Abstract:
A method for golf swing training. In one embodiment, the method comprises a weighted club with directional mountings attached to a resistance means. The resistance means applies force from behind forcing the squaring up of the club face. The disclosed technology comprises a pulley system that allows for the variable resistance associated with the various exercises. By not using a traditional golf head and using directional mountings, the device is no longer dependent on the club face orientation but rather, the golf plane.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/809,414, filed May 31, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to the field of physical training. More specifically, the invention relates to a method of training a golfer. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     As the sport of golf continues to evolve the requirement for advanced training and conditioning methods need to advance as well. On the market today are various devices that address speed, resistance exercises, laser training all addressing specific areas of the golf swing. In many cases the devices were developed by either people in the fitness industry that may or may not be familiar with the key components of the golf swing or by golfers who are not aware of the latest training methods. 
     If we evaluate the golf swing we consider the take away of the club from the ball, golf planes and a consistent impact follow-through of the swing. In the market place there are training aids that are weighted clubs, some use resistance bands but they do not address the consistent impact of striking the ball striking. What is required to be successful is a fully integrated training solution that focuses on the key movements of the golf swing that is designed for golf conditioning and muscle memory at the “Hitting Zone” or about 24 inches on either side of striking the ball. The present invention is directed to a golf swinging aid focusing on what is commonly referred to as the “Hitting Zone” conditioning the core golf muscles and related muscle memory throughout the Hitting Zone for up to about 24 inches either side of striking of the ball. 
     Consequently, there is a need for a golf training apparatus for the “Hitting Zone.” 
     SUMMARY 
     These and other needs in the art are addressed in one embodiment by a method for golf swing training. In one embodiment, the method comprises a weighted club with directional mountings attached to a resistance means. The resistance means applies force from behind forcing the squaring up of the club face. The disclosed technology comprises a pulley system that allows for the variable resistance associated with the various exercises. By not using a traditional golf head and using directional mountings, the device is no longer dependent on the club face orientation but rather, the golf plane. 
     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates the components according to one embodiment of the invention, including the molded grip, weighted shaft with attached directional mountings, Y-band technology and attached resistance band. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the detail on the weighted shaft, attached directional mountings. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the Y-band technology, including a connectors, flexible cable, rope and pulley. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the golfer in the Power Move and Open Stance Power Move positions. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the Power Take-Away position. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the golfer using The Move Power System to stretch the body allowing for a complete and powerful backswing. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates the envisioned forces and planes that square up the club face at during use according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Introduction. The “Move Power System” according to this disclosure is unique in that it was created by a golfer who has been is now in the fitness industry. Without wishing to be limited by theory, most golfers have problems with a consistent swing as well as getting enough club head speed with the power behind the swing to score their lowest scores. The design concept behind the product was to address the conditioning of the neuromuscular systems; resulting in enhanced muscle memory throughout the “Hitting Zone” of the ball. The training methodology was developed to be used for injury rehabilitation, conditioning during the off-season, and specific conditioning routines during the season itself. The “Move Power System” For Golf is unique in the conditioning of all of the core golf muscles in conjunction with the golf swing. The system focuses on the take away of the club from the ball, as well as, the forward motion of the club striking and the related neuromuscular systems memory. The primary design focus is for the bottom 24 to 36 inches of the swing otherwise known as the “Hitting Zone” and resistance squaring up of the club head at impact. The product was designed to consider golf planes, or directional aiming points, versus the open or closed position of the golf head in the “Hitting Zone”. 
     Components.  FIG. 1  illustrates the components of the system  1 , connected with the molded grip  10 , weighted shaft  20  with attached directional mountings  30 , Y Band technology  40 , and attached resistance band  50 . First directional mountings  31 A and  31 B are also shown; these comprise Y-band mount Position # 1 . Second directional mountings  33 A and  33 B are identified; these comprise Y-band mount Position # 2 . The product, system  1 , is a golf swing training device focusing on muscle memory through the use of the Y Band Technology  40 , pulley system  41 , resistance band  50 , a weighted club, or shaft  20  with a molded grip  10 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates another detail of the weighted shaft, attached eye bolts/directional mountings at a 90 degree connection to the molded grip. The directional mountings  31 A,  31 B,  33 A,  33 B on the shaft  20  comprise eyebolts. The directional mountings  31 A,  31 B,  33 A,  33 B on the shaft  20  connected to the Y Band technology  40 , pulley system  42  is designed to ensure consistent swing planes during the backswing and forward swing throughout the Hitting Zone. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the Y Band technology  40  which consists of connectors  41 A,  41 B to the directional mountings  31 A,  31 B, or  33 A,  33 B, flexible cable, rope, or Y-band technology  40  and pulley  41 . The Y Band technology  40  coupled to bands  50  allows for the variable resistance which is key to the operation of the product. The system uses bands  50  with from 2.6 to 13.2 pounds resistance. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the golfer in the Power Move and Open Stance Power Move positions, or # 1  position. With the Open Stance Power move, the legs are open to a 45 degree where the belly button on the person would be facing the target. With a right handed golfer this would focus on building the associated neuro-muscular systems on the right side of the body. In this position, the system  1  is assembled such that Y-Band technology  40  is coupled to the first directional mountings  31 A,  31 B at connectors  41 A,  41 B. Resistance from behind will force a natural squaring up of the club face and producing a more powerful swing with increased club head speed and greater accuracy. The Move Power System  1  for Golf has specific exercises that are designed to work with include the following: The power move with the resistance from behind, the golfer G in a traditional stance and the Y Band Technology  40  coupled to the first directional mountings  31 A,  31 B, comprising the # 1  position as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The Open Stance Power Move is a specific exercise designed with the resistance from behind, the golfer in an open stance in the # 1  position. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the Power Take-Away position which focuses on the take away from the ball movement and addresses the left side of the body neuro-muscular systems, for a right handed golfer in the # 2  position. This is necessary for muscle balancing of the Power Move exercise. In the system  1 , the Y-band technology  40  is coupled to the second directional mountings  33 A,  33 B at connectors  41 A,  41 B. These exercises focus on the bottom 24 to 36 inches of the swing S using adjustable resistance bands  50  from 2.6 to 13.2 pounds. This allows people of all sizes and strengths to benefit from the product, or system  1 . Power Take away with resistance bands  50  are positioned in front of the golfer in a traditional stance. The Y Band Technology  40  in coupled to the second directional mountings  33 A,  33 B to form the #  2  position as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . For the Power X Factor with the golfer in a traditional stance, the Y-Band Technology  40  in the # 2  position. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates shows the golfer G using The Move Power System  1  for Golf to stretch the body allowing for a complete and powerful backswing. This is an isometric exercise. 
