Golf club face alignment training aid

A golf swing training aid with a target-line guide, a rail, a clubface guide and an upright assembly. The target-line guide provides a straight line for aiming at a target. The rail runs parallel to the target-line guide and has a bottom for placing on a golfing surface. The clubface guide is perpendicular to the target-line guide and provides a straight line for a clubface of a golf club to parallel with when the golfer sets up or when the clubface passes over, under or through the clubface guide when a golfer swings the golf club. The upright assembly is attached to the rail and is constrained along a straight line on the rail, where the straight line is parallel to the target-line guide and where the upright assembly provides the clubface guide. The target-line and clubface guide can be a rod, a string, a series of laser dots, or a laser line.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a golf training aid and, more particularly, to a golf training aid that provides a target-line guide and a clubface guide for a golfer to use while practicing their golf swing to align their swing and clubface to the target line and improve their golf swing and alignment.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

A consistent problem for golfers learning to play is poor alignment of the clubface when they set up to hit a golf ball. Aiming the clubface in the right direction is very important for a golfer to control the direction of the golf ball. Studies have shown that the direction of the clubface determines 85% of the starting direction of the golf ball. Current practice tools often provide an artificial surface such as a mat or a hitting board, but what is preferred and most beneficial is to practice on a real grass golfing surface.

A need exists for a golf training aid that helps a golfer learn to align the clubface to be perpendicular to the target-line and allows the golfer to practice on a real grass golf surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a golf training aid is disclosed that provides a target-line and clubface guide to help a golfer learn to improve the alignment of the clubface in the set up and during their swing. The golf training aid includes a target-line guide, a rail, an upright assembly and a clubface guide. The target-line guide provides a straight line for aiming at a golf target. The rail runs parallel to the target-line guide and has a bottom for placing on a golfing surface. The upright assembly is attached to the rail and is constrained along a straight line on the rail, where the straight line is attached to the rail and is parallel to the target-line guide and where the upright assembly provides the clubface guide. The clubface guide is perpendicular to the target-line guide and provides a straight line for the clubface to be parallel to in the golfer's set up and during the swing when the clubface passes over, passes under or passes through the clubface guide. The target-line guide can be a target-line rod, a small rod, a target-line string, a series of laser dots or a laser line. The clubface guide can be a rod, a series of laser dots, or a laser line.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The following discussion of the embodiments of the invention directed to a system for improving the swing and alignment of a golfer is merely exemplary, and is not intended to limit the invention or its applications or uses. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the specification and drawings.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a golf training setup28showing a golf training aid30in use with a golf club42and a golf ball44. The golf training aid30includes a target-line rod32extending forward attached to a large clip34that is attached to parallel rods36extending rearward. An upright assembly38slides along the parallel rods36. The parallel rods36make up a rail that attaches on the other end to a small clip40, where the parallel rods36and the target line rod32are about forty-eight inches long and 0.4 inches in diameter.

FIG. 2is a perspective view of the upright assembly38from the golf training aid30that has a rolling base46, a vertical pole48and a horizontal rod50. Attached to the rolling base46is the vertical pole48that extends up about eight inches and at the top has the horizontal rod50that extends away from the vertical pole48and away from the parallel rods36by about eight inches.

FIG. 3is a top view of the golf training setup28that shows how the clubface52of the golf club42is aligned with the straight edge of the horizontal rod50. When a golfer practices their swing, the horizontal rod50provides a straight edge and serves as a clubface guide, also known as the clubface alignment guide or clubface guideline. When the golfer practices their swing and the clubface52passes under the horizontal rod50the clubface52should be parallel to the horizontal rod50, in this way the horizontal rod50serves as a clubface guide. The horizontal rod50can be adjustable so it can appear to the golfer to be above the golf club42, but also not hitting or interfering with the golf swing. The horizontal rod50could be adjusted by attaching to the vertical pole48so it can extend and retract to enable the horizontal rod50to be above the swinging clubface52(from the perspective of the golfer) but not interfering with the golf club42during the swing. An alternative would be to allow the horizontal rod50to rotate up and down so the golfer can position the horizontal rod50to be visually above the clubface guide but not hitting the golf club42when the golfer swings. In addition, the golfer can align the golf ball44with the target-line rod32. InFIG. 3, the target-line rod32aligns with the golf ball44when viewed from above.

