GOLF SWING TRAINING DEVICE

Abstract

A golf training aid having a base and a plurality of flexible flappers is provided. The base may include a first side, a second side, and a length (l) having a first end and a second end. The plurality of flexible flappers may each include a rear end and a front end. The rear end may be attached to the base and the front end may protrude from at least one of the first side and the second side of the base. The plurality of flexible flappers may be oriented along the length (l) of the base. The front ends of the plurality of flexible flappers align to at least partially form a concave arc.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/821,066, filed May 8, 2013, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to golf training and, more particularly, to a golf instruction device to correct the path of a golfer's swing.

[0003] Golf instruction is the art of equipping and training golfers to play better golf through improved awareness of swing cause and effects as a result of the actions by theft body, the club, and theft effect on the golf ball. Currently, most golfers have an outside to in swing path or an inside to out swing path. The outside to in swing path and the inside to out swing path causes errant shots that do not project towards the desired target.

[0004] As can be seen, there is a need for a training device to correct the golfer's swing path.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, a golf training aid comprises: a base comprising a first side, a second side, and a length having a first end and a second end; and a plurality of flexible flappers protruding from at least one of the first side and the second side, along the length of the base, wherein the flexible flappers each comprise a rear end attached to the base and a front end opposite the rear end, wherein the front ends of the plurality of flexible flappers align to at least partially form a concave arc.

[0006] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention shown in use;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 4 is an exploded detail view of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 5 is a side view of the flexible flapper of the present invention of FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 6 is a front view of the alignment bar of the present invention of FIG. 1; and

[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the present invention shown in use demonstrating impact with the flexible flapper of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of 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.

[0015] The present invention is a teaching aid that corrects over-plane (outside to in) swings and under-plane (inside to out) swings. The present invention may include a base with five protruding flexible flappers. These five flappers may be placed in slots that are equidistant from each other and form a 1'' arc. The base may be about 26''×2''×3''. The five flexible members may be about 9''×6.5''. If the golfer hits any of the flappers while swinging, the golfer receives instant feedback that the swing is incorrect. Through repetition, the golfer may eventually stop hitting the flappers and may thereby have corrected their swing by swinging on the correct inside-to-square-to-inside path.

[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, the present invention includes a golf training aid having a base 12 and a plurality of flexible flappers 10. The base 12 may include a first side 13, a second side 15, and a length (l) having a first end 11 and a second end 17. The plurality of flexible flappers 10 may each include a rear end 19 and a front end 21. The rear end 19 may be attached to the base 12 and the front end 21 may protrude from at least one of the first side 13 and the second side 15 of the base 12. The plurality of flexible flappers 10 may be oriented along the length (l) of the base. The front ends 21 of the plurality of flexible flappers 10 align to at least partially form a concave arc 28.

[0017] The concave arc 28 of the aligned flexible flappers 10 may be formed by the base 12, the length of the flexible flappers 10 or a combination thereof. For example, the first side 15 of the base 12 may include a concave shape or an arc. The flexible flappers 10 may each have the same length and may protrude from the first side 15, thereby forming the concave arc 28. Alternatively, the base 12 may be straight, and the lengths of the flexible flappers 10 may vary, thereby forming the concave arc 28.

[0018] In certain embodiments, the plurality of flexible flappers 10 may include at least a first outer flapper 10, a second outer flapper 10 and a middle flapper 10. The first outer flapper 10 is attached to the base 12 near the first end 11 and the second outer flapper 10 is attached to the base 12 near the second end 17. The middle flapper 10 is attached to the base 12 in between the first outer flapper 10 and the second outer flapper 10. The middle flapper 10 may have a smaller length than the first outer flapper 10 and the second outer flapper 10 thereby forming the concave arc 28. In certain embodiments, the outer flappers 10 may be the same length as one another.

