Patent Publication Number: US-4149726-A

Title: Golf practice device

Description:
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the game of golf and more particularly to a device, club and &#34;ball&#34; that can be used by beginer golfers (golf pupils) and experienced golfers as a golf practice device. 
     The club of the invention is a training golf club having a novel striking surface that contacts a novel &#34;ball&#34; that adheres to the striking surface when the training golf club is swung during a training practice session. 
     For a further description and understanding of the invention, reference may be made to the following detailed description and to the several figures on the drawing. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     In the drawing: 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of the head portion of a training golf club in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a view along line II--II of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of a &#34;ball&#34; in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and 
     FIG. 4 is a view along line IV--IV of FIG. 3. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a training golf club 11 has a conventional shaft portion, a conventional hosel and whipping 15 that secures the shaft portion 13 to a head portion 17. 
     The striking face of a conventional wood golf club has a sloping face with a slight camber or bulge and there is usually an insert routed into the striking face. 
     The present invention comprises a club head portion 17 having a striking face that is grooved, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and that accommodates an arcuate, pivotable and removable &#34;ball&#34;-striking device 19. 
     The &#34;ball&#34;-striking device 19 includes an arcuate rigid base portion preferably of metal 21 that has a top 23 and a bottom lands 25. The base portion 21 is removably and pivotably secured as by screw fastener 27, or by any other suitable fastner to the head portion 17. The head portion 17 is provided with a curved surface 29, as shown in FIG. 2, having the same curvature as the arcuate base portion 21. 
     The land portions 23, 25 support a resilient textile material 31, having hooks on the outer surface, that is stretched taut across the cavity 32 of the arcuate base portion. One suitable textile covering is marketed under the trademark VELCRO. The VELCRO material is lapped over the top 23 and bottom 25 lands and is provided with a hole 31 in the central region to permit adjustment and, if necessary, removal of the screw fastner 27. Preferably, the &#34;ball&#34;-striking device 19 is loosely secured to the head portion 17 so that as the training golf club 11 is swung, the device 19 tends to assume a position parallel to the floor or other horizontal surface on which the object or &#34;ball&#34; rests. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates indicia 35, 37 on the top surface of the head portion 17. Indicium 35 is in the form of a trapezoid and, for purposes of illustration in the drawing only, it is lined for blue color. Indicium 37 is a V-shaped form having leg portions 37a and 37b that surround the indicium 35, as shown. The indicium 37 is lined for orange color, but those skilled in the art will understand that the indicia may be of any color as preferred. Also, the indicia may be applied in any suitable manner as by use of a stencil and paint or by means of a decal. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the conventional metal sole plate of the usual golf club head has been replaced in the present invention by a resilient sole plate 38 that may be secured to the head portion 17 in any suitable manner, as by screw fasteners or by adhesive. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a form of golf &#34;ball&#34; 39 that has an elongate cylindrical shape. The &#34;ball&#34; 39 is preferably a firm resilient material that is covered with VELCRO material 41. The VELCRO material 41 is looping material and it coacts with the hooking material 31 mentioned heretofore. 
     Encircling the &#34;ball&#34; where shown is an indicium 45 that is lined for red color, but other colors may be used if preferred. 
     When the &#34;ball&#34; is resting on a horizontal surface such as a floor or carpeting in a room of a house or the like, the contact engaging VELCRO material 31 would hookingly engage the looping VELCRO material 43 when the training golf club 11 is swung by a golfer or a golf pupil. 
     The VELCRO material 31, being stretched taut over the cavity of the arcuate base portion 21, surrounds a portion of the &#34;ball&#34; 39 when contact is made and the two VELCRO materials coact so that the &#34;ball&#34; 39 hookingly adheres to the VELCRO material 31. 
     When the &#34;ball&#34; 39 is struck properly, the indicium 45 lines up with either one of the legs 37a or 37b, or it lines up with the indicium 35. If the &#34;ball&#34; lines up with the indicium 35, the golfer or golf pupil knows that he has made contact correctly and that his swing is a correct swing. 
     Although the invention has been described herein with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the disclosure thereof is made only as an example and that the scope of the invention is defined by what is hereafter claimed.