prior art embodiment uses tape to make a perpendicular line which is 
too flexible. For the marked tapes may malfunction too easily. See U.S. 
Pat. No. 5,203,453. 
Another problem with some prior art golf alignment aids is that they do not 
offer a means to individualize or customize indicators on the alignment 
device. For instance, certain golf aids allow notations to be made on 
certain pieces of equipment; however, there is no means for personalizing 
club and ball locators. 
The present invention enables the golfer to create a perpendicular 
relationship between the ball line and the target line. The present 
invention provides a portable golf alignment aid for fairway and driving 
range practice that is flexible for ease of club face location selections 
and may be customized to allow easy location of club face placement for a 
particular golfer. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A golf alignment apparatus is described. A golf alignment apparatus of the 
present invention includes a first elongated member that is placed 
parallel to a target line that is set forth and chosen by a golfer. This 
elongated member includes visible indicia corresponding to ball placements 
for individual golf clubs. The indicia are located on the first elongated 
member with respect to the foot of the golfer that is close to the target. 
The golf alignment device further includes a connector that slides on the 
first elongated member moving in direction perpendicular to that member. A 
second elongated member removably attached to the connector maintains a 
perpendicular relationship to the first elongated member to provide a ball 
placement line based on individual golf club selection by the golfer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
A golf alignment apparatus is described. In the following detailed 
description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set 
forth, such as lengths, material types, etc., in order to provide a 
thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be 
apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be 
practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known 
structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in 
detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention. 
FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the golf alignment device of the 
present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the golf alignment device 100 
comprises a ground arm (e.g., elongated member) 101, a ball placement line 
arm (e.g., elongated member) 102 coupled to the ground arm 101 via 
connector 103. 
The ground arm 101 is placed parallel to a target line to the target 
selected by a golfer to assist the golfer in drawing the imaginary line 
from the placement of the ball to the target green or fairway location. 
Note that such an imaginary line may extend to a point in the fairway on 
the way to the green, to the green itself, or any location chosen by the 
golfer. 
The ball placement line arm 102 is coupled to the ground arm 101 via 
connector 103. Using connector 103, the ball placement line arm 102 slides 
in a direction perpendicular to the ground arm 101 in order to select a 
club face placement and to square a golfer to the ball position. Because 
of the slidability of the ball placement line arm 102, a golfer is able to 
select multiple club face positions freely, while maintaining arm 102 in 
proper formation so as not to lose the ball placement line. The ball 
placement line arm 102 is shaped such that arm 102 points to the ball 
placement position. In one embodiment, at least one end of the ball 
placement line arm 102 comes to a point. 
Connector 103 slides fluidly along the ground arm 101. In one embodiment, 
ground arm 101 includes two tracks along its sides that enables the 
connector 103 to move in a direction parallel to the target line. FIG. 2 
illustrates one of such tracks in a perspective view of one embodiment of 
the golf alignment apparatus of the present invention. Note that connector 
103 slides uninhibited by the ground upon which the ground arm 101 lies 
(assuming the surface upon which the golf alignment apparatus rest is 
relatively flat). In other words, the connector 103 avoids contact with 
the ground as it slides. The connector 103 wraps around the top portion of 
the ground arm and into the track, as shown in FIG. 2, and is designed to 
slide into each club face position unimpeded, yet firm enough to hold the 
ball placement line. 
The present invention uses the ground arm 101 to help a golfer in drawing a 
first imaginary line from the tee to the target green where the ball will 
ultimately be directed, while the ball placement line arm 102 helps the 
golfer project another imaginary line from and perpendicular to the ground 
arm 101 to the golf ball placement on the tee or ground where the club 
face will ultimately connect with the ball. 
Because golfers use a variety of different clubs, the ground arm 101 
contains visible indicia that set forth specific locations for the 
placement of the ball with respect to individual golf clubs (e.g., woods, 
irons). That is, the visible indicia, or club face locators, appear on the 
ground arm 101 to enable a golfer to select proper placement of the ball 
based on their club selection. An example of such visible indicia are 
shown in FIG. 3. 
In one embodiment, the visible indicia may be prefabricated lines, 
markings, pointers, etc. on the ground arm 101. In another embodiment, the 
visible indicia may be self applied, or attached, indicia, such as 
multiple tape indicators. Note that the ground arm 101 may include 
prefabricated lines or markings, which a golfer may use as references to 
personalize club face locators using self-applicable markers or tape. By 
allowing golfer's to set the visible indicia based on their physical 
make-up, stance, and swing, the present invention allows customization of 
the golf alignment apparatus. 
The connector 103 and arm 102, or portions thereof, may be transparent to 
enable reading of the indicia on ground arm 101. In another embodiment, 
the connector 103 includes a hole or gap region that may be positioned 
over the visible indicia to enable reading club face locations. Note that 
such transparency or connector configuration may not be necessary where 
the side of the connector 103 is aligned with one of the visible indicia 
when selecting the ball line placement associated with its club face 
location. 
The golf alignment apparatus of the present invention may be used in two 
ways. First, the golf alignment apparatus may be used to align a golfer 
when a ball is already placed on the ground and a target is selected. In 
this case, an individual places the ground arm 101 in a position parallel 
to the target line such that the ball is located in the plane that is 
perpendicular to the ground arm 101 (and the target line). Then the golfer 
moves arm 102 to the desired club face location based on their club 
selection. The golf alignment apparatus of the present invention is then 
repositioned such that a pointed end of the arm 102 points to the golf 
ball while the ground arm 101 remains parallel to the target line. Once 
the golf alignment apparatus has been repositioned, the golfer takes their 
stance such that the foot closest to target lines up with the forward most 
ball placement position of the ground arm 101. It should be noted that the 
placement of the golfer's feet with respect to the ground arm 101 is the 
same regardless of the ball placement line (or club face selection). At 
that point, the individual may swing a golf club at the positioned ball. 
Second, the golf alignment apparatus of the present invention may be used 
to set a golf ball in position when a target has been selected and the 
golfer desires to swing a particular golf club to hit the ball. In this 
case, an individual places the ground arm 101 in a position parallel to 
the target line. Then the individual moves arm 102 to the desired club 
face location based on their club selection. Once positioned, the 
individual places their golf ball on the ball placement line indicated by 
the point of arm 102. At that point, the individual may swing a golf club 
at the positioned ball. 
The golf ball placement and positioning with respect to the golf alignment 
device of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 12. Referring to 
FIG. 12, the ground arm 101 is placed immediately in front of the toes of 
the left foot (in case of a right-handed golfer). The toes of the right 
foot may approach the ground arm 101 or may be dropped back directly from 
ground arm 101 after its placement. The golfer's feet are placed 
approximately shoulder width apart with the inside heel of the left front 
foot aligned with the first ball placement position. Note that the weight 
distribution moves from the left foot to the right foot until the 9 iron 
is played off the right heel. 
In an embodiment, the ball placement positions of four woods and seven 
irons are shown in FIG. 12 running from the inside left head to a point 
approximately at the center point between the two feet. The ball placement 
positions of the woods are farther away from the ground arm than that of 
the irons. This is because the woods have longer shafts, while the irons 
are played closer to the body. The exact distance away that a golf ball is 
placed from an individual is based on the individual's size, stance, and 
club lengths. Typically, the handle (or grip) end of a golf club is 
balanced approximately slightly below belt-level on an individual and is 
then allowed to extend naturally the length of golf club away from the 
golf ball, in a manner well-known to those skilled in the art. 
By practicing with the golf alignment apparatus of the present invention, 
the golfer is better able to understand the perpendicular relationship 
between the target line and the line to the ball placement position. 
Continued practice with the golf alignment apparatus of the present 
invention in a standardized format enables the golfer to develop optical 
muscle memory for proper alignment. That is, the positioning and the swing 
begin to feel natural and may be repeated with or without the use of the 
golf alignment apparatus during the actual golf game. 
In one embodiment, the ground arm 101 is approximately three to four feet 
in length, and the ball placement line arm 102 is shorter. For instance, 
in one embodiment, the ball placement line arm 102 is 10-15 inches in 
length (when fully extended). Also in one embodiment, the shape of the 
ends of the ground arm 101 may be pointed to facilitate placement of the 
ground arm in a position directly aimed at the target. The shape of the 
ends may be rounded or any shape that is aesthetically pleasing or safe as 
long as the ground arm 101 includes some mechanism (e.g., line of sight 
marker(s), directional arrow, etc.) which enables the user to place the 
ground arm 101 in a position parallel to the line of sight. The ground arm 
101 may be made of lightweight, durable and weather proof plastic and 
preferably in a neutral color so as to not distract the golfer from the 
focus of the ball. 
In an embodiment, each track along the side of the ground arm 101 is 1/4 
inches in height and 1/4 inches in depth (from the side of the ground arm 
101) running up to two feet along its center. In alternative embodiments, 
each track runs 6-8 inches or that distance which allows the ball 
placement line 102 to be positioned anywhere between the total distance 
from the first ball position (e.g., indicia) to the last ball position 
(e.g., indicia). 
Dual Nature of the Ball Line Placement Arm 
The ball line placement arm 102 may be permanently or detachable from the 
connector 103. The ball line placement arm 102 may be attached to the 
ground arm 101 by removable pins, such as pins 104 shown in FIG. 1. The 
number of pins used to connect the connector 103 to the ball line 
placement arm 102 is a design choice, but should maintain the ball line 
placement arm 102 perpendicular to the ground arm 101. In an alternate 
embodiment, the ball line placement arm 102 snaps onto the connector 103. 
There are numerous ways in which to design a connection scheme by which 
the arm 102 is connected to connector 103, including but not limited to, 
connection schemes which permit the ball line placement arm 102 to be 
removed from the connector 103. FIG. 4 illustrates the ball line placement 
arm 102 being detached from connector 103. 
Once removed, the ball line placement arm 102 may be used as a portable 
alignment device with a hinge 106 or connector (as described below) in the 
center to permit the forming of a smaller perpendicular arrangement that 
is equally effective used independently of the larger configuration. That 
is, arm 102 may be comprised of two portions rotatably coupled so as to 
enable a portion of the arm 102 to act as a grounded arm while the other 
portion lies perpendicular to act as a ball line placement device. FIG. 5A 
illustrates one embodiment of the arm 102 in a single line with the pin 
holes aligned for the two pieces to enable connection to connector 103. 
FIG. 5B illustrates two parts of the ball line placement arm 102 in 
perpendicular position. The connector 506 allows the two parts 510 and 511 
to be rotated. Such a connector is readily available. Note that the two 
parts may be folded on top of each other to allow for pocket portability 
of the arm 102. In one embodiment, the ball line placement arm 102 is 
approximately seven or eight inches and may be designed for carrying in a 
pocket (i.e., pocket portability). 
Therefore, the golf alignment apparatus of the present invention includes a 
larger grounded arm and a smaller detachable or removable arm that is 
portable and may be carried and easily manipulated for driving range 
practices as well as fairway practice by the golfer. 
The present invention achieves ultimate streamlined construction by the 
simplicity of its design. The light weight, durable materials make 
manufacturing inexpensive, creating a simplified, uncomplicated 
construction with easily movable parts. By being a streamlined device, the 
golf alignment apparatus of the present invention is a positive 
motivational factor for practice purposes. 
Note that because of its small size and color, the golf alignment apparatus 
of the present invention does not act as a distraction to the golfer. It 
is important that the golfer does not lose focus of the target line or the 
ball placement line because of a complicated fixture or apparatus in front 
of him. The present invention avoids such a distraction, thereby making an 
alignment device of the present invention both marketable and desirable. 
Alternative Embodiments 
FIG. 6A-C illustrate alternative embodiments of the ball line placement arm 
102. Referring to FIG. 6A, arm 602 includes two portions 610 and 611 that 
are coupled together by a hinge 612. In one embodiment, the two parts 610 
and 611 are identical in size and symmetrically coupled to opposite sides 
of the hinge 612. In one embodiment, parts 610 and 611 are each 7 inches 
in length. The hinge 612 allows the two parts to be folded on each other 
to facilitate portability. In one embodiment, the distance across the 
hinge 612 is 3 inches. 
Referring to FIG. 6B, an alternative embodiment of arm 102 is shown in 
which two parts 620 and 621 are hinged together by hinge 622, where hinge 
622 allows side A of parts 620 and 621 to be brought closer together. In 
this manner, parts 620 and 621 may be placed in position perpendicular to 
each other for use as an alignment device and positioned together for 
portability. Note that in one embodiment, parts 620 and 621 are seven 
inches in length. 
Referring to FIG. 6C, an alternative embodiment of arm 102 is shown having 
two parts 630 and 631 hinged together by hinge 632 that enables each of 
their B sides to be brought together for portability. A third part 634 is 
rotatably coupled to part 630 and may be positioned perpendicular to part 
630 (and 631) when arm 602 is used as a portable alignment device. In one 
embodiment, parts 630, 631 and 634 are seven inches in length. 
FIG. 7A illustrates an alternative embodiment of the ground arm of the 
present invention as claimed. Referring to FIG. 7A, the ground arm is 
shown with multiple portions 701-704. Each of the portions are coupled 
together by hinges 705-707 that enable the ground arm to be collapsed upon 
itself by moving each of the sections 701-704 in the directions indicated. 
The resulting compact structure is shown in FIG. 7B. Note that the ground 
arm of FIG. 7A includes a single track on top. A description of use of 
such a ground arm is described in conjunction with FIGS. 9A-9C. In an 
alternative embodiment, the ground arm may have tracks on each side. 
FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the ground arm which 
includes multiple sections 801-805 that may be partially or fully 
collapsible within other sections to create a compact device. For 
instance, section 801 may be partially or fully inserted into section 802, 
which may be partially or fully inserted into section 803, while section 
805 may be fully or partially inserted into section 804, while section 804 
may be partially or fully inserted into section 803. The results of such 
insertion causes ground arm 800 to be collapsed into a more compact and 
portable embodiment. 
When an individual desires to use the ground arm 800, the sections are 
pulled out from their inserted positions to be fully extended. When each 
of the sections is fully extended, they either lock into place at their 
point of contact with the neighboring section(s) or the size of adjoining 
sections causes them to be held in place. That is, the portion of section 
801 that is making contact with section 802 is larger in size than that 
portion of section 802 into which section 801 extends so as to cause it to 
be held in place when extended, which is much like portable hand-held 
telescopes which collapse into a shorter cylindrical unit. 
Note that the telescopic embodiment of FIG. 8 may use either a ball 
placement line arm such as shown in FIG. 1, 2, 5 or a hinged ball 
placement line arm, such as shown in FIG. 6. 
Although only five sections are shown, any number of sections may be used 
and is a design choice based on, for instance, desired length of the 
ground arm and durability. 
FIGS. 9A-C illustrates an alternate embodiment of the golf alignment 
apparatus of the present invention that does not have a separate 
connector. Referring to FIG. 9A, a ground arm 901 is shown having a single 
track 905 that runs along the top of the ground arm 901. The track 905 has 
two insertion holes for receiving a knob-like pin 906 coupled to the ball 
line placement arm 902, as shown in FIG. 9B. Once inserted, the ball line 
placement arm 902 may slide along track 905 for use as described above. In 
one embodiment, the ball line placement arm 902 may comprise the ball 
placement line shown in FIG. 5A-B when the hinged area couples to the 
knob-like pin 906 and may be removed to act as a portable alignment 
device. 
FIGS. 10A and B illustrates another alternate embodiment of the golf 
alignment device of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 10A, the 
track (not shown) that permits the movement of the ball line placement arm 
1002 (FIG. 10B) is located within the interior of the ground arm, while 
the visible indicia remain on the top of ground arm 1001. Referring to 
FIG. 10B, the bottom side of the ball line placement arm 1002 is shown 
having a track guide 1008 which maintains the ball line placement arm 1002 
in the track within the ground arm 1001 (not shown). A notched portion 
1009 in ground arm 1001 permits the initial insertion of the ball line 
placement arm 1002. The notched portion 1009 is sized for reception of the 
track guide 1008. 
FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the connector 103 of 
FIG. 1 (and 2) is replaced with a grooved slide (e.g., connector) that is 
designed to snugly or loosely receive a ball placement line arm, such as 
that shown in FIG. 6B. 
Whereas, many alterations and modifications of the present invention will 
no doubt become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art after 
having read the foregoing description, it is to be understood that the 
particular embodiment shown and described by way of illustration are in no 
way to be considered limiting. Therefore, reference to the details of the 
various embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claims 
which themselves recite only those features regarded as essential to the 
invention. 
Thus, a golf alignment apparatus has been described.