Golf Mat Training Aid

Abstract

A golf training aid with indicia that directs a golfer to the proper address and impact positions for more accurate shots. The training mat allows a user to learn and develop muscle memory to the basics of how to compress a golf ball. In some of its many embodiments, the present general inventive concept comprises a golf practice mat/towel that provides indicia showing the proper foot stance, ball position and the appropriate club shaft position with respect to different types of golf clubs.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/661,206, filed on Jun. 18, 2012, incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1. Field of Invention

[0004] This invention pertains to a golf training aid, and more particularly, to a mat useful in assisting a golfer in aligning a golf swing.

[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0006] In the field of golf, the term "compression" refers to force exerted on a golf ball by a face of a golf club during a golf swing such that the ball changes its shape for a brief period as it begins its flight into the air. Often, when a golf ball is properly compressed, the golf club head will drive through the ball on impact, trapping it between the golf club face and the ground, thereby resulting in a divot in the ground at the site of compression. When a golf ball is properly compressed, the ball will often travel more accurately and over a greater distance than an improperly compressed golf ball.

[0007] For many golfers, the ability to consistently achieve golf ball compression is difficult. A golfer must properly aim and align the golf club with the golf ball, using proper viewing practices and alignment, in order to achieve a proper golf ball strike. The ability to rely on muscle memory for necessary visualization and angles of alignment is helpful to consistent accuracy in executing a proper golf swing. Accordingly, numerous golf training aids and devices exist to assist a golfer in practicing a proper golf swing. However, these training aids are often cumbersome to use, difficult to transport, and expensive. Some contain extravagant parts and pieces that are difficult to assemble. In many cases, the individual pieces of a prior art golf training aid can be easily lost and are difficult to replace.

[0008] In light of the above, there is a need for a portable, all-in-one, easy to use training aid that allows a golfer to practice executing a golf swing to acquire a sufficient amount of practice to develop muscle memory for proper golf ball compression and more accurate golf strikes.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Described herein is golf mat training aid with indicia defined thereon that directs a golfer to the proper address and impact positions for more accurate golf shots. In some of its many embodiments, the present general inventive concept provides indicia identifying key positions to direct a person to properly compress a golf ball. The indicia of the key positions allow a golfer to learn and develop muscle memory to the basics of how to compress a golf ball. In some of its many embodiments, the present general inventive concept comprises a golf mat training aid formed of a towel material that has indicia thereon to show the proper foot placement, ball position and the appropriate club shaft positions. In some of its several embodiments, the present general inventive concept provides a golf mat training aid with at least three sections which include a foot stance zone, a hitting zone and an alignment zone.

[0010] The general inventive concept includes at least one set of indicia paring the proper foot placement and the corresponding club shaft position. The indicia of the present invention may also indicate the swing direction of the target and the proper aiming distance relative to the different positions of the ball. Indicia may be made up of various shapes and colors. The golf mat training aid may also be used at golf driving ranges, at home or any number of other golf teaching institutions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The above-mentioned and additional features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one example embodiment of training aid according to the present general inventive concept;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another example embodiment of training aid according to the present general inventive concept;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the example embodiment in FIG. 2 of the golf training aid in use by a golfer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] In accordance with several features of the present general inventive concept, various exemplary embodiments of a golf mat training aid are disclosed herein and in the accompanying figures. In several embodiments, the golf mat training aid, or "mat," provides a visual reference to a user to enable the user to visually align a golf club in relation to a target to assist the user in executing a proper golf swing, thereby encouraging development of muscle memory for proper compression of a golf ball.

[0016] One embodiment of a mat constructed in accordance with several features of the present general inventive concept is illustrated in FIG. 1. With reference to FIG. 1, the mat 10 comprises a substantially planar sheet of material, which in several embodiments may be one or more flexible materials, such as for example fabric, rubber, polymer, open or closed cell foam, paper, or the like. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the mat 10 is fabricated from an absorbent fabric material, and more specifically, from a terry cloth material of the type commonly used in the manufacture of towels. However, it will be recognized that numerous other flexible and non-flexible materials may be used to fabricate the mat 10 without departing from the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. For example, in some embodiments, the mat 10 may be fabricated from a rigid or semi-rigid material, such as for example wood, polymer, or the like.

