Abstract:
A golf training machine that clearly demonstrates to a trainee the two optimum golf swing methods, namely the so-called “inward” swing method and the so-called “outward” swing method. The training machine is a tandem-type golf training machine that allows an instructor to work directly with a trainee positioned on the opposite side of the machine. In carrying out a training session, both the instructor and the trainee are putting toward the same target in a manner to positively convey to the trainee the differences between the two swing methods.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to golf swing training devices. More particularly, the invention concerns a machine for conveying to a trainee the differences between two putter swing methods, namely the “inward” swing method and the “outward” swing method. 
   2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
   It is generally agreed that there are two mutually exclusive and equally effective optimum golf swings, namely the so-called “inward” golf swing and the so-called “outward” golf swing. It is also generally agreed that the golf swing embodies two separate applications of geometry, both of which must be properly addressed in an effective golf swing. The first of these, namely “Impact geometry” concerns the fact that one must compress the ball on the face of the club head in such a manner that maximum swing force is transferred. Accomplishing this without side spin is the ideal, but most accomplished golfers use either a draw spin or a fade spin in carrying out the majority of their shots. 
   The other application of geometry, namely “force controlling geometry,” produces the physics that controls the transfer of the total swing force to the club head. Most good golfers develop a feel for an effective swing through a trial and error method (“muscle memory”) that is inconsistent at best. Adding to the difficulty with this approach is the fact that there are two diametrically opposed procedures for effectively releasing the club head, each with its own unique feel. Mostly because of this fact, contradictory advice has always plagued the game; more often by being incomplete, rather than totally wrong. 
   The forgoing and various other theories concerning the golf swing have been discussed in numerous books and articles, including books by Ben Hogan and Horner Kelley. 
   Ben Hogan in his noted work,  Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf  likened the swing plane to a large flat pane of glass inclined from the intended line of flight of the ball and generally resting on the shoulders of the trainee. In Hogan&#39;s theory, the glass pane intersected the ground in a line which was coincident with the line of flight. To control club movement, the golfer ideally swung the club head underneath the plane throughout the swing. However, Hogan introduced a slight shift in the plane line in the downswing to account for the apparent motion of the club head outward and away from the golfer from hip height through impact. 
   Horner Kelley in his well known book  The Golfing Machine  describes the swing plane as a two dimensional geometric structure on which the entire club moves throughout the golf swing. Kelley pictured the swing plane as a flat pane of glass intersecting the ground in a line, with the plane line being identical with the intended initial line of flight of the ball. This plane was described by Kelley as having a dynamically changing inclined angle during the swing with the entire club remaining on the plane throughout the swing. 
   Kelley mentions in his book that, depending on the number of accumulators used, that is, parts of his “power package”, a golf swing can be anything from a simple “one barrel” to a full “four barrel” version. 
   The inward and outward swings, which are taught to be recognized by the trainee through the use of the apparatus of the present invention, can be explained in terms of the Kelley concepts as follows: Basically there are five basic elements of the golf swing, the lower body (hips), the upper body (shoulders), the leading arm, the hands, and the shaft flex. These five elements are released in the sequence listed in the downswing of each swing method. However, each element has the potential to release in either direction, that is, inward or outward. As such, they have the capacity to create torque four times by opposing each other in sequential fashion. It is these four potential segments of torque that actually establish the number of barrels a swing contains and, thereby, its ability to create effortless power. 
   In performing the golf swing, each of the five basic elements of the golf swing is indirectly affected by each of the others. For example, the hips are outward when they are adding to the turning force of the swing through impact and they are inward when they are resisting this force. The shoulders act similarly, but must act in an opposite direction to the hips for a four barrel swing to result. The leading arm is outward when the angle formed by it and the shoulders is increasing (Kelley&#39;s #4 accumulator); and it is inward when this angle is decreasing through impact. The action of the hands and club shaft are similar to the action of the hips and shoulders. 
   The importance of understanding and being able to recognize the two swing methods discussed in the preceding paragraphs is highlighted by the fact that, while most touring professionals are inward swingers there are some notable exceptions, including Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Fred Couples and John Daly. Examples of renowned inward swingers include Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Steve Ellington and Nick Faldo. 
   Teachers of golf and authors of books and articles on the golf swing almost always fall into one category or the other. For example, Ben Hogan&#39;s  Five Lessons, The Modern Fundamentals of Golf  tends to favor the inward swing, while Leslie King&#39;s  Master key to Good Golf  tends to favor the outward swing. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the invention to provide a golf training machine that clearly demonstrates to a trainee the two optimum golf swing methods, namely the so-called “inward” swing method and the so-called “outward” swing method. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide a tandem-type golf training machine of the aforementioned character that allows an instructor to work directly with a trainee positioned on the opposite side of the machine. In carrying out a training session, both the instructor and the trainee are putting toward the same target in a manner to positively convey to the trainee the differences between the two swing methods. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide a tandem-type golf training machine as described in the preceding paragraphs that can be readily adjusted so that the trainee can experience both swing methods while the instructor maintains a high degree of control over the entire training process. 
   By way of summary, one form of the tandem-type golf training machine of the invention comprises an aluminum frame having suspended therewithin a clear plexus-glass tube containing nine large ball bearings that can roll back and forth within the tube. A guide on each side of the frame guides the travel of two putters, one moved by the instructor and the other by the trainee. The tube, which is held in place by cords at each end of the tube, can sway back and forth between the two golfers in response to movement by the putters. The ball bearings respond to this movement in a manner analogous to shaft flex action, i.e., away from the target (inward swing) and toward the target (outward swing). Each golfer opposes this shaft flex action with the appropriate hand action. The interaction between these two opposing actions produces effortless power and accuracy in equal amounts thereby causing the putts to roll out to similar distances and on similar paths. The two swings are timed differently in that the putters swing back together, then the inward swing is made and then the outward swing follows. The clubs are interconnected to the device by means of a cord attached to a novel pivot plate that is, in turn, attached to the plexi-glass tube. The movement of the two putters away from the target causes the ball bearings to roll to the aft end of the tube and then forward with the downswing of the inward swing method. The outward swing is delayed slightly in order to strike the ball just as the ball bearings reach the target end of the tube. 
   The student, having experienced the two swing methods in their abbreviated form (putting strokes), can then advantageously use this experience to hit fuller shots at a driving range while using both swing methods. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a generally perspective view of one form of the golf training machine of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a generally perspective view, similar to  FIG. 1 , but showing the golf clubs moved into a backstroke position. 
       FIG. 3  is a greatly enlarged, generally perspective view of the portion of the golf training machine designated as  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a greatly enlarged, generally perspective view, similar to  FIG. 3 , but showing the golf clubs moved into a forward ball striking position. 
       FIG. 5  is a generally perspective view of an alternate form of the golf training machine of the invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to the drawings and particularly to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , one form of the golf training machine of the present invention is there illustrated and generally identified by the  14 . Machine  14  here comprises a supporting frame  16  having a first generally U-shaped side member  18  having a bight portion  20  and first and second legs  22  and  24  respectively that are connected to bight portion  20 . Connected to and extending between first and second legs  22  and  24  of the first generally U-shaped side member  18  is a first putter guide  26  for guiding movement of a first putter  28 . 
   Also forming a part of the golf training machine  14  is a second generally U-shaped side member  30  having a bight portion  32  and first and second legs  34  and  36  respectively that are connected to bight portion  32 . As indicated in  FIG. 1  of the drawings, the U-shaped side members  18  and  30  are interconnected together at their respective bight portions. Connected to and extending between first and second legs  34  and  36  of the second generally U-shaped side member  30  is a second putter guide  38  for guiding movement of a second putter  40 . 
