Patent Publication Number: US-7914289-B1

Title: System and method for golf instruction

Description:
The present application is related to the co-pending provisional patent application No. 60/884,103 of James Keith Haley filed Jan. 9, 2007, entitled “System And Method For Golf Instruction”, and based on which priority is herewith claimed under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as if fully rewritten herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
     The present invention relates to golf instruction and training, and more specifically, relating to apparatus and methods for training persons in the sport of golf. 
     The game of golf is well known. There are many existing methods of instruction and various related equipment available. However, there are disadvantages (identified and discussed throughout) to existing apparatus and methods. As will be demonstrated, the present invention overcomes these disadvantages while achieving various other objects and advantages. 
     A system and method is presented whereby a student may be trained in the sport of golf using a hand held device. Incorporating associated instructions enhances the effectiveness. A color code system incorporated into a hand held device that helps train the student to develop a correct golf swing. Additionally, the invention is sufficiently weighted such that repeated motion in the prescribed manner results in development of key muscles and coordination necessary for swinging a golf club. Moreover, the weight and configuration of the apparatus helps the user to fully appreciate and experience the centrifugal forces of a golf club swing. 
     A general knowledge of the game of golf combined with various lessons relating to the golf swing, although not essential, facilitate use of the present invention. Such knowledge is important, but the training is not complete until the student understands how to use the hand held device as used in various motion exercises. Five basic motion exercises are developed. Seven basic positions are necessary for improvement of the golf swing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a plan view of the apparatus 
         FIG. 1A  depicts a fragmentary front view of the apparatus 
         FIG. 2  depicts a plan view of overlay decal 
         FIG. 3  depicts a fragmentary, exploded, perspective view of the apparatus 
         FIG. 4  depicts a plan view of the apparatus of an alternative embodiment 
         FIG. 4A  depicts a fragmentary front view of the apparatus of an alternative embodiment 
         FIG. 5  depicts a plan view of overlay decal of an alternative embodiment 
         FIG. 6  depicts a fragmentary, exploded, perspective view of the apparatus of an alternative embodiment 
         FIG. 7A  depicts the starting position (front view) of a series of movements of an alternative embodiment 
         FIG. 7B  depicts the starting position (enlarged side view) of a series of movements of an alternative embodiment 
         FIG. 7C  depicts the starting position (enlarged top view) of a series of movements of an alternative embodiment 
         FIG. 8A  depicts the backswing of a series of movements of an alternative embodiment 
         FIG. 8B  depicts the impact position of a series of movements of an alternative embodiment 
         FIG. 8C  depicts the follow through of a series of movements of an alternative embodiment 
     
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS 
     The table below lists the reference numerals employed in the figures, and identifies the element designated by each numeral. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                  1 
                 standard training grip 1 
               
               
                  2 
                 grip section 2 
               
               
                  3 
                 weight bar 3 
               
               
                 10 
                 overlay decal 10 
               
               
                 11 
                 first green portion 11 
               
               
                 12 
                 second green portion 12 
               
               
                 13 
                 red portion 13 
               
               
                 14 
                 yellow portion 14 
               
               
                 15 
                 first edge 15 of overlay decal 
               
               
                 16 
                 first transition 16 
               
               
                 17 
                 second transition 17 
               
               
                 10A 
                 overlay decal 10A of an alternate embodiment 
               
               
                 11A 
                 first green portion 11A of an alternate embodiment 
               
               
                 12A 
                 second green portion 12A of an alternate embodiment 
               
               
                 13A 
                 red portion 13A of an alternate embodiment 
               
               
                 14A 
                 yellow portion 14A of an alternate embodiment 
               
               
                 16A 
                 second transition 16A of an alternate embodiment 
               
               
                 17A 
                 second transition 17A of an alternate embodiment 
               
               
                 20A 
                 base member 20A of an alternate embodiment 
               
               
                 21A 
                 first portion 21A of base member of an alternate embodiment 
               
               
                 22A 
                 second portion 22A of base member of an alternate embodiment 
               
               
                 31A 
                 first color region 31A of second portion of an alternate  
               
               
                   
                 embodiment 
               
               
                 32A 
                 second color region 32A of second portion of an alternate  
               
               
                   
                 embodiment 
               
               
                 33A 
                 third color region 33A of second portion of an alternate  
               
               
                   
                 embodiment 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     One embodiment of the present invention ( FIGS. 1-3 ) comprises a weight bar  3 , a grip section  2 , a standard training grip  1 , and an overlay decal  10 . 
     The entire assembly weighs approximately 2.8 pounds. This weight is preferred but not essential. Other weights can be used without compromising the primary function of the invention of utilizing distinct color coded regions to train a user to swing a golf club. 
     The weight bar  3  is elongated, rigid, and of substantially of 3¼ inches in cross-sectional circumference, substantially 10 inches long, and weighs substantially 2 pounds. It is preferably made from solid steel, but other materials may be used provided they have similar strength and weight characteristics. 
     The grip section  2  is elongated, rigid, and preferably between 0.58 and 0.60 inches in cross-sectional diameter and substantially 13 inches in length. It is preferably made from steel tubing, but other materials may be used provided they have similar strength and weight characteristics. 
     In one embodiment, grip section  2  and weight bar  3  have substantially circular cross section. However, other shapes may be used provided the spirit of the invention is not compromised. For instance, a rectangular cross section can be employed such that each facet of the outer periphery comprises a separate color region. 
     Grip section  2  and weight bar  3  are substantially perpendicular to each other. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the connection between them is a rounded connection (an arcuate transition region). However, other configurations may be used (e.g. right angle). 
     As will be apparent to those of skill in the art, grip section  2  and weight bar  3  can be two separate pieces or one piece bent to achieve the desired angle. The preferred embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1  is achieved using the latter method. 
     The foregoing illustrates a preferred embodiment. However, the length, weight, and cross sectional area of the grip section and weight bar can be varied. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the physical characteristics are adapted to reasonably simulate the swing of an actual golf club (the apparatus weighs more than a typical golf club). Accordingly, the physical characteristics can be altered to suit users of different sizes, etc. without compromising the spirit of the invention. 
     The overlay decal  10  comprises a first green portion  11 , red portion  13 , yellow portion  14 , and second green portion  12 . First transition  16  comprises the border line between first green portion  11  and red portion  13 . Second transition  17  comprises the border line between second green portion  12  and yellow portion  14 . 
     Overlay decal  10  is substantially 8⅞ inches wide by 3⅝ inches high. The width, while preferred, can be varied without compromising the effectiveness of the color regions. First green portion  11  is substantially 8⅞ inches wide by ⅜ inches high. Red portion  13  is substantially 8⅞ inches wide by ¾ inches high. Yellow portion  14  is substantially 8⅞ inches wide by 1¼ inches high. Second green portion  12  is substantially 8⅞ inches wide by 1¼ inches high. 
     Overlay decal  10  is fixedly secured (adhered) to weight bar  3  such that the colored portions of overlay decal  10  face outward and such that first and second transitions  16 ,  17  are substantially aligned as depicted in  FIG. 1A . First edge  15  of overlay decal  10  overlaps first green portion  11  to an extent determined by the cross-sectional diameter of weight bar  3 . In this configuration, a user holding the apparatus in the starting position and looking straight down sees equal portions of yellow and green. 
     The purpose of overlay decal  10  is to impose distinct color regions about the periphery of weight bar  3 . Accordingly, other methods of imposing the color regions can be used. For example, the colored regions can be painted directly on. Additionally, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that other color combinations can be used. 
     The standard training grip  1  is of a conventional type. It must be capable of fitting over and being securedly fastened to grip section  2  and aligned in such as way as to cause the foregoing color alignment to be achieved. 
     The standard training grip is preferred but not necessary. It is preferred that some type of grip be used, but the device can be used without a grip. The standard training grip is used because it causes the user to use a conventional golf grip. Other types of grips can be used such as a standard grip found on most golf clubs, or a rubber overlay. 
     One embodiment ( FIGS. 4-6 ) comprises a method for golf swing instruction comprising the steps of: providing a base member  20 A having first and second elongated, rigid, portions  21 A,  22 A, the first portion  21 A being adapted to be gripped by a user, the second portion  22 A being disposed substantially perpendicular to the first portion  21 A, the second portion  22 A having first, second, and third distinct color regions  31 A,  32 A, &amp;  33 A about the periphery thereof; directing a user to assume a golf stance, gripping the first portion  21 A as the user would grip a golf club, such that the second portion  22 A of the base member extends outwardly from the user, and such that equal portions of the first and second color regions  31 A,  32 A are visible to the user, the third color region  33 A not being visible to the user; and prescribing to the user a series of motions to swing the base member  20 A in a golf like manner such that only the first and second color regions  31 A,  32 A will be visible to the user throughout, and only a deviation from the prescribed series of motions will cause the user to see the third color region  33 A. 
     In one embodiment (FIGS.  7 , 8 ), the prescribed series of motions comprises the starting position (FIGS.  7 A,B,C), where the user sees equal amounts of the first and second color regions  31 A,  32 A; the backswing, where the user sees only the first color region  31 A at the end of the backswing ( FIG. 8A ); the downswing, where the user sees more of the first color region  31 A than the second color region  32 A; the impact position ( FIG. 8B ), where the user sees more of the second color region  32 A than the first color region  31 A; and the follow-through, where the user sees only the second color region  32 A at the end of the follow-through ( FIG. 8C ). 
     As will be apparent to golfers, the head should always be down throughout a conventional golf swing so as to look directly at the ball position; and that to use the invention, the user may turn to look at the color regions for diagnostic purposes throughout the swing. 
     The 3 distinct color regions correspond to overlay decal  10 A, the dimensions thereof are the same as overlay decal  10  depicted in  FIG. 2 . The first color region  31 A corresponds to yellow portion  14 A. The second color region  32 A corresponds to first and second green portions  11 A,  12 A (overlapped when displaced on second portion  22 A). The third color region  33 A corresponds to red portion  13 A. As will be apparent, different color combinations can be used. 
     Second transition  17 A comprises the border line between second green portion  12 A and yellow portion  14 A. Overlay decal  10 A is applied to second portion  22 A of base member  20 A such that first and second transitions  16 A,  17 A are substantially aligned as depicted in  FIG. 4A .