[0017] Pursuant to several features of the present general inventive concept, various indicia 12 are provided along a top surface 14 of the mat 10 to provide a visual reference to a user to assist the user in forming a proper golfing stance while holding a golf club. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, a foot stance zone 20 is defined at a proximal end 16 of the mat 10. The foot stance zone 20 includes foot placement indicia 18a, 18b identifying locations for placement of a golfer's feet on the mat 10 which correspond to a recommended golfing stance. In the several embodiments, each of the foot placement indicia 18a, 18b is defined by an ovular shape which extends in a direction generally corresponding to proper foot alignment in a recommended golfing stance. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, a left foot placement indicia 18a is disposed along a left portion of the foot stance zone 20 and extends within the foot stance zone 20 at an angle of approximately 20-degrees to a long dimension 22 of the mat 10. A right foot placement indicia 18b is disposed along a right portion of the foot stance zone 20 and extends within the foot stance zone 20 substantially parallel to a long dimension 22 of the mat 10. However, those of skill in the art will recognize other orientations for the foot placement indicia 18a, 18b, which may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. Furthermore, it will be recognized that other suitable indicia, such as for example rectangles, lines, foot-shaped indicia, and the like, may be used to define the foot placement indicia 18a, 18b without departing from the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept.

[0018] In the illustrated embodiment, an alignment zone 40 is defined at a distal end 17 of the mat 10, opposite the proximal end 16. As FIG. 1 demonstrates, the alignment zone 40 generally includes at least one directional indicia 24 disposed thereon indicating a shooting direction, which corresponds to an anticipated direction of travel of a golf ball hit by a golfer using the mat 10. Thus, the directional indicia 24 may be used to assist a user in aligning the mat 10 to a desired shooting direction of the user's golf swing. In the illustrated embodiment, the directional indicia 24 comprises a generally triangular arrow shape extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the long dimension of the mat 10. However, it will be understood that other indicia may be used to define the directional indicia 24. Furthermore, it will be understood that the directional indicia 24 may be disposed along any of various portions of the mat 10 without departing from the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept.

[0019] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, a hitting zone 30 is located in an intermediate section 26 of the mat 10, between the foot stance zone 20 and the alignment zone 40. The hitting zone 30 generally includes at least one ball position indicia 28a, 28b and at least one shaft position indicia 32. The ball position indicia 28a, 28b corresponds to at least one recommended location for placement of a golf ball during a user's golf swing. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a line 28a is provided extending generally parallel to the long dimension 22 of the mat 10 between the foot stance zone 20 and the alignment zone 40. The line 28a is positioned along a width of the mat 10 in relation to the foot placement indicia 18a, 18b such that the line corresponds to at least one recommended location for placement of a golf ball to be hit by a user standing on the foot placement indicia 18a, 18b. In other words, a user may place a golf ball along the line 28a and then stand on the foot placement indicia 18a, 18b, such that the golf ball placed on the line 28a is positioned appropriately to be struck during the user's golf swing. In the illustrated embodiment, the spacing of the line 28a along the width of the mat in relation to the foot placement indicia 18a, 18b is such that the line 28a extends generally tangential to an inside edge of the left foot placement indicia 18a. Thus, placement of a golf ball along the line 28a in the illustrated embodiment may be useful in aligning the golf ball to an inside edge of a user's left foot, as would be appropriate, for example, in aligning a golf stance suitable for use of a driver-type golf club. However, as will further be discussed below, such spacing of the line 28a along the width of the mat in relation to the foot placement indicia 18a, 18b may vary without departing from the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept.

[0020] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, additional ball position indicia 28b are defined along the line 28a to indicate specific recommended locations for placement of a golf ball. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a circle 28b is provided at along the line 28a. In other embodiments, more or fewer additional ball position indicia may be used. Furthermore, it will be recognized that inclusion of the additional ball position indicia, while advantageous, is not necessary to accomplish the present general inventive concept.

[0021] As discussed above, the hitting zone 30 includes at least one shaft position indicia 32. The shaft position indicia 32 serves to indicate to a user the proper orientation of a shaft of a golf club along a vertical plane in relation to a ball placed on the line 28a. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the shaft position indicia 32 is defined by a relatively long, narrow triangular shape extending from the foot stance zone 20 and terminating at an apex 34 near the alignment zone 40. The shaft position indicia 32 defines a trailing edge 36 indicating a recommended alignment of a golf club shaft along a vertical plane in relation to a golf ball positioned on the line 28a during an address portion of a golf swing. A leading edge 38 of the shaft position indicia 32 indicates a recommended alignment of a golf club shaft along a vertical plane in relation to a golf ball positioned on the line 28a during an impact portion of a golf swing. Thus, by aligning the shaft of a golf club over the trailing edge 36 of the shaft position indicia 32 during an address portion of a golf swing and over the leading edge 38 of the shaft position indicia 32 during an impact portion of the golf swing, the user may align the golf club to a proper club face position during such address and impact.

