Golf swing training device

A golf swing trainer comprising a golf club shaft configured to be held by a user and allows the user to execute a golf swing; and an arm attached to the golf club shaft, the arm being configured to be attached to the user's forearm, wherein when the user swings the golf club shaft, the user's forearm and the golf club shaft substantially fall in a single plane.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to sports instruction devices, such as instruction devices intended to improve a golf swing.

BACKGROUND

In general, the object of the game of golf is to hole the ball in as few strokes as possible on each hole. Low golf scores can be accomplished in different ways. The most direct influence upon a golfer's score is their ability to strike a golf ball with accuracy, both in terms of distance and direction. A golfer's ability to strike a golf ball with accuracy can be improved by correcting the golfer's swing.

The golf swing has been analyzed extensively since the game began centuries ago. Many books have been written and articles published on the subject, all with the intention of helping the golfer improve. The golf swing is probably the most written about or dissected motion in all of sport. Along with written material, golfers can seek the help of a professional instructor or use a training device to help improve their golf swings.

Several golf training devices have been invented. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,430 issued to Goins, U.S. Pat. No. 4,451,044 issued to Elliott, Jr., and U.S. Pat. No. 3,700,245 issued to Nannini disclose training apparatuses that include wrist guides configured to be positioned on the hand of a golfer. The wrist guides appear to be designed to prevent the wrist from moving forward relative to the forearm during the swing. At least one problem with these wrist guides is they may not effectively block the wrist from moving to an undesired position during the swing. The strength of some user's wrist may overcome the strength of these wrist guides. Sturdier ways of ensuring the desired position of the wrist during a golf swing are desired.

Another existing golf training device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,928 issued to Salini (hereinafter the “Salini invention”). The Salini invention appears to disclose an elongated strap that can be worn by golfers around their wrists. The elongated strap is secured to a golf club by a side arm and a golf tee. At least one problem with the Salini invention is that the golf tee may not provide a secure attachment for the golf club and the side arm. Another problem is the side arm appears to be in a fixed position, which may pull the elongated strap away from the golfer's wrist when a golfer swings the golf club thereby causing discomfort to the golfer. The fixed position of the side arm may also prevent the user from freely hinging the wrist on the backswing. Golf swing trainers that allow users to freely hinge their wrists vertically or up and down during the backswing are desired.

The applicant has invented a golf swing trainer that includes features that the applicant believes are not disclosed in the existing devices above. The applicant has invented a golf swing trainer that may be more effective in improving a golfer's swing than the existing golf training devices and may not suffer from at least some of the cited disadvantages of the existing golf training devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

A golf swing trainer comprising a golf club shaft configured to be held by a user and allows the user to execute a golf swing; and a training arm attached to the golf club shaft, the training arm being configured to be attached to the user's forearm, wherein when the user swings the golf club shaft, the user's forearm and the golf club shaft substantially fall in a single plane.

The above description sets forth, rather broadly, a summary of certain embodiments of the present invention so that the detailed description that follows may be better understood and contributions of the present invention to the art may be better appreciated. Some of the embodiments of the present invention may not include all of the features or characteristics listed in the above summary. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described below and will form the subject matter of claims. In this respect, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or as illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The applicant utilizes various spatially orienting terms, such as “top,” “bottom,” “proximal,” and “distal.” It is to be understood that these terms are used for ease of description of the preferred embodiments with respect to the drawings but are not necessarily in themselves limiting or requiring of an orientation as thereby described. For the sake of simplicity, the discussions herein assume the involvement, circumstances, and experiences of a right-handed golfer. This does not limit the use of the applicant's invention to right-handed golfers. The various embodiments of the applicant's invention may be used by both left and right-handed golfers.

The present invention comprises a golf swing trainer, generally indicated by reference number25. Golf swing trainer25preferably includes a forearm brace22, which preferably resembles a half-pipe having a substantially elliptical shaped cross-section23. The elliptical shaped cross-section23of the forearm brace22is preferably designed to accommodate a user's forearm. A training arm receiver24is preferably attached to the forearm brace22. A receiver mount28may be used to attach the training arm receiver24to the forearm brace22. The training arm receiver24may be a tubular structure having a hollow interior. The hollow interior of the training arm receiver24is preferably configured to receive a training arm26.

