Abstract:
A device that makes an imprint in a sand trap, providing a practicing golfer with visual indications of proper swing path, club face angle, club impact position, when making a basic sand shot.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/567,521 filed Dec. 6, 2011 entitled Golf Training Device, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to training devices for golf swings. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    There are hundred of swing trainers on the market. Unfortunately, swing trainers designed to teach a student how to make proper sand shots are almost non-existent. There exists a need for a device that can be used when learning how to perform golf shots from sand traps. 
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The invention provides a device that helps a golfer with alignment, club face angle, and proper club placement when hitting a golf ball out of the sand. The device makes an imprint in the sand that includes lines showing the golfer where to aim in relation to the flag, where the club should make initial contact with the sand relative to the ball, and how open the club face should be. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    These and other aspects, features and advantages of which embodiments of the invention are capable of will be apparent and elucidated from the following description of embodiments of the present invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bottom of an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of a bottom of an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a depiction of a sand imprint made by an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a diagram showing how an imprint made using an embodiment of the invention is used to align a golf shot; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of a bottom of an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0011]    Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The terminology used in the detailed description of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the invention. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements. 
         [0012]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show an embodiment  10  of the invention. The device  10  is a stamp used to make an imprint in the sand of a sand trap. The embodiment  10  includes an open box like structure having four walls  20 ,  22 ,  24 , and  26  arranged in a rectangle. A diagonal wall  28  extends through the device  10  from wall  20  to wall  24 . Each of the walls has an edge  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38 , respectively that will make an imprint when the device  10  is pressed into sand. The diagonal edge  38  includes a feature  40  that gives an indication in the resulting imprint as to where the golf ball should be placed when using the imprint to practice a sand shot. The feature  40  is shown as an interruption in the edge  38  but may be a variety of other features such as an intersecting edge forming a cross-hair design, a protrusion, or any other feature that would result in a visible indicator in the resulting sand imprint as to where the ball should be located.  FIG. 2  includes dimensions for an example of an embodiment of the invention. 
         [0013]      FIG. 3  shows a depiction of a sand imprint  100  made with the device  10 . The imprint includes lines  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 , and  58  made by edges  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 , and  48  respectfully. Line  58  includes interruption  60  made by feature  40 . When using the imprint, a ball should be placed on the interruption  60 . 
         [0014]      FIG. 4  shows an example of how the imprint  100  is used. The golfer places his or her feet F on a line A that runs parallel to the line  58 . The line  58  represents the desired club path, extended in the Figure as line B, when making the sand shot. Lines  56  and  52  should be aligned with the flag  70 . Thus, the club path B is to the left of the flag  70 , for a right handed golfer. The leading edge of the golf club should be parallel to the line  54 . Thus the club is considered to be “open.” When swinging, the line  54  indicates where the club should first strike the sand. This ensures the club passes under the ball, allowing the sand to lift the ball out of the trap. 
         [0015]    Having described some embodiments of the invention, the versatility of the invention may be discussed. For example, in addition to using the device  10  to make imprints  100  in sand, edges  32  and  36  may be coated with a substance, such as chalk, and used to assist in putting training. After coating the edges  32  and  36 , and perhaps  34  as well, with chalk, the device  10  may be used to stamp a putting surface, thereby creating parallel chalk lines to be used as a visual aid for putting. 
         [0016]    Additionally, devices may be constructed having different dimensions for different shots. For example,  FIG. 5  shows a device  10  having the same components as those shown in the other Figures, except that the dimensions differ from those dimensions shown in  FIG. 2 . Altering these dimensions creates shots with slightly different ball flights. Additionally, it is to be understood that all of the embodiments shown in the figures are designed for right-handed golfers. Left-handed embodiments would simply be mirror-images of these embodiments. Another example of a variation of the device  10  would be a diagonal wall  28  that is adjustable such that it could be set at different angles for different shots. 
         [0017]    Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein are proffered by way of example to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof.