Golf training aid

An improved golf training aid comprising a belt worn by the golfer having a pair of elastic straps which each have one end secured to the ground at locations spaced on opposite sides of the golfer and which extend about the golfer's waist and are releasably attached to the belt in a manner such that, as the golfer makes his swing, the straps will force his hips to rotate in a proper and timely manner to perform a smooth and coordinated swing.

FIELD OF INVENTION 
This invention relates to the game of golf and is particularly directed to 
improved training aids for improving a golfer's swing. 
PRIOR ART 
It is well known that a proper swing is imperative to a good golf game. 
Unfortunately, most golfers have considerable difficulty in accomplishing 
a proper swing. One of the most common deficiencies is the failure to 
rotate one's hips in time with the arm swing to provide a proper 
follow-through. 1) Premature hip rotation can cause the club to hit the 
ball in a manner to cause a hook. 2) Similarly, late hip rotation can 
cause the ball to slice. 3) This is one of the most common faults which 
golfers encounter. 4) A properly timed hip rotation will cause the club 
face to strike the ball squarely, causing the ball to fly straight and 
adding considerable power and distance (clubhead speed) to the stroke. 
Numerous training aids devices have been proposed heretofore to correct 
improper hip rotation. Thus, for example, video cameras have been used to 
videotape the golfer during a practice session. The tape is then played 
back to enable the golfer to observe his error in the hope that he can 
then correct it. However, this technique is quite expensive. Also, seeing 
one's error does not provide the same learning benefit as properly 
performing the swing and observing how it feels. This benefit is not 
provided with the videotape technique. Other golf training aids have 
provided rigid stands which surround the golfer and into which the golfer 
would be strapped to force him to swing properly. However, such stands are 
bulky and uncomfortable and severely interfere with the golfer's natural 
swing. Consequently, they are of questionable help in training the golfer. 
Thus, none of the prior art golf training aids have been entirely 
satisfactory. 
BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF INVENTION 
These disadvantages of the prior art are overcome with the present 
invention and an improved golf training aid is provided which is simple 
and inexpensive to construct and purchase and is comfortable to wear and 
use, yet which forces the golfer to rotate his hips in a normal and proper 
manner and, hence, enables the golfer to feel a proper rotation and to 
learn to perform it. 
The advantages of the present invention are preferably attained by 
providing an improved golf training aid comprising a belt worn by the 
golfer having a pair of elastic straps which each have one end secured to 
the ground at locations spaced on opposite sides of the golfer and which 
extend about the golfer's waist and are releasably attached to the belt in 
a manner such that, as the golfer makes his swing, the straps will force 
his hips to rotate in a proper and timely manner to perform a smooth and 
coordinated swing. 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an 
improved golf training aid. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved golf 
training aid for improving a golfer's swing. 
An additional object of the present invention is to provide an improved 
golf training aid for improving a golfer's hip rotation during his swing. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved golf 
training aid which is simple and inexpensive to construct and purchase. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved golf 
training aid which is comfortable to wear and use. 
An additional object of the present invention is to provide an improved 
golf training aid which forces the golfer to rotate his hips in a normal 
and proper manner and, hence, enables the golfer to feel a proper rotation 
and to learn to perform it. 
A specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved golf 
training aid comprising a belt worn by the golfer having a pair of elastic 
straps which each have one end secured to the ground at locations spaced 
on opposite sides of the golfer and which extend about the golfer's hips 
and are releasably attached to the belt in a manner such that, as the 
golfer makes his swing, the straps will force his waist to rotate in a 
proper and timely manner to perform a smooth and coordinated swing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
In that form of the present invention chosen for purposes of illustration, 
FIG. 1 shows a golfer, indicated generally at 10, wearing a belt 12 which 
is secured about the golfer 10 by releasable attaching means, such as 
strap 14 and buckle 16. The outer surface 18 of the belt 12 carries 
releasable fastening means 20 and 22, such as patches of hook-and-loop 
material, mounted on opposite sides of the belt 12, as seen in FIG. 2. A 
pair of elastic bands 24 and 26 each have one end 28 and 30, respectively, 
secured to suitable ground attaching means 32 and 34, such as eyescrews, 
while the opposite ends of the bands 24 and 26 carry releasable fastening 
means 36 and 38, respectively, which are releasably attached to a 
respective one of the releasable fastening means 20 or 22. 
In use, the golfer 10 secures the ground attaching means 32 and 34 at 
appropriate distances on opposite sides of the location where he will 
practice his swing and attaches ends 28 and 30 of the elastic bands 24 and 
26 with his hips in the ball-addressing position, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 
2. The golfer 10 then twists his hips to the follow-through position, seen 
in FIG. 5, and attaches releasable fastening device 36 of elastic band 24 
to the releasable fastening means 20 on the right side of belt 12. Next, 
the golfer 10 attaches releasable fastening device 38 of elastic band 26 
to the releasable fastening means 22 on the left side of belt 12. After 
this, the golfer 10 rotates his hips to the neutral or ball-addressing 
position, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. He is now ready to plan his swing. 
When the golfer 10 begins his swing, he rotates his hips to the right to 
make his backswing, which places considerable tension on the elastic bands 
24 and 26, as seen in FIG. 3. As the golfer 10 makes his swing, he can 
concentrate on the motion of the club, while elastic bands 24 and 26 will 
automatically cause his hips to rotate through the neutral position of 
FIG. 2 and the impact position, as seen in FIG. 4, and will continue to 
pull throughout the entire stroke and will urge the golfer's hips to the 
follow-through position of FIG. 5. After a few swings, the golfer 10 will 
recognize the feeling of proper hip roration and will be able to 
accomplish this motion without the assistance of the elastic bands 24 and 
26. The training aid is intended for use at a driving range or in the back 
yard, without interfering with the golfer's swing and serves to promote 
muscle memory of the proper rotation. 
Obviously, numerous variations and modifications can be made without 
departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, it should 
be clearly understood that the forms of the present invention described 
above and shown in the figures of the accompanying drawing are 
illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present 
invention.