Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention include an alignment rod holder that holds an alignment rod at different angles to provide reference points and feedback for golf practice drills. The device is comprised of a centerpiece, which holds the alignment rod, and two base pieces.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/780,605, filed Mar. 13, 2013, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the invention relate to golf aids. More specifically, embodiments relate to golf alignment rod holders. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Alignment rods are simple, effective, and affordable training aids that are used by a golfer in drills to practice virtually every aspect of the game of golf. All the drills that can be performed with alignment rods are relatively simple to setup and perform. These drills require the alignment rods to be put at different angles or positions on the ground, on a golf club, somewhere on the golfer&#39;s body, in the ground, or a combination of these. 
     The main drawback about some of these drills is that they have to be performed on a surface that allows a golfer to insert an alignment rod into the ground at an angle. This usually means a golfer can only perform these drills when practicing on grass. 
     Depending on the hardness/softness of the ground, it can be difficult to achieve the desired alignment rod angle. If the ground is too soft the alignment rod will not be stable, and if it is too hard then it is difficult to insert the alignment rod. In grass, once the alignment rod is setup, the rod may need to be moved and reinserted after multiple swings due to the fact that a divot might have been taken. This would require the golfer to shift to a new spot to hit the next ball, which may change the original intended setup of the alignment rod. 
     Golfers who do not have access to grass practice areas or who desire faster setup time for drills that require the insertion of alignment rods into the ground need a simple, effective, and portable device which allows the execution of these drills; either for efficiency or on surfaces that prohibit the insertion of alignment rods. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention include a portable, simple, and functional holder of an alignment rod for a golfer&#39;s practice drills. 
     One aspect of the present invention provides a holder that can securely hold an alignment rod at different angles, without any anchoring or attachment to the ground or any other object, and, when broken down, can be easily stowed. The device includes a centerpiece and two base pieces. 
     Depending on the drill being performed, the golfer inserts an alignment rod into the hole in the centerpiece that matches the desired angle. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides a device that allows a golfer to perform drills, which formally required an alignment rod to be inserted into the playing surface, even when the surface prohibits the insertion of an alignment rod into them. For example, driving range mats, carpet, hard woods, packed dirt, and hard ground. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is it provides a holder that simplifies the setup for drills. When the position of the alignment rod needs to be changed due to ball positioning, the golfer can simply move the device and the desired angle is reestablished. 
     The above aspects, and others, will be better understood after a reading of the following description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a photo of the alignment rod holder. 
         FIG. 2  is a photo of the alignment rod holder shown in  FIG. 1  with the legs folded in. 
         FIG. 3  is a photo of the alignment rod holder shown in  FIG. 1  with an alignment rod inserted into a base piece hole and another alignment rod in the notches of the legs. 
         FIG. 4  is a photo of another alignment rod holder shown. 
         FIG. 5  is a photo of the alignment rod holder shown in  FIG. 4  with the legs folded in. 
         FIG. 6  is a photo of the side of the alignment rod holder shown in  FIG. 4  with the legs folded in. 
         FIG. 7  is a photo of alignment rod holder piece of the alignment rod holder shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 8  is a photo of the alignment rod holder shown in  FIG. 4  in a setup position for a golf drill. 
         FIG. 9  is a photo of the alignment rod holder shown in  FIG. 1  being used by a golfer. 
         FIG. 10  is a description of how to perform various drills using the alignment rod holder shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an alignment rod holder  10  is represented. The golf alignment device  10  is comprised of a base piece  12 , a left arm  14  and a right arm  16 . The left arm  14  is attached to the underside of the base piece  12  with a rotatable connection  18 . The right arm  16  is attached in the same manner and location as the left arm  14  except on the opposite end of the base piece  12 . The rotatable connection  18  is achieved with a screw. However, other embodiments have different ways of attaching the left arm  14  and right arm  16  to the base piece  12 , such as a rivet or any other way that works in a manner consistent with this disclosure. At least one through hole  30 , in this case seven  30   a - g , is provided in the base piece  12 . The through holes  30  are angled to allow an alignment rod  34  to be inserted into the base piece  12  at different angles. However, other embodiments have different ways of holding the alignment rod  34  at different angles, such as shown in  FIG. 4  or any other way that works in a manner consistent with this disclosure. The left arm  14  and right arm  16  have notches  32  cut in them to allow an alignment rod to be inserted into them when the left arm  14  and right arm  16  are fully open. Other embodiments have multiple notches or no notches at all. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2  the alignment rod holder  10  from  FIG. 1  is shown with the left arm  14  and right arm  16  collapsed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3  the alignment rod holder  10  from  FIG. 1  is shown with an alignment rod  34  inserted into the base piece  12  and another alignment rod  34  in the notches of the left arm  14  and right arm  16 . 
     The alignment rod holder  10  may be made of any suitable material such as a high-strength plastic or of any other sufficiently rigid and strong material. It is presently preferred that alignment rod holder  10  be made of a high strength plastic, or similar material, so that if a golfer accidently hits the alignment rod holder  10 , the likelihood of damage to his/her golf club and/or the alignment rod holder  10  is reduced. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4-8  another alignment rod holder is shown  20 . The alignment rod holder  20  is comprised of a base piece  22 , a left arm  24 , a right arm  26 , and a rotating alignment rod holder  28 . The rotating alignment rod holder  28  can be tightened, using a first screw  36  in one embodiment, to be fixed at various angles. The rotating alignment rod holder  28  has a second screw  38  that can be tightened to securely hold an alignment rod  34  in the alignment rod holder  28 . However, other embodiments have different ways of holding the alignment rod  34 , such as a clasp or any other manner that is consistent with this disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a golfer is setup using the alignment rod holder  10  to check his swing plane on the backswing. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , various drills that can be performed with an alignment rod holder  10 ,  20  are shown. These are only a few drills and a golfer is not limited to only these drills. 
     Broadly, embodiments of the invention relate to a golf alignment rod holder that holds an alignment rod at different angles to provide a reference guide for performing various golf drills. 
     While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.