Abstract:
A modular golf swing practice device includes a base, a post removably coupled to the base, an arm removably coupled to the post, and a practice ball tethered to the arm. The post extends upright from the base and the arm extends from the post in a direction opposite the base. A non-rotatable means of tethering a ball to the arm is provided to permit the tether to wrap around the arm when the ball is struck with sufficient force.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/703,742, filed 29 Jul. 2005, entitled “Golf Swing Practice Device.” 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The invention relates to portable devices for practicing a golf swing.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     It is an object of this invention to provide a golf swing practice device that is of simple construction and cost-effective to manufacture.  
         [0004]     It is also an object of this invention to provide a golf swing practice device that is readily portable.  
         [0005]     In accordance with these objects, a modular golf swing practice device is provided that includes a base, a post removably coupled to the base, an arm removably coupled to the post, and a practice ball tethered to the arm.  
         [0006]     According to one aspect of the invention, the post extends upright from the base and the arm extends from the post. A non-rotatable means for attaching a ball to the arm with a tether is provided to permit the tether to wrap around the arm when the ball is struck with sufficient force.  
         [0007]     According to another aspect of the invention, the base is a modular unit comprising a front leg, a rear leg, a first side leg, and a second side leg. The front, rear, and side legs are adapted to be removably coupled together to form the base.  
         [0008]     Another aspect of the invention provides means for tethering a second practice ball to the base. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a golf swing practice device.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a practice ball which may be tethered to the ball holder.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a front view illustrating a golfer striking a ball carried by the arm of the device with a club.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the string wound around the arm after the golfer has struck the ball with the club.  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a front view illustrating a golfer striking a ball carried by the base of the device with a club. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0014]     Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates a golf swing practice device or golf ball holder  10  having a tubular, modular arrangement. The ball holder  10  comprises a base  12  that rests on a surface  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the base  12  comprises a front leg  16 , a rear leg  18 , and a pair of opposed side legs  20  which are coupled together by a series of base elbows  22  or other suitable coupling means. Extending upright from the front leg  16  of the base  12  is a post  24 . The post  24  is positioned at an approximately 90 degree angle relative to the base  12  or other suitable angle. The post  24  is desirably coupled to the base  12  by a T-fitting  26  or other coupling means. An arm  28  extends from the post  24  at an approximately 90 degree angle relative to the post  24  in a direction opposite the base  12  and may be coupled to the post  24  by an elbow  30 . An endcap  32  may be placed over the free end  34  of the arm  28  to provide a smooth surface at the free end  34 . Elbows  22  and  30  and T-fitting  26  may be secured in the assembled position by screws or other fastening elements for additional stability. If permanent assembly is desired, elbows  22  and  30  and T-fitting  26  may by permanently fixed by adhesive.  
         [0016]     In a preferred embodiment, the individual modular components of the ball holder  10  are formed of a lightweight and durable material and are of a hollow, tubular configuration. The modular arrangement provides for easy assembly and disassembly of the ball holder  10  for transport. The ease of transport and assembly allows the ball holder  10  to be used in a variety of both indoor and outdoor settings. While the illustrated embodiment shows a base  12  having a square configuration, the base  12  may be sized and configured in any suitable manner which permits the ball holder  10  to rest securely in an upright position, e.g., rectangular. The ball holder  10  is desirably also configured to rest on various surfaces, e.g., outdoors on lawn or payment, or indoors on carpet or hard flooring.  
         [0017]     A first end  36  of a string or tether  38  is tied to the arm  28  near the arm free end  34  such that the end  36  is fixedly attached to the arm  28  and therefore not free to rotate circumferentially around the arm  28 . In the illustrated embodiment, the arm  28  includes a pair of holes  40  through which the string  38  may be passed. In an alternative embodiment, the string  38  may be tied to the arm  28  by use of a ring or eyelet extending from the arm  28  (not shown). A practice ball  42 , desirably a lightweight plastic ball, is tied to the other end  44  of the string  38 , e.g., by an eyelet  46 . The string  38  has a length such that the ball  42  just touches the surface  14 . The length may be selected so as to accommodate placement of a conventional golf tee beneath the ball  42  if desired (not shown).  FIG. 2  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a practice ball  42 ′ in which the ball  42 ′ is a slotted wiffle-type ball. The string  38  may be passed through one or more slots  48  to secure the ball  42 ′ to the string  38 .  
         [0018]     In use, the golfer assures that the string  38  is not wrapped around the arm  28  and that the ball  42  just touches the surface  14 . The golfer then strikes the ball  42  with a club  50 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Because the end  36  is not free to rotate, the string  38 , or at least a portion of it, will wrap around the arm  28  upon striking of the ball  42  while remaining tethered to the ball  42 , as shown in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0019]     With reference again to  FIG. 1 , the base  12  may also provide a means for securing a second practice ball  42  to the ball holder  10  at a position along the base  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the rear leg  18  of the base  12  includes a pair of holes  52  for receiving a pin  54  or other anchoring device which may be driven into the ground  14 , making the ball holder  10  well-suited to outdoor use. The pin  54  may include an eyelet  56  or other means for tying a first end  36  of a string  38  to the pin  54 . The practice ball  42  is tied to the other end  44  of the string  38 , e.g., by an eyelet  46 , as previously described.  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  illustrates use of the second practice ball  42 . The golfer first secures the pin  54  in the ground surface  14  and positions the ball  42 . In desired, the ball  42  may be placed on a conventional golf tee (not shown). The golfer then strikes the ball  42  with the club  50  to move or advance the ball  42  to the full extension of the string  38  while the ball  42  remains tethered to the pin  54 .  
         [0021]     The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention.