GOLF AID AND RELATED METHODS OF USE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field

This disclosure relates to golf accessories, and, in particular, to apparatus affixed about a lower forearm, wrist, and portions of a back of a hand of a golfer to maintain proper orientation of the wrist during a golf stroke.

Background

Golfers have attempted to better their score since the inception of golf, which is recognized as occurring variously in St Andrews, Scotland in 1552 or in China during the Ming Dynasty as early as 1282. In golf, as in many other sports, establishing and maintaining proper position and alignment of both the lead (left wrist for a right-handed golfer or right wrist for a left-handed golfer) and trail wrist (right wrist for a right-handed golfer or left wrist for a left-handed golfer) during a golf stroke is important for accuracy, distance, and consistency. For many golfers, cupping (e.g., flexion) of the lead wrist during a golf stroke may result in a slice, hook, or inconsistent contact between the head of the golf club and the golf ball. Furthermore, flipping of the hands during the golf stroke, which is manifested by a cupped lead wrist at impact of the club with the golf ball, may cause fat, thin, or bladed shots, and missed putts. The terms stroke and golf stroke as used herein include, for example, the entire full or modified golf swing and putting motions that may pass through the frontal, parasagittal, and transverse planes. Golf stroke, as used herein, includes all strokes (e.g., drives, fairway shots, shots from the rough or otherwise, chips, pitches) and putts. Golf stroke, swing, stroke, golf swing, and similar terms may be used interchangeably through this specification.

Many devices have attempted to address proper wrist position and angles. Some such devices may be mechanically complicated, may be heavy, and may actually hinder proper wrist position. Furthermore, such mechanically complex devices may be impractical due to manufacturing cost or pose difficulty in actual use. Other such devices, although mechanically less complex and more affordable, are too primitive, mechanical, limiting, uncomfortable, or otherwise unsuitable. Certain devices focus on wrist position such as wrist-cock thereby causing inconsistent delivery of force to the golf ball by the golf stroke with concomitant less than desirable results. Golfers have realized that not only wrist position, but wrist position stabilization is critical during the golf stroke. Accordingly, there is a need for improved apparatus that controls the wrist thereby keeping the wrist stable and maintaining proper wrist alignment throughout the golf stroke as well as related methods of use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other needs and disadvantages may be overcome by the apparatus and related methods of use disclosed herein. Additional improvements and advantages may be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art upon study of the present disclosure.

A golf aid is disclosed herein. In various aspects, the golf aid includes a shell of rigid construction that defines a shell interior and a gap configured to insertably receive therethrough a portion of an arm distal of an elbow into the shell interior. The shell engages the portion of the arm including distal posterior portions of a forearm, posterior portions of a wrist, and a back of a hand proximal to the knuckles while leaving a palm and a thumb exposed, in various aspects. The shell is configured to control a wrist throughout a golf stroke, in various aspects. One or more straps may be disposed about an exterior of the shell configured to secure the shell to the portion of the arm while avoiding contacting the palm and thumb. The shell maintains the wrist in a neutral position to prevent flexion and extension of the wrist during a golf stoke, in various aspects.

Related methods of use of the golf aid, in various aspects, may include the step of activating a material in a compliant state thereby transforming the material from the compliant state to a rigid state, and the step of wrapping the material about a portion of an arm while the material is activated and compliant. The portion of the arm is distal of an elbow and the portion of the arm comprises distal posterior portions of a forearm, posterior portions of a wrist, and a back of a hand proximal to the knuckles leaving a palm and a thumb exposed and unencumbered, the distal portions of the forearm, the wrist, the hand. The methods, in various aspects, include the step of forming a shell by allowing the material wrapped about the portion of the arm to transform into the rigid state while gripping a golf club and maintaining the distal portions of the forearm, the wrist, the hand, and the golf club in alignment with the wrist being essentially in a neutral position. The methods, in various aspects, include the step of maintaining the wrist in the neutral position thereby preventing flexion and extension of the wrist by engaging the shell with the arm while performing a golf stroke.

This summary is presented to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein as a prelude to the detailed description that follows below. Accordingly, this summary is not intended to identify key elements of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein or to delineate the scope thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates by frontal perspective view an exemplary golf aid in accordance with aspects of the present inventions;

FIG. 1B illustrates by frontal perspective view another exemplary golf aid in accordance with aspects of the present inventions;

FIG. 1C illustrates by frontal perspective yet another exemplary golf aid in accordance with aspects of the present inventions;

FIG. 2A illustrates by posterior perspective view the exemplary golf aid of FIG. 1A in accordance with aspects of the present inventions;

FIG. 2B illustrates by side perspective view the exemplary golf aid of FIG. 1A in accordance with aspects of the present inventions;

FIG. 2C illustrates by anterior perspective view the exemplary golf aid of FIG. 1A in accordance with aspects of the present inventions;

FIG. 3 illustrates by another posterior perspective view the exemplary golf aid of FIG. 1A in accordance with aspects of the present inventions;

