Abstract:
A golf swing training aid includes a shaft having two sliding elements which are moved from initially coupled positions on the shaft to impact positions during the backswing and downswing make distinctive sounds at impact positions to aid in setting the club and hinging the shaft when executing the backswing and lagging of the club during the downswing. Grip protrusions are biased against webs of the fingers for enhance power generated during the swing.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to the Provisional Applications having Ser. No. 60/472,711 and filing date May 22, 2003 for “Golf Grip Training Device and Method” and Ser. No. 60/476,256 and filing date Jun. 5, 2003 for “Golf Swing Training Device and Method,” the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety, and commonly owned. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention generally relates to golf swing training, and more particularly to training synchronized golf swings through a desired gripping and positioning of a golf club. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Good golf begins with a good grip. As described in “The Golf Swing” The Stephen Green Press, 1990; David Leadbetter&#39;s Faults and Fixes” Harper Collins Press, 1993; and “Positive Practice” Harper Collins Publishers, 1997, a good golf grip may not lead necessarily to a good swing, but a bad grip is much more likely to cause a bad golf swing. As is well accepted by those of ordinary skill in the art of the golf game, a good solid hold on the club is a first key step towards a correct positioning of the club head throughout the golf swing. Generally, a poor gripping of the club will place too much emphasis on the hands, and will lead to an over-controlling of the club and movement of the club head out of the preferred position for contacting the golf ball. In an athletic swing, the role of the hands is reduced as much as possible. 
     Many golfers position the golf club or grip in their hands in such a manner that makes it difficult to generate an optimum energy necessary to hit a golf ball their maximum distance. It is desirable that the golfer properly fit the top hand onto the grip. The top hand is the left hand for a right-handed swing, and typically the hand that wears a golf glove for improving the grip. The top hand represents an essential coupling of the golfer to the club. Unfortunately, what may look correct may actually conceal a poor grip. By way of example, it is desirable that the club be held primarily in the fingers of the bottom hand (the right hand for the right handed swing), and that the shaft of the club be diagonally positioned from the base of the little finger through the joints of the second and third fingers and on to the middle of the index finger. When the bottom hand is closed, the top hand thumb should be covered, fitting snugly beneath the fleshy pad at the base of the bottom hand thumb. Various grips have been developed in an effort to train a golfer to achieve a desirable gripping of the golf club and place the hands for a “proper” swinging of the club, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,802 to Bouchet-Lassale and U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,795 to Stafford. 
     As those of skill in the art are well aware, details abound with respect to instructions for the “perfect swing.” Further, the art is filled with devices and gimmicks for improving the golf swing to save but a few strokes during a round of golf. However, there remains a need to provide the feel for the proper fitting of the hands to the grip of the golf club, without attempting to clutter the mind with the intricate details of each anatomical element and its relation to the club. 
     There is further a need to aid the golfer in achieving a smooth flowing motion in the golf swing. By way of example, weighted golf clubs and training shafts have been used to improve the tempo and mechanics of the golf swing, as illustrated by way of example with reference to U.S. Pat. No. 2,388,463 to Benecke and U.S. Pat. No. 6,475,098 to Nemeckay for gold swing training devices. Sliding weights have also been used to aid in the timing of a “release’ of the golf, such as the golf club attachment of U.S. Pat. No. 2,950,115 to Hurdzan and U.S. Pat. No. 4,027,886 to Katsube for improving the timing in a golf swing. Those of skill in the art understand that there is a distinction between hitting the ball and swinging through the ball requiring a synchronized movement of the golf club during the swing. The present invention provides a training device and method for achieving a desirable swing. 
     SUMMARY 
     The golf swing teaching device and method of the present invention provide, by way of example, a desirable method for “setting” the club and “hinging” the shaft when executing the backswing, an indication of a preferred “lagging” of the club during the forward swing, a correct method for providing preferred angle between shaft and arm, and may teach a desired release of the club head through the hitting area. 
     One embodiment of the present invention may include a grip carried on a tapered golf shaft with a fixed stop at the opposite end of the shaft from the grip. Two sliding elements are carried on the shaft. A friction barrier is carried on the shaft at a spaced relation to the fixed stop. The two sliding elements on the shaft make distinctive sounds during the swinging of the device in a training process. The two sliding elements may be slidably attached to the shaft at distinct tension levels to allow golfers with various skill levels and ages to develop their swing mechanics. The present invention further provides for a preferred gripping of the golf club. Embodiments of the present invention, as herein described by way of example, allow the golfer to hold the club in a position to cause the clubface to contact the golf ball during the swing for achieving the optimum energy transfer to the ball from the club head and provide a desirable golf ball trajectory. 
     One embodiment of the invention may include a golf swing training device comprising a grip having a plurality of protrusions outwardly extending therefrom and arranged for receiving multiple finger webs in guiding a hand of the user for gripping the shaft proximal end. Another embodiment may include a shaft defined by a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and an intermediate portion, a first stop carried within the intermediate portion of the shaft, a second stop fixedly attached to the distal end portion of the shaft, a first element slidably carried by the shaft for movement from the proximal end portion of the shaft toward the first stop, wherein the first sliding element accelerates to the first stop for making contact therewith and creating a first sound thereby, and a second element slidably carried by the shaft for sliding movement from the intermediate portion toward the second stop, wherein the second element accelerates to the second stop for making contact therewith and creating a second sound thereby. 
     A method aspect of the invention includes a swing training method comprising holding a shaft by a user from a proximal end for a swinging thereof. The shaft includes a first sliding element releasably coupled to a first position on the shaft and a second sliding element releasably coupled to a second position on the shaft. The method may include swinging the shaft in a backswing movement away from the object for generating a first centrifugal force to release the first sliding element from the first position, wherein the first sliding element travels along the shaft to a first stop, making a first distinctive sound upon contacting the first stop, transitioning swinging the shaft from the backswing movement to a downswing movement, and swinging the shaft in a downswing movement toward the object for generating a second centrifugal force to release the second sliding element from the second position, wherein the second sliding element travels along the shaft to a second stop, making a second distinctive sound upon contacting the second stop. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating various embodiments of the present invention, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of one embodiment of a swing training device is keeping with the teachings of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2 and 2A  are bottom and side perspective views, respectively, of a grip useful with the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the grip of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial side perspective view of the grip of  FIG. 2  illustrating a placement of a top hand of a user carrying the grip within finger webs; 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view illustrating the placement of the top hand finger webs biased against protrusions on one embodiment of the grip, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the top hand closed against the grip of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a baseball styled gripping of the grip of  FIG. 5  illustrating top and bottom finger webs biased against protrusions carried by the grip; 
         FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of an overlapping styled gripping of the grip of  FIG. 5  illustrating top and bottom finger webs biased against protrusions carried by the grip; 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view illustrating an angle between the grip of the top hand when webs of the fingers are biased against one embodiment of protrusions arranged on the grip; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial plan view of one sliding element operable with a shaft; 
         FIG. 10  is an end view of the embodiment of  FIG. 9  illustrating a biasing of element portions against the shaft for selecting a friction contact therewith; 
         FIG. 11  is a partial cross section view illustrating a coupling and sliding element of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a diagrammatic view of a golfing backswing using the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a diagrammatic view of a golfing downswing using the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of a swing training device; 
         FIGS. 15 ,  16 , and  17  are partial cross section views of a sliding element operable with a shaft for providing coupling and release mechanisms operable with embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a diagrammatic view of a golfing backswing using the embodiment of  FIG. 14 ; and 
         FIG. 19  is a diagrammatic view of a golfing downswing using the embodiment of  FIG. 14 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which alternate embodiments of the invention are shown and described. It is to be understood that the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure may be thorough and complete, and will convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. 
     With reference initially to  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of the includes a golf swing training device  10  having an elongate shaft  12  with a proximal end portion  14  for holding the device by a user, an opposing distal end portion  16 , and an intermediate portion  18  therebetween. A grip  20  may be affixed at the proximal end portion  14 . A first coupling  22  is affixed to the shaft  12  generally within the proximal end portion  14 , but may be located as desired along the shaft length. A second coupling  24  is affixed the shaft  12  within the intermediate portion  18 , by way of example for the embodiment herein described. A stop  26  is attached to the shaft  12  at the distal end portion  16 , herein illustrated at an extreme end  28  of the shaft. The shaft  12  carries a first sliding element  30  for movement between the first coupling  22  and the second coupling  24 , and a second sliding element  32  for movement between the second coupling  24  and the stop  26 . The sliding elements  30 ,  32  have sufficient weight for responding to centrifugal forces during the swinging of the shaft  12  by a user when holding the grip  20  in simulating a golf swing. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the first sliding element  30  is initially coupled to the first coupling  22  and the second sliding element  32  is coupled to the second coupling  24  prior to a swinging of the shaft in a training exercise. As will be further detailed later in this section, the first sliding element  30  is released from the first coupling  22  by a first centrifugal force generated by the swinging of the shaft  12  during a first swinging motion (known in golfing as a backswing). The first sliding element  30  accelerates toward the second coupling  24  and makes a first distinctive sound upon contact with a back surface  34  of the second coupling. The second sliding element  32 , initially coupled to the second coupling  24 , remains coupled during the backswing and is released during a second swinging motion (known in golfing as a downswing) by a second centrifugal force generated during the second swinging motion of the shaft  12 . The second sliding element  32  accelerates toward the stop  26  and makes a second distinctive sound when contacting the stop. For the embodiment of the device  10 , herein described with reference to  FIG. 1 , the shaft  12  comprises a circular cross section, and has a constant cross section along lengths of the shaft having the sliding element movements. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  2 A, and  3 , one embodiment of the grip  20 , herein described by way of example, includes a plurality of protrusions  36  that extend outwardly from a longitudinal axis  38  of the grip and are arranged for receiving multiple finger webs  40  biased against them in guiding a hand  42  of the user  44 , as illustrated with reference to  FIGS. 4–6 , for gripping the shaft  12  proximal end portion  14 , earlier described with reference to  FIG. 1 . In one embodiment, the grip  20  may comprise three protrusions  46  for receiving the hand  42  that for a right-handed golfer will be the top hand on the shaft  12  positioned at a proximal portion  20 P of the grip, as illustrated by way of example with reference to  FIG. 7 . The three protrusions  46  extend from a first side  48  of the grip  20  for receiving three webs  40  between four fingers of the top hand. With reference again to  FIGS. 2 ,  2 A, and  3 , and to  FIGS. 7 and 7A , another protrusion  52  for receiving a web  54  between fingers of the bottom hand  56  of the user  44  along a distal portion  20 D of the grip  20 . In one desired arrangement, and as illustrated with reference to  FIG. 8 , the longitudinal axis  38  of the grip  20  (coincident with the axis of the shaft  12 ) and an a centerline  58  through a palm of the top hand  42  form approximately a forty five degree angle  60 . As further illustrated with reference again to  FIG. 5 , the protrusions  46  are aligned such that a line  47  extending through the protrusions along common points  46   a ,  46   b , and  46   c  on each of the protrusions  46  forms a non-zero angle  47 A with the longitudinal axis  38 . Each protrusion  46 A,  46 B,  46 C of the protrusions  46  is thus offset from an adjacent one protrusion along a circumference of the grip  20 . 
     With reference again to  FIGS. 2–4 , a fourth protrusion  62  extends from a second side  64  radially offset from the first side  48  for receiving a thumb  66  of the top hand  42 , as illustrated with reference again to  FIG. 5 , by way of example. Further, an indentation  68  is provided on the second side  64  for receiving a thumb of the bottom hand  56 . A second indentation  69  is also provided on the grip second side  64  for use by the thumb of the top hand  52  while the thumb is biased against the protrusion  62 . 
     With reference again to  FIG. 1 , the couplings  22 ,  24  and the sliding elements  30 ,  32  may have various embodiments within teachings of the present invention. By way of example, and with reference to  FIGS. 9–11 , the couplings  22 ,  24  and the sliding elements  30 ,  32  may be magnetically coupled with both being magnetized, one having a magnet and the other metallic, or the like. For the embodiment herein described by way of example, the sliding element comprises a plastic body  70  with a metallic ring  72  on a coupling side of the element. The sliding elements  30 ,  32  may be modified in weight by adding ballast material to the plastic body, by way of example, or by selecting a desired weighted element. The couplings  22 ,  24  are magnetized for the embodiment herein described. Alternatively, and as will come to those of skill in the art now having the benefit of the teachings of the present invention, friction or latching connections  25  may be used, such as an adhesive or Velcro, illustrated with reference again to  FIG. 11 . By way of example for the embodiment herein described for the gold training device  10 , a first coupling force between the first coupling  22  and the first sliding element  30  is less than a second coupling force between the second coupling  24  and the second sliding element  32 , thus less centrifugal force is required for releasing the first sliding element than for releasing the second sliding element. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 9–11 , for the embodiment herein described, the first and second sliding elements  30 ,  32  comprise the body  70  having a bore  74  extending therethrough and dimensioned for sliding along the shaft  12 . It may be desirable to modify the friction between the first and second sliding elements  30 ,  32  and the shaft  12 . One embodiment for modifying the frictional force may include having each sliding element  30 ,  32  formed from two parts  70 A,  70 B and having the shaft  12  slidably received therebetween. By compressing the shaft  12  between the two parts  70 A,  70 B using connecting screws  76 , a desired sliding friction between the sliding elements and the shaft is achieved. As a result and by way of example when simulating a golfing swing, the releasing of the sliding elements and the sliding along the shaft may be modified to accommodate a desired circumstance or user characteristic. The coupling forces between the first coupling and the first sliding element and between the second coupling and the second sliding element may be preset for a desired swinging movement. 