[0019] In certain embodiments, the plurality of flexible flappers 10 may further include a first inner flapper 10 and a second inner flapper 10. The first inner flapper 10 is attached to the base 12 in between the first outer flapper 10 and the middle flapper 10, and the second inner flapper 10 is attached to the base 12 in between the second outer flapper 10 and the middle flapper 10. In such embodiments, the first inner flapper 10 and the second inner flapper 10 are the same length and the length of the inner flappers 10 is greater than the middle flapper 10 and less than the outer flappers 10, thereby forming the concave arc 28.

[0020] The flappers 10 may be easily removed from the base 10. In certain embodiments, the base 12 may include a plurality of equidistant slots 14 along the length (l). Each of the plurality of flappers 10 may fit within each of the plurality of slots 14. The plurality of flappers 10 may include a securement opening 24 near the rear end 19. The base 12 may include a base opening 26 through the length (l) of the base 12 that intersects with the plurality of slots 14. The securement opening 24 of each of the flexible flappers 10 aligns with the base opening 26 when the flexible flappers 10 are within the slots. An alignment bar 22 may fit through the securement openings 24 of the flappers 10 and the base opening 26, thereby securing the plurality of flappers 10 to the base 12.

[0021] To use the present invention, the golfer 18 may place the ball 20 near the middle flapper 10. In certain embodiments, the ball 20 may be placed approximately three inches from the middle flapper 10. The golfer 18 may hit the ball 20 with a golf club 16, and if the golfer 18 swings outside-to-in, the golfer 18 will hit the first outer flapper 10. When the golfer 18 swings from inside-to-outside, the golfer 18 will hit the second outer flapper 10 at the opposite end of the base 12. Both swings cause errant shots that do not project towards the desired target. Through repetition, the golfer 18 learns to swing on an inside-to-square-to inside path causing ball 20 to go straight or towards the target. When the golfer 18 is practicing, the golfer 18 can ingrain the motion of straight back and straight through to the target.

[0022] The present invention may be used by right or left handed golfers. The present invention may be used at a golf practice range, using real golf balls, or inside a home or garage using foam or rubber golf balls. The base may be placed on a doormat or some other platform. Since the present invention offers instant feedback, the golfer knows when their swing is incorrect. The result of the present invention is the same as a professional trainer informing the golfer when their swing is incorrect.

[0023] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary 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.

Claims

1. A golf training aid comprising: a base comprising a first side, a second side, and a length having a first end and a second end; and a plurality of flexible flappers protruding from at least one of the first side and the second side, along the length of the base, wherein the flexible flappers each comprise a rear end attached to the base and a front end opposite the rear end, wherein the front ends of the plurality of flexible flappers align to at least partially form a concave arc.

2. The golf training aid of claim 1, wherein a length of the plurality of flexible flappers are the same, wherein the base forms an arc forming the concave arc.

3. The golf training aid of claim 1, wherein the plurality of flexible flappers comprises at least a first outer flapper, a second outer flapper and a middle flapper, wherein the first outer flapper is attached to the base near the first end, the second outer flapper is attached to the base near the second end, and the middle flapper is attached to the base in between the first outer flapper and the second outer flapper, wherein the middle flapper has a smaller length than the first outer flapper and the second outer flapper.

4. The golf training aid of claim 3, wherein the plurality of flexible flappers further comprises a first inner flapper and a second inner flapper, wherein the first inner flapper is attached to the base in between the first outer flapper and the middle flapper, and the second inner flapper is attached to the base in between the second outer flapper and the middle flapper.

5. The golf training aid of claim 4, wherein the first inner flapper and the second inner flapper are the same length, wherein the length of the inner flappers is greater than the middle flapper and less than the outer flappers.

6. The golf training aid of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a plurality of equidistant slots along the length, wherein each of the plurality of flappers fits within each of the plurality of slots.

7. The golf training aid of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of flappers comprises a securement opening near the rear end, wherein the base comprises a base opening through the length of the base and intersecting with the plurality of slots, wherein the securement opening aligns with the base opening.

8. The golf training aid of claim 7, further comprising an alignment bar formed to fit through the securement opening and the base opening, thereby securing the plurality of flappers to the base.

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