Abstract:
A training aid for monitoring and improving the orientation a golfer&#39;s hands while gripping the golf club as well as the golf club itself during the swing thereof, wherein the structure of the training aid is such as to allow it to be removably attached to the golf club and travel therewith during the swing without interfering with the normal path of the golf club during such swing. A base assembly comprises a housing removably connected to the club shaft and a reference assembly movably interconnected to the housing and positionable into an operative position. The reference assembly includes one or more legs disposable radially outward from the housing and into frontal alignment with a longitudinal axis of the golf club when in the operative position such that the one leg and/or an indicator structure thereon is readily observable as the club travels along the swing path.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention is directed to a training aid capable of being removably secured to the shaft of a golf club and moveable therewith along the swing path during the swinging of the golf club. When so attached, a reference assembly of the training aid is disposable in an operative position at least partially defined by a radially outward extending portion oriented in frontal alignment with a longitudinal axis of the golf club. As such the reference assembly is observable by the golfer at various points along the swing path thereby allowing the golfer to determine whether or not the hands/grip of the golfer relative to the club head as well as the golf club itself is properly oriented during the golf swing. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   The game of golf has enjoyed increasing popularity over many years and is played by men, women and children of almost all ages. While appearing to be relatively simple, the act of striking a golf ball with a golf club in an effective manner for purposes of achieving a desirable score is surprisingly difficult. Except for an extremely limited number of individuals, the development of a correct or preferred golf swing is not a natural or easily accomplished procedure. Accomplishing a proper or “grooved” swing normally takes hours of practice and instruction from a knowledgeable individual. Even after many years of practice a seasoned golfer frequently encounters periods of time when his or her developed golf swing becomes flawed resulting in a less than desirable outcome in terms of obtaining a low or acceptable score. 
   When a golfer does not maintain proper orientation of the golf club along the swing path, the golf ball, when struck is often “sliced” or “hooked”. While the reasons for striking the golf ball in this undesirable manner may vary significantly, one of the most common occurrences is that the golfer allows the club to twist or turn during some portion of the back swing or down swing and in some cases during the follow through segment of the swing path. As a result, the club face may be opened or closed which makes the golf ball “slice” or “hook”. Accordingly, there is a significant advantage to a golfer being able to review or monitor the various portions of the swing path of the club in order to eliminate or significantly reduce the possibility of improperly orienting the golf club during the golf swing. While a conscientious golfer may spend hours practicing, as well as conducting exercises to improve one&#39;s posture, muscle control, etc., the imperfections in the golf swing may be unconsciously occurring, at least to the extent that the golfer does not realize that the swing path and the normally grooved swing of the golfer has changed. 
   In order to overcome problems of the type set forth above, several corrective or educational aids have been introduced into the game of golf. Such devices are structured and/or intended to be utilized in a manner which corrects the golf swing by removing the most harmful flaws therefrom. Such known or attempted training devices vary significantly in both structure and method of use and include, but are not limited to, gripping aids, harnesses, club restraining or guiding devices, as well as body restraints, slings, etc. While at least some of these devices may be considered at least minimally functional or operative for their intended purpose, many have been found to be ineffective or overly complex in their structure, application and practice. 
   One category of known golf training and/or practice devices involves a variety of different objects or structures which are attachable directly to the golf club, wherein the utilization thereof are intended to “train” a golfer into achieving the preferred or maximized “grooved” swing. However, one common problem associated with training devices intended for attachment to the golf club is the difficulty of golfers being able to perform or practice their typical or normal golf swing. More specifically, the structure, size, configuration, etc. of many conventional and/or known teaching and practice devices prevent a golfer from making the normal swing or a preferred or maximized swing during practice and/or actual play. As a result, once device is removed from the golf club, the golfer may very well revert to the flawed swing pattern which he or she has been trying to correct. 