[0022] As discussed above, the embodiment in FIG. 1 may be used to align a golf swing using different types of clubs. Furthermore, in several embodiments, the relative positioning of the various indicia 12 may vary such that the mat 10 may be used for the alignment of different types of golf clubs. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a mat 10a defining three of each of the types of indicia 12 discussed above at varying relative positions along the mat 10a, such that the mat 10a may be used to align a golf swing using any of the standard types of golf clubs. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the mat 10a defines a foot stance zone 20 that has three sets of foot placement indicia 42a/42b, 44a/44b, 46a/46b appearing thereon. More specifically, outer foot placement indicia 42a, 42b are provided to identify the locations for placement of a golfer's feet on the mat 10a corresponding to a recommended golfing stance when a driver-type golf club is used. Inner foot placement indicia 46a, 46b identify the locations for placement of a golfer's feet on the mat 10a corresponding to a recommended golfing stance when a putter-or an edge-type club is used. Intermediate foot placement indicia 44a, 44b identify the locations for placement of a golfer's feet on the mat 10a corresponding to a recommended golfing stance when an iron-type club is used. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the three sets of foot placement indicia are defined by ovular shapes. In this embodiment, the left foot of the three placement indicia 42a, 46a, 44a are disposed along the left portion of the foot stance zone 20 and extend within the foot stance zone at an angle of approximately 20-degrees to a long dimension 22 of the mat. The right foot of the three placement indicia 42b,46b,44b are disposed along the right portion of the foot stance zone and extend within the foot stance zone 20 substantially parallel to a long dimension 22 of the mat 10a. However, as discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize other orientations for the foot placement indicia, which may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. Furthermore, it will be recognized that other suitable indicia, such as for example rectangles, lines, foot-shaped indicia, and the like, may be used to define the foot placement indicia without departing form the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept.

[0023] In some embodiments, each of the foot placement indicia 42a/42b, 44a/44b, 46a/46b includes colored shading to assist in distinguishing each of the three sets of foot placement indicia from one another. In some embodiments, the three sets of foot placement indicia 42a/42b, 44a/44b, 46a/46b may overlap due to the proximity of various foot stances. In these embodiments, the color shading of the overlapping areas may be adjusted to allow a user to recognize the different positions of various foot stances. It will be recognized that any of a number of color or shading may be provided for the foot placement indicia. In certain embodiments, however, each set of foot placement indicia 42a/42b, 44a/44b, 46a/46b is shaded a color distinctive from the remaining sets of foot placement indicia. In various embodiments of the present general inventive concept, the various set of foot stances may also be indicated through variance of textures or other techniques that allows a user to distinguish the variance in right and left foot positions on the mat 10a.

[0024] In the illustrated embodiment in FIG. 2, the alignment zone 40 includes three triangular arrows 52, 54, 56 extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the long dimension 22 of the mat 10. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the three triangle arrows are disposed along a portion of the alignment zone 40 corresponding with a forward portion of the mat 10a. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, each of the arrows 52, 54, 56 may be viewed by a user of the mat 10a while aligning a golf club using the various indicia 12, such that the arrows 52, 54, 56 may be visually aligned to assist a user in aiming a golf swing.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, the hitting zone 30 includes three sets of ball position indicia 62, 64, 66 and three shaft position indicia 72, 74, 76 that may be used for alignment of a golf swing when different types of golf clubs are used. Each of the three ball position indicia 62, 64, 66 includes a line 62a, 64a, 66a extending parallel to the long dimension 22 of the mat between the foot stance zone 20 and the alignment zone 40. The ball position line 62a of the first set of ball position indicia is located along a width of the mat in relation to the outer foot placement indicia 42a, 42b such that the line 62a corresponds to the recommended location for placement of a golf ball during a user's golf swing when a driver-type club is used. The ball position line 64a of the second set of ball position indicia 64a is located along a width of the mat in relation to the foot placement indicia such that the line corresponds to the recommended location for placement of a golf ball during a user's golf swing when an iron-type club is used. The ball position line 66a of the third set of ball position indicia is located along a width of the mat 10a in relation to the foot placement indicia such that the line corresponds to the recommended location for placement of a golf ball during a user's golf swing suitable for use of a putter or wedge-type club. As demonstrated in FIG. 2, the spacing of the line along the width of the mat 10a in relation to the foot placement indicia is such that the first indicia set line 62a extends generally tangential to an inside edge of the left outer foot placement indicia 42a. The line 66a is positioned at a point substantially half way along the width of the mat 10a, between the third set of foot placement indicia 46a, 46b. The first indicia set line 64a is extends along the mat 10a substantially halfway between first and second ball position lines 62a, 66a and, in the illustrated embodiment, extends generally tangential to an inside edge of the left inner foot placement indicia 46a.