The large clip34has a series of slots54a,54b,54c,54d,54e,54f,54gand54hwith the slots spaced two inches apart. In use when a golfer is practicing hitting with a driver type golf club, the parallel rods36would attach to the two slots54aand54bon the end of the large clip34. The target-line rod32would attach in the next slot54cof the large clip34and be pointed at the target such that the target-line rod32indicates the target-line and provides the target-line guide, also known as the target-line alignment guide or target-line guideline. The golfer would place the golf ball44in-line with the target-line rod32as discussed above. The rear edge of the golf ball44can be visibly touching the horizontal rod50so that the horizontal rod50serves as a clubface guide (a reference feature that the clubface52should parallel) to align the swinging clubface52with when viewed from the golfer's perspective. The golfer's feet should form a line parallel to the rail, this line is also known as a foot line. With the golfer positioning the feet in parallel with the rail and the ball is in-line with the target-line rod, the golfer can minimize the error coming from their foot-line, and can reasonably assume any error in the line the ball takes to be related primarily to clubface misalignment. When the golfer hits the golf ball44he can try and ensure that the golf ball44goes straight over the target-line rod32, or another person acting as an observer could provide feedback if the golf ball44traveled over the target-line rod32.

In practice, the golfer can start by positioning the upright assembly38on the parallel rods36near the large clip34and the golfer would practice swinging in this location until the golfing surface was damaged, for example, with a divot. Then the golfer would move the upright assembly38back away from the large clip34to place the golf ball44on a fresh golfing surface. This process would repeat until the upright assembly38was at the end of the parallel rods36, near the small clip40.

Next, the golfer could move the target-line rod32to the next slot54d, which is further away from the parallel rods36. Again, the golfer would align the target-line rod32to the target to form the target-line guide. Then the golfer can repeat repositioning of the upright assembly38, first starting near the large clip34, and again repeatedly moving away from the large clip34to position the golf ball44on a good golfing surface. The golfer can continue repositioning the target-line rod32through the slots54e,54f,54gand54huntil there are no more slots in the large clip34.

In addition, the skill of the golfer can influence the slot in which the golfer places the target-line rod32. An experienced golfer may prefer to place the target-line rod32closer to the parallel rods36so they can use the parallel rods36as a target-line guide that their swing should parallel when hitting the golf ball44. A beginner golfer may prefer to place the target-line rod32further away from the parallel rods36because their swing is not as consistent and being further away helps ensure they avoid hitting the golf training aid30.

The training setup28shows the golf training aid30setup for a right handed golfer, but the golf training aid30can also be configured for a left handed golfer by switching the two parallel rods36to slot54gand54hand rotating the upright assembly38by 180° when viewed from above. Similarly, the golf training aids described below can also be configured for left or right handed golfers.

FIG. 4is a perspective view andFIG. 5is a side view of the small clip40. The small clip40has two parallel slots54that the parallel rods36can fit into snugly.

FIG. 6is a perspective view andFIG. 7is a side view of a large clip34b. The large clip34bhas five parallel slots54that the rods (either the target-line rod32or the parallel rods36) can fit in snuggly.

FIG. 8is a perspective view of a training set-up58that shows using a golf training aid60where like elements to the training setup28are identified with the same reference numbers. The golf training aid60is similar to the golf training aid30with the exceptions that the large clip34breplaces the large clip34and the upright assembly38breplaces the upright assembly38. The golf training aid60includes an upright assembly38bthat has a sliding base46battached to the parallel rods36. Extending up from the sliding base46bis the vertical pole48with a horizontal rod62attached at the top with a hole64holding a small target-line rod66. The small target-line rod66runs parallel to or in line with the target-line rod32and provides a second target-line guide. On the golf training aid60the horizontal rod62serves as a clubface guide that the clubface52should parallel and the small target-line rod66serves as the target-line guide that the golf club swing should parallel when connecting with the golf ball44.

FIG. 9is a side view of the upright assembly38bfrom the golf training aid60. The horizontal rod62has the small target rod66extending out of the page. The small target rod66is shown in the hole64, but it could also be placed in one of the other holes64bor64c, where the holes64bor64care spaced two inches apart and can be aligned with the slots54in the large clip34bfrom the golfer's perspective. In addition, the horizontal rod62could be adjustable where it connects to the vertical pole48as described above so the small target rod66aligns to the golf ball44from the golfer's perspective.