   Therefore, there is a long and well recognized need in the sport of golf for a training aid which can efficiently aid a golfer in monitoring his or her golf swing. If and when developed, such a preferred golf training aid would preferably be of a significantly small, lightweight configuration and construction thereby enabling the preferred training aid to be removably secured to the golf club so as to travel therewith during a typical swing path as normally performed by the golfer. Further, such a preferred training aid would include specific structural and operative components which would enable a self-evaluation of the swing path by facilitating clear observation of the club during the various segments of the golfer&#39;s swing. Therefore, the golfer would be able to examine and review the position of the club as well as the hands and arms during various portions of the golf swing including the address, back swing, forward or down swing, as well as certain segments of the follow through. As such, a golfer would be able to self evaluate various segments of the swing path during the occurrence of the golf swing and be able to correct the position or orientation of the club if necessary. Hopefully the result would be an improved and eventual “grooving” of the golf swing resulting in significantly better scoring on a consistent basis. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a training aid intended for use by participants in the game of golf for purposes of reviewing, evaluating and if necessary, correcting one&#39;s golf swing. It is of course well recognized that those individuals who excel in the game of golf have, at least to a significant extent, established a proper grip and otherwise maximized the swing path of the various clubs within a set, such that the golfer&#39;s swing is said to be “grooved”. As such, the golfer is able to strike the golf ball with an intended amount of force while controlling or maintaining intended path of the golf ball during flight. 
   However, even with professional and more accomplished amateur golfers, it is not uncommon for imperfections to unknowingly develop in an individual&#39;s golf swing. Such imperfections frequently result in loss of control of the flight of the golf ball, inaccurate golf shots and attendant poor scores. Accordingly, the training aid of the present invention is structured to facilitate a golfer being able to monitor, evaluate and thereafter correct the position of his or her hands relative to the club head as well as the golf swing itself, by determining if the club is properly oriented at various points along the swing path through which the golf club travels. Therefore, the training aid of the present invention is structured to be mounted on and travel with the golf club during the golf swing such that various segments of the swing path of the golf club may be monitored and evaluated, as set forth above. As such, the training aid of the present invention is dimensioned, configured and structured to eliminate the possibility of interfering with the intended swing path but which facilitates the review, evaluation and resulting correction of the golf swing and hand position as set forth above. 
   As set forth in greater detail hereinafter, the various preferred embodiments of the golf swing training aid of the present invention comprises a base assembly removably mounted on the golf club and structured to move therewith through the entire swing path. In order to not interfere with the normal swing typically used by any given golfer, the base assembly, including its various structural and operative components, is formed from a lightweight material such as plastic, fiberglass, lightweight metal or even a composite material. In addition, the overall size of the base assembly as compared to the regulation size golf club is significantly smaller while at the same time being structured to facilitate visual observation thereof. Moreover, the orientation of the golf club at various points along the swing path defining the normal golf swing of the user may be efficiently determined. 
   More specifically, the base assembly comprises a housing having an at least partially hollow or open interior and two oppositely disposed open ends. As such, the housing is removably disposed on the golf club in substantially enclosing or at least partially surrounding relation to a portion of the shaft which is permitted to pass longitudinally through the housing and both of the open ends. The housing is preferably, but not necessarily, disposed at a location along the length of the shaft between the head of the club and the grip. The removable attachment of the housing to a portion of the shaft is made secure by the cooperative structuring between interior surfaces or other interior portions of the housing and the configuration and dimension of the shaft, including the outer surface thereof. 
   Another feature of the training aid of the present invention is the provision of a reference assembly comprising at least one but preferably a plurality of elongated legs movably connected to the housing and selectively positionable thereon between a stored position and an operative position. Preferably, the one or more legs of the reference assembly are pivotally, rotationally or otherwise movably connected to the sides of the base assembly so as to extend radially outward there from and from the shaft of the golf club to which the housing is attached. 
