Abstract:
A golf club training implement is described which includes a tapered sleeve having a first end, a tapered second end, and a longitudinal slit opening therein so that the implement fits over a shaft of a club for slidable placement on or along a golf club grip. A substantially circular guard is attached to and abuts the sleeve first end. The guard is oriented at an angle relative to the sleeve first end so that the sleeve has a longer first side and an opposite shorter second side between the sleeve first and second ends.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The example embodiment in general relates to a golf training implement, more particularly, to an anti-slip implement designed for attachment and use on a golf club grip. 
     2. Related Art 
     One of the primary causes of poor golf play is a poor golf grip. Many golfers tend to grip their clubs too tightly, which generally causes a slice swinging motion resulting in poor play and scoring. A poor grip can result from many factors. A lack of experience can result in fear that a golf club will slip out of one&#39;s hand. A desire to hit the ball as hard as possible often results in gripping the club too tightly. Moreover, mere frustration can cause a golfer to over-grip. 
     SUMMARY 
     An example embodiment is directed to a golf club training implement. The implement includes a tapered sleeve having a wider diameter at a first end and a smaller diameter at a tapered second end, the tapered sleeve configured to slidably fit along a golf club grip. The sleeve has a longitudinal slit opening so that the implement is fitted over a narrower portion of a golf club lower shaft and moved up along the shaft&#39;s length until secured on the golf club grip. The implement includes a substantially circular guard portion attached at the sleeve first end, the slit opening also extending therethrough, with the guard portion encircling the golf club grip. The guard portion is oriented at an angle relative to the sleeve first end so that the sleeve has a longer first side along the grip and an opposite shorter second side along the grip between the sleeve first and second ends to substantially prevent slippage of the golf club from a golfer&#39;s grip. 
     Another example embodiment is directed to a method of fabricating a golf club training implement. The method includes forming a tapered sleeve having a wider diameter at a first end and a smaller diameter at a tapered second end, forming a longitudinal slit opening in the sleeve, where the formed tapered sleeve with longitudinal slit is configured to be fitted over a portion of a golf club shaft and slidably fit along a golf club grip, and forming a substantially circular guard portion on the sleeve first end. In forming the guard portion, a slit opening is formed therein that is aligned with the longitudinal slit opening in the sleeve; the formed guard portion being configured to encircle the golf club grip. Additionally to form the guard portion, it is oriented at an angle relative to the sleeve first end so that the formed sleeve with guard portion thereon has a longer first side and an opposite shorter second side between the sleeve first and second ends. 
     Another example embodiment is directed to a golf club training implement having a tapered sleeve with a first end, a tapered second end, and a longitudinal slit opening therein so that the implement fits over a shaft of a club for slidable placement on or along a golf club grip. The implement includes a substantially circular guard attached to and abutting the sleeve first end. The guard is oriented at an angle relative to the sleeve first end so that the sleeve has a longer first side and an opposite shorter second side between the sleeve first and second ends. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The example embodiment will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are represented by like reference numerals, which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of the example embodiment herein. 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates an outer side view of a golf training implement according to the example embodiment. 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates an inner side view of the implement. 
         FIG. 1C  illustrates an upper side view of the implement. 
         FIG. 1D  illustrates an outer side view of the implement. 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates installation of the golf training implement onto a shaft of a golf club according the example embodiment. 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates movement of the shaft toward the club grip. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates placement of the implement on the grip in one configuration. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates placement of the implement on the grip in another configuration. 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates use of the golf training implement in one configuration on the grip. 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates use of a golf training aid implement in another configuration on the grip. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates use of the implement in a choking-up configuration on the grip. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As to be shown hereafter, the example embodiment is directed to a non-intrusive golf training implement that is easily applied to a standard golf club for enabling golfers to relax their grip, thereby promoting a better grip on a golf club. Additionally, the example embodiment may improve a golfer&#39;s grip to prevent club slippage from worn older grips, sweaty hands, playing in the rain, or mere lack of grip resulting from medical conditions such as arthritis. Moreover, it will be shown how the example embodiment enables a golfer to more easily relax their grip while choking-up on a golf club for certain shots. 
     The example embodiment provides a golf training implement and method of use therefor to promote proper grip on standard golf clubs. Referring now to  FIGS. 1A to 1D , implement  10  is illustrated in four different orientations. 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates implement  10  from side view where tapered sleeve portion  12  is shown connected to circumferential guard portion  14  from an outside view. A first portion or first length side (such as an upper portion  13   a ) of tapered sleeve  12  is shorter than a second portion or second length side opposite the first side (such as an opposite lower portion  13   b  thereof) to simultaneously provide the proper angle of circumferential guard  14  and the proper length and width of tapered sleeve  12  so as to operably fit upon the upper portion of a golf club grip.  FIG. 1B  illustrates a cross-section of implement  10  so that an inner portion  12   a  of the tapered sleeve  12  is visible as it relates to an inner portion  14   a  of the circumferential guard. 
