Golf training device

A training device for a golfer, comprising: PA1 a platform for the golfer to stand on; and PA1 an upright having a footing mounted near an edge of said platform, said upright having an upper arm extending laterally a predetermined distance from said upright and a stationary upper rest mounted distally on said upper arm to over-hang said footing and provide foot clearance underneath said upper arm for said predetermined distance inwardly over said platform from said upright, and hip clearance to allow unrestricted hip rotation in either direction, said upper rest being sized and positioned to laterally engage a leg of said golfer, said upright having means for adjusting height for said upper rest from approximately below knee level to mid-thigh level for said golfer, so that a golfer standing with a leg engaging said rest will tend to avoid swaying during a golf swing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a training device for golfers, and in 
particular, to a device designed to prevent undesirable hip and body 
swaying during the swing of a golf club. 
2. Description of Related Art 
A correct golf swing requires meticulous attention to timing, coordination 
and the positioning of the body of the golfer. One difficulty in 
perfecting a golf swing is the tendency for the body of the golfer to sway 
during the back swing and swing. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,197,739 attempts to signal swaying with an upright wand. 
Excessive sway during the back swing will cause the hip of the golfer to 
touch and deflect this upright wand. A disadvantage with this device is 
the fact that only extreme swaying will be detected. With feet planted 
shoulder width apart and even with one foot planted next to the base of 
the upright wand, the golfer's hip will normally be spaced from the 
upright wand, except for the most extreme swaying. 
Moreover, since this upright wand deflects, the golfer is never forced to 
stay in a correct position and may never experience the feel of a proper 
swing. In addition, this training device has a very small platform which 
keeps one foot at a different elevation than the other, which further 
detracts from feeling a proper swing. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,186 shows a horizontal, U-shaped frame supporting a 
relatively short, upright dowel. The golfer can sense unacceptable swaying 
when a leg touches the upright dowel. As before, the simple upright dowel 
will only produce a sensation for extreme swaying. Also, the golfer cannot 
stand on the U-shaped frame and therefore the upright dowel will deflect 
and lift the frame when the golfer leans against the dowel. Thus, this 
upright will still not prevent the golfer from swinging with excessive 
sway. 
British complete specification 1,440,215 shows a pair of leg rests mounted 
on a tripod that guides rather complicated motions. This complicated 
structure is impractical as a training guide for preventing swaying. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,940,144 shows stretch cords that connect around a golfer's 
legs to improve the swing. This device, however, will not prevent swaying. 
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,224,709 and 5,362,060 show apparatus that are placed at 
the feet of the golfer but do not interact with the golfer's body. 
Accordingly, there is a need for a simple device for training a golfer to 
avoid swaying, without experiencing the disadvantages of the prior art. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with the illustrative embodiments demonstrating features and 
advantages of the present invention, there is provided a training device 
for a golfer, including a platform, and an upright. The upright has a 
footing mounted on the platform. The upright also has an upper rest 
overhanging the footing to provide foot clearance underneath the upper 
rest. The upper rest is sized and positioned to laterally engage a leg of 
the golfer. Thus, a golfer standing with a leg engaging the rest will tend 
to avoid swaying during a golf swing. 
By employing apparatus of the foregoing type, an improved golf training 
device is achieved. In a preferred embodiment the upright can have a 
L-shaped upper arm that overhangs the footing of the upright. Thus there 
is clearance below the upright arm, allowing the golfer's feet to spread 
below the upper arm. This clearance is helpful since a golfer's stance can 
be relatively wide. Therefore, the leg engaging the upper arm can be at a 
comfortable angle, slanting under the upper arm. 
In a preferred embodiment, the upright can have an upper arm telescopically 
fitted inside a post. Being telescopically mounted, the elevation of the 
upper arm can be adjusted by sliding the arm inside the post. Bolts, pins 
or the like can be used to hold the upper arm in one of various selectable 
positions. Also, while the upright post and upper arm are normally mounted 
on the platform, they can be detached for easy storage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to FIG. 1, a training device is shown as an upright having an 
upright post 10 and an upper arm 12. Post 10 is a C-shaped channel that is 
preferably 19.5 inches (49.5 cm) tall, although other heights can be used, 
depending upon the expected size of the golfer, the desired range of 
adjustment, etc. 
The footing of post 10 is shown as a rectangular steel plate 14 welded to 
the bottom post 10. In some embodiments, plate 14 is eliminated and the 
footing end of upright post 10 is connected directly to platform 22. Plate 
14 extends inwardly and is reinforced by vertical, triangular gusset 
plates 16. 
