Abstract:
A training device for use with a golf club. A mounting member enables the device to be mounted on the grip of a golf club. A positioning member is threadly engaged with a threaded post which is substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the mounting, the height of the positioner being adjustable to accommodate the hand size of the golfer.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention provides a device attached to the shaft of a golf club that reduces the effect of the user&#39;s dominant hand on his/her golf swing and at the same time helps to define the correct swing path and impact timing. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     It is well known that one of the most important elements and a key to a successful golf swing is the golfer&#39;s grip. The art of positioning the fingers, hands and pressure applied to the grip has been described numerous times. In addition, there have been many devices invented for the purpose of teaching and achieving an improved golf grip or swing. 
     The placement of hand and fingers on grip of club is rather easily accomplished by careful observation and following instructions. But the feeling of gripping a club and the amount and placement of pressure is very difficult to describe to an individual since each interprets and feels differently. 
     As simple as gripping a club is, it is the most recognized and believed to be the leading cause of an inconsistent golf swing. For an efficient swing, the importance of placement of fingers and hands is fundamental. But knowing the fundamental alone does not cure problems in inconsistency; most problems may be cured by understanding how the sub-dominant and dominant hand work together. 
     It is known that the sub-dominant hand leads and controls the path of the golf swing. However, many golfers tend to utilize the dominant side over the sub-dominant side, consciously or unconsciously, more than necessary. This can be caused by an increase of the grip pressure, usage of wrist, turning of the hand or even the body movement. Nervousness, anxiousness, desire, lack of concentration, . . . etc. can also cause this type of problem. The actual golf swing takes a very short time from start to finish and problems can occur anytime during the swing. 
     What is required to overcome these mistakes is to provide a device that is simple to use and allows the user to practice conveniently as possible and not to interfere in anyway with the practice swing and to be able to compare one&#39;s own swing to the correct swing and be able to repeat the corrected swing consistently for trust and self confidence. 
     One of the most common and leading cause of mistake in golf is the grip. In many cases, the positioning of the hand and its pressure applied to the grip will determine the swing path and the angle of the club head, especially at the point of impact with the golf ball. A golf swing uses every part of the body sequentially and/or simultaneously in continuous motion. Therefore, when the mistake occurs during the motion, it most likely creates another mistake that leads to others. The grip connects the user&#39;s body and the club and it is one of the most important elements of the resultant golf swing. The grip has to be securely connected and at the same time, be sensitive to the club feel. 
     The following illustrates how the grip and pressure effects the golf swing. 
     A. Positioning of Fingers and Hands: 
     Strong grip, which promotes the dominant hand to be active and most likely closes club face at impact. 
     Weak grip, which promotes an open club face at impact. 
     B. Place of and Amount of Pressure Applied:
         Excess pressure, resulting in active hands.   Dominant hand takes authority of movement.   Arm and hand dominated swing, over the top, under cutting.   Premature turning of upper body.   Decrease swing speed.   Balance control.   Reverse Pivot.       

     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The most common problems in having a successful golf swing is caused by an active dominant hand. 
     An effective golf swing requires that parts of the body be utilized differently than normally used for everyday life especially the dominant side of the body. The dominant hand has to be relaxed and the sub-dominant hand lead the swing. 
     The logic and theory are told and explained to the date but in reality even seasoned players occasionally make mistakes by letting the dominant hand be more active than necessary, a natural instinct of a typical golfer. 
     To overcome this instinct and the golf swing accordingly, the present invention provides a device attached to the golf club grip that is simple in design and simple to use. It is portable and can be used to compare the feeling of swing and correct an improper swing. 
     The device of the present invention provides the following advantages: 
     Able to go back and forth with device for quicker comparison and for better and faster learning. 
     Able to hit ball with device. 
     Better concentration for swing. 
     Better feel of impact zone, clearly and easy to understand body and hand position. 
     Better control of club head. 
     Better balance throughout the swing. 
     Better understanding of the timing of releasing the dominant side for power. 
     Better understanding of the role and task for the positions of the dominant hand. 