       FIG. 1C  illustrates implement  10  from an upper side view where the inner portion  12   a  of tapered sleeve  12  is visible, along with the outer portion of the circumferential guard  14 . Optional padding  15  can be included on the outer surface of circumferential guard  14  for comfort and to further aid the anti-slip function of implement  10 . Opening  16  along the entire length of tapered sleeve  12  is provided to facilitate installation of implement  10  upon a golf club.  FIG. 1D  illustrates implement  10  in an upright position with circumferential guard portion  14  resting on a flat surface. The tapered shape of sleeve  12  is designed to substantially match the shape and dimensions of a standard golf club grip. From this perspective, the shorter length of upper portion  13   a  (first side) is distinguishable from the longer, opposite lower portion  13   b  (second side). The unequal length sides of tapered sleeve  12 , which are created by the angled circumferential guard  14  attached thereto as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  for example, are necessary to fit implement  10  snugly over the contours of a standard golf grip. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the process of attaching implement  10  for use on a standard golf club is illustrated. A user begins by slipping implement  10  over a narrow portion  18  of a standard golf club. The narrow portion  18  is generally closest to club head  20  where the club shaft in thinnest. Implement  10  is slipped over narrow portion  18  by sliding the club shaft through opening  16  until the general c-shape of implement  10  encompasses the club shaft as shown in  FIG. 2A . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2B , implement  10  is next slid upward along the length of the golf club shaft away from narrow portion  18  towards the club grip  22 . The dimensions and shape of tapered sleeve  12  are such that implement  10  comes to rest in a position along the upper portion of a standard club grip  22  as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . The orientation of implement  10  may be varied for multiple uses as discussed further below. 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates the example embodiment for promoting a loose grip when used by a golfer. In this particular example configuration of implement  10  on grip  22 , the upper portion  13   a  of tapered sleeve  12  is oriented towards the rear of the golf club-towards the golfer-while lower portion  13   b  is oriented towards the front of the golf club. In this manner, circumferential guard  14  is angled substantially 45 degrees upward from upper portion  13   a  to lower portion  13   b . In other words, and as shown in  FIG. 3A , the guard  14 , which is attached at one end of the tapered sleeve  12 , is oriented at an angle so that the sleeve  12  has a longer side (see at  13   b ) on one side thereof and hence club grip  22 , and a shorter side (see at  13   a ) on the opposite side thereof and hence grip  22 . 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 4A , this configuration of implement  10  on grip  22  causes the small finger  30  of the golfer&#39;s upper hand  28  to rest against circumferential guard  14  closer to the top  24  of the golf club in a substantially optimal position to aid a normal golf swing. The addition of implement  10  prevents the golfer&#39;s hands  26  and  28  from sliding further upward on the golf club and thereby tends to cause the golfer to grip the club more loosely in normal use. Studies show that a looser grip tends to lessen the tendency of a golfer to exhibit a “slice” swinging motion. As the golfer grows more confident that a looser grip is sufficient to hold the club properly, the “slice” swing may disappear altogether and a more preferable “draw” swinging motion may appear. 
     Flipping implement  10  over can serve another function as shown in  FIGS. 3B and 4B . As implement  10  is held in place by club-to-implement friction resulting from correct sizing of the sleeve portion when placed around a standard golf club grip  22 , implement  10  may be easily flipped 180 degrees about grip  22 . Referring now to  FIG. 3B , implement  10  has been flipped 180 degrees about the surface of golf club grip  22  so that the tapered sleeve  12  is now above circumferential guard  14 . In this particular configuration, circumferential guard  14  remains angled substantially 45 degrees upward, but now that angle is accomplished by rotating circumferential guard  14  about grip  22  so that guard  14  angles upward from lower portion  13   b  to upper portion  13   a . Now, however, circumferential guard  14  is oriented or angled away from the top  24  of the club. This configuration of the implement  10  moves the circumferential guard  14  down along the length of the grip  22 , thereby forcing the golfer&#39;s hands  26  and  28  further down grip  22  away from the top  24  of the club. Commonly known as “choking-up” on the club grip  22 , this action allows golfers to practice this vital technique for reducing club speed for shorter and more carefully placed golf shots. 
     Other uses for implement  10  are illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . For example, placement and use of implement  10  as shown in  FIG. 4A  improves a golfer&#39;s grip on a golf club. This can be useful in many situations. A worn club grip  22  can be very slippery. Golfers may also find that golfing in the heat or rain results in slippery hands and may then tend to compensate by over-gripping the club, resulting in an unwanted “slice” swinging motion. The same results can be observed in golfers with physical difficulties or low-strength grip resulting from conditions such as arthritis. Use of implement  10  as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  prevents club slippage and thereby allows a golfer to maintain a proper grip, which in turn improves the golfer&#39;s swing. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , implement  10  is shown in use to force a golfer to further “choke-up” on the club grip  22 . Implement  10  may be composed of a malleable material so that its c-shaped tapered sleeve  12  may expand and contract to hold implement  10  in place by compression and friction wherever located on club grip  22 . One embodiment of implement  10  with the properly sized tapered sleeve  12  allows use at any point along the length of a standard grip  22 . Here again, the circumferential guard  14  is angled substantially 45 degrees upward from lower portion  13   b  (the longer side of sleeve  12  or first side) to upper portion  13   b  (shorter side of sleeve  12  or second side) as shown in  FIG. 3B . A golfer may practice and perform more advanced choking-up swings in this manner by moving implement  10  further down club grip from the top  24  of the golf club as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     The example embodiment being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as departure from the example embodiment, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included in the following claims.