FIGS. 10,11aand11bshow different options for the base of the upright assembly. Specifically,FIG. 10is a perspective view of the wheeled base46, where the wheels80can roll along and help grasp the parallel rods36.FIG. 11ais a side view of the base46bthat shows how the base46bcan have clips82that wrap around more than 50% of the circumference of the parallel rods36so the base will remain attached while the upright assembly slides to a new position on the parallel rods36.FIG. 11ais a side view of a base46cthat illustrates how the clips84can be shallower and thus makes it easier to slide and reposition an upright assembly.

FIG. 12is a perspective view of a golf training setup98that uses a golf training aid100with a putter42pand the golf ball44where like elements to the training aid60are identified with the same reference numbers. The golf training aid100is well suited for practicing and improving alignment of the putting stroke. The golf training aid100is similar to the golf training aid60with the exceptions that it lacks the target-line rod32and the large clip34bextends away from horizontal rod62. This configuration enables the golfer to use the golf training aid100for putting practice since the large clip34bdoes not block the travel of the golf ball44.

FIG. 13is a top view of the training set-up98, where the small target-line rod66aligns with the center of the golf ball44to serve as the target-line guide and the horizontal rod62serves as the clubface guide for the putting clubface52p. In practice, a golfer could look down on the golf ball44and adjust their position to align the small target rod62with the center of the golf ball44, where the small target rod62serves as a target-line guide that the swing of the putting club42pshould parallel. In addition, the golfer would strive to have the clubface52pparallel the horizontal rod62in the set up before the golfer swings and when the clubface52phits the golf ball44.

FIG. 14is a perspective view andFIG. 15is a top view of a training setup108that includes a golf training aid110where like elements to golf training aid30are identified with the same reference numbers. The golf training aid110is particularly suited for practicing and improving the alignment of the clubface52pand the putting stroke of a golfer. The golf training aid110has the large clip34with a front vertical pole112L extending up with a front horizontal rod114L at the top extending away from the parallel rods36that connect the large clip34to the small clip40. Similarly, extending up from the small clip40is a rear vertical pole112S with a rear horizontal rod114S at the top that extends away from the parallel rods36. Extending from the ends of the front horizontal rod114S and the rear horizontal rod114L is a string116that parallels the parallel rods36. An upright assembly38moves along the parallel rods36and has a horizontal rod62positioned slightly above the target-line string116.

FIG. 15is a top view of the training setup108that shows how the target-line string116and the horizontal rod62serve as guides. The target-line string116forms the target-line guide that indicates the path the swing of the clubface52pshould parallel when the golfer putts. The horizontal rod62serves as a clubface guide that the clubface52pshould be parallel to in the set up and when the clubface52pcontacts the golf ball44.

FIG. 16is a perspective view andFIG. 17is a second perspective view from above of a training setup128where like elements to the training setup98are identified with the same reference numbers. The training setup128has a golf training aid130that has an upright assembly38dwith a “T” shaped light projector136that projects the alignment guides on the golfing surface. The “T” projector136can be seventeen inches above the golf surface. The “T” projector136can project bright dots onto the golfing surface to provide the alignment guides. More specifically the dots that make the “T” up-down stroke132provide a target-line guide and the dots on the “T” top-bar134provide a clubface guide.FIG. 16shows the “T” up-down stroke132with five dots of lights and the “T” top-bar134with three dots of light. A space can exist between the top of the “T” up-down stroke132and the “T” top-bar134for the golf ball44to reside. A laser or multiple lasers72can create the dots of light. For example, each dot of light can be generated by separate individual lasers held together in the “T” shape holder, this way the dots are their brightest, which helps enable the golf training aid130to be used in daylight. The golf training aid130has the “T” projector136projecting light straight down and parallel to make the set of dots of light the same size as the “T” projector136. Another option would be to have the laser lines not parallel but rather splayed to project onto the golfing surface a “T” that is significantly bigger than the “T” projector136making the up down stroke of the “T”132longer extending the target-line even farther in front of the golfer.

In practice, a golfer can align the training aid130using the “T” up-down stroke132as the target-line to aim at the golf target or they could use the long edge of the “T” projector136to aim the golf training aid130. Once aligned to the golf target, the “T” up-down stroke132can be in front of the golf ball44to check that the golfer hit the golf ball44in the direction of the “T” up-down stroke132. Another option would be to have the “T” up-down stroke132behind the golf ball44to ensure the swing is straight in practice and approach for the actual hit. The “T” top-bar laser projection can appear on the clubface when the club passes through the light projections and can provide feedback to the golfer about the alignment of the clubface to the clubface guide.

FIG. 18is a perspective view andFIG. 19is a top view of a training setup138where like elements to the training setup128are identified with the same reference numbers. The training setup138has a golf training aid140where the “T” projector136is angled away from the golf training aid140so the guides appear on the golf surface to the side of the golf training aid140. With this configuration, the view of the golfer is unencumbered by the golf training aid140. The golf training aid140has an upright assembly38eincluding a horizontal rod62bwith a flat surface in the vertical direction.

FIG. 20is a left side view of the horizontal rod62bshowing an angled cut out144that holds the “T” projector136at a 45° angle and projects the guides away from the golf training aid140. The horizontal rod62bhas a second cut-out that is a vertical cut-out142to position the “T” projector136in the vertical direction so that the dots would be projected straight down and appear directly below the “T” shaped laser projector, similar to golf training aid130.

Another possibility for attaching the “T” shaped projector136is a mechanism that would allow the golfer to adjust the angle that the projector projects away from the golf training aid140. The attachment mechanism could be a pivotal assembly that either allows the “T” projector136to ratchet to specific angles or clamp into an appropriate angle selected by the golfer, or any other means that would enable the “T” projector136to be held at a selectable angle. Similarly, a golf training aid embodiment could use a mirror to project the laser lights away from the golf training aid embodiment.

FIG. 21is a perspective view of a training setup158where like elements to the training setup128are identified with the same reference numbers. The training setup158has a golf training aid160that includes an upright assembly38fthat moves along a rail162. At the top of the upright assembly38fis a plus projector164that projects a plus sign on the golf surface on which the golf ball44rests. The plus projector164can use one or more lasers along with movement, e.g. movement of a mirror or other optical equipment, to provide the appearance of a continuous line on the golfing surface. The swing of the putter42pshould follow plus-sign vertical line132b, which provides the target-line guide. The clubface52pshould parallel to the plus-sign horizontal line134b, which provides the clubface alignment guide.

FIG. 22provides a close-up perspective view of the upright assembly38fthat has a base166with the vertical pole48bextending up and a horizontal rod62battached at the top with a plus laser projector164on the end. In the base166are batteries and their electricity is provided to the plus laser projector164via a wire168. The base166connects to the rail162with bearings that contact the “V” shape170of the rail162. By having the batteries in the base166more weight is closer to the golf surface and the plus projector164is lighter weight which makes the upright assembly38fmore stable.

An additional element that an embodiment of the golf training aid could include is a reflective surface70, such as a mirror, seeFIG. 16. The reflective surface70could be approximately six inches wide by twenty-four inches long and would be placed or attached in parallel to the rail. In practice, the golfer would align their feet to the edge of the reflective surface70where the golfer uses the reflective surface70to square their shoulders to the target-line.

Although this specification shows the upright assembly as composed of three parts, that is not a requirement of the upright assembly. The drawings show a number of upright assemblies constructed with a base, a vertical pole and a horizontal rod, but an upright assembly can be constructed in many ways so long as it provides alignment guides either for the target-line, clubface or both the target-line and clubface guides. The upright assembly could be a single member extending at an angle from the base, or it could have a curved member or any other shape or device that can provide a guide.

Although, this specification describes the base as sliding on the rail this description does not require surfaces to be sliding past each other. The sliding movement could involve wheels or ball bearings where no surfaces are in sliding contact. In addition, the sliding movement could involve lifting the base from the rail and placing it at a different location on the rail.

The golf alignment training aids described above allows a golfer to take practice swings and then reposition the guides while keeping the alignment of the target-line. The golfer can move the upright assembly to a new position when they create divots, so this embodiment holds the advantage of keeping the alignment so the golfer can work on getting the ball on the target even if the swings damage the golfing surface.

The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion and from the accompanying drawings and claims that various changes, modifications, combinations and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Give all terms used in the claims their broadest reasonable construction and their ordinary meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. Use of the singular articles such as “a”, “the”, “said”, etc. should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements.