Abstract:
The present invention provides an alignment device for aligning a golf club with a person, the golf club comprising a shaft, and a club face, the alignment device comprising a displaceable elongate member connected to the shaft of the golf club, the displaceable elongate member extending axially from the shaft a sufficient extent to enable the displaceable elongate member to be placed against the leading side of the person when the person is holding a golf club with the club face behind and adjacent a golf ball. The present invention also provides for a method of aligning a golf club with a person. The present invention further provides for a method of training a person to impact a golf ball with a golf club.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to an alignment device for a golf club, and to methods for using same.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Golf is a difficult sport to master. A method of swinging a golf club can be said to consist of five main steps, including: addressing a golf ball, taking a back swing, engaging in a downswing, impacting the ball, and following through with the swing. While there are many factors that a person needs to take into account when swinging a golf club, the impact position (i.e., the alignment of the club shaft with the body of the person at the point when the club face impacts the golf ball) is important in determining the distance and direction of the golf ball.  
           [0003]    There exist training devices on the market that aid in guiding a person&#39;s golf swing. For example, there are devices adapted to either inhibit or encourage certain body movements during the course of the golf swing. However, the inventor believes that these types of devices do not adequately train a person to achieve an optimum impact position.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    The present invention provides for an alignment device for aligning a golf club with a person, the golf club comprising a shaft, and a club face, the alignment device comprising a displaceable elongate member connected to the shaft of the golf club, the displaceable elongate member extending axially from the shaft a sufficient extent to enable the displaceable elongate member to be placed against the leading side of the person when the person is holding a golf club with the club face behind and adjacent a golf ball.  
           [0005]    In one aspect of the invention, the displaceable elongate member is a telescoping member. Preferably, the telescoping member is collapsible.  
           [0006]    In another aspect of the invention, the displaceable elongate member is a resilient member capable of being deformed under impact with the body.  
           [0007]    The present invention also provides for a method of aligning a golf club with a person, the golf club comprising a shaft, and a club face, the method comprising:  
           [0008]    (a) providing an alignment device comprising a displaceable elongate member on the shaft of the golf club;  
           [0009]    (b) placing the displaceable elongate member of the golf club up against the leading side of the person; and  
           [0010]    (c) placing the club face of the golf club behind and adjacent a golf ball.  
           [0011]    In one aspect of the invention, the displaceable elongate member of the golf club is a telescoping member. Preferably, after step (c) the telescoping member is collapsed while still maintaining the alignment of the golf club with the person.  
           [0012]    In another aspect of the invention, the displaceable elongate member of the golf club is a resilient member capable of being deformed under impact with the body.  
           [0013]    The present invention also provides for a method of training a person to impact a golf ball with a golf club, the golf club comprising a shaft and a club face, the method comprising:  
           [0014]    (a) placing a person into a pre-set impact position to align the golf club with the person comprising the steps of providing an alignment device comprising a displaceable elongate member on the shaft of the golf club, placing the displaceable elongate member of the golf club against the leading side of the person, and placing the club face of the golf club behind and adjacent a golf ball;  
           [0015]    (b) taking a back swing with the golf club; and  
           [0016]    (c) returning the club to the position from step (a) so that an axis defined by the golf club intersects the side of the body as the club face impacts the ball.  
           [0017]    In one aspect of the invention, the displaceable elongate member of the golf club is a telescoping member. Preferably, after step (a) the telescoping member is collapsed while still maintaining the alignment of the golf club with the person.  
           [0018]    In another aspect of the invention, the displaceable elongate member of the golf club is a resilient member capable of being deformed in step (c) under impact with the side of the body.  
