Abstract:
A golf alignment training device designed for right and left handed golfers, and having a convenient and portable design capable of transport in a standard golf bag. The training device allows for easy alignment with a target while providing easily adjustable front and rear foot position pointers for an appropriate stance, as well as an easily adjustable ball position pointer that corresponds with a particular club selection.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Technical Field  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a training device for improving a golfer&#39;s swing. More particularly, the invention relates to a training device for improving a golfer&#39;s overall swing alignment through the proper spatial placement of the golfer&#39;s feet, golf ball and golf club relative to the target objective and the chosen golf club.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     A golfer using a golf club to strike a golf ball to propel it toward a desired target generally wishes to do this consistently whether the distance is a few inches or several hundreds of yards away. Proper execution of a golf swing generally requires that the golf ball be struck with the club face directly inline with the target. To cause the golf ball to travel down along the intended pathway, the golfer&#39;s swing of the club needs to have the club head traveling along the target line at the moment of impact with the ball. Deviation in either the club face alignment or swing path will cause a proportional error in the trajectory of the golf ball. This will cause the ball to deviate from traveling to the intended target.  
         [0005]     A frequent cause of targeting error involves club face alignment or the club swing path. This often results when a golfer assumes a stance that is not aligned parallel to the target line. After making an error in targeting, the golfer attempts to correct the misalignment and tries to compensate for the error by altering various swing mechanics. As such, an inconsistent golf swing results and is difficult to correct.  
         [0006]     To effect a desired shot consistently, it is important for a golfer to properly position his body relative to the target line by assuming a proper stance. Furthermore, it is important for the golfer to execute a proper swing along a swing path having an impact point on the target line with the club face square with respect to the target line and with the club head moving down the target line at the moment of impact.  
         [0007]     To correct such inconsistencies, a device that is easily transportable and can be quickly set and arranged for each shot by a golfer is desired. Such a device would provide for a pointer for each of the golfer&#39;s feet, for the golf ball, and for the alignment of the device itself with the target. Further, such device should be able to utilize with any size and type of golf club including drivers, woods, irons, wedges, and putters.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention pertains to a golf alignment training device having a linear rigid member such as a rod or pole. Affixed to an end of the training device disposed between terminal ends of the rod are reference indicators incrementally disposed on the alignment device. A target pointer disposed at a first terminal end of the alignment device allows for the use of the rod or a front foot position pointer adjustably attached to the alignment device between the first terminal end and a midpoint of the alignment device. The rear foot position pointer adjustably attached to the alignment device between a second terminal end of the alignment device and the midpoint and a ball position pointer adjustably attached to the alignment device between the front foot position pointer and the rear foot position pointer.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the golf alignment training device as configured for a right handed golfer;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a top side view of the golf alignment training device as configured for a right handed golfer;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a golfer side view of the golf alignment training device as configured for a right handed golfer;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a ball side view of the golf alignment training device as configured for a right handed golfer;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a right handed golfer target end view of the golf alignment training device as configured for a right handed golfer; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a left handed golfer target end view of the golf alignment training device as configured for a right handed golfer.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]     The preferred embodiment of the golf alignment training device is shown in  FIG. 1  in a configuration for a right-handed golfer. Therein, the preferred embodiment includes an essentially linear alignment device  10  having optional reference indicators  20 ,  30 , and  44  coinciding with pointer position receptacles  54 ,  56 , and  58 , respectively. Simulated depictions of the placement positions for a forward foot  66 , a rearward foot  68 , and a golf ball  64  are included to further illustrate the features of alignment device  10 . For positioning forward foot  66 , forward foot position marker components are provided toward a first distal end of device  10 . For positioning rearward foot  68 , rearward foot position marker components are provided toward a second distal end of device  10 . For selecting a beneficial golf ball location between the forward and rearward foot position markers, ball placement marker components are provided toward a proximal region on device  10 . Target alignment marker components are provided at one or more terminal ends of device  10 .  
         [0017]     The preferred embodiment of the alignment device  10  is that of a rod, which as shown in  FIGS. 1-6  comprises an essentially straight, durable rod. Other typical embodiments of the alignment device  10  include rectangular, other polygonal and round rigid solid rods. Alternatively, rigid hollow tubes with permanently fixed end caps may be substituted for a rigid solid rod.  
         [0018]     The preferred embodiment of the reference indicators includes a series of front foot reference indicators  20 , a series of rear foot reference indicators  44 , and a series of club reference indicators  30 . The series of reference indicators are spatially located along a centerline extending from the right handed golfer target end  18  and, optionally, a left handed golfer target end  19  on the top side  12  of alignment device  10 . The preferred embodiment of the club reference indicators  30  includes a subgrouping of middle golf ball settings  40 , a subgrouping of forward golf ball settings  37 , and a subgrouping of rearward golf ball settings  39 .  
