Patent Publication Number: US-2016236058-A1

Title: Golf Training Apparatus

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application claims the priority of provisional application 62/176,249, titled “Half Cup Putting Aid,” filed on Feb. 13, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Golf is a sport that is played around the world by people of all ages and skill levels. The sport requires participants to hit a variety of shots including driving, pitching, and putting. Practice and training help participants improve their skill level. Consequently, many golf courses include driving ranges, putting greens, and bunkers, which can be used by players to practice different types of golf shots. Many players spend significant time practicing and training to improve their skill level. 
     Putting is a significant part of the golf game and accounts for a significant portion of a typical golf score. Devices and methods to improve players&#39; putting ability provide significant value to players. There is need for an affordable golf training device to improve the practice experience and increase player skill level. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various example embodiments are described herein with reference to the following drawings, in which like numerals denote like entities, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of an example of a golf training apparatus. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the example golf training apparatus at B-B in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the golf training apparatus in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the golf training apparatus in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the golf training apparatus in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a golf training method. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a top view of an example of a golf training apparatus  100 .  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the example golf training apparatus  100  at B-B′ in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a side view of the golf training apparatus  100  in  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 , the golf training apparatus  100  comprises a target member  101  having a substantially flat form extending across an area larger than a regulation-sized golf hole area, and a target opening  102  formed in the target member  101 . The target opening  102  extends inward from an edge  107  of the target member  101  to a partially circular opening  103  formed in the area of the target member  101 . The partially circular opening  103  may have a partially circular diameter smaller than or equal to a regulation-sized golf hole. The target opening  102  defines a space smaller than or equal to a regulation-sized golf hole. In an example implementation, the target member  101  may be placed on a surface to provide a training target for training to putt a golf ball. It is noted that while the example illustrated in  FIG. 1  shows a partially circular opening  103  within the target member  101 , the opening is not limited to any specific shape. 
     In an example implementation, the golf training apparatus  100  in  FIG. 1  includes a positioning portion  104  affixed to the target member  101  to position the target member  101  on a golf hole. The positioning portion  104  extends from a bottom surface  112  of the target member  101 . The positioning portion  104  also extends from one edge  114  of the target opening circumferentially to the other edge  116  of the target opening  102 . The positioning portion  104  has a positioning portion diameter that is less than or equal to the diameter of a regulation-sized golf hole. The golf training apparatus  100  may be positioned over a golf hole and maintained in the golf hole by inserting the positioning portion  104  into the golf hole. The positioning portion  104  dimensions may ensure that the golf training apparatus  100  is maintained on the golf hole. 
     In an example implementation, the positioning portion  104  may form an annular section comprising an outer annular surface  110  and an inner annular surface  108  with a thickness, T, between the outer annular surface  110  and the inner annular surface  108 . The positioning portion diameter may be defined as a diameter of a circle formed by the outer annular surface  110 . 
     The golf training apparatus  100  having the positioning portion  104  extending from the bottom surface  112  of the target member  101  to a flat surface  118  on an end opposite an end  119  attached to the target member  101 . The flat surface  118  may define the thickness between the inner annular surface  108  and the outer annular surface  110 . In another example implementation, the positioning portion  104  tapers from a larger positioning portion diameter at  119  near the part of the positioning portion  104  that attaches to the target member  101  to a smaller positioning portion diameter at an end  118  opposite the end at  119  that attaches to the target member  101 . The taper in the positioning portion  104  assists in the insertion of the golf training apparatus  100  into a golf hole with a smaller diameter in the positioning portion  104  as the golf training apparatus  100  enters the hole. When the golf training apparatus  100  is inserted, the larger positioning portion diameter provides a tighter fit against the edge of the golf hole helping maintain the golf training apparatus  100  in the hole. 
     In an example implementation, the inner annular surface  108  of the positioning portion  104  extends from an arc  117  forming a portion of the partially circular opening  103  of the target member  101 . At such arc  117 , the partially circular opening  103  forms a surface extending downward to also form the inner annular surface  108  at the arc  117 . 
     The example golf training apparatuses illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the positioning portion  104  forms the annular section as a continuous partially circular section. In other example implementations, the positioning member  104  may extend in sections, or tabs, with spaces in between. 
     It is noted that the example golf training apparatus  100  comprises a target member  101  that is substantially circular in shape. The target member  101  may however have any other suitable shape such as rectangular, trapezoid, or triangular. In the example shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the circular shape of the target member  101  extends to a contoured edge  120 . The contoured edge  120  is formed circumferentially around the target member  101  to deflect putts that are off center, or that miss entry in the target opening  102 . The deflection off the rounded edge  120  provides feedback indicating a failed putt to a user. The contoured edge  120  may be any suitable shape, such as, rounded, beveled, sloped, or any other suitable shape. 
     As noted above, the partially circular opening diameter is equal to or less than the diameter of a regulation golf hole. In an example implementation, a partially circular opening diameter is less than the diameter of the regulation golf hole to advantageously provide a smaller target on which to train. By training on a smaller target opening, the actual golf hole in a competition appears larger and easier to target. A golfer thus finds it easier to make their golf putts. The target opening  102  may have a target opening width that is also smaller than or equal to the diameter of the regulation golf hole. The target opening width and the partially circular opening diameter may be larger than the diameter of a regulation golf hole. A target opening width and partially circular opening diameter smaller than the regulation golf hole but larger than the regulation golf ball provides a target that is smaller than a golf hole, but large enough to allow the user to sink the putt that hits the target. 
     In an example implementation, the partially circular opening  103  is a semi-circular opening substantially as shown in  FIG. 1 . The target opening  102  extends outward from the semi-circular opening towards the edge  107  of the target member  101 .  FIG. 1  also substantially illustrates a substantially constant target opening width extending from the semi-circular opening to the edge  107 . 
     The golf training apparatus  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  provides a training device for a golfer to practice putts. The golf training apparatus  100  may be placed into a golf hole, and the user may attempt to putt a golf ball in to the target opening  102 . The golf training apparatus  100  may also have the flat surface  118  shown in  FIG. 2  to allow a user to place the golf training apparatus  100  on a surface that is not in the area around a golf hole. The golf training apparatus  100  may thus be used on almost any surface. Where the user chooses to insert the golf training apparatus  100  into a golf hole, the user may practice putts and then rotate the golf training apparatus  100  within the golf hole to change the direction of the target opening  102 . In this way, the user may practice putts on a golf hole placed on a surface with a pitch, allowing the user to practice putts that traverse a variety of pitches for a given hole. 
     Example implementations of the golf training apparatus  100  in  FIGS. 1-3  may be made of any suitable material such as, for example, a resin, a metal, a wood material, rubber, synthetic rubber, and a foam material. 
       FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of an example  150  of the golf training apparatus  100  in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the example  160  of the golf training apparatus  100  in  FIG. 1 . 
     As noted above, the golf training apparatus  100  illustrated and described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-6  may be used by a user to train and hone the user&#39;s putting skills.  FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a golf training method. As shown in  FIG. 6 , a user places an implementation of a golf training apparatus  170  on a surface, or on a golf hole. The user then positions a golf ball  172  a desired distance from the golf training apparatus  170  such that a successful putt would result in the golf ball  172  traveling in a direction leading into the target opening of the golf training apparatus  170 . During a training putt, the user strikes the golf ball  172  with a force F using a golf club  174 . 
     The force F may direct the golf ball  172  towards the target opening of the golf training apparatus  170  as indicated at  180  should the user strike the golf ball  172  with a successful putt. The force F may also direct the golf ball  172  along a right side unsuccessful putt as indicated at  182 . The golf ball  172  may deflect off the edge of the golf training apparatus  170  as shown at  184  providing feedback to the user that the putt was unsuccessful. The force F may also direct the golf ball  172  along a left side unsuccessful putt as indicated at  186 . The golf ball  172  may deflect off the edge of the golf training apparatus  170  as shown at  188  providing feedback to the user than the putt was unsuccessful. 
     As noted above, the user may use the golf training apparatus  170  on any suitable surface, or on a golf hole. The golf training apparatus  170  may be used on a golf hole having a pitch that varies depending on where the golf ball  170  is placed. By training with the golf training apparatus  170  having the target opening oriented in a variety of directions, the user may be well prepared for a putt on the golf hole during competition. 
     It will be understood that various aspects or details of the invention may be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing description is for the purpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation—the invention being defined by the claims.