     Strength. The system uses bands  50  from 2.6 to 13.2 pounds resistance. The bands  50  are attached to either weights on the floor, or to a doorknob or other stationary fixed object. The Y-Band Technology  1  with pulley system  42  allows for variable resistance to the weighted club or shaft  20 . With the Power Move exercise all of the core muscles from the arms to the legs are strengthened focusing on the follow through on the swing for the golfer G. The Open Stance Power Move also addressed the core muscles of the swing with more emphasis on the abdominal muscles and moving the hips through the ball. The Power Take Away the core muscles of the take away are conditioned, addressing muscle balancing. The Power X Factor is designed to stretch the golf muscles at the start of the down swing. The primary exercise is to designed assist with a full swing. 
     Accuracy. By using a combination of the eye bolt/first directional mounting attachments  31 A,  31 B, or  33 A,  33 B, resistance from behind, the Y-Band Technology  40  and the molded grip  10 , direction is no longer tied to whether a clubface is open or closed. Eye Bolt Attachments  31 A,  31 B are set on the far end of the weighted club, up to strengthen position  1 # of  FIG. 3 . And allow the golfer G to focus in on a golf plane The molded grip  10  allows for the golfers hands to remain in the correct position # 1  at all times. The Y-Band Technology  40  allows the golfer G to have a smooth transition of the club with the appropriate variable resistance from the associated exercises. The resistance band(s)  50  allows for the natural square up of the club by pulling on the associated exercise. This is accomplished by the resistance band(s)  50  pulling from behind and the relationship of the eye bolt/directional mounting attachments  31 A,  31 B and grip  10  being mounted at a 90 degree. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , this can be visualized by the pulling from behind to the vertical plane V and the horizontal plane H is the resistance band(s)  50 . 
     Consistency. All of the exercises are designed to develop not only strength but muscle memory at the key parts of the “Hitting Zone”. The exercises build up the muscle memory through the specific conditioning drills that greatly increase the consistency of the swing. The Power Move and Open Stance Power Move address the consistency of the follow through of the swing position as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The Power Take Away builds the consistency of the first movement of the club away from the ball which positions a consistent take-away and illustrated further in  FIG. 5 . 
     “The Move Power System for golf” is designed as a training aid to provide variable resistance as well as isometric exercise for the golf swing. The system has three components, as described in  FIG. 1 : a training bar (“shaft”)  20  with a molded grip  10 , A Y-band  40 , pulley  42  system for smooth variable resistance. Additionally, from 1 to 3 resistance bands  50  and related attachments to connect a door, golf carts at the golf course, or other fixed stationary object. 
     The Training Bar  20  is a weighted club that has attached Eye Bolts/Directional Mountings to focus on direction  31 A,  31 B, or  33 A,  33 B, a standard molded grip  10  mounted at a 90-degree angle to force a natural square up of the club on impact once the resistance is a applied using the resistance bands  50 . The Y-Band Technology  40  Consists of connectors  41 A,  41 B, a pulley  42  and rope  40  that will be attached to the bar  20  to allow for the variable resistance that will be key for all of the exercise. The Resistance Bands  50  are industry standard bands with resistance from 2.6 pounds to 13.2 pounds. 
     The primary exercises are as follows. The Move itself focuses on the bottom 24 to 36 inches of the swing S. The exercise is a repetitive movement at the Hitting Zone with the variable resistance band(s)  50  kept tight at all times. Exercises are repetitive and from 24 to 36 inches. The power, take-away building strength in the backswing. This exercise applies the same concepts of the Power Move with regards to repetition as the golfer takes the club away from the Hitting Zone. Exercises are repetitive and from 24 to 36 inches. The Power X Factor illustrated in  FIG. 6  is designed to be more of a stretching exercise with resistance. The club coupled to second mountings  33 A,  33 B, and holding the position for up to 30 seconds depending on the conditioning of the athlete. 
     What is claimed is, the use of Eye Bolts/Directional Mountings (directional mountings) attached at a 90 degree angle will assist the golfer by the use of golf planes verses opening or closing of the club head. Variable resistance bands attached to the Y band technologies connected to the directional mountings will force a natural squaring up of the golf head at the Hitting Zone Exercises focusing throughout the Hitting Zone at the bottom 24 to 36 inches of the swing will create the neuro-muscular memory for a consistent golf swing. The exercises are of a repetitive motion at the Hitting Zone of the ball. The combination of the club and the interchangeable resistance bands will allow a golfer to greatly enhance the power at impact. The Y-band technology allows for easy transition of resistance and smooth execution of the exercise. The Y-band technology is key to the resistance from behind to square up the club at impact. The power x factor exercise will allow a golfer to stretch the golf muscles and allow for a full swing. The Move Power System for golf is designed to be a conditioning system that will improve the golfer&#39;s swing with strength, accuracy and consistency