           [0019]    The present invention also provides for a method of impacting a golf ball with a golf club, the golf club comprising a shaft and a club face, the method comprising:  
           [0020]    (a) placing a person into a pre-set impact position to align the golf club with the person such that the axis defined by the shaft of the golf club when extended past the top of the shaft would be against the leading side of the person;  
           [0021]    (b) taking a back swing with the golf club; and  
           [0022]    (c) returning the club to the position from step (a) so that an axis defined by the golf club intersects the side of the body as the club face impacts the ball. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]    For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a person in a conventional address position;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a person in the middle of a conventional backswing;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a person in a conventional impact position;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 4 is a side view of a first embodiment of an alignment device according to this invention;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 5 is a side view of the alignment device of FIG. 4 in an extended position connected to a shaft of a golf club;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 6 is a side view of the alignment device of FIG. 4 in a collapsed position connected to a shaft of a golf club;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 7 is a side view of a second embodiment of an alignment device according to this invention;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 8 is a side view of the alignment device of FIG. 7 connected to a shaft of a golf club;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 9 is a side view of a third embodiment of an alignment device according to this invention;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 10 is a side view of the alignment device of FIG. 9 connected to a shaft of a golf club;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of a person using the alignment device of this invention connected to a shaft of a golf club to place the person into a proper pre-set impact position;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 12A is a front elevational view of a person using the alignment device of this invention connected to a shaft of a golf club in a first address position according to one aspect of this invention;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 12B is a front elevational view of a person using the alignment device of this invention connected to a shaft of a golf club in a second address position according to a further aspect of this invention;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of a person using the alignment device of this invention connected to a shaft of a golf club in the middle of a backswing;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of a person using the alignment device of this invention connected to a shaft of a golf club in an impact position according to this invention;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of a person using the alignment device of this invention connected to a shaft of a golf club in the follow through portion of the swing;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the person in FIG. 11;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the person in FIG. 11;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 18 is a back elevational view of the person in FIG. 11; and  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the person in FIG. 11. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0044]    Referring first to FIG. 5, an alignment device  20  of the present invention is shown attached to a shaft  16  of a golf club  10 . In the game of golf, a person swings a golf club  10  as shown in FIG. 13 for the purpose of advancing a golf ball  12  towards a hole. The golf club  10  generally comprises a substantially hollow shaft  16 , and a club face  18 . A grip  14  can be adapted to fit over the exterior of the top end of the shaft  16 . When a person swings the golf club  10 , the impact position (i.e., the alignment of the club shaft  16  with the body of the person at the point when the club face  18  impacts the golf ball  12 ) is important in determining the distance and direction of the golf ball  12 . The alignment device  20  of the present invention trains the person to optimally impact the golf ball  12  with the club face  18 . This results in a powerful and controlled golf swing.  
         [0045]    Referring now to FIG. 4, an embodiment of an alignment device according to the present invention is shown generally at  20 . The alignment device  20  comprises a displaceable elongate member, which in this particular embodiment is a telescoping member  22  having a first end  24  and a second end  26 . The telescoping member  22  is adapted to be collapsible. Accordingly, the telescoping member  22  is moveable between an extended position and a collapsed position. In one aspect of the invention, the telescoping member  22  may be collapsed by manually applying a force to the first end  24  of the member  22 . In another aspect of the invention, the telescoping member  22  can be collapsed by depressing a mechanism (not shown) provided on the shaft  16  of the golf club  10 .  
         [0046]    In one aspect of the invention, the telescoping member  22  can be formed to be bendable. For example, the material can be formed into the shape of a spring that is capable of deforming under impact with the body of a person. In another aspect of the invention, the telescoping member  22  can comprise a resilient material that is capable of deforming upon impact with the body of a person. The resilient material can comprise, for example, but is not limited to, one of the following materials: aluminum, titanium, a carbon-based material such as graphite, plastic or rubber. Preferably, the telescoping member  22  is firm and flexible. In yet another aspect of the invention, the telescoping member  22  can be formed to be bendable and can comprise a resilient material that is capable of deforming upon impact with the body of a person.  
