Golf swing training device

A device is provided for use in training a golfer to hit swing shots. The device includes an indicator securable to a shaft or handgrip of a golf club by an attachment device such that it points along a line at a predetermined acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. Preferably, the indicator is movable relative to the attachment device. In this case, a clamp is provided that allows movement of the indicator, such that it can be moved to point along a range of acute angles relative to the shaft and that can be tightened to clamp the indicator at a selected angle of the range. A plate with a scale marked thereon can also be provided and the indicator can include one or more needles that can be moved relative to the plate across the scale.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates a device for use in training a golfer to hit shots, in particular swing shots, consistently and accurately.

The game of golf involves a variety of different strokes which are traditionally either swing shots or, when on the green, putts. Swing shots include long shots made with a full swing, for example when driving off or hitting a long shot to a green, shots made with a shorter swing (such as three-quarter swing or half swing), for example when hitting a fairly short shot to a green, and short shots such as chips, bunker shots and pitches that are usually made close to the green. When playing a long shot with a full swing, the club needs to be swung in such a way that it is moving at high speed when it strikes the ball. The path and orientation of the club head also need to be precise. A straight shot requires the path of the club head at impact to be along the intended direction of the shot and the angle of the club face to be at right angles to the intended direction of the shot. Small errors in either the path of the club head or the angle of the club face can cause the shot to miss the intended target by a considerable distance.

Developing an effective swing to hit accurate shots consistently is difficult as it requires the coordination of many body movements. The way the club is moved throughout the swing is very important. Incorrect movements at any point can lead to reduced power, mishits, inaccurate shots and inconsistency. As the golfer swings the club many errors can occur and it is difficult for a golfer to identify such errors.

Two of the most critical points in the swing are on the downswing and follow through when, from the viewpoint of an observer face on to the golfer, the club shaft is vertical.FIG. 1is a representation of a golfer G with a club C held at this downswing point, andFIG. 2is a representation of a golfer G with a club C held at the follow through swing point both figures being drawn from the viewpoint of an observer face on to the golfer. These points in the swing are just before and just after impact with the ball B respectively so that achieving the correct position for the club at these points is important in making an effective swing.

One component of the correct position is the angle of the club shaft from a viewpoint looking along the line of the shot. Ideally the club shaft should be swung between the downswing position ofFIG. 1and the through swing position ofFIG. 2along an imaginary plane. The ideal plane is such that the line of intersection where the plane meets the ground passes through the ball in the intended direction of the shot. Also, the angle of the plane to the ground should be the same as the lie angle of the club.FIG. 3is a representation of a golfer G with a club C held in the downswing position from the viewpoint of an observer looking along the line of the shot, andFIG. 4is a similar view but showing the follow through position of the club C. The dotted line in bothFIG. 3andFIG. 4shows the position of the aforesaid plane and therefore the desired angle of the club shaft relative to the vertical when it is held in the correct position on the plane. The angle of the plane varies for different clubs because the lie angles of the clubs are different. The lengths of the clubs are also different, for example a driver is much longer than a wedge, and the golfer stands closer to the ball when using a club of shorter length.

A second component of the correct position at a point during the swing is the orientation or alignment of the club face. The alignment of the clubface can be defined by an imaginary line touching the clubface at the intended contact point with the ball, that is tangential to the face of the club and that is horizontal when the club is at the intended impact position. Irons typically have a planar face (whereas the face for woods is usually curved) with grooves that are horizontal when the club is at the intended impact position, in which case the alignment line is parallel to the grooves. In practice, the leading edge of an iron clubface and the top edge of a wood clubface, despite typically having slight curvature, are often used for an approximate visual assessment of the direction of clubface alignment. In the downswing position shown inFIGS. 1 and 3, ideally the club face alignment should be on or parallel to the plane defined by the shaft and the left forearm of the golfer and in the follow through position shown inFIGS. 2 and 4the club face alignment should be on or parallel to the plane defined by the shaft and the right forearm of the golfer. Whether the alignment is on or parallel to the plane in the correct alignment depends on the design of the club and whether the alignment line crosses a straight line through the shaft or is offset from it.

In addition to the downswing and follow through points previously described, a third important point in the swing is in the backswing when the club shaft, from the viewpoint of an observer face on to the golfer, is vertical. The position of the club at this point should be similar to the downswing position already described and shown inFIGS. 1 and 3(although the body position may be slightly different). As for the downswing position, the club shaft should be on the plane shown by the dotted line inFIG. 3and the club face should be aligned so that it is on or parallel to the plane defined by the shaft and the left forearm of the golfer.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a device for use in training a golfer to hit swing shots consistently and accurately. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a device, which a golfer can use to determine whether his club is in the correct position at at least one of the three points described above on the backswing, the downswing and the follow through.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for use in training a golfer to hit swing shots comprising an indicator that is securable to a shaft or handgrip portion of a golf club by an attachment means such that it points along a line at a predetermined acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

It will be appreciated that the handgrip of a golf club is secured over the upper part of the shaft of the club. As the device according to the invention is suitable for attachment either directly to the shaft or to a handgrip which covers part of the shaft, the term ‘longitudinal axis of the shaft’ when used herein and in the claims should be interpreted to include that part of the shaft located within the handgrip of the golf club.

Preferably, the indicator is movable relative to the attachment means and a clamping means is provided which allows movement of the indicator in order that it points along any of a range of acute angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft and which is tightenable to clamp the indicator at a selected angle of the range.

Preferably also, the device comprises a plate with markings thereon and the indicator comprises a needle that can be moved over the plate relative to the markings.

Preferably also, the markings comprise at least one scale indicating ranges of acute angles on at least one side of the longitudinal axis of the shaft when the device is secured to the club.

Preferably also, at least two needles are provided that are clampable to the plate at a selected predetermined angle on either side of the longitudinal axis of the shaft respectively.

Preferably also, each of the needles is individually clampable at a predetermined selected angle.

Preferably also, the needle or needles are clamped to one side of the plate by a screw-fastener that engages a nut retained against rotation in a housing provided on the other side of the plate.

Preferably also, the plate carries at least one marking capable of alignment with the longitudinal axis of the shaft of the club when the device is secured to the club. This marking or markings should be aligned with the club face when the device is secured to the golf club.

Preferably also, the marking comprises edges or lines that are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft when the device is secured to a club.

Preferably also, the attachment means comprises jaws which are hinged together to close around and clasp the shaft or handgrip portion of the golf club.

Preferably also, the jaws are held closed by a screw and captive nut arrangement.

Advantageously, the screw tightens against the force of a spring that acts to open the jaws as the screw is slackened.

Preferably also, the screw has a head with wings adapted for manual tightening and untightening of the screw.

Preferably also, the jaws each comprise ribs arranged so that the jaws define a smaller radius between the ribs and a larger radius outside the ribs in order that a range of diameters of shaft or handgrip portion can be gripped. Alternatively, the jaws are provided with a cushioning compliance in order that the device can be snug-fitted to the shaft or handgrip portion of the golf club.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an assembly comprising a golf club and a device for use in training a golfer to hit swing shots according to the first aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 5 to 11show embodiments of devices1and30which are broadly similar in construction but with minor differences, as indicated in the following description. Both embodiments1,30comprise a plate2with a front face3that is secured on its rear face4to an attachment means5for securing the device1,30to a shaft6of a golf club either below or, preferably, over a handgrip31of the club. In either case, the attachment means5secures the plate2so that it lies in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft6of the club. It is therefore intended that the device1,30will be supplied with the plate2pre-fitted to the attachment means5and it is not intended that the golfer uncouple these elements of the device from one another. In the device1, the fitment is formed by projections7on the attachment means5that slide into channels8molded into a housing9on the rear face4of the plate2. In the device30, projections32are provided that snap-fit into channels33on the rear face4of the plate2. However, it will be appreciated that the plate2and the attachment means5could be secured together in other ways, for example by screws, adhesive bonding or welding. Alternatively, they could be integrally formed.

