GOLF SWING TRAINER

Abstract

One aspect provides a golf swing trainer for training a golfer to achieve a tour impact position during execution of a golf swing. The golf swing trainer includes a first element which selectively secures to a grip end of a golf club, and a second element coupled to the first element and moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. The second element moves from the retracted position to the extended position by the force of gravity during a backswing of the golf club by a golfer, wherein the second element contacts a midsection of the golfer when in the extended position when the wrists of the golfer are not bent back during a downward portion and an impact portion of a forward swing.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] An ideal golf swing includes maintaining a golfer's wrists in a "cocked" position (i.e. wrists bent back with the thumbs toward the forearms) so that the golfer's hands lead through the swing with the shaft and head of the club being angled back from direction of the swing and trailing the hands when the club head contacts the ball. Such positioning of the hands and clubs is sometimes referred to as the "tour impact position". However, during their swing, golfers often "break" their wrists and bring the head of the club forward prior to striking the ball such that their upper arms, forearms, and hands are in-line with one another and with the club shaft when the head of the club impacts the ball. Such a position reduces the power delivered to ball and often results in other undesirable effects such hooking or slicing of the ball.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of embodiments and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments and together with the description serve to explain principles of embodiments. Other embodiments and many of the intended advantages of embodiments will be readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description.

[0003] The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding similar parts.

[0004] FIG. 1 generally illustrates an example of a golf swing.

[0005] FIG. 2 generally illustrates an example of a golf swing.

[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates a golf swing trainer according to one embodiment.

[0007] FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate a golf swing trainer according to one embodiment.

[0008] FIG. 5 generally illustrates the operation of a golf swing trainer according to one embodiment.

[0009] FIG. 6 generally illustrates the operation of a golf swing trainer according to one embodiment.

[0010] FIGS. 7A and 7B generally illustrate the operation of a golf swing trainer according to one embodiment.

[0011] FIGS. 8A and 8B generally illustrate the operation of a golf swing trainer according to one embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 9 illustrates a golf swing trainer according to one embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 10 illustrates a golf swing trainer according to one embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 11 illustrates a golf swing trainer according to one embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 12 illustrates a golf swing trainer according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] In the following Detailed Description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as "top," "bottom," "front," "back," "leading," "trailing," etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

[0017] FIG. 1 generally illustrates a golfer 10 during a golf swing at a moment of impact of a golf club 12 with a golf ball 14. Club 12 includes a shaft 16 having a grip 18 at a proximal end (relative to golfer 10) and a head 20 at a distal end for contacting and advancing ball 14 toward a hole. As illustrated by FIG. 1, at the moment impact of head 20 with ball 14, shaft 16 is angled forward so as to be at an acute angle A (as indicated at 22) with the ground in a direction of advancement of ball 14 (as indicated at 24), such that the golfer's hands 26 are forward (in direction 24) of a vertical plane 28 extending through ball 14 while club head 20 is at or slightly behind plane 28. Such a position of club 12 and hands 26 is often referred to as the "tour impact position", and entails the golfer 10 keeping his wrists in a "cocked" position (i.e. wrists bent back with thumbs toward the forearms) so that hands 26 "lead" through the swing ahead of club head 20 and are in front of plane 28 at the moment of impact of club head 20 with ball 14.

[0018] However, as shown by an example of an improper swing as illustrated by FIG. 2, golfers often "break" their wrists during their swing and bring club head 20 forward prior to striking ball 14 so that the shaft 16 and hands 26 are in-line or parallel with plane 28, or that the hands 26 are even trailing the club head 20 when club head 20 strikes ball 14. In such a position, the angle A (as indicated at 22) is at least 90 degrees or even greater, and reduces an amount of power delivered to ball 14 and can result in the ball being misdirected from a desired line.

[0019] FIG. 3 generally illustrates a golf swing trainer device 30, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, for training golfers to achieve the desired "tour impact position" in their golf swings. Golf swing trainer 30 includes a first element 32 and a second element 34, with first element 32 including a coupling member 36 and shaft member 38 extending from coupling member 36. Second element 34 includes an extension member 40 having an internal shaft 42 configured to slideably receive and couple to shaft member 38 of first element 32.

[0020] Coupling member 36 is configured to removeably couple to an end 18a of grip 18 of golf club 12. According to one example, as illustrated, coupling member 36 couples to grip 18 so that coupling member 36, shaft member 38, and extension member 40 are coaxial with a longitudinal axis 16a of shaft 16 of club 12. According to one embodiment, extension member 40 is free to slide back-and-forth along shaft member 38 about longitudinal axis 16a as indicated by directional arrows 46. In one example, as illustrated by FIG. 3, coupling member 36 comprises a socket 36a configured to slide over and provide a friction fit about end 18a of grip 18. According to one embodiment, both first and second elements 32, 34 are made of a soft, flexible material that enables the first and second elements 32, 34 to flex or bend in directions perpendicular to longitudinal axis 16a, as illustrated by directional arrows 48.