The training arm26may be attached to a golf club30. The golf club30may include a golf grip32, a shaft34, and a club head36. A club shaft extension38preferably attaches the golf club30to a hinge assembly40, which is connected to the training arm26. It is noted that, the golf club30may be replaced with any elongated structure, that may or may not be hollow and that may or may not have a cylindrical shape, such as a stick or a rod. Golf club30may not include the golf grip32and the club head36.

With reference now toFIGS. 2 and 3, forearm brace22preferably includes a strap42. Strap42preferably includes a strap fastener (not shown), which may be made of hook and loop fasteners, such as those sold under the trademark VELCRO, or other materials known the art. The strap42may be looped around a strap bar44, which may be a rod attached parallel to the body of the forearm brace22or perpendicular to the substantially elliptical shaped cross section23of the forearm brace22. A space may be provided in between the rod44and the forearm brace body to accommodate the insertion of the strap42. It is understood that the number, placements, and shapes of straps may vary and still fall within the scope of the invention. For instance, multiple straps may be provided (not shown).

Forearm brace22preferably includes a receiver mount28, which may be integral to the brace22. The receiver mount28and the forearm brace22may be manufactured from a single casting mold and with polymers known in the art. The receiver mount28preferably defines a recess that traverses the body of the receiver mount28in the direction that is preferably parallel to the substantially elliptical shaped cross section23of the forearm brace22.

The receiver mount28preferably includes a circular bearing29configured to be positioned within the confines of the receiver mount recess. The training arm receiver24is preferably inserted through the circular bearing29and the receiver mount recess. The training arm receiver24may include a circumferential protrusion31positioned substantially in between the training arm receiver ends. The circumferential protrusion31is preferably configured to be surrounded by the circular bearing29, which may act as a flange securing the training arm receiver24within the bearing29and within the receiver mount recess that holds the bearing29.

The training arm receiver24preferably includes a receiver recess33defined by the entire body of the receiver24. Stated differently, the training arm receiver24is preferably hollow and includes a tubular wall defining the receiver recess33. A training arm26is preferably configured to be inserted through the receiver recess33. The training arm26and the receiver recess33are preferably shaped to provide a sliding fit for the training arm26to slide within the receiver recess33.

The training arm26may be in a form of a tube, a shaft, a rod, or a stick, which may or may not be hollow. The training arm26may also be in a form of an extendable and retractable telescopic tube (not shown) that may be attached to the receiver24or directly to the brace body22. The sizes, shapes, and the locations of the training arm26and the training arm receiver24may be varied.

A hinge assembly40preferably attaches the training arm26to the club shaft extension38. The hinge assembly40may include a training arm end31and a golf club end35. Each end31and35preferably includes its corresponding pin head37aand37band end shaft39aand39b.The arm end31and the club end35are preferably joined by a pin41that is inserted through the pin heads37aand37b.The arm end31and the club end35are preferably moveably attached by the pin41, which may allow the club end35to pivot from a position where it forms a 90 degree angle relative to the arm end31to a position where it forms a 180 degree angle relative to the arm end31.

The club end35of the hinge assembly40preferably attaches to a club shaft extension38. The club shaft extension38may be made of a tubular material that may have a hollow interior. The club end35may be inserted through the hollow interior of the club shaft extension38, and the club shaft extension38may grip and fittingly hold the club end35. The club extension38may be sized to fit within the confines of a recess defined by the golf club shaft34. A portion of the golf club grip32may be used as a flange to hold the club shaft extension38. The club shaft extension38may include a circumferential protrusion43configured to be engaged by the confines of the shaft of the golf club. Based on the attachment of the training arm26and the golf club30to the hinge, it can be realized that the movement of the components of the hinge allows the golf club30to preferably hinge from a position where it forms a 90 degree angle relative to the training arm26to a position where it forms a 180 degree angle relative to the training arm26(FIG. 3) during the golf swing.

Referring now toFIG. 4, to promote the underlying golf swing principle discussed below, the golf swing trainer25preferably includes a golf club30having a club head36with a leading edge45. The leading edge45may define a leading edge axis45a.The training arm may define a centerline axis26a.The leading edge axis45aand the centerline axis26aare preferably parallel to each other. Note that the hinge assembly40is also preferably parallel to the leading edge of the golf club head45. The leading edge axis45aand the centerline axis26apreferably fall on a single plane. The hinge assembly40, whether permanently or temporarily affixed to the golf club shaft34, is preferably designed to operate such that the golf club30and the training arm26joined to the hinge assembly40move within the single plane. The training arm26and the hinge assembly40, once attached to the golf club shaft, will not be able to move out of the single plane. Stated differently, the hinge assembly40and the training arm26are preferably positioned to operate in alignment with the leading edge45of the golf club head36. With the hinge assembly40, training arm26and the leading edge45of the golf club head36having this orientation, an In-Line condition defined and described below can efficiently be promoted by the golf swing training device25.

ANOTHER EMBODIMENT

Referring now toFIG. 5, another embodiment of a golf swing trainer120is shown. Golf swing trainer120preferably includes a forearm brace122, which is preferably configured to be worn by a user and positioned on an area on the user's forearm that is proximate to the user's wrist. The forearm brace122preferably includes straps135aand135b,which allow the user to secure the forearm brace122on said location.

Forearm brace122preferably also includes a training arm receiver124. Receiver124is preferably a tubular structure having a hollow interior. Receiver124is preferably attached to the forearm brace122so that when the forearm brace122is worn by the user, the receiver124is in a position that is substantially below the ulna bone of the user and at least partially parallel to the forearm of the user. The hollow interior of the receiver124is preferably configured to receive training arm126, which is a part of the golf swing trainer120.

Training arm126may be in a form of a tube, a shaft, a rod, or a stick, which may or may not be hollow. Training arm126may also be in a form of an extendable and retractable telescopic tube (not shown) that may be attached directly to the brace body134. The sizes, shapes, or locations of the training arm126and receiver124may be varied. Training arm126is preferably configured to be inserted in the receiver124. A hinge assembly128is preferably attached to one end of the training arm126that is configured to be distal from the portion of the training arm126that is configured to go in the receiver124. A golf club shaft132is preferably attached to the hinge assembly128. Thus, training arm126and golf club shaft132are preferably attached through the hinge assembly128.

It is noted that, while in the preferred embodiment, the golf club shaft132is a conventional shaft of a conventional golf club, golf club shaft132may be replaced with any elongated structure, that may or may not be hollow and that may or may not have a cylindrical shape, such as a stick or a rod. Golf club shaft132may or may not include other components of a conventional golf club, such as a club head. In the preferred embodiment, the golf swing trainer120has a conventional golf club140, which preferably includes a golf grip142, a shaft132, and a club head (not shown inFIG. 5).

With reference now toFIG. 6, forearm brace122preferably includes a brace body134that resembles a half-pipe having an elliptical shaped cross-section. The elliptical shaped cross-section of the brace body134is preferably designed to accommodate the user's forearm. Also preferably attached to the brace body134is the receiver124. Receiver124is preferably shaped and sized to moveably fit training arm126(FIG. 5). Receiver124preferably does not exceed the length of a person's forearm. Receiver124is shown to preferably include a cylindrical or tubular shape. However, the shape or location of the receiver124may vary and still fall within the scope of the invention. Receiver124may be made separate from the brace body134or may be made from the same mold as the brace body134, if brace body134and receiver124were to be made of plastic or any other moldable material.

In the embodiment where receiver124is made separate from the brace body134, receiver124may be attached to the brace body134using adhesives known in the art, by sewing, or by other methods of attachment known in the art. A receiver jacket139may also be used to attach and hold the receiver124next to the brace body134. In the preferred embodiment, when forearm brace122is worn by the user, receiver124is preferably positioned substantially proximate to the area directly below the user's ulna bone and substantially in alignment with the user's ulna bone (FIG. 18).

Referring back toFIG. 6, forearm brace122may include a wrist block136. Wrist block136is preferably attached to an end of brace body134that is configured to be positioned substantially proximate to the user's hand. Wrist block136preferably has a shape that may substantially cover the area of the user's hand that is opposite the user's palm. The shape of the wrist block136may be varied so long as it can block the wrist from moving forward relative to the forearm. It can be appreciated that with the golf swing trainer122of the present invention, the user may move the wrist up and down relative to the arm, but the user may be substantially prohibited from moving the wrist towards the front of the arm.

Referring now toFIG. 7, hinge assembly128preferably includes an arm wing130that may be attached to the training arm126. Arm wing130preferably includes an insert portion131that may be positioned inside the training arm126. Arm wing130preferably further includes a head portion146, which is preferably positioned opposite to the insert portion131. Head portion146preferably defines an axle passage141.

Insert portion131may be glued within the interior of training arm126. Alternatively, insert portion131may be threaded, and the portion of the training arm126that is configured to receive the insert portion131may include a thread receiver to receive a threaded end of the insert portion131. A jam nut133may be provided to affix the insert portion131of the arm wing130within the training arm126and control the placement of the insert portion131within the training arm126.

Referring now toFIG. 8, hinge assembly128preferably also includes a golf club shaft wing146. Golf club shaft wing146is preferably comprised of a shaft wing insert portion153and a shaft wing jam nut155. Shaft wing insert portion153is preferably configured to be inserted through the interior of golf club shaft132preferably with the walls defining slot143parallel and in alignment with the leading edge45of the golf club head36. Shaft wing insert portion153is preferably threaded, and the interior of golf club shaft132preferably has thread receivers to hold the shaft wing insert portion153. Alternatively, shaft wing insert portion153may not be threaded and may be glued inside the golf club shaft132. Shaft wing jam nut155preferably provides a way to control the placement of the shaft wing insert portion153within the golf club shaft132.

Golf club shaft wing146preferably includes an arm wing head receiver149. Arm wing head receiver149preferably includes top and bottom surfaces (145and147, respectively) that define the second axle passage151. Arm wing head receiver149preferably includes substantially a slot143in between top surface145and bottom surface147. Slot143is preferably U-shaped and is preferably configured to receive a head portion146of arm wing130.

Referring now toFIG. 9, axle passage141and slot143may be aligned so that an axle127may be inserted through them to form the hinge assembly128. Hinge assembly128preferably allows the training arm wing130and the golf club shaft wing146to move at various angles relative to each other. Hinge assembly128preferably allows training arm126to pivot around the golf club140by at least 180 degrees.

Underlying Golf Swing Principle

Before describing the manner in which the golf swing trainer is used, it is beneficial to describe the underlying principle, which the golf swing trainer aims to promote. The golfer's anatomy and the golf club are connected to one another through the hands. The hands are the only part of the anatomy to touch the golf club during the golf swing. Therefore, it can be determined that the hands have the most influence and vital role in swinging the golf club properly.

Upon gripping the golf club correctly, the hands act as the connecting link or hinge between the golfer's anatomy and the golf club. It is the responsibility of the hands to hinge the golf club during the swing. More specifically, the left hand and wrist for a right-handed golfer is the primary hinge. The function of the left wrist is to hinge the golf club in a vertical or up and down fashion. It is undesirable for the left wrist to bend sideways during the swing, as shown inFIGS. 16 and 17. This is especially true when the golf club makes contact with the golf ball.

The contact point of the golf ball will be hereinafter referred to as “impact.” A neutral or flat left wrist is a desirable position for the left hand to be in at impact (FIG. 15). The term neutral is defined as a natural or unaltered hand in relation to the forearm. For some, this may appear as a slightly angled back of the left hand in relation to the forearm and for others, a relatively parallel back of the left hand to the forearm (FIG. 15).