         [0047]    Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the alignment device  20  is shown connected to the shaft  16  of the golf club  10 . FIG. 5 shows the telescoping member  22  in an extended position, and FIG. 6 shows the telescoping member  22  in a collapsed position. In one aspect of the invention, the second end  26  of the telescoping member  22  can be adapted to be permanently affixed to the shaft  16  of the golf club  10  using any method well known in the art. Accordingly, an alignment device  20  may be purchased and subsequently permanently connected to a single golf club  10  in a set of clubs. In another aspect of the invention, the second end  26  of the telescoping member  22  can be adapted to be releaseably connected to the shaft  16  of a golf club  10 . For example, a clamping device (not shown) or any other type of mechanism well known in the art can be provided on the second end  26  of the telescoping member  22  to clamp the member  22  onto the exterior of the shaft  16 . Alternatively, a hole (not shown) can be provided in the second end  26  of the telescoping member  22  that can fit over the exterior surface of the grip  14  to mate the alignment device  20  with the shaft  16 . Alternatively, a cylindrical member (not shown) can be provided on the second end  26  of the telescoping member  22  that can extend into the interior of the hollow shaft  16  to mate the alignment device  20  with the shaft  16 . In this aspect of the invention, the grip  14  will have a hole on the top end to allow the cylindrical member to pass through. This releasable connection allows the person to use the alignment device  20  with any of the golf clubs  10  in the set of clubs as required. In yet another aspect of the invention, the alignment device  20  may be integrally formed onto the shaft  16  during the manufacturing process to produce a training golf club.  
         [0048]    Referring now to FIG. 7, another embodiment of an alignment device according to the present invention is shown generally at  28 . The alignment device  28  comprises a displaceable elongate member  30  having a first end  32  and a second end  34 . In one aspect of the invention, the displaceable elongate member  30  can be formed to be bendable. For example, the material can be formed into the shape of a spring that is capable of deforming under impact with the body of a person. In another aspect of the invention, the displaceable elongate member  30  can comprise a resilient material that is capable of deforming upon impact with the body of a person. The resilient material can comprise, for example, but is not limited to, one of the following materials: aluminum, titanium, a carbon-based material such as graphite, plastic, rubber or foam. Preferably, the displaceable elongate member  30  is firm and flexible. In yet another aspect of the invention, the displaceable elongate member  30  can be formed to be bendable and can comprise a resilient material that is capable of deforming upon impact with the body of a person.  
         [0049]    Referring now to FIG. 8, the alignment device  28  is shown connected to the shaft  16  of the golf club  10 . In one aspect of the invention, the second end  34  of the displaceable elongate member  30  can be adapted to be permanently connected to the shaft  16  of the golf club  10  using any method well known in the art. In another aspect of the invention, the second end  34  of the displaceable elongate member  30  can be adapted to be releaseably connected to the shaft  16  of a golf club  10 . For example, a clamping device (not shown) or any other type of mechanism well known in the art can be provided on the second end  34  of the displaceable elongate member  30  to clamp the member  30  onto the shaft  16 . Alternatively, a hole (not shown) can be provided in the second end  34  of the displaceable elongate member  30  that can fit over the exterior surface of the grip  14  to mate the alignment device  28  with the shaft  16 . Alternatively, a cylindrical member (not shown) can be provided on the second end  34  of the displaceable elongate member  30  that can extend into the interior of the hollow shaft  16  to mate the alignment device  28  with the shaft  16 . In this aspect of the invention, the grip  14  will have a hole on the top end to allow the cylindrical member to pass through. This releasable connection allows the person to use the alignment device  28  with any of the golf clubs  10  in the set of clubs as required. In yet another aspect of the invention, the alignment device  28  may be integrally formed onto the shaft  16  during the manufacturing process to produce a training golf club.  
         [0050]    Referring now to FIG. 9, another embodiment of an alignment device according to the present invention is shown generally at  36 . The alignment device  36  comprises a displaceable elongate member  38 , a spring  40 , and a base  42 . In one aspect of the invention, the displaceable elongate member  32  can comprise a resilient material that is capable of deforming upon impact with the body of a person. The resilient material can comprise, for example, but is not limited to, one of the following materials: aluminum, titanium, a carbon-based material such as graphite, plastic, rubber or foam. Preferably, the displaceable elongate member  38  is firm but flexible.  
