Patent Application
20230142575
This disclosure relates generally to exercise and training devices, and more particularly, to a training device for building core strength and muscle memory to improve the power and mechanics of the golf club swing.
The most difficult thing for aspiring golfers to realize is that club head speed is dependent on the speed and power of the axis of rotation of the body, namely the core. However, human evolution and development have produced the condition “physiological hand dominance” in which our upper extremities (hands and arms) are naturally and physically dominant in most daily activities, as well as in most athletic activities. Unfortunately, this does not facilitate the development of a biomechanically advantaged golf swing.
The hand has the most complex motor activities of any part of our body, and those complex activities are reflected in the brain. The neurons dedicated to the function of the hand occupies the largest proportion of the motor and sensory cortices of the brain. Varying images of anatomy that are derived from the primary motor cortex of the brain show the dominance of the hand compared to core and lower extremities. This is true for both motor and sensory cortices.
This natural tendency is recognized by professionals and they are able to overcome upper extremity dominance. Renown swing coach Butch Harmon believes the typical golfer “tries to do too much with his hands” thereby diminishing his swing speed. He notes that his former pupil, Tiger Woods, focused on keeping his hands passive through the downswing. The most important aspect of hand motion, Harmon says, is to synchronize the movements of your hands with rotation of your body. Tiger Woods says he generates club head speed on the downswing “from the ground up” with hand movement occurring last. Golfers can generate more club head speed by rotating their core, and allowing their body's centrifugal force to release their hands naturally. It is the rotation of the core that produces club shaft “lag” that accelerates the club head through the ball.
Thus, the core's rotation in the golf swing is the key to club head speed. Therefore, it would be desirable to have a training device that is designed to increase the rotary power and muscle memory of the core structures while leaving the hands and arms relatively passive in the training motion. While the embodiments described herein are specifically directed to a training device for building core strength and muscle memory for a golf club swing, one skilled in the art would understand that the apparatus could be a training device for building core strength and muscle memory in other sports such as baseball. This device can be used in the home environment using elastic tethers, or a pulley weight system, or adapted for use in gyms using a pulleys/weight system for resistance.
A training device for a golf swing is described. The training device is designed to be used as a regular exercise to increase the rotary power and muscle memory of the user's core structures. Doing so increases the power, speed and participation of the core in the golf swing, while leaving the hands and arms relatively passive in the training motion. The core is the axis of rotation of the golf swing and the key to club head speed. The golf swing training device trains the muscles and joints of the core, thereby increasing their involvement in the golf swing.
The apparatus 10 is simple in construction. A semicircular portion 20 is coupled at end points A and B with a support portion 40. More detailed embodiments are described with reference to additional figures below. The support portion 40 is constructed to conform generally to the shoulders and neck of the user in order to provide comfortable support for the semicircular portion 20, which is held out in front of the user chest high and rotated in use with the user's shoulders. Handles 80 may be provided on each end of the support portion 40, for example, at points A and B, or at some other ergonomically advantageous position, to assist the user with operating the apparatus 10 properly.
A resistance member 60 of varying resistance, 60 is connected to point A of the apparatus 10 and also to a fixed point D separate and apart from the apparatus, for example, wedged into a door jam at the chest height of the user. While
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The user exercises the core by repeating the clockwise and counterclockwise rotations in reasonable repetitions and sets. The views and directional references of
Also, varying the user's position in relation to the fixed point D will produce varying degrees of resistance for use of the apparatus 10. For example, as the user is positioned further away from point D, the resistance on the tether 60 will be greater. Since the apparatus 10 creates resistance to a rotary movement that involves muscles, joints and ligaments of the core, from the shoulders to the floor, it is recommended that one should start slowly and with a small resistance through the tether 60. Any exercise that places a new stress on a previously unrestrained motion should be initiated progressively, with caution.
The training apparatus should preferably be lightweight and can be made from a variety of readily available materials, such as plastics, lightweight metal alloys, composite materials such as carbon fiber, etc. For example, a simple embodiment was made with lengths of ¾ inch Schedule 40 rigid PVC pipe and connectors, as illustrated in
A second length of PVC pipe 128 is coupled at each end by standard PVC connectors 139 to the first pipe 122. The second pipe 128 has been cut in half and symmetrical curves 129 formed with each half, then connected back together again with a standard connector. A neck cushion 130, such as a hollow cylindrical tube made of plastic foam or similar, is attached where the half pipes 128 connect to cover the connector and provide some additional comfort for the user.
Handles 132 are provided at each end of the apparatus, for example, and are coupled to extend downward from the end points A and B by connector 139, a three-way connector that also couples the first pipe 122 and second pipe 128. In this embodiment, each of the handles 132 is formed with a first straight piece 133 coupled to connector 139 on the apparatus 110; then extending into a elbow connector 138; then to a second straight piece 134 which acts as the handle grip; and terminating with an end cap 135. Grasping and using the handles to hold the apparatus in the horizontal plane of the user's shoulders facilitates a good core workout.
In use, a tether may be secured to either point A or point B on the apparatus 110, for example, by tying the tether in a knot around the corner connector 139 or similar location on the apparatus. Alternatively, a connection point may be affixed on the apparatus 110, for example, with an eye hook, eye bolt or other known mechanical attachment means affixed into one of the pipes or connectors symmetrically on the apparatus.
The tether may be, for example, a silicone band, silicone tubing, a rubber band, rubber tubing, or similar materials with an elastic characteristic suitable for resistance exercises. The elastic tether can be replaced by attaching the device to an adjustable pulley/weight system adjustably secured to a wall or other exercise device commonly used at gyms and other fitness centers.
In an implementation of the above embodiment, the apparatus 110 could be formed as a single molded piece with a neck support cushion added to the molded product. The tether may be included with the apparatus or attached separately.
In fact, implementing a guide path for the travel of the tether along the semicircular arc could be accomplished in a number of different ways without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In general, the guide path can be provided through an internal pathway of an arc portion structural member or an external pathway on the outward-facing surface of the structural member.
For example, another implementation is illustrated in
The tether 260 may also be affixed with a mechanical stopper 225 at each end to limit travel of the tether, or a simple knot tied in the tether may be adequate. The cutouts 224 may also be fitted with a grommet or similar mechanical hardware to facilitate the tether having a smooth entry to and exit from the tube at the cutouts.
In yet another implementation, as shown in
The foregoing written description is intended to enable one of ordinary skill to make and use the techniques described herein, but those of ordinary skill will understand that the description is not limiting and will also appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiments, methods, and examples described herein.
