This invention relates to devices for improving a golfer's swing. In particular, the invention provides a training aid for stabilizing the golfer's front (relative to the direction of travel of the ball) foot during the swing.
Many proposals have been made for training aids designed to improve a golfer's swing by encouraging correct placement and movement of the golfer's feet during the swing.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,614,107 discloses a device adapted to attach to the heel of a golf shoe with a locator portion that can be driven into the ground behind the heel of the shoe to prevent the shoe lifting during the swing. U.S. Patent Publication 2004/0137998 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,156,747 disclose interconnected straps that can be secured around the golfer's feet and legs to stabilize the golfer's feet and stance during the swing. U.S. Pat. No. 7,722,473 discloses a golf training aid comprising a wedge adapted to be worn below the golfer's shoe and including an upwardly extending guide rod, the position of which relative to the golfer's hip indicating swing error if the hip contacts the guide rod. The TourFoot training device, see http://www.tourfoot.com, comprises a plate with six permanently attached spikes that can be secure to the sole of a golfer's shoe so that the spikes extend downwardly into the ground to stabilize the foot during the swing.
The disclosed designs provide simple, more effective and less obtrusive teaching aids for discouraging improper movement of the forward foot during a golfer's swing. Some devices embodying the present disclosure can be quickly and easily applied to the golfer's shoe, used, removed and stored in a golf bag for future use. Other designs may be incorporated into the design of a shoe.
Embodiments of the disclosure provide a foot stabilizing device which includes a single stabilizer spike that, in use, extends downwardly from the sole of a shoe worn on the golfer's front foot to engage the ground. The spike is advantageously situated under the forefoot or metatarsal heads of the golfer's foot. The engagement of the spike in the ground reduces unwanted movement of the golfer's front foot. This device helps the golfer's foot respond properly during the golf swing to achieve the optimum ball strike. The device encourages a stabilized rolling action of the front foot during the swing.
In some embodiments, the spike extends between 1-2 inches from the sole, preferably about 1 ¾ inches.
Although the device finds its primary application on the front foot of the golfer, it may also be advantageous to use the same device on the rear foot to improve stability and movement of the rear foot during the golf swing.
In one design, the device is separate from and removably attached to the golfer's shoe using a resilient strap that encircles the foot and has a spike receiving opening to removably receive the spike. The margins of the opening may be strengthened, for example, by sewing or by a plastic and/or metal snap insert or grommet and eyelet.
The spike can be made of plastic, metal, wood or other suitable material. In some embodiments, a golf tee is used as the spike. Golf tees are inexpensive, can be purchased in quantity, and are generally a common item used by a golfer for other purposes (i.e. to support a golf ball to hit).
In one example, the device comprises a resilient strap adapted to encircle a golfer's shoe with an opening, which in use is located beneath the shoe, defined by a metal grommet and a spike extending through the opening. The spike is advantageously removably connected to the strap so that different sizes of spike can be used or broken spikes can be easily replaced. Alternatively, the spike can be permanently attached to the strap of the device. The strap can include a fastener for securing the strap in position around the shoe, such as mating Velcro portions, or a plastic and/or metal buckle, or eyelet loop.
The spike can be made of plastic, metal, and/or wood. Preferably the opening is defined by a plastic and/or metal snap insert or grommet and eyelet.
A further alternative version of the device comprises a leather strap, including a leather, plastic and/or metal buckle, a plastic and/or metal eyelet to hold the spike, and a plastic, metal, and/or wood spike.
In an alternative form, the device is attached directly to the sole of the shoe and can be folded between an operating disposition in which it extends substantially perpendicularly to the sole and a stowed disposition in which it does not extend substantially beyond the plane of the sole.
In a further version, the spike is removably attachable to the underside of the sole, for example using a screw-threaded receptacle in the sole that is engaged by a screw-threaded proximal end portion of the spike.
In another alternative attached version of the device, a spike is connected directly to the sole of the shoe by a hinged connection that enables the spike to be moved between an operating disposition in which it extends substantially perpendicularly from the underside of the sole and a folded disposition in which the spike does not extend beyond the underside of the sole.
In use, attaching the training device to the bottom of a golf shoe and pushing the spike into the ground stabilizes the golfer's front foot at impact during the golf swing. This device will promote a forward roll in the golfer's front foot and keep the toes of the front foot from rotating outward towards a position in which the front foot is perpendicular to the ball or back foot.
The device or strap will be worn on the outside of a golf shoe or any shoe worn while golfing. It will be placed so that the spike is underneath the ball of a golfer's shoe and near the pinky toe of the front foot in relation to the golf ball's direction of travel. The strap will be tightened and secured on the top of the shoe either by its own resilience, or by providing means for adjusting the length of the strap, or by providing a fastening device which allows the strap to be secured with different lengths surrounding the shoe.
Additional aspects, advantages and features of the present disclosure are included in the following description of exemplary examples thereof, which description should be taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals are used to describe the same feature throughout the figures.
A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating exemplary forms of the invention, in which:
In
When a golfer wants to improve his ability to strike a ball correctly, he attaches the device 13 as shown in the drawings to the shoe 11 on his front (closest to the ball) foot and, once he is in the correct position, pushes down on his front foot so that the spike 19 enters the ground. When he strikes the ball, the spike 19 will prevent, or at least substantially reduce, unwanted rotation of the front foot, improving the quality of the stroke.
In this embodiment, an opening 28 is provided in the center of the strap 21 approximately halfway between the buckle parts 23 and 25. A grommet 31 is located in the opening 28 to reinforce and protect the margins of the opening 28. One skilled in the art will recognize that some embodiments may include alternatives to the grommet 31 for reinforcing the opening 28, such as additional fabric, while other embodiments do not include any material or item for reinforcing the opening 28. In some embodiments, the grommet 31 is metal, such as brass, in other embodiments, plastics may be used. The grommet 31 is dimensioned to receive the shank or lower portion of a golf tee 33. One skilled in the art will recognize that some embodiment may be designed for use with alternative spikes to the golf tee 33.
In use, the golfer inserts a golf tee 33 into the grommet 31 with the underside of the head of the tee 33 against the grommet 31 and secures the strap 21 around his shoe by means of the buckle 27, so that a head 34 of the tee 33 is against the underside of the sole of the shoe.
A further embodiment not shown in the drawings includes an elastic strap, similar to the strap 21 of the embodiment of
The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the device described.
This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/500,470 filed on Jun. 23, 2011.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61500470 | Jun 2011 | US |