         [0051]    Referring now to FIG. 10, the alignment device  36  is shown connected to the shaft  16  of the golf club  10 . In one aspect of the invention, the base  42  can be adapted to permanently connect the alignment device  36  to the shaft  16  of the golf club  10  using any method well known in the art. In another aspect of the invention, the base  42  can be adapted to releaseably connect the alignment device  36  to the shaft  16  of a golf club  10 . For example, the base  42  may comprise a clamping device (not shown) or any other type of mechanism well known in the art that is adapted to clamp the alignment device  36  onto the shaft  16 . Alternatively, a hole (not shown) can be provided in the base  42  that can fit over the exterior surface of the grip  14  to mate the alignment device  36  with the shaft  16 . Alternatively, a cylindrical member (not shown) can be provided on the base  42  that can extend into the interior of the hollow shaft  16  to mate the alignment device  36  with the shaft  16 . In this aspect of the invention, the grip  14  will have a hole on the top end to allow the cylindrical member to pass through. This releasable connection allows the person to use the alignment device  36  with any of the golf clubs  10  in the set of clubs as required. In yet another aspect of the invention, the alignment device  36  may be integrally formed onto the shaft  16  during the manufacturing process to produce a training golf club.  
         [0052]    It is appreciated that the above embodiments are merely illustrative examples of a possible alignment device. There are many different variations that can be made to the structure of the device that will fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
         [0053]    Reference will now be made to FIGS.  1 - 3 , which illustrate a person swinging a golf club  10  in accordance with conventional golf theory. FIG. 1 illustrates the person holding the golf club  10  in a conventional address position. The leading side of the body is shown generally at  44  and for a right-handed golfer is the left side of the body. The leading side of the body  44  generally comprises a leading arm  46  having a shoulder joint  48 , a wrist  50 , and a leading leg  52 . The opposite side of the body is shown generally at  54  and for a right-handed golfer is the right side of the body. The opposite side of the body generally comprises an arm  56  and a leg  58 .  
         [0054]    People generally believe that the center of the golf swing is the center of the body, which is shown generally at  60 . Accordingly, when setting up the address position the person tends to align the shoulders to be perpendicular to the spine (i.e., setting up the address position such that the body pivots about the center of the body  60 ). Moreover, while addressing the ball the person tends to distribute the weight of the body substantially equally between the both of the legs  52 ,  58 .  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 2 illustrates the person in the middle of a conventional backswing. As the golf club  10  is raised during the backswing, the weight of the person is loaded onto leg  58 , with the majority of the weight loaded onto leg  58  at the top of the backswing.  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 3 illustrates the person in a conventional impact position. As the golf club  10  is lowered during the downswing, the weight is shifted back onto the leading leg  52 . Thus, the majority of the weight of the person is distributed to the leading leg  52  at the point of impacting the golf ball  12 .  
         [0057]    While setting up the address position shown in FIG. 1, the person places their hands on the grip  14  in a natural position, and the club face  18  is placed squarely behind and adjacent the golf ball  12 . As referred to above, this address position is based on the understanding that the center of the swing is the center of the body  60 . Most people attempt to return back to the address position at the point of impacting the golf ball  12  with the goal that the club face  18  is square when it impacts the golf ball  12 . However, in practice, people are typically not able to return back to the address position at the point of impacting the golf ball  12 . As a result, the club face  18  tends to be open (i.e., not square) at the point of impact, which can cause the golf ball  12  to slice. The applicant believes that the conventional golf theory results in a golf swing with poor control.  
         [0058]    In contrast to the foregoing, reference will now be made to FIGS.  11 - 19 , which illustrate a person using an alignment device attached to the shaft  16  of a golf club  10  according to the present invention. The alignment device of the present invention is adapted to make the shoulder joint  48  of the leading arm  46  the center of the golf swing. The shoulder is a ‘ball in socket’ joint that moves in a circular motion to create speed and control. Accordingly, the alignment device of the present invention is designed to train a person to optimally impact a golf ball  12  with the club face  18  by ensuring that the center of the swing is the shoulder joint  48  of the leading arm  46 . This results in a powerful and controlled golf swing.  
         [0059]    A general overview of a method of using the alignment device to train the person to optimally impact the golf ball  12  is described below. Initially, the alignment device is used to set the person up into a pre-set impact position. The person can then optionally relax into an address position, while ensuring that the placement of the hands on the grip  14  remains unchanged. The person can then take a natural backswing. The person then enters the downswing and advances the club face  18  towards the golf ball  12 . The person is naturally guided back to the initial pre-set impact position at the point of impacting the golf ball  12 . The person then follows through with the golf swing to complete the motion of the golf swing.  
         [0060]    [0060]FIGS. 11, 16,  17 ,  18  and  19  show different views of a person using an alignment device of the present invention to place the person into a pre-set impact position. Setting up a pre-set impact position prior to taking a swing allows the person to effectively predetermine their impact position. In other words, during the downswing the wrists will unfold back into the natural position that was set up by the pre-set impact position. Thus, setting up a strong pre-set impact position will train the person to optimally impact the golf ball  12  with the club face  18 .  
         [0061]    [0061]FIG. 11 shows a front elevational view of the person using the alignment device to place the person into a pre-set impact position. As best shown in FIG. 17, the alignment device of the present invention is placed against the leading side of the body  44 . The club face  18  of the golf club  10  is placed behind and adjacent the golf ball  12 . Preferably, the club face  18  is placed squarely behind and adjacent the golf ball  12  if the golf ball  12  is to travel generally straight when impacted by the club face  18 . The hands of the person are allowed to hold the grip  14  in a natural position. This provides for optimal placement of the hands onto the grip  14  of the golf club  10 . Accordingly, the person is effectively placed into the pre-set impact position with the correct hand placement in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0062]    Still referring to FIG. 17, once the person is placed into a pre-set impact position, a first axis A-A defined by the shoulder joint  48  and the wrist  50  is aligned with a second axis B-B defined by the shaft  16  of the golf club  10  to generally form a plane  62 . Referring now to FIG. 16, a perspective view of the person in a pre-set impact position is shown. This view illustrates the plane  62  that is defined by three points, namely the shoulder joint  48 , the wrist  50 , and any point on the shaft  16 . The person still has one degree of freedom to move within the plane  62  while placed in the pre-set impact position. That is, the person has the ability to set the angle (theta) formed by the intersection of the first axis A-A and the second axis B-B as desired. The angle (theta) that is chosen will vary from person to person, depending on various factors, including the height of the person and personal preference. As can be seen from FIG. 17, if the person sets the angle theta to 180°, the second axis B-B will intersect the shoulder joint  48 .  
         [0063]    Referring now to FIG. 18, a back elevational view of a person in pre-set impact position is shown. As best seen in this Figure, the majority of the weight of the person is loaded onto the leading leg  52 . Referring now to FIG. 19, a top plan view of a person in a pre-set impact position is shown. As best seen in this Figure, the shoulders of the person are preferably open towards the leading side of the body  44 .  
         [0064]    After the person sets himself up into the pre-set impact position in accordance with this invention, the person may optionally relax into an address position as described in detail below, or may launch into the backswing directly from the pre-set impact position.  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 12A shows one optional address position, where the axis B-B formed by the shaft  16  intersects the center of the body  60 . To be able to relax into this address position, the alignment device should comprise a telescoping member and it should be collapsible. Accordingly, the person can use the alignment device to set himself up in the pre-set impact position, collapse the telescoping member, and relax into the address position. While in the address position, the weight of the person is substantially equally distributed between both legs  52 ,  58 . It is to be understood that the hands of the person are not removed from the grip  14  as the person relaxes into the address position. As the person relaxes into the address position, the hands will become cocked (i.e., the wrist  50  will fall substantially on the axis B-B formed by the golf club  10 ). This cocking of the wrists will ensure that the club shaft  16  will be guided back to the pre-set impact position at the point of impacting the golf ball  12 . This is in contrast to the conventional address position shown in FIG. 1, where the wrist  50  does not fall on the axis formed by the shaft of the golf club  10 .  
         [0066]    Another way in which the address position shown in FIG. 12A differs from the conventional address position shown in FIG. 1 is that the center of the swing is set up to be the shoulder joint  48 . This is in contrast to the conventional address position where the center of the swing is the center of the body  60 .  
