Abstract:
An apparatus to train and prevent golfers from slicing a golf ball and increases distance by promoting the proper angle of attack when striking a golf ball and creating the proper body motion for maximum performance, the apparatus comprising: a belt clip having a rounded portion and a clip; a protrusion in communication with and perpendicular to rounded portion; a soft material having an opening that is the same shape as protrusion to allow soft material to attach to protrusion.

Description:
[0001]    The present invention relates generally to golf and more particularly to training devices or aids for golfers to prevent improper shifting of the golfer&#39;s leg and improper swaying of the golfer&#39;s hips. 
         [0002]    Golf is a game of balance and skill. During the swing, a golfers weight shifts between the back leg (during the backswing). One problem that may occur is that when the golfer shifts their weight on the backswing, they may lean their body tilting their rear leg or knee. During the forward swing, they may not be able to correct this. This generally results in the face of the club being too open on impact with the ball and results in slicing. The term slicing a golf ball is well known within the art and generally refers to when the ball spins so as to curve in the lateral direction toward which the body faces. For example, the right of a right handed golfer. 
         [0003]    It can be extremely difficult to correct a slice and add distance as golfing can be counterintuitive and go against the golfers natural stride and comfort. Accordingly, many attempts have been made to correct a golfers balance and form. However, none has provided such a lightweight, effective apparatus that may be used by golfers of all shapes and sizes and does not require working parts and adjustment for size or shape. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, the present invention provides an easy to use, lightweight apparatus that can be used for golfers of all shapes, sizes and heights as well as by right and left handed individuals without any adjustment or difficulty. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention relates generally to golf training devices. 
         [0006]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus to train and prevent golfers from slicing a golf ball is provided, the apparatus comprising: a belt clip; a protrusion in communication with and perpendicular to the belt clip; a soft material having an opening that is the same shape as the protrusion to allow the soft material to attach to the protrusion, wherein said soft foam material protrudes at least two inches from said belt clip. 
         [0007]    According to another embodiment, an apparatus to train and prevent golfers from slicing a golf ball is disclosed, the apparatus comprising: a belt clip having a rounded portion and a clip portion; a protrusion in communication with and perpendicular to said rounded portion, wherein said protrusion is an elongated plus sign; a soft material having an opening that is the same shape as said protrusion to allow said soft material to matedly attach to said protrusion. 
         [0008]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and claims. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  depicts the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  depicts an exploded view according to the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  depicts an elevational view of the belt clip and protrusion according to the present invention 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  depicts an elevational view of the belt clip and protrusion according to the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  depicts a side view according to the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  depicts a side view according to the present invention and 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  depicts a schematic according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0017]    The present invention provides is a unique golf training apparatus that is useful in developing the proper club swing for golfers. The apparatus ( 10 ) is a geometric design apparatus ( 10 ) that is attached to the golfers belt or waist band by means of a fixed or break away clip. The clip is slipped onto the golfer&#39;s belt or waistband and is positioned on or in close proximity of the golfer&#39;s hip. Due to the geometry, length and position of the apparatus ( 10 ) the proper swing of a golfer must miss and not contact the apparatus ( 10 ) to maintain the proper club swing and follow through critical to a good golf swing. If the golfer contacts the apparatus ( 10 ) and it is dislodged from the golfer&#39;s belt or waistband or if the apparatus ( 10 ) detaches from the belt clip then an improper swing and/or body position has occurred. By the action of the golfer&#39;s arm swing and/or hip follow through during an improper swing the apparatus ( 10 ) assembly will be dislodged from the golfer&#39;s belt or waistband. 
         [0018]    The present invention is constructive of but not exclusively of the following materials and designs: The belt clip ( 12 ) assembly is an injected molded plastic clip designed in such a manner that it can be affixed to a standard belt worn in standard belt loops of men&#39;s or women&#39;s trousers. The belt clip ( 12 ) is also designed where it can be slipped over the waist band of the standard men&#39;s or women&#39;s trousers without the need for a standard belt. The belt clip ( 12 ) can be a of a design permanently affixed or a design such that the belt clip ( 12 ) will disconnect from the apparatus assembly by means of a connecting means such as a mechanical connector, magnetic connector, VELCRO® or other type of apparatus. 
         [0019]    The protruding cylindrical portion of the apparatus is constructed of molded plastic, Styrofoam, or other soft material as deemed necessary by the design. This cylindrical portion of the apparatus can be designed and manufactured in such a manner as to be permanently affixed to the belt clip assembly or can be designed to dislodge from the belt clip assembly by a connecting means such as a mechanical connector, magnetic connector, VELCRO® or other type of apparatus. 
         [0020]    The apparatus can be of cylindrical or other geometric shape and dimension as deemed necessary for the design. As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the present invention provides an apparatus ( 10 ) to train and prevent golfers from slicing a golf ball, the apparatus ( 10 ) comprising: a belt clip ( 12 ); a protrusion ( 14 ) in communication with and perpendicular to the belt clip ( 12 ); a soft foam material ( 16 ) having an opening ( 18 ) that is the same shape as the protrusion ( 14 ) to allow the soft material ( 16 ) to attach to the protrusion ( 14 ), wherein the soft foam material ( 14 ) protrudes at least two inches from the belt clip. The opening, according to a preferred embodiment is the same shape as the protrusion ( 14 ) to allow the protrusion ( 14 ) to matedly attach to the opening ( 18 ). The foam material forms the opening which is the same shape as the protrusion ( 14 ). It is envisioned that the belt clip may have a rounded portion ( 11 ). The soft foam material ( 16 ) may be any material that is foam or cushion like without departing from the present invention. There may also be an adhesive to fixedly attach the soft foam material ( 16 ) to the protrusion ( 14 ). According to one embodiment, the protrusion may be an elongated plus sign shape ( 14 ). The term an elongated plus sign shape ( 14 ) is intended to refer to that depicted in  FIG. 3 . The protrusion may also be a cut cone ( 20 ) with at least two traction ribs ( 22 ) protruding towards the belt clip at angle less than 60 degrees from the cut cone. The traction ribs ( 22 ) should point back towards the belt clip so that the foam material does not come lose with outward or downward pressure. As shown in  FIG. 4 , there are four traction ribs placed at the same cone height and separated radially by 90 degrees. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the at least two traction ribs may be two sets of two tractions rib placed at two different cone heights and separated radially by 180 degrees. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the soft material ( 24 ) may be dome shaped.  FIGS. 1-2  depict the soft material ( 16 ) as an elongated cylinder shape. The soft material may also be an elongated rectangular shape. Typically the said soft material is between 4 and 6 inches in length, preferably 5 inches.  FIG. 1  depicts the length as “L”.  FIG. 7  depicts another embodiment according to the present invention. As shown, the protrusion ( 41 ) is a dome or raised circle. The soft material ( 42 ) is removably attached to the protrusion ( 41 ) by a connecting means, which is a magnet ( 44 ). There is also a keeping means ( 40 ). The keeping means according to the embodiment depicted is a string. However, it may be any variety of items that prevent the soft material ( 42 ) from falling to the ground. 
         [0021]    It should be understood that the foregoing relates to preferred embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.