The attachment means5comprises a pair of jaws10which are hinged together as at11to close around and clasp the shaft6or the handgrip31. The jaws10are held closed by a screw12that engages in an aperture formed in the jaws10adjacent the hinge11and is screwed into a captive nut13. In the second embodiment of device30, the screw12tightens against the force of a spring34that acts to open the jaws10as the screw is slackened in order to facilitate location around the handgrip31in use. The screw12is intended to be manually tightened and untightened and its head has wings14to facilitate this manipulation. The jaws10are curved so that together they can clamp around the shaft6or handgrip31. In order that the device1can fit a range of diameters of shaft6, the jaws10may be provided with a cushioning compliance15, for example of rubber or similar resilient material, which prevents damage to the shaft6and which provides a snug-fit to the shaft6. Alternatively, in the device30, which is shown attached to the handgrip31, the jaws10are each provided with a pair of spaced ribs35. The ribs35are arranged to run transversely across the jaws10so that they lie substantially parallel to the shaft6in use and the jaws10each define a smaller radius between its pair of the ribs35and a larger radius outside the ribs35so that a range of diameters of handgrip31can be gripped. The ribs35compress the handgrip31when the screw12is tightened and thereby ensure a tight fit.

Secured to the front face3of the plate2by means of a clamping means16is an indicator in the form of a needle17that can be moved over the plate2and used to point along a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft6or along a line at a selected acute angle relative to the shaft6when the device1,30is secured to the shaft6. To assist in the selection of a particular angle, at least one scale18is marked on the front face3of the plate2over which the needle17can be moved and which indicates a range of acute angles on at least one and preferably both sides of the shaft. In the illustrated embodiments, the scale18will show the angle of the shaft6to the horizontal when attached to a club held in the positions described below with references toFIGS. 8 and 9. The scale18therefore shows a range of acute angles, between 45° and 75° in device1and between 40° and 75° in device30, on both sides of the longitudinal axis of the shaft on the front face3of the plate2. The plate2is, therefore, of a sufficient size to accommodate such a scale18, preferably by being made in the shape of a circular segment. In both embodiments two needles17are provided so that angles on both sides of the longitudinal axis of the shaft6can be indicated. It will be appreciated that the scale18could show other ranges of angles or the plate2could be provided with other appropriate markings. More needles, possibly made in different colours to facilitate differentiation, could also be provided.

The clamping means16enables the needles17to be individually clamped at their selected angle and comprises a screw-fastener which passes through eyes19formed in the ends of the needles17and which has an enlarged, knurled head20that clamps the needles17in the desired position when the screw-fastener is tightened in a nut21. The nut21is retained against rotation in a housing22on the rear face4of the plate2. Washers23are positioned between the needles17and between the needles17and the plate2to provide grip.

The front face3of the plate2is also provided with at least one, and possibly two, additional markings24that are capable of alignment with the longitudinal axis of the shaft6of the club when the device1,30is secured to the club. It is intended that these markings24will be used to show whether the club face alignment is correct. In the device1, two markings24are provided in the form of rectangles, one of which is located centrally of the scale18and the other of which is located in alignment with it at the apex of the plate2. The width of the rectangular markings24, namely the distance between opposite sides25and26(seeFIGS. 8 and 9), depends on the distance of the plate2from the surface of the shaft6or handgrip31when secured thereto and therefore varies dependent of the type of attachment means5. The width of the rectangular markings24must therefore be determined individually for each design or size of device1. Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 10, device30has only one marking24that takes the form of three parallel lines. The outer two lines36act in the same way as the sides25and26of the rectangular marking so that the middle of these lines align with the middle of the grip31in the backswing and downswing positions (seeFIGS. 8 and 9). The middle line37is used to line up the device30correctly when it is secured to a club.

In use, the device1,30is intended to provide feedback on whether the club is in the correct position at one or more points during a swing and can therefore assist the golfer to improve his swing and to play better golf. The device1,30can also assist a coach when teaching a golfer. To this end, when using the device1,30the golfer first moves the indicator needles17to the desired predetermined angles and clamps them in position using the clamping means16which stops the needles17moving when the club is swung. Preferably, both needles17are set to the same angle but on either side of the centre of the scale. This angle is preferably the lie angle of the club being used. Typical angles for different clubs could be specified in the instructions for the device1,30. Alternatively, the golfer could choose the angle or angles required according to the specification of the lie angles of his clubs or to suit his own preference, for example after advice from a coach. Some golfers or coaches may have alternative theories on the ideal plane angle and may even prefer different angles at the three different points in the swing mentioned above. The two needles could therefore be set to two of these angles and in a modified arrangement a third needle could also be provided to enable different angles to be indicated for all three points.

