Patent Publication Number: US-2021170252-A1

Title: Golf aid

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     A preferred form of the invention relates to an aid to assist a golfer to learn to align their swing appropriately. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many devices exist for aiding a golfer in their game. There are only so many aspects to the game that a golfer can control. For example, how they grip their golf club, how they stand in relation to the ball and how they align their body with respect to a target. A golfer has no control over the ball after they have hit it, or of variables such as the weather. This makes it all the more important to be set up well. 
     Golf alignment sticks are one tool for aiding a golfer set up to a ball/target and align their golf swing. They are designed to assist the golfer to learn to stand square to their target. In existing solutions, there may be one alignment stick for setting up the club head/ball and another for setting up a golfer&#39;s feet. The idea is to have feet, knees, hips and shoulders all lined up parallel with one another and, in turn, parallel to the line of the target. Therefore it is desirable for alignment sticks to be as close to parallel as possible. However, existing alignment stick solutions may rely on the user&#39;s eye to get the sticks parallel. Or, the alignment sticks may be positioned closer together in an effort to be more precise, but consequently interfere with the golfer&#39;s swing or stance. There exists a need for a golf alignment stick solution that assists in learning good body alignment without undesirably impacting certain other aspects of a golfer&#39;s set up or swing. 
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of preferred embodiments of the invention to go at least some way towards addressing the above problem. While this object applies to preferred embodiments, it should not be seen as a limitation on claims expressed more broadly. The object of the invention per se is simply to provide the public with a useful choice. 
     Definitions 
     The term “comprising” if and when used in this document in relation to a combination of features should not be seen as excluding the option of additional unspecified features or steps. In other words the term should not be interpreted in a limiting way. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of using an aid for practising a golf club swing, the aid comprising:
         at least first and second alignment sticks;   at least one joining stick; and   connector means;
 
wherein:
   the alignment sticks are arranged to extend substantially parallel to one another and such that they are maintained in that relationship by the joining stick and connector means;   the first alignment stick is arranged to define a boundary for a golfer&#39;s feet and the golfer is standing behind the first alignment stick facing the second alignment stick;   a golf ball is arranged to sit on a notional straight line extending from the second alignment stick wherein such line is parallel to the first alignment stick;   the golf ball is arranged so that it is between the second alignment stick and the golf club;   the second alignment stick stops short of the golf ball; and   the golfer swings at the ball using the second alignment stick as a guide line for swinging the club.       

     Optionally the golfer is standing with their feet immediately adjacent to the first alignment stick on the opposite side of that stick to the ball. 
     Optionally the golfer swings a golf club and strikes the ball without the club contacting the second alignment stick. 
     Optionally the ball is preferably at least 40 cm, at least 50 cm, at least 60 cm, at least 70 cm, at least 80 cm, at least 90 cm or at least 1-1.5 m away from the second alignment stick. 
     Optionally the connector means comprises a connector which receives at least one of the alignment sticks and the joining stick, and at least one of these sticks passes through the connector in an adjustable sliding relationship. 
     Optionally the connector comprises two apertures, each extending at right angles to one another. 
     Optionally the connector comprises three or four apertures. 
     Optionally the connector is able to slide along the joining stick to increase or decrease the distance between the alignment sticks. 
     Optionally the connector has limbs that are substantially square, rectangular or rounded in transverse cross section. 
     Optionally the alignment sticks and the joining stick are collectively in a substantially shape. 
     Optionally the ball is in line with a ball marker stick that extends substantially perpendicularly from a first of the alignment sticks. 
     Optionally the golfer aligns their stance to face the ball with shoulders substantially parallel with the alignment sticks before swinging at the ball. 
     Optionally the method includes the step of sliding the connector means along the joining stick to increase or decrease the distance between the alignment sticks and therefore the distance between where the golfer places the ball and sets their feet. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view illustrating a golf swing aid; 
         FIG. 2  is a close-up view illustrating two connectors forming part of the aid; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a golfer using the swing aid. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the golf swing aid  1  is for assisting a golfer to align their body and swing with respect to a ball and target. The aid  1  comprises two alignment sticks  2  that extend substantially in parallel, a joining stick  3  extending between them (in this case perpendicularly), a plurality of connectors  4 , a ball marker stick  5  and golf ball  6 . 
     Parallel alignment of the sticks  2  is achieved by way of connectors  4 , a preferred embodiment of which is shown more clearly in  FIG. 2 . In this case the connectors  4  are ‘T’ shaped and have apertures that allow the alignment and joining sticks  2 , 3  to pass through the connectors. In alternative embodiments the connectors may be other than ‘T’ shaped. 
     The connectors  4  may each comprise two, three, or four apertures. For example there may be adjoining apertures either end of the cross piece of the ‘T’ shape so that one or other of the sticks can pass completely through that cross piece. And there may be adjoining apertures either end of the main stem of the ‘T’ shape so that one or other of the sticks can pass completely through that stem. This enables the connectors  4  to be slid along the sticks  2 ,  3  to a desired position. Preferably, the limbs of the connectors  4  are substantially quadrilateral or rounded in transverse cross section, but in other embodiments alternative cross-sectional shapes may be adopted. 
     The connectors  4  of  FIG. 2  each comprise three apertures, and the limbs of the ‘T’ are each substantially square in transverse cross-section. In this case two of the apertures are aligned to enable one or other of the sticks  2 ,  3  to adjustably slide through them, and the third of the apertures is at right angles to the others and can receive another of the sticks that is not able to pass completely through the connector. As illustrated, the connectors enable sticks  2 ,  3  to be securely held end to end (in a line) or at right angles to one another. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , by using just two connectors  4 , a joining stick  3  may be secured substantially perpendicularly between two alignment sticks  2 . The apertures of the connectors  4  are such that the alignment sticks  2  are held in parallel relationship. Whilst this is the preferred arrangement, alternative configurations of connectors  4  and joining stick  3  are possible. For example, one limb of the connector  4  may be at 45 degrees with respect to its other limb. Two such connectors can engage with the joining stick  3  so that the joining stick extends other than perpendicularly between the alignment sticks  2 , but nonetheless holds the alignment sticks parallel to one another. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , a golfer stands with feet on the outside of one of the alignment sticks  2   a  and the ball  6  is aligned with the other alignment stick  2   b . In a sense the ball sits on a notional line that is an imaginary extension of the stick  2   b . The golfer uses the ball marker stick  5 , adjustably/slidingly secured to the alignment stick  2   a  by way of a ‘T’ shaped connector  4 , to mark where the ball  6  should be positioned along the notional line. 
     Because the sticks  2 ,  3 ,  5  are engaged with one another by the ‘T’ shaped connectors  4 , they can be adjusted relative to each other depending on the height of the golfer or the type of club the golfer is practising with. For example for a shorter golfer the parallel alignment sticks  2   a ,  2   b  may be closer together than for taller golfers. And for a long range driver club the ball  6  may be further along the notional line, ie further away from the alignment stick  2   b , than for a short or medium range iron, etc. 
     As also shown in  FIG. 3 , the alignment and joining sticks  2   a ,  2   b  and  3  are generally in a   shape. This means there is plenty of space between the ball  6  and the alignment stick  2   b . The space enables the golfer to swing at the ball  6  and hit it without interference from the alignment stick  2   b . For example the ball  6  may be at least 40 cm, at least 50 cm, at least 60 cm, at least 70 cm, at least 80 cm, at least 90 cm or at least 1-1.5 m from the closest end of the alignment stick  2   b . The desired distance can be achieved by adjustably sliding the alignment stick  2   b  through its connector  4  to effectively increase or decrease the gap between the stick  2   b  and the ball  6 . The appropriate gap may vary depending on the preferences of the golfer and/or the particular club they are using. 
     Preferably, the golfer uses the aid  1  to practice setting up correctly to the ball  6 . For example the golfer concentrates on having his hips and/or shoulders parallel to the alignment sticks before taking the club back for a forward swing, while at the same time keeping his feet immediately behind the closest alignment stick  2   a . The golfer uses the furthest alignment stick  2   b  as a guide to avoid swinging the club beyond the far side of that stick  2   b , eg to avoid swinging ‘over the top’ or ‘out of the plane of the ball’ as the club approaches the ball  6  for contact. Swinging ‘over the top’ or past the plane of the ball on the downward swing can cause an undesirable slice shot. But swinging too far inside the plane of the ball  6  can also cause problems where the ball, when struck, fails to fly in the intended line to the target. At set up the ball marker stick  5  enables the golfer to more easily judge where the ball  6  is in relation to his feet. For some clubs the golfer may want the ball  6  mid-way between his feet and for others more forward or backward than that. 
     In terms of disclosure, this document hereby discloses each item, feature or step mentioned herein in combination with one or more of any of the other item, feature or step disclosed herein, in each case regardless of whether such combination is claimed. 
     While some preferred embodiments of the invention have been described by way of example it should be appreciated that modifications and improvements can occur without departing from the scope of the following claims.