   As will be explained in greater detail hereinafter, the operative position is more specifically defined by one of the plurality of legs of the reference assembly being positioned in an exposed, substantially frontal alignment with the longitudinal axis of the golf club. In this frontally aligned orientation, a user will be able to effectively observe and accurately determine whether or not the golf club is in a proper orientation as it travels along various segments of the swing path. As will also be explained hereinafter, the general orientation of the one frontally aligned leg of the reference assembly will indicate whether the golf club is properly orientated and accordingly whether the golf club is traveling along a “preferred” or maximized swing path best able to accomplish a correct or most efficient striking of the golf ball. Concurrently, the operative positioning of the reference assembly also facilitates the golfer accomplishing a proper grip and/or a proper alignment of the hands relative to the face of the club head. 
   The twisting or turning of the golf club at one or more points along the swing path is an unfortunate and common occurrence and frequently causes an inaccurate striking of the golf ball with the face of the club head. Such inadvertent angular orientation of the club frequently results in an opening or closing of the club face and a “hooking” or “slicing” of the golf ball when struck. The presence of the training aid on the golf club so as to move therewith, wherein the reference assembly is in the aforementioned operative position, allows the user to accurately determine the orientation of the golf club during various points along the swing path while the golfer is in the process of swinging the club. By way of example, the various segments of the swing path where the reference assembly is readily observable include, but are not limited to, addressing of the ball, the mid portion of the back swing where the arms of the golfer are generally level with the ground surface and prior to the wrist of the golfer being cocked, a down swing or power swing segment of the swing path prior to or concurrently with the club head impacting the ball and at least a some of the follow through portion of the swing path, subsequent to ball impact. 
   Other structural and operative features of at least one preferred embodiment of the training aid of the present invention include the provision of an indicator structure connected to, integrally formed on or defined by at least a portion of the one reference arm disposed in substantially frontal alignment with the golf club, as set forth above. Such indicator structure may comprise distinctive and easily recognizable coloring, indicia, structural configurations or other characteristics which facilitate observation of the indicator structure and accordingly the orientation of the reference arm to which it is attached, while the club passes through the swing path. 
   Convenience and versatility of the training aid of the present invention is further enhanced by the selective positioning of the reference assembly, including the one or more reference arms associated therewith into a stored position when the housing is removed from the golf club or alternatively when the base assembly remains on the shaft of the golf club but is not used for purposes of monitoring or evaluating the grip and/or swing path of the golf club. Such stored position comprises one or more reference arms being disposed in a substantially folded, aligned and possibly substantially parallel relation to the housing, as the reference arms extend along the corresponding portion of the length of the shaft of the golf club. 
   These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer when the drawings as well as the detailed description are taken into consideration. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view in partial phantom of one preferred embodiment of the training aid for a golf swing of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a top view, at least partially in phantom, of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2  wherein components of the training aid of the present invention are represented in both an operative and stored position. 
       FIG. 4  is a top detailed view of a reference arm associated with the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 through 3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a side detailed view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4 . 
   

   Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   As shown in the accompanying drawings, the present invention is directed to a training aid generally indicated as  10  which is intended to improve the golf game of a user by means of allowing the individual to review, evaluate and correct his or her grip and golf swing. Accordingly, the training aid of the present invention is dimensioned, configured and structured to be removably connected to or mounted on the golf club so as to travel therewith along a swing path as the participating golfer performs a typical golf swing. As will be evident from a more complete discussion of the structural and operative components of the training aid of the present invention, the cooperative dimensioning and lightweight structure thereof facilitates its removable attachment to the golf club in a manner which will not interfere with the normal golf swing of the participant. 