[0021] FIG. 4A is cross-sectional side view of golf swing trainer 30 according to one embodiment. According to one embodiment, socket 36a of first element 32 is generally cylindrical in shape and has an open end 36b of socket 36a which, as illustrated, is pushed onto grip 18 so as to secure golf swing trainer 30 to club 12. According to one embodiment, open end 36b has an inner diameter approximately the same size as an outer diameter of grip 18. In one example, socket 36a comprises a flexible rubber material which is able to expand slightly to receive grip 18 so as to snugly fit thereto.

[0022] As described above, according to one embodiment, internal shaft 42 of extension member 40 of second element 34 slideably receives shaft member 38 of first element 32 and is configured to slide back-and-forth along shaft member 38 as indicated by directional arrows 46. According to one embodiment, first element 32 includes a retaining element 50 on shaft member 38 that is configured to engage a flange element 52 of second element 34 as extension member 40 slides along shaft member 38 and retain extension member 40 on shaft member 38. According to one embodiment, a position of retaining element 50 is adjustable along a length "L" of shaft member 38 so that the length that second element 34 travels along and extends beyond first element 32 along axis 16a of shaft 16 of club 12 can be adjusted.

[0023] According to one embodiment, retaining element comprises an elastic O-ring that can be slid along and seated in any one of a number of grooves 54 in an exterior surface of shaft member 38. Retaining element 50 can be implemented in any number of configurations. For example, according to one embodiment, retaining element 50 can comprise a ring having a set-screw to lock it in place at any point along the length L of shaft member 38. In another example, retaining element 50 can be implemented as a pin that can be placed into any number of holes along the length L of shaft member 38, with the pin sliding within a corresponding slot running the length of extension member 40 (with the slot replacing flange element 52 in such an example). Any number of suitable configurations may be employed.

[0024] FIG. 4A illustrates second element 34 in a retracted or non-extended position where extension member 40 abuts coupling member 36, in this instance, socket 36a. FIG. 4B illustrates second element 34 in an extended position, where extension member 40 has moved down shaft member 38 so that retaining element 50 engages flange element 52 and stops further extension of second element 34 along axis 16a of club 12 in a direction away from grip 18. As illustrated by FIGS. 4A and 4B, golf swing trainer 30 extends from grip 18 by a first distance, D1, when in a retracted or non-extended position, and by a second distance, D2, when in an extended position, wherein an amount that distance D2 is greater than distance D1 can be adjusted by the positioning of adjustable retaining element 50 along shaft member 38.

[0025] FIGS. 5-8 generally illustrate the operation of golf swing trainer 30 during a golf swing, according to one embodiment. A golf swing can typically be said to having three primary portions including addressing the ball (where the golfer attains proper pre-swing positioning relative to the golf ball); a back swing portion; and a forward swing portion, wherein the forward swing portion includes a downward portion of the swing from the backswing toward the golf ball, impacting of the golf ball, and a follow through.

[0026] FIG. 5 generally illustrates golfer 10 in a conventional address position, with a leading side 60 of the golfer's body 50 facing the desired direction 24 of advancement of ball 14 which, for a right-handed golfer, as illustrated, is the left side of the body. In the address position, golfer 10 adjusts his body and club 12 so as to achieve proper positioning relative to golf ball 14 prior to beginning the backswing portion of the golf swing, with club head 20 positioned behind the trailing side of golf ball 14. As illustrated by FIG. 5, golf swing trainer has been secured to the grip 18 of club 12 by socket member 36a with extension member 40 being in the retracted position (such as illustrated by FIG. 4A, for example). In the retracted position, extension element 40 is spaced from and does not make contact or interfere with the midsection of the golfer's body. After achieving the desired positioning during the address portion of the golf swing, the golfer begins the backswing portion of the golf swing.

[0027] FIG. 6 illustrates golfer 10 during a backswing portion of the golf swing. During the backswing, golfer 10 raises club head 20 upward and away from golf ball 14 in an arc-like fashion 62 away from the leading side 60 of the body. As the club head 20 is raised vertically above grip 18, due to the force of gravity, extension member 40 slides down shaft member 38 along axis 16a, as indicated by directional arrow 64, to the extended position where flange element 52 is engaged by retaining element 50 (see FIG. 4B). During the backswing, movement of extension member 40 from the retracted position to the extended position does not interfere with or make contact with the golfer's body.