The golfer then attaches the device1,30to the golf club using the attachment means5. The jaws10need to be closed sufficiently tightly to prevent the device1from moving when the golfer swings the club. The device1,30should be attached to the club either just below the handgrip or, preferably, to the handgrip31, as shown in the address position inFIG. 12, and should be aligned so that at the address position the plate2lies generally in a plane parallel to the intended line of shot and, from the golfer's viewpoint vertically above the shaft6, the centre of the shaft6along its longitudinal axis is aligned with the centers of the rectangular markings24or with the line37.

When the golfer swings the club, he can check the position of the club at the backswing, downswing and follow through points shown inFIGS. 1 to 4. The golfer can do this by stopping the club at these points and using the device1,30to check whether the club is in the correct position.FIG. 8shows a right-handed golfer's view of the device1when the club is in the correct position on the backswing or downswing point ofFIGS. 1 and 3. The left-hand needle17of the device1, as shown in the drawing, is used to show whether the plane angle of the club is correct. The angle is correct when this needle17is vertical. The markings24are used to show whether the club face alignment is correct. The club face is correctly aligned when the top left edges25of the rectangular markings24appear in the middle of the shaft6.FIG. 9shows a right-handed golfer's view of the device1when the club is in the correct position on the through swing position ofFIGS. 2 and 4. In this position, the right-hand needle17of the device, as shown in the drawing, is used to show whether the plane angle of the club is correct. The angle is correct when this needle17is vertical. The markings24are again used to show whether the club face alignment is correct. The club face is correctly aligned this time when the top right edges26of the rectangular markings24appear in the middle of the shaft6.

As indicated, the above description applies for right-handed golfers but the device1,30can be used in the same way for left-handed golfers. In this case, the view of a left-handed golfer on the backswing or downswing would be that shown inFIG. 9and the view on the through swing would be that shown inFIG. 8.

The device1,30can be attached to any club used to make full swings and there are various ways in which it can be used. In one example, the golfer swings the club slowly without using a ball and stops the swing at the backswing, downswing and through swing points previously described to check whether the club is in the correct position. By using the visual feedback from the device1,30the golfer can learn to swing the club to achieve the correct positions. Repeated practice using the device1,30can train the golfer to swing the club in a better way. This training should enable the golfer to swing in the same way when hitting the ball on the golf course.

A golfer could also hit shots with the device1,30attached to the club. The golfer could make a practice backswing and stop the swing at the points shown inFIGS. 1 and 3. He can then use the device1,30to check whether the club is in the correct position. The golfer can then take a real shot trying to repeat the same movements as on the practice swing. The golfer could also use a shortened swing that finishes at the point in the swing shown inFIGS. 2 and 4, and then use the device to check if the club is in the correct position at this point. The golfer could also start the swing from the position shown inFIGS. 1 and 3.

The device1,30can also be used at other points during a swing. For example, when the club shaft is parallel to the ground and approximately at waist height in the backswing, downswing or through swing, the club face alignment should be in a vertical plane and the rectangular markings24should be in the middle of the shaft from the viewpoint of the golfer.

The device1,30could also be attached to a shaft6in a different way if the golfer wishes to hit a fade or a draw rather than a straight shot. To learn a swing to hit a draw, the golfer should secure the device1,30to the shaft6so that at address the centre of the rectangular markings24or the middle line37is to the right of the center of the shaft6from the golfer's point of view. To learn a swing to hit a fade, the golfer should secure the device1,30to the shaft6so that at address the center of the rectangular markings24or the middle line37are to the left of the center of the shaft6from the golfer's point of view. The golfer then uses the device1,30as previously described.

The device1,30can also be used in the same way as described above for shorter pitch shots and bunker shots.

In another, simpler embodiment of a device according to the invention, an indicator or indicators17in the form of printed markings rather than adjustable needles could be used to show the plane angle. In this case, the plate2can be reduced to the form of one or more fingers, which could be fashioned with arrowheads rather than being printed with markings. Such indicators could not be moved relative to the attachment means5so that the device1,30would be restricted in use to the plane angle or angles predetermined according to the position of the indicator or indicators.

In other embodiments, different markings24that indicate the alignment of the club face could be used rather than the rectangular markings described above. For example, arrows could be used instead of the rectangles and lines to show the correct position of the centre of the shaft6or of the edges of the shaft6. Markings could also be used to show different alignments of the club face to that previously described. Coaches may have different theories on the correct alignment. Different alignments could also be used to hit a draw or a fade shot rather than a straight shot.