   Interconnecting legs  24  and  36  of the supporting frame is a first brace  42  having a first end  42   a  that is pivotally connected to leg  24 . The opposite end  42   b  of first brace  42  is provided with a slot  43  that is receivable over a locking pin  45  provided on leg  36 . Interconnecting legs  22  and  34  of the supporting frame is a second brace  46  having a first end  46   a  that is pivotally connected to leg  22 . The opposite end  46   b  of second brace  46  is provided with a slot (not shown) that is receivable over a locking pin provided on leg  34  (not shown). With the construction thus described, braces  42  and  46  can be pivoted from the locked position shown in  FIG. 1  to an upward release position thereby permitting the first and second generally U-shaped side members  18  and  30  to be folded together for transport and storage of the machine. 
   Connected to the U-shaped side members  18  and  30  proximate their interconnection point is a generally U-shaped bracket  48  having spaced-apart first and second upstanding legs  48   a  and  48   b , each having an aperture  50  therethrough. 
   Disposed within the interior space  52  defined by side members  18  and  30  of the supporting frame  16  is the highly novel impetus producing means of the invention. This important impetus producing means of the invention, which, in a manner presently to be described, is operably associated with the first and second putters  28  and  40 , functions to produce impulses, or forces tending to return the first and second putters from their backstroke, or second positions shown in  FIG. 2  of the drawings toward their first, or starting positions shown in  FIG. 1  of the drawings. 
   In the present form of the invention, the impetus producing means comprises an elongated tubular member  54  that is connected to a supporting frame by a pair of supporting cords  55  and  56 , which suspend the tubular member within the interior space  52  in the manner shown in  FIG. 1  of the drawings. More particularly, supporting cord  55  is connected to the first end portion  54   a  of the tubular member, while supporting cord  56  is connected to the second end portion  54   b  of the tubular member. 
   In a manner presently to be described, tubular member  54  is movable between a first position shown in  FIG. 1  of the drawings and a second, rearward position shown in  FIG. 2 . Contained within tubular member  54  for rolling movement therewithin between first and second positions is a plurality of weights, shown here as balls  56 . More particularly, as the elongated tubular member is moved between the first and second positions, balls  56  will roll forwardly and rearwardly as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2  of the drawings. 
   In the using the apparatus of the invention to convey to a trainee the differences between two putter swing methods, namely the “inward” swing method and the “outward” swing method, the instructor, along with first putter  28 , is positioned on the first side of said supporting frame with the putter in sliding engagement with the first putter guide  26 . Similarly, the trainee, along with the second putter  40 , is positioned on the second side of the supporting frame with the second putter  40  in sliding engagement with the putter guide  38 . As best seen in  FIG. 3  of the drawings, a pivot plate  60  is pivotally connected to the central portion of elongated tubular member  54 . Pivot plate  60 , which forms an important aspect of the apparatus of the present invention, has an inboard end  60   a , an outboard end  60   b  and a central portion  60   c . Central portion  60   c  is pivotally connected by a bolt  61  to a generally “U”-shaped connector member  63  that is, in turn, interconnected with tubular member  54  proximate its central portion  54   c  ( FIG. 3 ). As indicated by the arrows in  FIGS. 3 and 4  of the drawings, pivot plate  60  is free to pivot about bolt  61  in an upward and downward direction. 
   As best seen by referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2  of the drawings, the first and second putters  28  and  40  are operably interconnected with the pivot plate  60  by means of an elongated connector cord  58  having first and second ends  58   a  and  58   b . More particularly, first end  58   a  of the connector cord is provided with a hook  58   c  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) that enables the first end of the connector cord to be interconnected with a first cord connector member  65  that is connected to and extends outwardly from leg  22  of the first generally U-shaped side member  18 . From the connector cord member  65 , the connector cord extends downwardly to a point where it is releasably received within a slot  60   d  provided in inboard end  60   a  of the pivot plate  60 . From the inboard end of the pivot plate, the connector cord extends upwardly to a point where it is slidably interconnected with an eyelet  40   a  provided on putter  40 . From eyelet  40   a  the connector cord extends upwardly to a point where it passes through the aperture  50  formed in the first leg  48   a  of bracket  48 . The connector cord is then entrained through a central bore  66   a  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) formed in a cord guide member, shown here as a sphere  66  that is disposed between the first and second legs of bracket  48 . Next, the connector cord extends through the aperture  50  formed in the second leg  48   b  of bracket  48  and then extends downwardly through an eyelet  28   a  provided on putter  28 . From eyelet  28   a  the connector cord extends downwardly and passes through end  60   b  of pivot plate  60 , which is provided with a slot  60   e . From the outboard end of pivot plate  60 , the connector cord, which is provided at its second end  58   b  with a second hook  67 , extends upwardly for interconnection with a second cord connector member  69  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) that is connected to and extends outwardly from leg  24  of the first generally U-shaped side member  18 . 
   With the construction described in the preceding paragraph, during the training session, the instructor and the trainee simultaneously move their putter&#39;s rearwardly in the manner shown in  FIG. 2  of the drawings. As the putters are moved rearwardly, the inboard end  60   a  of the pivot plate  60  will pivot downwardly relative to tubular member  54  causing the tubular member to swing rearwardly. As the tubular member swings rearwardly the balls  56  that are contained therewithin will roll toward end  54   a  of the tubular member in the manner shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  of the drawings. 
   After a slight time delay, the instructor and the trainee move their respective putters forwardly into impact with the golf balls “GB” and then forwardly of the interior space  52  to complete the follow-through. During the follow-through, end  60   a  of the pivot plate  60  will pivot upwardly relative to tubular member  54  causing the tubular member to swing forwardly in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 4 . As the tubular member swings forwardly, the balls  56  that are contained therewithin will roll toward the outboard end  54   b  of the tubular member. 
   Because of the manner in which the two putters are now interconnected with the tubular member  54  via the pivot plate  60 , that is, with putter  28  interconnected with the forward portion  60   b  of the pivot plate and with putter  40  interconnected with the rearward portion  60   a  of the pivot plate, as the putters move forwardly, the instructor, as well as the trainee will experience the feeling of an inward swing. 
   In order for the instructor and the trainee to experience the feeling of the outward swing, the connector cord  58  must be re-positioned relative to the pivot plate  60  in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 5  of the drawings. More particularly, the connector cord is disconnected from the pivot plate by sliding the connector cord outwardly through the slots  60   d  and  60   e  provided in either end of the pivot plate (see  FIG. 5 ). This done the section of the cord extending downwardly from the eyelet  40   a  of putter  40  will be inserted into the slot  60   d  formed in the outboard end of the pivot plate and the section of the cord extending downwardly from the eyelet  28   a  of putter  28  will be inserted into the slot  60   c  formed in the inboard end of the pivot plate. With this construction, the putter  28  is operably interconnected with the inboard end  60   a  of the pivot plate, while the putter  40  is operably interconnected with the outboard end  60   b  Of the pivot plate  60 . 
   With the construction described in the preceding paragraph, during the training session, the instructor and the trainee simultaneously move their putter&#39;s rearwardly. As the putters are moved rearwardly, the inboard end  60   a  of the pivot plate  60  will pivot downwardly relative to tubular member  54  causing the tubular member to swing rearwardly. As the tubular member swings rearwardly the balls  56  that are contained therewithin will roll toward end  54   a  of the tubular member. 
   After a slight time delay, the instructor and the trainee move their respective putters forwardly into impact with the golf balls “GB” and then forwardly of the interior space  52  to complete the follow-through. During the follow-through, end  60   a  of the pivot plate  60  will pivot upwardly relative to tubular member  54  causing the tubular member to swing forwardly in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 4 . As the tubular member swings forwardly, the balls  56  that are contained therewithin will roll toward the outboard end  54   b  of the tubular member. 
   Because of the manner in which the two putters are interconnected with the tubular member  54  via the pivot plate  60 , that is, with putter  28  now interconnected with the rearward portion  60   a  of the pivot plate and with putter  40  interconnected with the forward portion  60   b  of the pivot plate, as the putters move forwardly, the instructor, as well as the trainee will experience the feeling of an outward swing. 
   The student, having thusly experienced the two swing methods in their abbreviated form (putting strokes), can then advantageously use this experience to hit fuller shots at a driving range while using both swing methods. 
   Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.