[0028] The distance a golfer draws club head 20 back along arc 62 during a backswing will vary depending on a variety of factors, such as the type of shot being made, the type of club being used, and the distance the golfer wishes to drive ball 14 in direction 24, for example, with the magnitude of a swing often being classified as a half-swing, three-quarters swing, and full-swing, among others. According to one embodiment, extension member 40 will transition from the retracted position to the extended position any time a golfer takes a half-swing or greater. It is noted that the illustration of FIG. 6 is representative of what would generally be considered to be a three-quarters swing. It is noted that during the backswing, wrists 66 of golfer 10 are bent back toward the crook the crook of the elbows so as to be in a "cocked" position.

[0029] As illustrated by FIG. 7A, after reaching the apex of the backswing, golfer 10 begins the forward portion of the golf swing and brings club 12 downward in an arc-like fashion 70 toward ball golf ball 14. During the forward portion of the golf swing, centrifugal force generated by the swing acting perpendicularly to axis 16a of club 12 maintains extension member 40 in the extended position. As illustrated by FIG. 7A, if golfer 10 keeps his wrists in a cocked position (i.e. wrists bent back with thumbs pointing generally toward the elbows) so that hands 26 lead club head 20 during the downward portion of the swing and through the imaginary vertical plane 28 when club head 20 impacts ball 14, the golfer will have achieved the desired "tour impact" position and extension member 40, nor any other portion of golf swing trainer 30, will have contacted and portion of the body of golfer 10. In essence, golf swing trainer 30 will have been "non-existent" to golfer 10 when the wrists remain "cocked" back and the "tour impact" position is achieved. FIG. 7B is a top view of golfer 10 illustrated in FIG. 7A.

[0030] After striking ball 14 with club 12, extension member 40 will remain in the extended position during the follow-through portion of the swing, and will return to the retracted position when club head 20 is once again positioned vertically lower than grip end 18, such as when golfer 10 returns to the address position as illustrated by FIG. 5.

[0031] As illustrated by FIGS. 8A and 8B, in contrast to that illustrated by FIG. 7A and 7B, if golfer 10 "breaks" his wrists during the downward portion of the swing so that club head 20 moves forward relative to hands 20 during the forward swing (so that club head 20 is in-line with, or even leading, hands 16 when club head 20 impacts ball 14), extension member 40 will contact the mid-section of golf 10, as indicated at 72. The contact of extension member 40 with the midsection of the golfer's body during the forward portion of the golf swing provides immediate feedback to golfer 10 that he has not maintained his wrist in a "cocked" position and has not achieved the desired "tour impact" position when contacting and driving golf ball 14.

[0032] The golfer can repeat his swing, with or without the presence of ball 14, until the golfer has trained himself to consistently achieve the "tour impact" position. Due to the soft and flexible material employed by shaft member 38 and extension member 40, golfer 10 receives adequate contact to be aware that that he has been contacted by golf swing trainer 30, but does not suffer discomfort from such contact. In one embodiment, extension member 40 comprises a resilient material, such as foam rubber, for example.

[0033] Also, due to the small size of golf swinger trainer 30 when in the retracted position, and due to the easy attachment of golf swing trainer 30 to grip 18 of club 12, a golfer can easily store golf swing trainer 30 in his golf bag and attach golf swinger trainer 30 to his club and take several practice swings prior to removing golf swing trainer 30 and assuming the address position during a round of golf

[0034] As illustrated by FIG. 9, according to one embodiment, in lieu of socket member 36a, first element 32 employs a pin 36c which configured to insert into and engage a vent hole disposed in the end of grip 18 of most conventional golf clubs. According to one embodiment, pin 36 is tapered and becomes wider the further it is inserted into the vent hole.

[0035] FIGS. 10-12 illustrate golf swing trainer 30, according to one embodiment, where, in lieu of a telescopic configuration, extension member 40 of second element 34 is coupled to shaft member 38 of first element 32 via a pivot 80, such as a hinge mechanism, for example. According to the embodiment of FIG. 10-12, golf swing trainer 30 further includes a standoff element 82 which is configured to maintain extension member 40 in spaced-apart position from grip 18 of club 12 so as to not interfere with the gripping of club 12 by a golfer. First element 32 and extension member 40 of second element 34 include a securing mechanism 84a, 84b for securing extension member 40 in an extended position, as will be described below.

[0036] FIG. 10 illustrates golf swing trainer 30 with extension member 40 in a retracted position. In operation, after securing golf swing trainer 30 to grip end 18 of club 12, a golfer would place extension member 40 in the retracted position and then assume the "address position", such as illustrated by FIG. 5. Golf swing trainer 30 is secured to grip end 18 so that extension member 40 faces directly away from the golfer when in the address position.