[0026] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, a plurality of additional indicia are defined along each line 62a, 64a, 66a to indicate specific recommended locations for placement of a golf ball. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a set of circles 62b, 64b, 66b are provided at spaced apart locations along each line 62a, 64a, 66a. Each of the circles corresponds to a recommended location for placement of a golf ball for use in connection with a specific club of a standard set of golf clubs. For example, each of four circles 62b provided along the first line 62a corresponds to a recommended location for placement of a golf ball for use in connection with a specific driver club, the distal-most circle being for use with a 1-wood golf club, the second distal-most circle being for use with a 2-wood golf club, the second proximal-most circle being for use with a 3-wood golf club, and the proximal-most circle being for use with a 4-wood golf club. In other embodiments, more or fewer additional ball position indicia may be used. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, five circles 64b are provided at spaced apart locations along the second line 64a. Each of these circles 64b corresponds to a recommended location for placement of a golf ball for use in connection with an iron type golf club.

[0027] As mentioned above, the hitting zone 30 may include more than one shaft indicia that may be used for the various alignments when different types of golf clubs are used. For example, in the illustrated embodiment in FIG. 2, the hitting zone 30 includes three shaft indicia 72, 74, 76. Each shaft indicia 72 is defined by a triangular shape extending from the foot stance zone 20 and terminating at an apex 72c, 74c, 76c near the alignment zone 40. In the illustrated embodiment, a first shaft position indicia 72 defines a trailing edge 72a indicating a recommended alignment of a golf club shaft along a vertical plane in relation to a golf ball positioned on the first line 62a during an address portion of a golf swing using a driver- type club. In the illustrated embodiment, the first trailing edge 72a is positioned such that the first trailing edge 72a runs tangential to the inner edge of the left intermediate foot placement indicia 44a. The first shaft indicia 72 further defines a leading edge 72b, which indicates recommended alignment of a golf club shaft along a vertical plane in relation to a golf ball positioned on the line during an impact portion of a golf swing using a driver-type club. Likewise, the second shaft position indicia 74 defines a trailing edge 74a indicating a recommended alignment of a golf club shaft along a vertical plane in relation to a golf ball positioned on the line during an address portion of a golf swing using an iron type club. The second position shaft position 74 further defines a leading edge 74b of the shaft position indicia that indicates recommended alignment of a golf club shaft along a vertical plane in relation to a golf ball positioned on the line during an impact portion of a golf swing using an iron type club. Furthermore, the third position shaft position indicia 76 defines a trailing edge 76a indicating a recommended alignment of a putter/wedge shaft along a vertical plane in relation to a golf ball positioned on the line during an address portion of a golf swing using a putter/wedge-type club. The first shaft position indicia 76 defines a leading edge 76b of the shaft position indicia that indicates recommended alignment of a golf club shaft along a vertical plane in relation to a golf ball positioned on the line during an impact portion of a golf swing using a putter/edge-type club.

[0028] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, the apex of the second shaft indicia 74c is located at a more proximal position than the apex of the first shaft indicia 72c. The apex of the third shaft indicia 76c, located approximately between the midpoint of the length of the hitting zone 30 and the alignment zone 40, is the most proximal compared to the first shaft apex 72c and second shaft apex indicia 74c. Furthermore, while the first shaft indicia trailing edge 72a extends substantially parallel to a long dimension 22 of the mat 10a, the second shaft indicia trailing edge 74a and the third shaft indicia trailing edge 76a extend at an angle between the foot stance zone 20 and the alignment zone 40, such that each of the second and third shaft indicia 74, 76 form an obtuse triangle shape. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, third shaft indicia trailing edge 76a extends at a greater angle between the foot stance zone 20 and the alignment zone 40 than the second shaft indicia trailing edge 74a. Thus, the angle defined by the third shaft trailing edge 76a and the foot stance zone 20 is of a higher degree than the angle defined by the second shaft trailing edge 74a and the foot stance zone 20.

[0029] It will be recognized that various suitable indicia may be used to identify the leading and trailing edges of the shaft indicia without departing from the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. In addition, any of a number of color or shading may also be provided for the shaft indicia. In most of the embodiments described herein, however, the color for shaft indicia corresponds to the color of the foot placement indicia. The color indicating the location of the feet with respect to each other may be identical. Furthermore, in various embodiments of the present general inventive concept, the various set of shaft indicia may also be illustrated through variance of textures or other techniques that allows a user to distinguish the variance in shaft positions without departing from the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept.

[0030] In various embodiments of the present general inventive concept, the training mat may include a plurality of fasteners in order to allow the mat 10a to be secured to a desirable surface, such as for example a ground surface of the type on which golf is commonly played. In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of openings 90 are provided along a perimeter of the mat 10a which are adapted to receive suitable pin fasteners therethrough, such that the mat 10a may be "nailed" to a ground surface. In one embodiment, each of the openings 90 is sized to allow a shaft portion of a golf tee to be received therethrough, but to disallow a head portion of the golf tee to be received therethrough. Thus, by placing golf tees through the openings 90 and into a ground surface, the mat 10a may be secured to the ground surface. It will be understood that numerous other types of fasteners may be used in accordance with the present general inventive concept. Furthermore, it will be understood that inclusion of the above-discussed fasteners, while desirable, is not critical to accomplish the present general inventive concept.

[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates the operation of one embodiment of the mat 10a pursuant to several features of the present general inventive concept. As shown in FIG. 3, to operate the training mat 10a, a user may step onto the training mat 10a according to the respective indicia showing the proper left and right foot positions 42a/42b, 44a/44b, 46a/46b in the foot stance zone 20. The user may lean forward and resume an address position that allows the club shaft to be positioned in accordance with the shaft indicia 72, 74, 76 located in the hitting zone 30. As illustrated, the golfer may place the golf ball in the position demonstrated by the ball position indicia 66b. When the user properly positions him or herself according to the key indicia provided by the mat 10a, he or she will have a bird's eye view relative to the target. As illustrated, the alignment zone 40 is aligned to aim at the intended target. Thurs, by aligning the shaft of a golf club over the trialing edge 76a of the shaft position indicia during an address portion of a golf swing and over the leading edge 76b of the shaft position indicia during an impact portion of the golf swing, the user may align the golf club to a proper club face position during such address and impact.

[0032] From the foregoing, it will be recognized that a golf mat training aid has been provided which, in several embodiments, provides indicia identifying key positions to direct a person to properly compress a golf ball. The indicia allow a golfer to learn and develop muscle memory to the basics of how to compress a golf ball. The present invention may be used, for example, during golf play, at golf driving ranges, at home or any number of other golf teaching institutions.

[0033] While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.

Claims

1. A muscle memory golf training mat comprising: a foot placement indicia including a left foot indicia and a right foot indicia aligned in a foot stance zone at a proximal end of a mat; a directional indicia located in an alignment zone adapted to correspond to an anticipate direction of a user's golf swing; a ball position indicia adapted to correspond to a recommended location for a placement of a golf ball to be hit by a user standing on the foot placement indicia; a shaft position indicia adapted to indicate to a user the orientation of a shaft of a golf club along a vertical plan in relation to a ball placed on the ball position indicia.

2. The training mat of claim 1, wherein the left foot placement indicia extends within the foot stance zone at an angle of approximately 20-degrees to a long dimension of the mat.

3. The training mat of claim 1, wherein the right foot placement indicia extends within the foot stance zone substantially parallel to a long dimension of the mat.

4. The training mat of claim 1, wherein the mat comprises of more than one left foot position indicia and more than one right foot position indicia distinguishable by the use of different colors or shades.

5. The training mat of claim 4, wherein the mat comprises of three left foot position indicia and three right foot position indicia corresponding to alignments for the use of a driver club, an iron club, and a putter or an edge club.

6. The training mat of claim 1, wherein said mat comprises of more than one shaft position indicia distinguishable by the use of different colors or shades.

7. The training mat of claim 6, wherein said mat comprises of three shaft position indicia corresponding to alignments for the use of a driver club, an iron club, and a putter or an edge club.

8. The training mat of claim 1, wherein said mat is fabricated from a sheet of flexible material.

9. The training mat of claim 8, wherein the flexible material is an absorbent cloth.

10. The training mat of claim 8, wherein the flexible material is a terry cloth.

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