Abstract:
A golf swing training aid is configured to be worn by a player during practice swings or while playing the game of golf. The golf swing training aid includes a forearm plate strapped to the forearm, a thumb plate is strapped to the thumb, and a pivot that connects the thumb plate to the forearm plate. When donned, the pivot is positioned on the radial area of the wrist so that the hand is substantially restricted to extension and flexion movement relative to the forearm throughout the swing. The golf swing training aid automatically positions the player&#39;s hands in the correct position and provides muscle memory that instills proper positioning and movement of the arms and hands even when removed for actual game play.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION DATA 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority date of provisional application no. 61/369,506 filed on Jul. 30, 2010, entitled “Golf Swing Training Aid”. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    In the game of golf, as in other ball-striking sports, there are many factors involved with the successful hitting of the ball in the short duration of time before, during, and following the hit. The beginner and intermediate golfer may have difficulty controlling all of these factors simultaneously within these few short seconds. A common mistake for these golfers is to permit ulnar deviation and radial deviation of the hand relative to the wrist, as is illustrated in  FIG. 4B . A further mistake may involve the lifting of the thumb in radial abduction, as is shown in  FIG. 4A . A combination of both of these erroneous motions is also likely. 
         [0003]    In training of a golfer, it is desirous to limit these small, hard to control, but significant motions that adversely affect the trajectory of the ball. This may be achieved by limiting the motions of the player, such that he or she may focus on the primary mechanics of body position and the general swing. But this limiting device should not interfere with the normal swing and general play. It should also be comfortable to wear, easy to don, and fit players of various sizes. In using the limiting device, the beginner should develop a feel for the correct golf swing to develop a degree of muscle memory that will be recalled when the device is not utilized. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The present golf swing training aid provides unique and significant advantages over the prior art by restricting unwanted movement and permitting desired movement to provide the player with muscle memory and instill the proper positioning and movement. The present golf training aid is donned or worn by a player during practice swings of a club or club training device or while playing the game of golf. A first portion or first rigid plate is secured to the forearm; and a second portion or second rigid plate is secured to the hand. A pivot connects the first portion to the second portion so that the second portion may pivot relative to the first portion. When the golf training aid is worn by the player, the pivot is positioned substantially on the radial area of the wrist so that the hand is substantially restricted to extension and flexion movement relative to the forearm. 
         [0005]    Optionally, the second portion may specifically be laid atop the dorsal surface of the thumb and secured about the thumb by an elastic strap. In this way the lifting of the thumb in radial abduction is substantially prevented. Further optionally, a first major surface of the first portion can be laid on top of a second major surface of the second portion at the radial area of the wrist. Since the pivot holds the two major surfaces together or on close proximity, substantial rotation of the first and second portions outside of the axis of the pivot is prevented. Also optionally, the aperture through which the pivot connects the first portion to the second portion may be a slotted aperture to permit sliding and rotation of the second portion relative to the first portion. 
         [0006]    Further, a method of golf swing training is provided utilizing the present golf training aid. The present golf training aid is donned upon the arm and hand of a player. Then, the present golf training aid is positioned such that the pivot is substantially within the radial area of the wrist. In this way, the hand is substantially restricted to extension and flexion movement relative to the forearm. An optional step may include gripping the handle of a club with the training aid donned on the bottom hand, which is positioned closest to a head of the club or the end opposite the handle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of an example embodiment of a golf training aid; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the golf training aid of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a top planar view of the golf training aid of  FIG. 1 , showing the golf training aid donned on a player&#39;s hand and forearm with proper pivot placement; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4A-B  are illustrations of hand anatomy and movement that are controlled by golf training aid of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of hand anatomy and movement that are controlled by golf training aid of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the golf training aid of  FIG. 1 , worn on a player&#39;s hand holding a club at the top of the back swing, showing extension of the wrist; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the golf training aid as shown in  FIG. 6 , worn on a player&#39;s hand holding a club at the bottom of the swing at the point of contact with the ball, showing neither extension nor flexion of the wrist; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the golf training aid as shown in  FIG. 6 , worn on a player&#39;s hand holding a club in the follow through position, showing flexion of the wrist; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of the golf training aid of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     LISTING OF REFERENCE NUMERALS of FIRST-PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0000]    
       
         golf training aid  20   
         forearm plate  22   
         thumb plate  24   
         hinge or pivot  26   
         adjustable strap  28 ,  30   
         thumb strap  32   
         pad  34 ,  36   
         aperture  38   
         pin  40   
         thumb  42   
         forearm  44   
         border  46   
         wrist  48   
         club  50   
         handle  52   
         right hand  54   
         left hand  56   
         player  58   
         hook and loop fastener  60   
         hand  62   
         eyelet  64 ,  66   
         natural pivot  68   
         radial area  70   
         thumb dorsal area  72   
         bottom hand  74   
         first major surface  76   
         second major surface  78   
         forearm  80   
       
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0044]    As can be seen in  FIGS. 1-3 , an embodiment of the golf swing training aid  20  presented herein, includes a first portion or forearm plate  22  with a second portion or thumb plate  24  connected to the forearm plate  22  through pivot  26 . A set of adjustable straps  28  and  30  are provided with mating hook and loop fastening surfaces  60  that permit the straps  28  and  30  to be threaded through respective eyelets  64  and  66 , folded back, and fastened. The straps  28  and  30  are attached to the forearm plate  22 , which may be achieved by a sewing process, snaps, glue, or any other appropriate attachment means. 