         [0019]     Settings  37 ,  39 , and  40  are provided so that golf ball  64  may be aligned with the desired golf ball reference for a selected golf club and a particular stance width, which is the distance between forward foot  66  and rearward foot  68 , for a forthcoming club stroke. The preferred embodiment of club settings  37 ,  39 , and  40  are provided to accommodate the use of variety of types of golf clubs including the driver and other woods, short and long irons, wedges, and putter. Typically, the width of the golfer&#39;s stance and the position of the golf ball in relation to the golfer&#39;s feet depend upon the type of golf club being swung. In the embodiment shown, club settings  40  include a series of three indicators symmetrically located having the center indicator being located proximally to the longitudinal midpoint between ends  18  and  19 . Typically, club settings  40  would be used with short irons. Likewise, settings  38  include two groupings of a series of two indicators with each grouping separately located symmetrically opposite and outward from short iron club settings  40  toward the aforementioned terminal ends of device  10 . The preferred embodiment of the driver, woods, long iron club settings  36  include two groupings of a series of two indicators with each grouping separately located symmetrically opposite and outward from the medium iron clubs settings  38  and toward the aforementioned terminal ends of device  10 .  
         [0020]     A further preferred embodiment of the front foot reference indicators  20  include a grouping of a series of six or more indicators located outward from the driver, woods, long iron club settings  36  and toward the golfer target end  18 . A further preferred embodiment of the rearward foot reference indicators  44  include a grouping of a series of six or more indicators located outward from the driver, woods, long iron club settings  36  and toward terminal end  19 . A further embodiment of the reference indicators  20 ,  30 , and  44  includes being a permanent indenture. Other typical embodiments of the reference indicators  20 ,  30 , and  44  may include being a permanent or semi-permanent mark, label, or etching.  
         [0021]     As shown, the position receptacles includes a series of six front foot position receptacles  54 , a series of six rear foot position receptacles  56 , and a series of eleven club reference ball position receptacles  58  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ). The series of front foot position receptacles  54  and the series of rear foot position receptacles  56  are spatially located along a centerline extending from end  18  and end  19  on the golfer side  14  of alignment device  10 . Each of the receptacles in the series of front foot position receptacles  54  is located perpendicular to a corresponding indicator in the series of front foot reference indicators  20 . Each of the receptacles in the series of rear foot position receptacles  56  is located perpendicular to a corresponding indicator in the series of rear foot reference indicators  44 . If reference indicators  20 ,  30 , and  44  are eliminated, the user may use position receptacles  54 ,  58 , and  56  for proper position settings.  
         [0022]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the series of club reference ball position receptacles  58  are spatially located along a centerline extending from end  18  and end  19  on the ball side  16  of alignment device  10 . Each of the receptacles in the series of club reference ball position receptacles  58  is located in about the same cross sectional plane within device  10  to a corresponding indicator in the series of club reference indicators  30 . In the embodiment shown, the position receptacles is of sufficient size to accommodate alignment pointers  24 ,  34 , and  50  as further described below.  
         [0023]     The preferred embodiment of the front foot position marker components, the rear foot position marker components, and the club reference ball placement marker components comprise respective indicator guides  22 ,  46 , and  32 , each having a respective optional indicator guide portal  23 ,  47 , and  33 , and a respective indicator guide receptacle  25 ,  51 , and  35  (as shown in  FIG. 5 ), a respective position pointer  24 ,  50 , and  34 , and guide stop components. In the embodiment depicted, indicator guides  22 ,  46 , and  32  include having a tubular body with internal dimensions conforming to the shape and cross section perpendicular to the length of alignment device  10  while allowing sufficient tolerances to allow for a smooth sliding movement along the length of the alignment device  10 . See  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Indicator guide portals  23 ,  47 , and  33  include being located at about the center on the top side of the respective indicator guides  22 ,  46 , and  32 , corresponding to the top side  12  of the alignment device  10 , having an opening sufficient to allow a user to interpret the corresponding reference indicators  20 ,  44 , and  30 . The preferred embodiment of the front foot indicator guide receptacle  25  and rear foot indicator guide receptacle  51  includes being a threaded hole located at the center on the golfer side  14  of the respective indicator guides  22  and  46  corresponding to the golfer side  14  of the alignment device  10 . The preferred embodiment of the club reference indicator guide receptacle  35  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) includes being an aperture located at the center on the ball side  16  of the respective indicator guide  32  corresponding to the ball side  16  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) of the alignment device  10 .  
         [0024]     The preferred embodiment of the position pointers  24 ,  50 , and  34  consists of a solid rod that is adapted to rest in or above respective indicator guide receptacles  25 ,  51 , and  35  as shown in  FIG. 4 . In addition, the preferred embodiment of attachment includes positioning and temporarily affixing pointers  24 ,  50 , and  34  above respective indicator guide receptacles  25 ,  51 , and  35 . These are positioned such that a terminal end on each of the position pointers  24 ,  50 , and  34  extends into an aperture adapted to receive that terminal end thereby allowing the temporary affixing of the position pointer.  