Support plate 14 has a pair of holes 18 designed to receive threaded studs 
20. Studs 20 are shown affixed to a steel platform 22. Platform 22 is 
preferably 4 feet (1.2 meters) long and 2 feet (0.6 meter) wide, although 
the platform can be dimensioned differently depending upon the space 
requirements, the size and expected stance of the golfer, etc. 
Upper arm 12 is shown as a one inch (2.5 cm) square tube, bent at right 
angles to form an L-shaped upper arm. In some embodiments, the bend angle 
and the size of the tube can be altered depending upon the expected 
environment. In the preferred embodiment, the vertical branch 12A of arm 
12 is 17 inches (43.2 cm) long while the horizontal, cantilevered branch 
12B is 9.5 inches (24 cm) long. 
The distal end of branch 12B of upper arm 12 is fitted with an upper rest 
24 having a distal concave surface. In this embodiment, rest 24 has a 
shape similar to a shoulder rest for a crutch, although other shapes are 
contemplated. Instead of extending horizontally, in other embodiments the 
rest can be a taller, semi-cylindrical structure, or have a pillow-like 
shape. While the illustrated rest 24 is formed from a soft molded plastic, 
in other embodiments different materials can be used instead. Also, rest 
24 can have an additional outer layer of padding made of such materials as 
foam, cloth, an elastomer, etc. 
While upper arm 12 is shown spaced from post 10 in FIG. 1, branch 12A is 
designed to telescopically slide within upright post 10. To fix upper arm 
12 at different selectable elevations, arm 12 has a plurality of 
selectable bolt holes 26. Each of the bolt holes 26 has an opposing mating 
hole (hidden in this view), both sized to allow a bolt to pass completely 
through branch 12A. 
To hold arm 12 at the selectable elevations in post 10 a locking device is 
used. In this embodiment the locking device is in the form of a bolt 28 
sized to pass through locking hole 30 in the web of post channel 10, and 
through one of the holes 26 in branch 12A. Thereafter bolt 28 can be 
secured in place with washer 31 and nut 32. 
One of the holes 26 will be selected based upon the desired elevation of 
arm 12 and upper rest 24. Preferably, upper rest 24 of upper arm 12 will 
be elevated to engage leg L of the golfer (FIG. 3) just above the knee. 
The above-the-knee position provides good feedback on the amount of 
swaying by the golfer. A lower elevation will allow the golfer greater 
freedom of movement, but less feedback in response to swaying. 
Nevertheless, a golfer just beginning to use the illustrated training 
device may prefer the reduced sensitivity, only later raising arm 12 to 
increase sensitivity. The preferred adjustment range is from below the 
knee to mid-thigh, but may cover a different range depending upon the 
preferences of the golfer, the expected size of the golfer, the desired 
sensitivity, weight, structural rigidity, etc. 
In use, the golfer will stand as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 with feet 
shoulder width apart (or at different spacings depending upon the club 
being used). The foot F closest to upper rest 24 will actually be planted 
below the rest. Accordingly, the cantilevered orientation of branch 12B 
allows significant foot clearance underneath arm 12. This allows a golfer 
to take a comfortable and correct stance during the swing. 
As the golfer takes a back swing as illustrated in FIG. 3, back leg L will 
comfortably engage upper rest 24, above the knee. If the golfer starts to 
sway improperly, the golfer will notice leg L bearing heavily against rest 
24. This unusual pressure clearly signals the outset of improper swaying. 
Significantly, the illustrated device will prevent the golfer from swaying 
any significant amount. Thus the golfer is forced to swing without swaying 
and will immediately experience the feeling of a proper swing without 
swaying. 
When the golfer is done with the training device upright 10 will be 
detached from the threaded studs 20 to allow the device to lay flat for 
storage. 
It is to be appreciated that various modifications may be implemented with 
respect to the above described, preferred embodiments. While the 
illustrated upright has a rectangular cross-section, in other embodiments 
the cross-section can be round, oval, polygonal or other shapes. Also the 
upright elements can be solid. Furthermore, while steel components are 
preferred, in other embodiments various metals, such as aluminium, wood, 
plastic or other materials can be used instead. While a panel-like 
platform is illustrated, in other embodiments the platform can be a 
different type of frame or can include means for fixing the upright to a 
floor or the ground, by staking or otherwise. Instead of an L-shaped upper 
arm, other embodiments may employ an upright that is tilted from vertical 
to allow clearance below the uppermost end of the upright. The angle 
chosen will depend upon the desired amount of clearance under the upright. 
Also, the means for setting the elevation for the upright can include 
threaded telescopic parts, spring loaded ball detents, blocks or shims of 
various heights that can be mounted at the footing of the upright, and the 
like. 
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are 
possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood 
that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be 
practiced otherwise than as specifically described.