   More specifically, the training aid  10  comprises a base assembly generally indicated as  12  which includes a housing  14 . In at least one preferred embodiment the housing  14  may have an elongated configuration defined by a continuous side wall  16  surrounding an at least partially hollow interior  18 . The housing  14  further includes oppositely disposed open ends  20  and  22  each of which is disposed in communicating relation with the least partially hollow interior  18 . In addition, the housing  14  includes an access opening  24  formed in and extending along the length of the sidewall  16  between and in communication with the oppositely disposed open ends  20  and  22 . As clearly represented in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the access opening  24  also communicates with the at least partially hollow interior  18  and is specifically dimensioned to allow lateral passage of at least a portion of the shaft  28  therethrough. For purposes of clarity, the shaft  28  and a club head  29  are schematically indicated in phantom lines in at least some of the accompanying Figures. 
   It is emphasized that the various structural features of the housing  14  may vary at least to the extent of it having a lesser length, such as by being defined by more of a ring-like and/or annular construction than that represented in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . It is also to be noted that most, if not all, conventional golf clubs comprise a width or transverse dimension of the shaft which is substantially tapered along its length. As such, the portion of the shaft generally closer to the club head is thinner than that portion of the shaft located substantially adjacent to the grip portion of the shaft. Accordingly, regardless of the length of the housing  14 , the lateral access opening  24  may be dimensioned to receive at least a thinner portion of the shaft as it passes laterally there through into the at least partially hollow interior  18 . 
   Thereafter, the housing  14  may be repositioned by moving it along the shaft towards the upper, thicker portion of the club closer to the grip thereof. In doing so, a portion of the golf club shaft  28  having a greater transverse dimension will eventually become correspondingly positioned or aligned with the interior surface of the hollow interior  18 . When such corresponding position or alignment occurs, a frictional engagement between the exterior surface of the shaft and interior portions of the housing  14  will be established. This frictional engagement will facilitate the stable, but removable, mounting or attachment of the training aid  10  on an appropriately and/or correspondingly sized portion of the shaft  28  during the golf swing. The training aid  10  will thereby be maintained in a predetermined orientation which at least partially may be defined by an operative position thereof as the golf club travels along a swing path defining the golf swing. 
   Movement or repositioning of the housing  14 , as set forth above, as well as the mounting and removal of the training aid  10  relative to the shaft  28  can be facilitated by a handle structure  17  secured to the side  16  and extending outwardly there from. In at least one preferred embodiment represented in  FIG. 3 , the handle structure  17  includes oppositely facing curved surfaces  19  and  19 ′ which are disposed and configured to facilitate movement of the housing  14  in opposite directions both up and down the shaft  28 . As such, the housing  14  can be easily and efficiently mounted on or removed from the shaft  28 . 
   With primary reference to  FIG. 2 , removal but stable mounting or connection of the base assembly  12  to the exterior of the shaft  28  is further facilitated by a locking assembly  30  which may be connected to, formed on or even defined by the interior surface extending along at least a portion of the hollow interior  18 . In at least one preferred embodiment, the locking assembly  30  includes a flexible and/or compressible material. Therefore the locking assembly  30  is forced into the above noted frictional engagement with the exterior of the golf club shaft  28 , it will be at least partially compressed and thereby increase its gripping force on the shaft  28 . The gripping force exerted on the shaft  28  is enhanced by the fact that the locking assembly  30  as well as the sidewall  16  of the housing  14  is disposed in at least partially surrounding and substantially enclosing relation to the portion of the shaft  28  which it engages. Other embodiments of the locking assembly  30  can be defined by a substantially tapered configuration of the interior surface of the housing  14 . As such, the tapered interior surface will eventually and at least partially correspond to an exterior surface of the shaft  28  as a correspondingly dimensioned portion of the shaft  28  is substantially aligned with the interior of the housing  14 , as set forth above. 
   Another feature of the training aid  10  comprises the provision of a reference assembly generally indicated as  35 . The reference assembly  35  comprises at least one but preferably a plurality of elongated reference legs  36 ,  37 ,  38  and  39 . As demonstrated in  FIG. 3 , each of the legs  36  through  39  are movably interconnected to the housing  14  by means of a cooperatively disposed and structured coupling and/or connecting structures  40 . Each of the connecting structures  40  are mounted or otherwise secured to the side  16  of the housing  14  in spaced relation to one another and extend at least partially outward there from. It is to be understood that connecting structures  40  could be located at various points along the length of the housing  14  but in the preferred embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 3  they are collectively disposed adjacent the open end  22 . 