     Yet further with regard to training a swing, and with reference again to  FIG. 1 , an alignment element  78  may be carried by the shaft  12 , which element may have a shape of a golf club head for the golf training device  10  herein described by way of example. In addition, a rod  80  may be carried within the shaft and longitudinally extendable from the proximal end portion  14  for viewing by the user during a swinging movement for identifying a swing plane therefor, desirable in one training exercise for a golf swing. 
     By way of example, one method of use may include the training of a full golf swing. With reference now to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , during one desired swing, two impact or percussion sounds will be heard. With reference to  FIG. 12  and to swing locations points A–F, the first sound is heard during the backswing at point E in the backswing as the first sliding element  30  contacts the second coupling  24 . In order for the user to hear the noise associated with the backswing (the first sound), the user will need to “set” the club properly. For the example herein described, the first sliding element  30  will begin to leave the first coupling  22  near swing point D. This may require a cocking of the wrists and a slight increase in tempo during the backswing, illustrated by way of example with reference to angles α and β for swing points D and E, respectively. 
     With reference again to  FIG. 13 , the second impact sound is desirably heard at point J. This is created when a desired tempo is used. By way of example, imagine a cracking of a whip. This allows the second sliding element  32  to be released from the second coupling  24 , as illustrated at about point I, to slide down the shaft  12  and hit the stop  26 . Typically, an un-cocking of the wrists as illustrated with angles β to α in the downswing will cause a desired release of the second sliding element  32 . The desired setting of the club going back and the desired releasing, or un-cocking, on the downswing provides a desirable maximum club head acceleration. As earlier described with reference to  FIGS. 9–11 , not every golfer swings with the same speed or force. With this in mind, the first and second slidable elements  30 ,  32  will be adjustable so that the beginner, as well as the seasoned professional will be allowed to train using the device  10 . By way of example for one embodiment herein describe, the first sliding element  30  may require less centrifugal force to allow it to break free from its starting position. The second sliding element  32  may be set to require significantly more centrifugal force to be applied during the downswing to allow it to break free and contact the stop  26  at the end of the shaft  12 . 
     As illustrated with reference to  FIG. 14 , an alternate embodiment of the device  10 , identified as device  11  may include a tapered golf shaft  12  and the two sliding elements  30 ,  32  to move freely after they have been released from their respective starting positions  82 ,  84 . As above described with reference to  FIG. 1 , the stop  26  is carried at the shaft distal end  14  opposite the grip  20 . The stop  26  prevents the first and second sliding elements  30 ,  32  from coming loose from the shaft  12  and provides a distinct sound at the time of the second impact portion of the swing creating the sound made during the downswing. The second sliding element  32  stops the first sliding element  30  when the user makes the desired backswing. The first sound is made when the first element  30  hits the second element  32  during the backswing. A release mechanism  86  (a friction barrier by way of example) described with reference to  FIGS. 15–17  holds the first sliding element  30  in place during the completion of the backswing and releases both the first and second slidable elements for moving toward the stop  26  when sufficient force is applied during the downswing. 
     As illustrated by way of example with reference to  FIG. 15 , one embodiment may include the sliding element  30 ,  32  having the bore  74  forced into a taper of the tapered shaft  12  varying the frictional contact by pushing the element to a first, second, third indicator mark  88  made on the shaft. As illustrated with reference to  FIG. 16 , notches  90  and tabs  92  may be carried by the shaft  12 , whether tapered or not, and by the surface of the bore  74 , with a degree of releasing force countering a centrifugal force based on the number of notches engaged. Yet further, a friction sleeve  94  may be employed for establishing a preset frictional contact  95  between the element  30 ,  32  and the shaft  12 , as illustrated by way of example with reference to  FIG. 17 . 
     As above described, during a desired swing, two impact or percussion sounds are heard. With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 18 , the first sound is heard during the backswing at point E. As above described, in order for the user to hear the noise associated with the backswing (the first sound), the user will need to “set” the club properly. This may require a cocking of the wrists and a slight increase in tempo during the backswing, by way of example. The second impact sound is heard at point J as illustrated with reference to  FIG. 19 . The sliding elements  30 ,  32  slide down the shaft  12  together and hit the stop  26 . This will be when the wrists un-cock in the downswing. The desired setting of the club going back and the desired releasing, or un-cocking, on the downswing permits achieving maximum club head acceleration. As above described, not every golfer swings with the same speed or force. Therefore, frictional contact of the first and second sliding elements  30 ,  32  with the shaft  12  may be adjustable so that the beginner, as well as the seasoned professional will be allowed to practice with this device. 
     Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and alternate embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.