The impact position of the golf swing is often referred to as the “moment of truth”. It is the most critical position of the golf swing. The golf club contacts the ball and remains in contact for a mere ¾ of an inch before separating from one another. It is imperative that the golf club be in a “square” position at this point in the swing in order for the ball to travel straight toward its intended target. The golf club is said to be “square” at impact when the bottom or leading edge is perpendicular to the target line. The target line is an imaginary lineFIG. 13adrawn from the ball to its intended target before impact.

It is ideal for the golf club to be in a straight line with the left arm at impact. At any point during the golf swing, an “In-Line Condition” exists when the golf club shaft is in a straight line relative to the golfers left arm. When the golf club is in a straight line with the left arm at impact, it will most often result in a neutral or flat left wrist position and “square” clubface as shown as14ainFIG. 14. On the contrary, a bent left wrist at impact will produce an out of line condition and most likely an “open” or “closed” clubface. An “open” clubface is one where the leading edge of the golf club is angled to the right of the intended target and “closed” would be angled to the left. These undesirable clubface positions would result in the ball traveling to the right and left respectively of its intended target and most likely contribute to a high score.

Since the ideal impact position is one where the golf club is in a straight line with the left arm at impact, it would be highly advantageous for the golfer to train themselves to establish and maintain this In-Line Condition throughout the majority of the swing. The golf club will then become an extension of the left arm with the left wrist acting as the connecting link, maintaining its neutral position, and hinging the golf club in a vertical manner.

The correct hinging and unhinging of the left wrist is a critical factor for maximizing the compression of the golf ball at impact. When the left wrist unhinges precisely at the bottom of the arc, maximum compression can occur. When the left wrist unhinges fully and in-line with the left arm, it becomes somewhat arched. This arching of the wrist cannot occur if the left hand is bent forward or out of line with the left arm. When the wrist is in this unhinged or arched position, it is most likely for the back of the left hand to be relatively flat to the forearm. It is desirable that the left wrist be in this flat position upon impact with the golf ball. The inventor has created a device, which will educate a golfer to swing the golf club correctly in this manner.

Manner of Use

With reference toFIG. 10, the user may wear the forearm brace122by introducing the user's forearm inside the half-pipe structure of the forearm brace122, positioning the wrist block136in front of the user's hand, positioning the receiver124substantially close to and below the user's ulna bone (FIG. 18), wrapping the straps135aand135baround the user's arm, and securing straps135aand135bto their corresponding fasteners. The user may then insert the training arm126through the receiver124, grasp the golf club140, and assume a grip position (FIG. 11). It is noted that the training arm126may slide forward towards the user's wrist when the user assumes the grip position inFIG. 11.

Referring now toFIG. 12, the user may perform a golf backswing with the golf swing trainer120. It can be appreciated that the in-line condition is observed from the beginning of the swing. The golfer's arm, the shaft, and the leading edge of the club can be observed as being in a single plane. The In-line condition is formed between the golfer's left arm and the club shaft. The golfer's left arm can be further and more specifically defined with reference to the ulna bone. Keeping the golf club in-line with the ulna bone of the golfer's left arm at the beginning of the swing promotes a proper “one-piece takeaway.”

Referring now toFIG. 13, it can be appreciated that the golf swing trainer120preserves the in-line condition at the mid-way point of the backswing. The golfer's left arm has titled or rotated clockwise in response and corresponding to the angular momentum generated by the swinging of the golf club head on an inclined plane. The wrists are considered to be “hinged” to approximately 90 degrees. This up and down or vertical hinging of the wrist does not compromise the in-line condition because the golf club shaft has titled clockwise an amount equal to the forearm rotation. The golf club shaft is said to be “on plane” because the shaft points to the target line and intersects the golfer's right shoulder. Note the golf club leading edge13ais square to this plane also. Thus, it can be determined that the terms “in-line” and “on-plane” are synonymous. The construction of the golf swing trainer120ensures that when the user swings the golf club, the shaft tilt, regardless of the amount, will result in an equal rate of forearm tilt or rotation. It can be determined that the swing trainer promotes the correct degree of forearm rotation at various points during the swing.