   It should also be noted that each of the coupling or connecting structures  40  may assume a variety of different structures. However, regardless of the specific structural features thereof, the connecting structures  40  are cooperatively functional with an innermost or proximal end, generally indicated as  45 , of each of the reference arms  36  through  39  so as to accomplish a pivotal and/or at least partially rotational interconnection between the plurality of reference arms  36  through  39  and the housing  14  to which the connecting structures  40  are mounted. Therefore, the pivotal or otherwise movable interconnection of each of the plurality of reference arms  36  through  39  allows the selective positioning thereof into either an operative position or a stored position. With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the operative position is defined by at least one of the reference arms  36 . However, the operative position further comprises preferably all of the arms  36  through  39 , extending radially outward from the base assembly  12  and specifically the housing  14  and the shaft  28  of the golf club when it is disposed on the interior of the housing  14 . 
   In contrast, when the training aid  10  is not being used for its intended purpose and whether or not it is mounted on the shaft  28  of the golf club, each of the reference arms  36  through  39  may be independently positioned in a stored position as represented by the reference arm  36  and/or  36 ′ in  FIG. 3 . Such stored position may be more specifically defined by one or more of the reference arms  36  through  39  being disposed substantially adjacent to and at least partially aligned with the length of the housing  14  so as to extend outwardly from the platform  42  in a substantially common direction as the housing  14 . As further indicated in  FIG. 3 , the precise orientation of the one or more reference arms when in the stored position may vary and be represented by the orientation of the reference arm  36 , as represented in solid lines and/or the orientation of the reference arm  36 ′ represented in phantom lines. In any event, the stored position is not necessarily meant to be defined by a precise parallel orientation of the one or more reference arms  36  through  39  with the length of the central longitudinal axis of the housing  14 . 
   With primary reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the size, configuration and structure of each of the plurality of reference arms  36  through  39  are demonstrated by a detailed representation of a single one of the plurality of reference arms, as at  36 . Accordingly, in at least one preferred embodiment each of the reference arms  36  through  39  include the aforementioned proximal end  45  having outwardly extending fingers or trunnions, as at  47 . The trunnions  47  are cooperatively disposed, dimensioned and configured to facilitate the aforementioned pivotal or at least partially rotational connection of each of the reference arms  36  through  39  as they are connected to a corresponding one of the coupling or connecting structures  40 . Further, each of the reference arms  36  through  39  may have an increased transverse dimension or width along a length thereof. 
   As also demonstrated in  FIG. 5 , the proximal end  45  of each of the reference arms  36 - 39  include a catch structure  42 , preferably defined by a cut-out or notched portion. Moreover, the notched catch  42  is disposed and structured to removably engage a portion of the corresponding connector structure  40  (not shown for purposes of clarity) in a manner which serves to retain the respective arms  36 - 39  in the outwardly extended operative position. Selective positioning of the reference arms into the stored position represented in phantom lines of  FIG. 3  is easily and quickly accomplished by disengagement of the catch  42  with the inner or other part of the corresponding connector structure  40 . 
   Also, at least one of the plurality of reference arms  36  through  39 , as at  36 , may include an indicator structure  50  formed on an exposed surface  52  thereof. As such, the indicator structure  50  is readily observable by the golfer when the training aid  10  is mounted on the shaft  28  and the reference assembly, including one or more of the reference arms  36  through  39 , extends radially outward there from in the operative position. The indicator structure  50  may include distinctive coloring, indicia, markings or other structural features, collectively represented as  52 , which facilitate its visual observation and location as the training aid  10  travels along the swing path defining the golf swing of the golfer. 