[0037] As illustrated by FIG. 11, during the backswing portion of the golfer's swing, due to the force of gravity, extension member 40 begins to rotate about pivot 80 toward the extended position, as illustrated by arrow 86. Ultimately, during the backswing, as illustrated by FIG. 12, extension member 40 reaches the extended position where it is aligned with the axis 16a of club 12, at which point securing mechanism 84a, 84b secure extension member 40 to first element 32. According to one embodiment, securing mechanism 84a, 84b comprises magnetic elements 84a and 84b which contact one another and magnetically secure extension member 40 to first element 32. Magnetic elements 84a and 84b continue to maintain extension member 40 in the extended position during the downward, impact, and follow-through portions of the golf swing. According to one embodiment, securing mechanism 84a, 84b comprises a hook-and-loop system, such as Velcro®, for example.

[0038] It is noted that implementations and embodiments of the golf swing trainer 30 other than those explicitly illustrated and described herein are possible. It is to be understood that the features of the various exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined with each other, unless specifically noted otherwise.

[0039] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A golf swing trainer for training a golfer to achieve a tour impact position during execution of a golf swing comprising: a first element which selectively secures to a grip end of a golf club; and a second element coupled to the first element and moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the second element moves from the retracted position to the extended position by the force of gravity during a backswing of the golf club by a golfer, and wherein the second element contacts a midsection of the golfer when in the extended position when the wrists of the golfer are not bent back during a downward portion and an impact portion of a forward swing.

2. The golf swing trainer of claim 1, first element includes a coupling member to secure the first element to the grip end of the golf club.

3. The golf swing trainer of claim 2, wherein the coupling member comprises a socket including an opening which slides over and engages the grip end of the golf club.

4. The golf swing trainer of claim 2, wherein the coupling member comprises a pin which inserts into a vent opening in the grip end of the golf club.

5. The golf swing trainer of claim 1, wherein the second element extends telescopically from the first element.

6. The golf swing trainer of claim 1, wherein the first element and second element are aligned coaxially with an axis of a shaft of the golf club when the second element is in the retraced position and in the extended position.

7. The golf swing trainer of claim 1, wherein after moving from the retracted position to the extended position, the second element is held in the extended position during the downward and impact portions of a forward swing by centrifugal force generated during the swing.

8. The golf swing trainer of claim 1, wherein the second element is coupled to the first element via a pivot.

9. The golf swing trainer of claim 8, wherein the pivot comprises a hinge.

10. The golf swing trainer of claim 8, wherein after moving from the retracted position to the extended position, the second element is secured to the first element by a securing mechanism so as to maintain the second element in the extended position.

11. The golf swing trainer of claim 10, wherein the securing mechanism comprises a magnet.

12. The golf swing trainer of claim 8, wherein the second element is coaxial with an axis of a shaft of the club when in the extended position and off-axis from the axis of the shaft of the club when in the retracted position.

13. The golf swing trainer of claim 1, wherein the first element and second element together extend from the grip end by a first distance in an axial direction of the golf club away from a club head when the second element is in the retracted position and by a second distance when the second element is in the extended position, the second distance greater than the first distance.

14. The golf swing trainer of claim 1, wherein the first element includes a retaining element which engages the second element to limit a distance the second element moves when moving from the retracted position to the extended position.

15. The golf swing trainer of claim 1, wherein the retaining element is adjustable so as to adjust a distance the second element moves when moving from the extended position to the retracted position.

16. The golf swing trainer of claim 1, wherein the first and second elements comprises a flexible material.

17. A golf swing trainer comprising: a coupling member which selectively couples the golf swing trainer to a grip end of the golf club, wherein the golf swing trainer extends along an axis of the golf club from a first length to a second length by the force of gravity during a backswing portion of a golf swing, wherein centrifugal force maintains the golf swing trainer at the second length during a forward swing portion of the golf swing, and wherein the golf swing trainer contacts a midsection of the golfer when at the second length when the golfer fails to keep his wrists bent back during a downward portion and impact portion of the forward swing portion of the golf swing.

18. A method for training a golfer to achieve a tour impact position when impacting a golf ball with a golf club during execution of a golf swing, the method comprising: attaching a training device to a grip end of the golf club, the training device moveable between a retracted position and an extended position along an axis of the golf club; moving the training device to the extended position from the retracted position by the force of gravity during a backswing portion of the golf swing; maintaining the training device in the extended position during a forward portion of the golf swing.

19. The method of claim 18, contacting a midsection of the golfer with the training device when at the extended position when the golfer fails to keep his wrists bent back during a downward portion and impact portion of the forward swing portion of the golf swing.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein maintaining the training device in the extended position comprises maintain the training device in the extended position via centrifugal force generated during the forward portion of the golf swing.