         [0025]     The preferred embodiment of the guide stop components includes the stop pins  26  and  48  spatially located along a centerline extending from the right handed golfer target end  18  and the left handed golfer target end  19  on the top side  12  of alignment device  10 . The preferred embodiment of the front foot stop receptacle  25  has a further spatial location defined as between the right handed golfer target end  18  and the outermost front foot reference indicator  20 . While not shown, an alternative embodiment may include the use of a front and rear foot club stop pins to separate the club guide  32  region from the foot placement regions of guides  22  and  46 . The preferred embodiment of the rear foot stop pin  48  has a further spatial location defined as between the outermost rear foot reference indicator  44  and the left handed golfer target end  19 .  
         [0026]     The preferred embodiment of the target alignment components include a target alignment pointer  52 , a right handed golfer target alignment receptacle  60 , and a left handed golfer target alignment receptacle  62  (as shown in  FIG. 6 ). The target alignment receptacles  60  and  62  are located at opposite terminal ends of the alignment device  10 . The preferred embodiment of the target alignment receptacles  60  and  62  consists of a threaded hole located in center of each respective target end  18  and  19  of the alignment device  10 . The single target alignment pointer  52  can be affixed to either the right handed golfer target alignment receptacle  60  or the left handed golfer target alignment receptacle  62 . One example of an alignment pointer  52  consists of a solid rod with one end threaded to match the threaded target alignment receptacles  60  and  62 . Other typical embodiments of affixing the target alignment pointer  52  to either of the alignment receptacle  60  and  62  include any means of creating a nonpermanent frictional fitting between one end of the target alignment pointer  52  and the alignment receptacles  60  and  62 . A further typical embodiment includes integrating and forming a target indicator onto each end  18  and  19  of the alignment device  10  wherein the target indicator may be a retractable spring-loaded pointer that can be retained within or on device  10  while not in use.  
         [0027]     Other typical embodiments of the alignment device do not require the front foot positioning components, the rear foot positioning components, and the club reference/ball placement components, nor their respective indicator guides  22 ,  46 , and  32 , indicator guide portals  23 ,  47 , and  33 , and indicator guide receptacles  25 ,  51 , and  35 . Such typical embodiments include using the position pointers  24 ,  50 , and  34  attached directly to the respective position receptacles  54 ,  56 , and  58 . Other typical method of attachment include a threaded or nonpermanent frictional fitting between one end of the position pointers  24 ,  50 , and  35 , and the respective position receptacles  54 ,  56 , and  58 .  
         [0028]     The top side  12  view of the preferred embodiment of the golf alignment training device as configured for a right handed golfer is shown in  FIG. 2 . The notable items in  FIG. 2  include the target alignment pointer  52  in proper placement relative to the right handed golfer target end  18 , and the position pointers  24 ,  50 , and  34  in proper placement relative to their respective indicator guide receptacles  25 ,  51 , and  35  (as shown in  FIGS. 1, 3 , and  4 ) located on their respective indicator guides  22 ,  46 , and  32 .  
         [0029]     The golfer side  14  view of the preferred embodiment of the golf alignment training device as configured for a right handed golfer is shown in  FIG. 3 . The notable items in  FIG. 3  include the stop pins  26  and  48  in proper placement relative to their respective ends of device  10 .  
         [0030]     The ball side  16  view of the preferred embodiment of the golf alignment training device as configured for a right handed golfer is shown in  FIG. 4 . The notable items in  FIG. 4  include the club reference ball position receptacles  58  in proper placement relative to the ball side  16  of the alignment device, and the club reference ball indicator guide receptacle  35  in proper placement relative to the respective club reference ball indicator guide receptacle  32 .  
         [0031]     The right handed golfer target end  18  view of the preferred embodiment of the golf alignment training device as configured for a right handed golfer is shown in  FIG. 5 . The notable items in  FIG. 5  include the end view of the front foot indicator guide  22  as it is placed behind the front foot stop pin  26 , the front foot position pointer  24  in proper attachment to and through the front foot indicator guide receptacle  25  (as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ) of the front foot indicator guide  22 , and the club reference ball position pointer  34  in proper attachment to and through the club reference ball indicator guide receptacle  35  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) of the club reference indicator guide  32  (as shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  3  and  4 ).  
         [0032]     The left handed golfer target end  19  view of the preferred embodiment of the golf alignment training device as configured for a right handed golfer is shown in  FIG. 6 . The notable items in  FIG. 6  include the end view of the rear foot indicator guide  46  as it is placed behind the rear foot stop pin  48 , the rear foot position pointer  50  in proper attachment to and through the rear foot indicator guide receptacle  51  (as shown in  FIG. 1  and  3 ) of the rear foot indicator guide  46 , and the left handed golfer target alignment receptacle  62  in proper placement relative to the left handed golfer target end  19  of the alignment device  10 .  
         [0033]     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.