Golf club handle training aid

A golf aid is provided. The golf aid includes a golf club handle having a grip. The grip may include a pattern. The pattern includes at least an upper diamond and a lower diamond. The upper diamond includes a plurality of small upper diamonds forming the upper diamond. The lower diamond includes a plurality of small lower diamonds forming the lower diamond.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a training aid and, more particularly, to a golf club handle pattern training aid.

The correct method of gripping the golf club is not completely understood. If even one component of the grip is flawed the golf swing becomes erratic. The exact mechanism of the backswing and downswing, and the relationships of the biomechanical components and the sequence behind the swing mechanism is not well understood. This is the primary reason that players of all levels have difficulty maintaining consistency and performing to the best of their abilities. Although the concept of swing plane is well known, there is no method currently available that provide golfers with definite reference points to ensure integrity of the plane. They are forced to rely on a second set of eyes or video analysis to detect faults. This is inconvenient and does not allow real-time feedback that the golfer needs.

Current grip patterns are limited and vague and cannot offer the golfer a guide for the entire golf swing. They do not provide guidelines for set-up and ball position. They do not help players with strong and weak grips. Current solutions do not help the golfer to form the mechanically sound grip that is needed for the ideal swing. They do not provide the golfer landmarks that help keep the club in plane throughout the swing. Since the swing plane is three-dimensional and swing occurs in time, it is a four-dimensional entity and therefore needs five co-ordinates that should be available to the golfer. The ideal grip pattern will therefore need to be capable of ensuring the correct grip while providing five co-ordinates for the swing.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved grip pattern that helps a golfer obtain a proper swing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a golfing aid comprises: a golf club handle comprising a grip; a pattern disposed on the grip, wherein the pattern comprises at least an upper diamond and a lower diamond, wherein the upper diamond comprises four small upper diamonds forming the upper diamond and intersecting at a center of the upper diamond, and the lower diamond comprises four small lower diamonds forming the lower diamond, and intersecting at a center of the lower diamond.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a pattern imprinted on golf grips to enable the ideal grip technique and ideal golf swing. Current grip patterns are vague and inaccurate. The pattern of the present invention is based on a complete understanding of the entire swing mechanism which is an emergent phenomenon. Once understood and the elements brought together in the correct relationship and sequence, the present invention becomes self-organizing as most emergent phenomena do. The grip pattern of the present invention is comprehensive, customized to the golfers exact hand size and allows full understanding and execution of the correct grip and swing while providing five co-ordinates for the swing.

Referring toFIGS. 1 through 9, the present invention includes a golf aid. The golf aid includes a golf club handle10having a grip. The grip may include a pattern12. The pattern includes at least an upper diamond26and a lower diamond26. The upper diamond26includes a plurality of small upper diamonds30forming the upper diamond26. The lower diamond28includes a plurality of small lower diamonds32forming the lower diamond28.

In certain embodiments, the plurality of small upper diamonds30includes four small upper diamonds30intersecting at a center of the upper diamond26. The four small lower diamonds30may include a small top diamond, a small bottom diamond, a small first side diamond, and a small second side diamond. The plurality of small lower diamonds32may include four small lower diamonds32intersecting at a center of the lower diamond28. The four small lower diamonds32may includes a small top diamond, a small bottom diamond, a small first side diamond, and a small second side diamond.

In certain embodiments, the pattern12may further include an upper square34. Each side of the upper square34passes through the center of a different small upper diamond30. The pattern12may further include a lower square36. Each side of the lower square36may pass through the center of a different small lower diamond32.

The present invention may further include additional triangles on the pattern12. For example, the pattern12may further include at least one first triangle38extending from and sharing one side of at least one of the small first side diamond and the small second side diamond of the upper diamond26and the lower diamond28. The pattern12may further include at least a second triangle40extending from and sharing one side of the at least one first triangle38, of the upper diamond26and the lower diamond28.

The upper diamond26, the lower diamond28, the four small upper diamonds30, the four small lower diamonds32, the upper square3, the lower square36, the first triangle38and the second triangle40may be made of lines comprising different colors. For exemplary purposes, the present invention may include red lines14, blue lines16, purple lines18, gold lines20, green lines22, and black lines24. However, the colors may be interchangeable with patterns or any type of designation.

As illustrated inFIGS. 3A and 3b, the red lines14may form the upper square34with lines14N,14E,14S, and14W. The red lines14may further create a zigzag through the lower diamond with lines14a,14b,14c, and14d. The ble lines16may form the lower square36with lines16N,16E,16S, and16W. The blue lines16may further create a zigzag through the lower diamond with lines16a,16b,16c, and16d.

To further describe the use of the present invention, letter indications are defined below. The letter A is axial, for rotational movement occurring in the neck and inside the pelvis. The primary muscles are Sterno mastoid, Trapezius and ilio psoas. The letter G is for the Gleno-Humeral component which is flexion and internal rotation of stable shoulder and extension of hip and knee on the other side. The letter C is cubital or elbow component. The letter T is torso or thoracic movement. The letter U is relaxation component of the large muscles such as Gluteals and Latissimus Dorsi that are aligned to the umbilicus.

The grip is based on pattern in the grip with back thumb flexed and front thumb extended. The zigzag of14a,14b,14c, and14dand the square of14S,14E,14W and14N are aligned to the swing plane that passes through the umbilicus and the front foot fifth toe. These components are passive and stay in the plane throughout.

For the backswing of the golfer, the square of16E,16N,16W,16S and the zigzag of16a,16b,16c, and16dare the active components and are aligned to the back thumb triangle40(hashed blue) along the y, z and x planes as outlined in the five stage sequence. The five stage sequence may include the following:

Stage 1: Back thumb with16asegment in X plane; Back thumb with16esegment in z plane

Stage 2: Back thumb with16bsegment in x plane; Back thumb c edge with16n segment in z plane

Stage 3: u gap with u gaps

Stage 4: Back thumb with16c segment in x plane; Back thumb with16w segment in plane

Stage5: Back thumb with16d segment in x Plane; Back thumb with16s segment in z plane

Thereby, the back thumb hashed triangle40stays in the swing plane and back thumb solid triangle38stays in loft plane throughout back swing. Note the motor sequence is T-C-U-G-A.

The transition to the downswing may include the following. Per description at the top of backswing the back thumb mid joint and16dsegment are in the x plane (i.e. parallel to ball-target line), the thumb joint mid line and16S segment are in z plane (i.e. same horizontal level). To start the downswing the thumbs switch roles. The back thumb extends and the front thumb flexes and at the same time the front thumb mid joint line aligns with the14asegment in the x plane (parallel to ball—target line) and the same joint line of the front thumb aligns with the14S segment in the z plane (i.e. at the same horizontal level). This stage 1 of downswing as outlined in sequence.

Now the front thumb triangle38becomes aligned with the loft plane (solid) and the swing plane (Hashed). So the triangle representing the front half the front thumbnail stays in the same swing plane throughout the downswing along with the blue lower square36and blue zig zag16a-d, which are the passive components of the downswing. The active components are the Red upper square34and the red zig zag14a-dand along with the front thumb joint line progress in sequence as outlined in stages five stage sequences. The five stage sequence may include the following:

Stage 1: Front thumb with14asegment in x plane; Front thumb with14S segment in z plane

Stage 2: Front Thumb with14bsegment in x plane; Front thumb with14E segment in z plane

Stage 3: u gap with u gaps

Stage 4: Front thumb with14csegment in x plane; Front thumb with14N segment in z plane

Stage 5: Front thumb with14dsegment in x plane Front thumb with14W segment in z plane

Note the active motor sequence now is A-G-U-C-T

The pattern outlined on the grip, according to one embodiment of the present invention, helps the golfer grip the club in the correct manner and some of the important landmarks highlighted guide them throughout the swing to maintain the grip and the club in the proper position.

The correct golf swing is a complex non-linear dynamic system and requires ideal conditions at all times during the swing. By providing an elaborate pattern for the most accurate grip and guidelines for set-up, ball position and the plane, and the active and passive movements during the entire swing, this pattern helps in the execution of a consistent and repeatable swing. The double diamond grip pattern outlined helps with the adoption of the biomechanically ideal golf grip. It also provides landmarks for identifying ball position and the correct set-up.

According to one embodiment, the present invention provides landmarks for the entire swing by providing blue and red lines that guide the loft plane and swing plane components of the swing. The present invention provides blue and red dots that help to keep the swing connected to the core and in plane. The present invention provides blue and red rings that connect to the spine angle. The present invention provides blue and red arrows that give temporal reference points for the swing.

According to one embodiment, the present invention provides for a sound neutral grip and enables adoption of the correct set-up and ball position and execution of the correct biomechanics swing. By rotating the pattern 45 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise the pattern can be used by golfers using the strong and weak grips. Two pairs of connected Diamonds with alternating blue and redlines, are drawn on the grip as illustrated. The pattern when placed around the grip may result in the tips of each diamond meeting on the midline on the top surface of the grip. The diamonds are connected side by side and the common side ends in blue and red dots with one red dot and one blue dot located on the midline of the Bottom view. The other red dot and blue dot is located 90 degrees off on the cylindrical surface of the grip. The red and blue arrows represent the gap between the tips of thumb and index finger and are visible on the top view as shown.

Once the pattern is customized to the golfer's hand/finger size and imprinted on the grip, the golfer can be educated in a few minutes how the diamonds, lines, arrows, rings and dots help in the adoption of the correct grip/set up and execution of the correct swing. Since this is the natural (emergent) mechanism of the swing, the golfer will find it extremely easy to execute and repeat, powerfully and accurately. Once the basics are understood, even players with average motor skills can play at a very high level. Controlling spin and shaping shots become possible even for the amateur weekend golfer. The pattern of the present invention can be imprinted on the grips during manufacture or after the fact by using transfer tape technology using this design on pre-printed sheet that may be used in the transfer process.

The design can be reduced to the rings, dots, arrows and the blue and red lines. Holographic patterns can be used to improve the pattern and its visualization. Once the pattern is imprinted the golfer may use the lines, diamonds, arrows, dots, and rings to align the club to various landmarks of the body and follow a prescribed sequence based on these landmarks. The present invention, as described, may apply to left-handed golfers, and images and designs described may be mirrored to accommodate right-handed golfers.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. Once the grip pattern is imprinted, the golfer will use the landmarks to adopt the correct grip and make the correct swing according to the Paradigms swing system. This system uses multiple reference points that allow awareness of the loft plane, swing plane, the spine angle and the stable and dynamic cores involved in the swing. It makes the golfer aware of what needs to be constant, and the entire sequence of which muscle groups contract and which relax and how they control the club face and the swing