     Better understanding of where and what amount of pressure to apply on the grip. 
     Better chance to achieve, smooth and natural swing that fundamentally fits to an individual. 
     Exercise the proper use of power. 
     Exercise the feel of power transition, from leading (sub-dominant hand) to dominant hand. 
     Increase club head speed that leads to distance and spin to control the ball flight. 
     Learn role and task of sub-dominant hand. 
     Learn and understand the task of dominant hand. 
     Teaches proper movement (sequence of motion) fit to an individual&#39;s physical capabilities for the golf swing, leading to consistency and playing successful golf Understanding of position, angle of club head, and its affect. 
     The present invention will benefit all players, from beginners to advanced players. 
     A. For Beginners: 
     Ease of achieving smooth swing, which fit individual&#39;s physical capabilities. 
     Correct premature take-back and downswing by active dominant hand. 
     Learn how to use hands properly. 
     Utilizing sub-dominant and dominant hand the correct way. 
     Better feel of swing. 
     Better balancing, smooth, and consistent swing. 
     B. For Advanced Player: 
     Better understanding of relationship between club head and hand. 
     Ease of working on shot making. 
     Ease of correcting one&#39;s problem by themselves. 
     Improvement of direction, distance and timing, and for consistent and better golf Trusting own swing for confidence. 
     The device has a mounting member enabling the device to be secured to the golf club grip. A positioning member is threadly engaged with a threaded post which is substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the mounting, the height of the positioner being adjustable to accommodate the hand size of a golfer. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of the present invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing therein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the device of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2A-2D  are plan and sectional views of a first embodiment of the device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3A-3D  are plan and cross-sectional views of a second embodiment of the device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 4A-4D  illustrates the steps for attaching the device of the present invention to a golf club grip; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the most common grip used by golfers, wherein the pinky of the golfers dominant hand over wraps and is positioned between the index and middle finger of the golfers sub-dominant hand; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the device of the present invention attached to the grip of a golf club where the thumb and index finger of a golfer&#39;s dominant hand is positioned in the V formed thereby the remaining fingers being extended; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates the device of the present invention attached to the grip of a golf club wherein the thumb and index finger of a golfer&#39;s dominant hand is positioned in the V formed thereby, the index finger being hooked, the remaining fingers being extended; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates the device of the present invention used with the over wrap grip shown in  FIG. 5 ; and 
         FIGS. 9A-9C  illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the device  10  of the present invention. 
     Device  10  comprises a mount  12  with a post member  14  secured to the top surface of mount  12 , post member  14  having a threaded top portion  16 . An adjustable grip positioner  18  is movable via threaded portion  16  to a position where a user&#39;s hand can be comfortably positioned between lip  20  of the positioner  18  and the top surface  22  of mount  12  as will be set forth hereinafter. A stopper  24  prevents the separation of positioner  18  from mount  12 . Locking member  26  secures mount  12  in position on the golf club as will be described hereinafter. 
     Device  10  is designed to teach a player (left or right handed) the proper use of the sub-dominant and dominant hands, the relationship between hands, and the hand relationship between club-head and hands. These teachings enable a user to overcome many problems in his/her golf swing, help master the consistent swing that makes golf enjoyable and help users to concentrate on shot making instead of being worried about making contact with the golf ball. 
     A golf swing using the fundamental, or conventional, grip is conducted with both arms relaxed, extended and holding club lightly, the shoulder being turned to take back the golf club and letting the sub-dominant side (left for right handed and right for left handed) lead the swing. 
     The palm of the dominant hand is facing the target; at this position, the angle of the palm of the hand is the same angle as the leading edge of the club head. At the addressing stage, the club head is square to the direction of the target or perpendicular to its swing path. For the correct swing, as soon as the club head leaves the address position to the back swing, the golf club head starts to turn, or rotate, to the same angle as the swing path or plane and stays at the same angle. 
     The club head has to point to a certain direction during the swing such as the direction of the angle of the golf club leading edge, the same angle as of the swing plane and the same as the opened hand palm. 