Referring now toFIG. 14, the golfer is shown wearing the golf swing trainer120at the impact position of the swing. The shaft of the golf club is in-line with the ulna bone area of the golfer's left arm. The left wrist is considered “unhinged” in this position creating the flat condition described earlier. Thus, it can be appreciated that the golf swing training device of the present invention aids the golfer to achieve this ideal position at impact. It can be determined that when the golfer hinges and unhinges the golf club shaft in-line with the left arm, it produces a neutral to flat left wrist position respectively.

It can also be appreciated that the golf swing trainer prevents a bowed left wrist position as shown inFIG. 16. This undesirable left wrist position would likely lead to an incorrect closed position of the golf club head. A closed club head is defined as a fundamentally incorrect position where the leading edge of the club head would be rotated counterclockwise from the desired square position at any point during the golf swing. This position is avoided with the user wearing the golf swing trainer because it would not allow the training arm to be out of line with the ulna bone as shown inFIG. 16.

It can further be appreciated that the golf swing trainer prevents a cupped left wrist position as shown inFIG. 17. This undesirable left wrist position would likely lead to an incorrect open position of the golf club head. An open club head is defined as a fundamentally incorrect position where the leading edge of the club head would be rotated clockwise from the desired square position at any point during the golf swing. This position is avoided with the user wearing the golf swing trainer because it would not allow the training arm to be out of line with the ulna bone as shown inFIG. 17.

It can further be realized that the golf swing training device20reveals the simplicity of the proper swing. The golf swing training device20helps the user feel the harmony of a proper swing. The user will most likely achieve correct square position at impact with the golf swing trainer20, as the correct inclined plane is observed on the backswing and as the golf club shaft and the forearm are kept in substantially the same plane on the backswing.

On the downswing and follow through, the user may appreciate that the golf swing trainer20helps promote using golf club as an extension of the left arm. The golf swing trainer20may be used to teach users to unhinge the wrist properly on the downswing and keep the wrist flat at impact. The golf swing trainer20may be used to get the user accustomed to swinging the golf club shaft132that is in the same plane as the forearm.

Thus, it can now be realized that certain embodiments of the present invention provide a golf swing trainer that is effective in educating users how to: establish and maintain an in-line condition throughout the majority of the golf swing by maintaining a constant relationship between the ulna bone area of the golfer's forearm and the golf club shaft; promote the proper degree of forearm rotation during the swing; execute a one-piece take away, how to keep the golf club shaft on plane and square golf club head during the entire swing; maintain proper club head path; achieve consistent impact position and square club head at impact; and, how to hinge the wrist correctly during the swing. The golf swing trainer teaches the user how to execute a swing with a smooth athletic motion. Certain embodiments of the invention provide a swing trainer that trains the golfer's left wrist to be in a neutral to flat position and makes it difficult or uncomfortable to be otherwise.

Certain embodiments of the present invention, along with its construction, have preventive benefits. The golf swing training device prevents the golf club shaft from getting out of line with the ulna bone area of the golfer's left arm throughout the majority of the golf swing which would cause the golf club to veer of the proper plane. It prevents golfers from developing fundamentally incorrect habits of “cupping” or “bowing” the left wrist which can lead to numerous detrimental errors and will often lead to a higher score. It prevents the golf club head from getting into an incorrect “open” or “closed” position at any point during the swing which would result in inaccurate shots to the right and left respectively.

Certain embodiments also provide a golf swing trainer that is easy to use and easy to store. Certain embodiments further provide a golf swing trainer that is easy to manufacture. It can further be appreciated that certain embodiments provide a trainer that may be installed with existing golf clubs of users.

Although the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For instance, the sizes, materials, and placements of straps around the brace may vary. The sizes, shapes, locations, and the materials of the training arm, the hinge assembly, and the receiver may vary. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the examples given.