         [0067]    Yet another way in which the address position shown in FIG. 12A differs from the conventional address position shown in FIG. 1 is that the club face  18  is displaced in relation to the golf ball  12  as the person relaxes into the address position. This displacement is shown generally at  64 . This is in contrast to the conventional address position illustrated in FIG. 1, where the club face  18  is typically placed behind and adjacent the golf ball  12 .  
         [0068]    [0068]FIG. 12B shows a second optional address position where the alignment of the first axis A-A formed by the shoulder joint  48  and the wrist  50  of the leading arm  46  and the second axis B-B formed by the shaft  16  is essentially maintained. While in this address position, the weight is substantially equally distributed between the back leg  58  and the front let  52 . One way in which the address position shown in FIG. 12B differs from the conventional address position shown in FIG. 1 is that the club face  18  is displaced in relation to the golf ball  12  as the person relaxes into the address position. This displacement is shown generally at  66 . Another way in which the address position shown in FIG. 12B differs from the conventional address position shown in FIG. 1 is that the center of the swing is the shoulder joint  48 . This is in contrast to the conventional address position where the center of the swing is the center of the body  60 . Accordingly, the person can either launch into the backswing from the pre-set impact position or from one of the two optional address positions described above.  
         [0069]    [0069]FIG. 13 shows a person in the middle of the backswing. As the golf club  10  is raised during the backswing, the weight of the person is loaded onto leg  58 , with the majority of the weight is loaded onto the back leg  58  at the top of the backswing. After reaching the top of the backswing, the person lowers the golf club down into the downswing.  
         [0070]    [0070]FIG. 14 shows a person in an impact position (i.e., the alignment of the shaft  16  with the body of the person at the point when the club face  18  impacts the golf ball  12 ). In accordance with the present invention, the impact position should be substantially the same as the pre-set impact position shown in FIG. 11. In other words, at the point of impact the first axis A-A formed by the shoulder joint  48  and the wrist  50  aligns with the second axis B-B defined by the shaft  16  of the golf club  10  to generally form the plane shown in FIG. 16. At this impact position, the arms are in a strong position to allow the club face  18  to transfer energy to the golf ball  12 .  
         [0071]    [0071]FIG. 15 shows a person in the middle of the follow through portion of the swing. If the swing is executed properly, the axis B-B formed by the shaft  16  will intersect the leading side of the body  44  at the point of impacting the golf ball  12 . Therefore, the alignment device is designed to be displaceable so that it does not substantially interfere with the execution of the swing. For example, if the device comprises a telescoping member, it will preferably be in the collapsed portion before launching into the backswing so that it does not hit the leading side of the person upon impacting the golf ball  12 . Alternatively, if the device comprises a resilient member, it will deform against the leading side of the body  44  as the shaft is pulled along the arc of the swing past the impact position. In both examples, the device does not substantially interfere with the execution of the golf swing.  
         [0072]    As appreciated by FIG. 15, when the device comprises a resilient member and the swing is executed properly, the device will deform against the leading side of the body  44  at the point of impacting the golf ball  12 . This provides a cue to the person that there has been proper alignment of axis A-A and axis B-B in plane  62  at the point of impacting the golf ball  12 . This cue serves to verify that the swing has been properly executed, and that the optimum impact position was attained.  
         [0073]    It is to be understood that once the person has practiced with the alignment device to learn how to set up the pre-set impact position in accordance with the present invention, the person can set up the pre-set impact position without using the device. Furthermore, the person can execute the swing without use of the device wherein the center of the swing is the center of the shoulder joint  48 . Accordingly, once the person becomes proficient at swinging the golf club  10  with the device, the method of the present invention can be emulated without the device.  
         [0074]    For illustrative purposes only, all of the embodiments and Figures in this specification refer to a right-handed person swinging the golf club  10 . However, it is to be understood that the alignment device of the present invention is equally applicable to left-handed people.  
         [0075]    While the above description constitutes the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that the present invention is susceptible to modification and change without departing from the fair meaning of the proper scope of the accompanying claims.