     This open hand method is helpful to the learning process, since the player learns to concentrate only on the position or angle of the hand to know the position of the club head, instead of trying to adjust the club head by hand. 
     The device of the present invention does not control or maneuver the club or club head by hand but enables the club to act as the extension of the hand and thus enabling the club head react to or follow the hand. 
     Device  10  improves a golf swing by using a method of practicing the golf swing with an opened hand as shown in  FIG. 6 , or partially opened as shown in  FIG. 7  with a hooked index finger and the rest of the fingers extended as shown. This method prevents the dominant hand from controlling the golf club by making the sub-dominant hand work harder and take the leading role in the swing. 
     Device  10  is designed ergonomically to fit in the hand of a conventional golf grip, as shown in  FIG. 8 , with minimum interference with the swing (the device is for practice purposes only, not for a regulated golf game). 
     By attaching the device  10  to the golf club grip in the manner shown in  FIGS. 4A-4D , device  10  is ready for use (note that lock  26  may be unnecessary in cases where mount  12  fits securely on the golf club grip). Positioner  18  is adjusted by being moved up or down to a position individualized to a particular player such that the club will stay attached when a player&#39;s hands are opened but the “V” formed between the index finger and thumb of dominant hand is closed. 
     Device  10  is compact in size and can fit most clubs and the user need not carry any extra equipment to practice on his/her own. Device  10 , in addition to be used for practice, can be used to address and hit the golf ball on and off golf courses. 
       FIGS. 3A-3D  illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention. In particular, device  100  comprises mount  102 , lock  104 , adjustable grip positioner  106  having an interior threaded portion  108 , stopper  110 , threaded screw  109  having portions  112  and  114  and short internally threaded post  116  protruding from the outer surface of positioner  102 . 
     In use, positioner  106  is rotated such that it moves along the threaded screw  109  to the proper user position. 
     Device  100  is portable and mount  102  and lock  104  can be positioned and remain on the club grip during practice. 
     Mount  102 , because of short post  116 , can remain secured to the golf club (preferably on the golf grip  103  as shown in  FIG. 5 ) grip and stored in a conventional golf bag with minimum interference. When required for practice, post  109  is screwed on mount  102  via threaded portion  114 , post  109  already having been adjusted to the proper position within positioner  106  and practice conducted in the same manner as with device  10 , discussed hereinabove. 
     Lock  104  (identical to lock  26  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) has curved portions  117  and  119  forming channels along their length. Cylindrically shaped mount  102  has lower foot shaped members  121  and  123  along its length. 
       FIGS. 4A-4D  illustrate the sequence used in attaching and securing mount  12  to the grip of a golf club (the description that follows is the same for securing mount  102 ). In particular, device  10  is first positioned over the shaft  132  of golf club  130  ( FIG. 4A ) and then moved in direction of arrows  136  towards golf club grip  138  ( FIG. 4B ). Device  10  is then moved to an appropriate position on grip  138  ( FIG. 4C ) and, if necessary, lock  26  is moved in a manner ( FIG. 4D ) such that the channels formed by curved portions  27  and  29  therein engage foot shaped members  31  and  33 , respectively, on mount  22  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring not to  FIGS. 9A-9C , a third embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In essence, device  200  is similar to the version shown in  FIGS. 3A-3D  with the addition of a quick release post  202  in order to expedite the attachment/release of post to/from adjustable grip positioner  206 . Post  202  is L-shaped and comprises legs  208  and  210 , leg  208  sliding into a channel  212  formed in member  214 . The bottom surface of leg  208  has an opening  216  formed therein. The top surface of positioner  218  has a vertically movable protrusion, or dimple,  220  formed thereon. The post  202  is secured to the mounting plate by a user inserting leg  208  into channel  212  (direction of arrow  213 ) in a manner such that protrusion  220  clicks into opening  216 . A user can remove device post  202  by pulling the post in direction indicated by arrow  220 . In this case, protrusion  218  retracts enabling the post to be removed. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its essential teachings.