System and method for golf instruction

An apparatus for golf instruction comprising: a weight bar 3; a grip section 2; and an overlay decal 10; the weight bar having distinct color regions about the periphery thereof; the weight bar and grip sections being elongated and rigid; the grip section and weight bar being substantially perpendicular to each other.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

The present invention relates to golf instruction and training, and more specifically, relating to apparatus and methods for training persons in the sport of golf.

The game of golf is well known. There are many existing methods of instruction and various related equipment available. However, there are disadvantages (identified and discussed throughout) to existing apparatus and methods. As will be demonstrated, the present invention overcomes these disadvantages while achieving various other objects and advantages.

A system and method is presented whereby a student may be trained in the sport of golf using a hand held device. Incorporating associated instructions enhances the effectiveness. A color code system incorporated into a hand held device that helps train the student to develop a correct golf swing. Additionally, the invention is sufficiently weighted such that repeated motion in the prescribed manner results in development of key muscles and coordination necessary for swinging a golf club. Moreover, the weight and configuration of the apparatus helps the user to fully appreciate and experience the centrifugal forces of a golf club swing.

A general knowledge of the game of golf combined with various lessons relating to the golf swing, although not essential, facilitate use of the present invention. Such knowledge is important, but the training is not complete until the student understands how to use the hand held device as used in various motion exercises. Five basic motion exercises are developed. Seven basic positions are necessary for improvement of the golf swing.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

The table below lists the reference numerals employed in the figures, and identifies the element designated by each numeral.

1standard training grip 12grip section 23weight bar 310overlay decal 1011first green portion 1112second green portion 1213red portion 1314yellow portion 1415first edge 15 of overlay decal16first transition 1617second transition 1710Aoverlay decal 10A of an alternate embodiment11Afirst green portion 11A of an alternate embodiment12Asecond green portion 12A of an alternate embodiment13Ared portion 13A of an alternate embodiment14Ayellow portion 14A of an alternate embodiment16Asecond transition 16A of an alternate embodiment17Asecond transition 17A of an alternate embodiment20Abase member 20A of an alternate embodiment21Afirst portion 21A of base member of an alternate embodiment22Asecond portion 22A of base member of an alternate embodiment31Afirst color region 31A of second portion of an alternateembodiment32Asecond color region 32A of second portion of an alternateembodiment33Athird color region 33A of second portion of an alternateembodiment

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of the present invention (FIGS. 1-3) comprises a weight bar3, a grip section2, a standard training grip1, and an overlay decal10.

The entire assembly weighs approximately 2.8 pounds. This weight is preferred but not essential. Other weights can be used without compromising the primary function of the invention of utilizing distinct color coded regions to train a user to swing a golf club.

The weight bar3is elongated, rigid, and of substantially of 3¼ inches in cross-sectional circumference, substantially 10 inches long, and weighs substantially 2 pounds. It is preferably made from solid steel, but other materials may be used provided they have similar strength and weight characteristics.

The grip section2is elongated, rigid, and preferably between 0.58 and 0.60 inches in cross-sectional diameter and substantially 13 inches in length. It is preferably made from steel tubing, but other materials may be used provided they have similar strength and weight characteristics.

In one embodiment, grip section2and weight bar3have substantially circular cross section. However, other shapes may be used provided the spirit of the invention is not compromised. For instance, a rectangular cross section can be employed such that each facet of the outer periphery comprises a separate color region.

Grip section2and weight bar3are substantially perpendicular to each other. As depicted inFIG. 1, the connection between them is a rounded connection (an arcuate transition region). However, other configurations may be used (e.g. right angle).

As will be apparent to those of skill in the art, grip section2and weight bar3can be two separate pieces or one piece bent to achieve the desired angle. The preferred embodiment depicted inFIG. 1is achieved using the latter method.

The foregoing illustrates a preferred embodiment. However, the length, weight, and cross sectional area of the grip section and weight bar can be varied. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the physical characteristics are adapted to reasonably simulate the swing of an actual golf club (the apparatus weighs more than a typical golf club). Accordingly, the physical characteristics can be altered to suit users of different sizes, etc. without compromising the spirit of the invention.

The overlay decal10comprises a first green portion11, red portion13, yellow portion14, and second green portion12. First transition16comprises the border line between first green portion11and red portion13. Second transition17comprises the border line between second green portion12and yellow portion14.

Overlay decal10is substantially 8⅞ inches wide by 3⅝ inches high. The width, while preferred, can be varied without compromising the effectiveness of the color regions. First green portion11is substantially 8⅞ inches wide by ⅜ inches high. Red portion13is substantially 8⅞ inches wide by ¾ inches high. Yellow portion14is substantially 8⅞ inches wide by 1¼ inches high. Second green portion12is substantially 8⅞ inches wide by 1¼ inches high.

Overlay decal10is fixedly secured (adhered) to weight bar3such that the colored portions of overlay decal10face outward and such that first and second transitions16,17are substantially aligned as depicted inFIG. 1A. First edge15of overlay decal10overlaps first green portion11to an extent determined by the cross-sectional diameter of weight bar3. In this configuration, a user holding the apparatus in the starting position and looking straight down sees equal portions of yellow and green.

The purpose of overlay decal10is to impose distinct color regions about the periphery of weight bar3. Accordingly, other methods of imposing the color regions can be used. For example, the colored regions can be painted directly on. Additionally, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that other color combinations can be used.

The standard training grip1is of a conventional type. It must be capable of fitting over and being securedly fastened to grip section2and aligned in such as way as to cause the foregoing color alignment to be achieved.

The standard training grip is preferred but not necessary. It is preferred that some type of grip be used, but the device can be used without a grip. The standard training grip is used because it causes the user to use a conventional golf grip. Other types of grips can be used such as a standard grip found on most golf clubs, or a rubber overlay.

One embodiment (FIGS. 4-6) comprises a method for golf swing instruction comprising the steps of: providing a base member20A having first and second elongated, rigid, portions21A,22A, the first portion21A being adapted to be gripped by a user, the second portion22A being disposed substantially perpendicular to the first portion21A, the second portion22A having first, second, and third distinct color regions31A,32A, &33A about the periphery thereof; directing a user to assume a golf stance, gripping the first portion21A as the user would grip a golf club, such that the second portion22A of the base member extends outwardly from the user, and such that equal portions of the first and second color regions31A,32A are visible to the user, the third color region33A not being visible to the user; and prescribing to the user a series of motions to swing the base member20A in a golf like manner such that only the first and second color regions31A,32A will be visible to the user throughout, and only a deviation from the prescribed series of motions will cause the user to see the third color region33A.

In one embodiment (FIGS.7,8), the prescribed series of motions comprises the starting position (FIGS.7A,B,C), where the user sees equal amounts of the first and second color regions31A,32A; the backswing, where the user sees only the first color region31A at the end of the backswing (FIG. 8A); the downswing, where the user sees more of the first color region31A than the second color region32A; the impact position (FIG. 8B), where the user sees more of the second color region32A than the first color region31A; and the follow-through, where the user sees only the second color region32A at the end of the follow-through (FIG. 8C).

As will be apparent to golfers, the head should always be down throughout a conventional golf swing so as to look directly at the ball position; and that to use the invention, the user may turn to look at the color regions for diagnostic purposes throughout the swing.

The 3 distinct color regions correspond to overlay decal10A, the dimensions thereof are the same as overlay decal10depicted inFIG. 2. The first color region31A corresponds to yellow portion14A. The second color region32A corresponds to first and second green portions11A,12A (overlapped when displaced on second portion22A). The third color region33A corresponds to red portion13A. As will be apparent, different color combinations can be used.

Second transition17A comprises the border line between second green portion12A and yellow portion14A. Overlay decal10A is applied to second portion22A of base member20A such that first and second transitions16A,17A are substantially aligned as depicted inFIG. 4A.