   As set forth above, the operative features of the training aid  10  allow a golfer to review, evaluate and subsequently attempt to correct imperfections in the location of the hands relative to the face of the club as well as at least a substantial portion of the golf swing. This is primarily accomplished by allowing the golfer to observe the orientation of his or her hands when gripping the club and the orientation of the golf club, including the shaft  28  and the head portion  29  as schematically represented in  FIG. 2 , during various segments of the swing path defining the golf swing. More specifically, when operatively disposed on the shaft  28 , in the manner described above, the housing  14  and the reference assembly  35  is arranged such that at least one of the plurality of reference arms  36  is disposed in an operative position and is further disposed in substantially “frontal alignment” with the length of the shaft  28  and more specifically the central longitudinal axis thereof as schematically indicated as  28 ′. The frontal alignment is further indicated by the reference arm  36  extending radially outward from the housing  14  and the shaft  28  in overlying relation to the club head  29  and in “front” of the golfer, such as when the golfer grips the club and addresses a golf ball, as schematically indicated by directional arrow  60 . For purposes of further reference, the orientation or position of the golfer is substantially “behind” the club head  29  and the shaft  28 , such as when the golfer is addressing the golf ball, as schematically indicated by directional arrow  62 . 
   Therefore, when the golfer properly addresses the club, the one reference arm  36 , as well as the indicator structure  50  will be disposed as generally and schematically indicated in  FIG. 2  such that the reference arm  36  is disposed in frontal alignment with the golf club, including the head  29  and the shaft  28 . As the golfer progresses through the various segments of the golf swing, the training aid will travel with the shaft. Further, at various portions or segments of the swing path, the golfer will be able to observe and determine whether the shaft  28 , as well as the club head  29 , is properly oriented by observing the one reference arm  36  which is facilitated by the positioning and structuring of the indicator structure  50 . By way of example, during the address of the ball, a proper alignment between the golf club and the ball will be represented substantially as demonstrated in  FIG. 2 . During at least a portion of the back swing, proper orientation of the golf club should be indicated by the proper angular orientation of the one reference arm  36  which can be more easily observed by viewing the indicator structure  50 . If the reference arm  36  is at a skewed or otherwise excessive angular orientation rather than being substantially vertical when the golf club and training aid  10  are disposed midway through the back swing, the golfer is informed that the golf club is improperly oriented such as by being inadvertently turned or twisted. Similarly, during the down swing or concurrent with the club head  29  impacting the ball, the indicator arm  36  should preferably be in the orientation represented in  FIG. 2 . If oriented in a significantly different angular orientation, the golfer will thereby be informed that the face of the club head  29  is either opened or closed resulting in either a hook or a slice. Similarly, at an appropriate portion of the follow through the one reference arm  36  as well as the indicator structure  50  can additionally be observed to assure that the club is properly oriented during the follow through segment of the swing path, as the golfer completes the golf swing. 
   Accordingly, visual observation of the training aid  10  and in particular the one reference arm  36  as the club is gripped and during various segments of the swing path defining the golf swing  10  will indicate whether or not the golfer hands are properly oriented; whether the shaft  28  is inadvertently turned or twisted and/or whether or not the club head  29  is in a proper and preferred orientation immediately prior to or concurrently with it impacting the golf ball. Appropriate correction of the one or more portions of the swing path and the overall golf swing can thereby be effected by the golfer. 
   As set forth above, the reference assembly  35  may include at least one but preferably a plurality of reference arms  36  through  39 . When each of the reference arms  36  through  39  are in the operative position defined by the radially outward extension thereof as demonstrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the golfer may be more efficiently able to observe various segments or portions of the swing path of the golf club by being exposed to the plurality of reference arms  36  through  39 , each of which are extending radially outward from the housing  14  and platform  42 , while being in spaced relation to one another. 
   Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 
   Now that the invention has been described,