         [0045]    The forearm plate  22  is preferably curved along one axis to conform to the general contour of an arm. The radius of the curvature may be arranged to encourage placement of the forearm plate over the radial portion of the forearm. The thumb plate  24  may be contoured, although perhaps to a lesser extend or not at all. Adhered to the concave or inner surfaces of the forearm plate  22  and thumb plate  24  is a pad  34  to provide a degree of cushioning for the player  58 . This pad  22  may be made of neoprene rubber or other appropriate cushion material. The thumb plate  24  includes an elastic thumb strap  32 , or other appropriate strapping means, looped though two parallel slots formed at the distal end. 
         [0046]    Looking more closely at the hinge  26 , a pin  40  with an enlarged head is mounted on the forearm plate  22  such that the pin  40  extends normally from a first major surface  76  of the forearm plate  22 . Between the enlarged head of the pin  40  and the major face  76  of the forearm plate  22  is provided a clearance to receive the thumb plate  24  through the aperture  38 , such that a major face of the thumb plate  24  is laid atop a major face of the forearm plate  22  with the head of the pin  40  preventing their separation, but allowing the pivoting of the thumb plate  24  relative to the forearm plate  22 . An alternate arrangement of the pivot  26  may include a pin  40  with an enlarged head at each end, forming a rivet-like fastener through both plates  22  and  24 . 
         [0047]    The pin  40  forms an axis, about which rotation is restricted between the forearm plate  22  and thumb plate  24 . Rotation is further restricted by the laying of one major surface atop the other, with the two being held in planar parallel close proximity This arrangement restricts rotation to the plane parallel to the major surfaces. Rotation or tilting in a plane other than what is parallel to the major surface is restricted. Even though the forearm plate  22  is curved, the portion mated to the thumb plate  24  may be flat to permit rotation, although this may not be required. Further, a spacing means known in the art (not shown) may be provided to separate the forearm plate  22  from the thumb plate  22 , such as a washer, while maintaining the desired restricted movement. 
         [0048]    The aperture  38  formed in the thumb plate  24  is slotted in this embodiment. The slotted aperture  38  permits sliding of the thumb plate  24  relative to the forearm plate  22  in a plane parallel to their major surfaces ( 76  and  78 ). This allows for adjustment of the distance between the thumb strap  32  and the hinge  26 , such that various players of differing hand sizes may use the same size device. And further to allow sliding of the thumb plate  24  throughout the swing. The advantage of a slot is that the adjustment is automatic, such that the pin  40  will locate itself along the length of the slotted aperture  38  as the player  58  dons the training aid  20 . The aperture  38  may also be a single round hole or a series of holes within an adjustment area. In order to adjust the thumb plate  24  within the series of holes, the pin  40  or its head may be removable by a threaded means or the like, where the thumb plate  24  may be relocated to an alternate hole. The length over which the thumb plate  24  may adjust is variable, but is preferably about one inch. 
         [0049]    Looking particularly at  FIG. 3 , the training aid  20  is donned by the player  58 . The forearm plate  22  is resting on the player&#39;s forearm with the adjustable straps  28  and  30  snuggly wrapped about the arm to secure the position of the plate  22 . The relatively long length of the forearm plate  22  along the arm insures a secure fit that will not easily shift. This provides a stable base on which the thumb plate  24  may attach. Two straps  28  and  30  are used in this embodiment; however one or more straps may be used. Other appropriate forms of attachment to the forearm are also contemplated, such as a custom fitted plate that is secured around the forearm. 
         [0050]    The forearm plate  22  extends towards the thumb  42 ; and the pin  40  is located at or near the natural pivot  68  on the player&#39;s wrist about which extension and flexion occurs. The player  58  first slips the thumb  42  into the elastic thumb strap  32 . Then the forearm plate  22  is laid on the forearm  44 , and the straps  28  and  30  are tightened. As discussed above, the rotation of the thumb plate  24  is restricted about the cylindrical axis of the pin  40 . The positioning of the forearm plate  22  is arranged such that the pivot  40  is substantially positioned at or near the radial area  70  (region between the anterior and posterior of the forearm or the region between the palmar and dorsal of the hand). The thumb plate  24  is preferably positioned on top of the thumb dorsal area  72  which places the pivot  40  substantially on the radial area  70  of the wrist. 
         [0051]    Looking at  FIG. 5 , the natural pivot  68  of the hand  62  is the pivot about which the hand  62  is permitted to rotate in extension and flexion, as naturally permitted by the wrist. Since the pivot  40  of the training aid  20  is substantially in axial alignment with the natural pivot  68  of the wrist (for extension and flexion movements), the pivot  40  freely permits extension and flexion movements. However, because the pivot  40  is not aligned with any other movement or pivoting of the wrist, ulnar deviation and radial deviation (shown in  FIG. 4B ) are substantially prohibited. The strapping of the thumb plate  24  on the thumb  42  tends to substantially restrict or reduce movement of the entire hand. Radial abduction of the thumb  42  is substantially prevented (shown in  FIG. 4A ) as well as radial and ulnar deviation. This restrictive feature is further enhanced when the user grips the handle  52  of the club  50 , to further constrain the movement of the hand relative to the thumb. 
         [0052]      FIGS. 6-8  show the training device  20  worn by a player swinging a club  50 .  FIG. 6  shows the club  50  in a top of the backswing position, where the training device  20  has placed the hands in the proper position by limiting their degree of freedom. The training aid  20  is preferably worn on the bottom hand (the hand closest to the club head) which is the right hand  54  in this illustration. The right hand  54  is shown in extension, with the thumb plate  24  pivoted relative to the forearm plate  22  in a like manner. Since the left hand  56  is also gripping the handle  52 , the left hand  56  will be influenced by the proper positioning of the right hand  54  as induced by the training aid  20 . The training aid  20  ultimately controls the angle of the club relative to the forearm. Without the training aid  20 , radial deviation would be witnessed by the club  50  forming an acute angle with the forearm; and ulnar deviation would be witnessed by the club  50  forming an obtuse angle with the forearm. 
         [0053]    In  FIG. 7 , the player&#39;s club  50  is at the bottom of the swing at the point of contact with the ball (not shown). The bottom hand (in this example, the right hand  54 ) is shown in neither extension nor flexion, where the thumb is substantially aligned with the forearm.  FIG. 8  shows the club  50  after striking the ball, where the player  58  is following through with the swing. The bottom hand is shown in flexion with the thumb plate  24  similarly pivoted. When comparing the progression of the swing in  FIGS. 6-8 , from the top of the backswing to the follow through, one can see that the training aid  20  encourages a powerful snapping motion of the wrist, moving from extension to flexion. This “snap” tends to provide a stronger swing and drive the ball farther. However, with many beginners, this snap is hard to control without deviating into undesirable motions. The present golf training aid  20  permits the player to relax and let the hand naturally swing about the controlled hinge  40  on the forearm plate  22 . The player is automatically placed in a better position to let the club  50  drop along the swing plane. The training aid  20  works best with the mid-irons, although it is contemplated that it may be used with a variety of clubs. 
         [0054]    The plates  22  and  24  may be molded from plastic or other material that is structurally sufficient. The plates  22  and  24  should be sufficiently stiff or rigid to prevent undesirable flexing or breakage. This may be achieved by selecting a sufficient material thickness or molding in localized thickening. The curvature of the plates  22  and  24  may also provide additional stiffness. 
         [0055]    The present golf training aid  20  will make golfing more enjoyable to the average person due to the simplification of the swing. The potential to hit the ball farther and straighter is increased. Errors in the swing are also more easily detected, as much of the freedom in the wrist movement has been removed, such that other more easily addressed factors may be corrected in the swing.