FIG. 4 illustrates by another side perspective view the exemplary golf aid of FIG. 1A in accordance with aspects of the present inventions;

FIG. 5 illustrates by another anterior perspective view interior portions of the exemplary golf aid of FIG. 1A in accordance with aspects of the present inventions;

FIG. 6 illustrates by plan view portions of the exemplary golf aid of FIG. 1A in a conformable state in accordance with aspects of the present inventions;

FIG. 7A illustrates by plan view ulnar deviation, radial deviation, and no deviation of a wrist as may be controlled by any of the exemplary golf aids of FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C;

FIG. 7B illustrates by plan view extension, flexion, and a neutral position of a wrist as may be controlled by any of the exemplary golf aids of FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C;

FIG. 8A illustrates by plan view an exemplary orientation between a club face and a direction of a golf stroke as the club face contacts a golf ball as may be controlled by any of the exemplary golf aids of FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C;

FIG. 8B illustrates by plan view an exemplary misalignment between a club face and a direction of a golf stroke as the club face contacts a golf ball; and

FIG. 8C illustrates by plan view another exemplary misalignment between a club face and a direction of a golf stroke as the club face contacts a golf ball.

The Figures are exemplary only, and the exemplary implementations illustrated therein are selected to facilitate explanation. The number, position, relationship and dimensions of the elements illustrated in the Figures to form the various implementations described herein, as well as dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, flow and similar requirements are explained herein or are understandable to a person of ordinary skill in the art upon study of this disclosure. Where used in the various Figures, the same numerals designate the same or similar elements. Furthermore, when the terms “top,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,” “back,” “first,” “second,” “inside,” “outside,” and similar terms are used, the terms should be understood in reference to the orientation of the implementations illustrated in the figures and are utilized to facilitate description thereof. Use herein of relative terms such as generally, about, approximately, essentially, may be indicative of engineering, manufacturing, or scientific tolerances such as ±0.1%, ±1%, ±2.5%, ±5%, or other such tolerances, as would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art upon study of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A golf aid is disclosed herein that includes a shell configured to control the golfer's variant wrist movement and to align a forearm, wrist, and hand of an arm throughout a golf stroke, in various aspects. In various aspects, the golf aid further comprises at least one strap that secures the shell to the forearm, wrist, and hand. Arm, as used herein, includes the forearm, wrist, and hand, in various aspects.

Optimal contact between the club face and the ball may be the most important of all of the fundamentals of golf. As an example, as advocated by Dave Pelz (see GolfToday.co.uk, November 2018), a golf stroke configured as a putt should be Pure In Line Square (PLS)—a pendulum movement from the shoulders that eliminates all independent variant hand and arm movement while keeping the club-face square throughout the stroke. For example, when performed according to the PLS technique, the golf stroke configured as a putt may result in a center of a club face of the club contacting the golf ball flush, square, and center to center thereby maximizing impact of the club on the golf ball. Continuing this example, the PLS technique may be generally extended to all golf strokes with the goal of controlling the forearm, wrist and hand to be in alignment in order to strike the golf ball flush, square, and center to center with the center of the club face, the club face being perpendicular to the velocity vector of the club face at the moment of impact with the golf ball during the stroke (e.g., perpendicular to the direction of motion of the club face).

The shell of the golf aid, in various aspects, may control the wrist by supporting the wrist thereby aligning the forearm, wrist, and hand throughout the golf stroke, and may do so for the full range of golf strokes. Such alignment of the forearm, wrist, and hand by control of the wrist may facilitate striking the golf ball flush, square, and center to center with the center of the club face consistently. Improper forearm, wrist, and hand alignment and wrist control, for example, may result in improper swinging motions, improper club face orientation with respect to the golf ball, missed hits, poor accuracy, reduced distance, offset range and precision, or even injury. Thus, maintaining proper forearm, wrist, and hand alignment and wrist control as aided by the shell of the golf aid may reduce off-angle strikes, pull swings, slices, fades, and bad (off target) putts. The shell of the golf aid, in various aspects, is gender and age agnostic so as to be useable by both males and females of any age. The shell of the golf aid may be used as a training aid, a teaching tool, or an accessory, in various aspects. While the golf aid, in various aspects, is disclosed and described herein in reference to golf and golfing, it should be recognized that the golf aid may find use in other sports, for example, sports that involve striking a ball, puck, or other object.

As used herein, the terms distal and proximal are relative, not necessarily absolute, positional terms defined from a central reference (e.g., the midline) of a human body with a distal portion of the golf aid being situated further from the central point than a proximal portion of the golf aid. For example, when affixed to a golfer, a distal end of the shell is situated further away from the central reference of the golfer than a proximal end of the shell. As a further example, the wrist is distal of the forearm, and the wrist is proximal of the hand.

FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C illustrate exemplary golf aids 10, 100, 200, respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, exemplary golf aid 10 includes shell 20 and strap 30 with shell 20 secured only to lead arm 81 of golfer 80 by strap 30. Golfer 80, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, is gripping golf club 91 oriented to address golf ball 97 preparatory to performing a golf stroke that is generally counterclockwise as indicated by the arrow in the Figure. Note that lead arm 81 (e.g., the left arm), in this implementation, includes the left forearm, left wrist, and left hand as lead forearm 83, lead wrist 85, and lead hand 87, respectively, as golfer 80 is illustrated as being right-handed. Also note that trail arm 82, which is the right arm in this illustration, includes the right forearm, right wrist, and right hand as trail forearm 84, trail wrist 86, and trail hand 88, respectively.

As illustrated in FIG. 1B, exemplary golf aid 100 includes shell 120 and strap 130 with shell 120 secured only to trail arm 182 of golfer 180 by strap 130. Golfer 180, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, is gripping shaft 193 of golf club 191 in performing a golf stroke that is generally counterclockwise as indicated in FIG. 1B. Golfer 180, as illustrated, is right-handed, so that the lead arm 181 includes the left forearm, left wrist, and left hand of the left arm and the trail arm 182 includes the right forearm, right wrist, and right hand of the right arm.

As illustrated in FIG. 1C, exemplary golf aid 200 includes shells 220a, 220b and corresponding straps 230a, 230b, respectively. Golfer 280, as illustrated in FIG. 1C, is gripping shaft 293 of golf club 291 in performing a golf stroke that is generally counterclockwise as indicated in FIG. 1C. Golfer 280 is illustrated as being right-handed, so that the lead arm 281 includes the left forearm, left wrist, and left hand of the left arm and the trail arm 282 includes the right forearm, right wrist, and right hand of the right arm. Shell 220a is secured to lead arm 281 of golfer 280 by strap 230a, and shell 220b is secured to trail arm 282 of golfer 280 by strap 230b, as illustrated in FIG. 1C.

Shell 120 and strap 130 of golf aid 100 and shells 220a, 220b with straps 230a, 230b, respectively, of golf aid 200 are generally configured similarly to shell 20 and strap 30 of golf aid 10, so that exemplary golf aid 10 depicted in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 3, 4, 5, 6 along with the accompanying discussion is applicable to golf aids 100, 200. For example, shell 120 is configured for securement to trail arm 182 but is otherwise similar to shell 20. Shells 220a, 220b, for example, are configured for securement to lead arm 281 and trail arm 282, respectively, but are otherwise similar to shell 20. While golf aids 10, 100, 200 are described herein generally in reference to a right-handed golfer, such as golfer 80, 180, 280, for purposes of explanation, it should be recognized that other implementations of the golf aid, such as golf aid 10, 100, 200, may be configured for a left-handed golfer. Although golfer 80, 180, 280 is depicted in the illustrations as an adult male for explanatory purposes, it is contemplated that the golf aid, such as golf aid 10, 100, 200, disclosed herein may be utilized by both male and female golfers of any age.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C offer various views of exemplary golf aid 10 including shell 20 secured to golfer 80 to receive portions of the lead forearm 83 (e.g., left forearm of right-handed golfer 80), lead wrist 85 (e.g., left wrist of right-handed golfer 80), and lead hand 87 (e.g., left hand of right-handed golfer 80) of lead arm 81 of golfer 80. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, shell 20 is formed generally to engage biasedly interior surface 23 (see FIG. 3) of shell 20 with distal portions of the forearm, at least posterior portions of the wrist, and the posterior (back; opisthenar area) of the hand approximately up to the knuckles (e.g., the metacarpophalangeal joints) so that the fingers generally extend forth from distal end 27 of shell 20. That is, distal end 27 of shell 20 is generally proximal of the knuckles, as illustrated. Shell 20 does not extend to the elbow (e.g., proximal end 29 is located distal of the elbow) so that the elbow remains free and unencumbered by shell 20 or by strap 30, in this implementation. In various other implementations, distal end 27 of shell 20 may not extend to the knuckles, so that only portions of the posterior of the hand are covered by shell 20 and engaged with interior surface 23 of shell 20. In various implementations, shell 20 may be secured about at least portions of the carpal bones of the wrist to prevent certain movements of the wrist during the golf stroke.

Material 40, of which shell 20 is comprised, is in rigid state 44 to support portions of the lead forearm 83, lead wrist 85, and lead hand 87, and enclosed by fabric 47, as illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and also in FIGS. 3, 4, 5. Shell 20 is generally formed as a rigid and continuous structure with material 40 extending continuously without interruption and with generally constant thickness between proximal end 29 and distal end 27 so that shell 20 is, for example, devoid of hinges, springs, or flexural joints, in the illustrated implementations.

Distal end 27 of shell 20 is shaped between the knuckles and the anterior of the wrist to leave the palm exposed, as illustrated in FIGS. 2B, 2C. Thus, the thumb and fingers are not bound by shell 20, nor is the palm (e.g., the volar) covered by shell 20, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 2C. Accordingly, the fingers, palm, and thumb are free to grip shaft 93 of golf club 91, and the lead hand 87, which is engaged with shell 20, may be positioned in alignment with respect to trail hand 88 of trail arm 82 when gripping shaft 93 of golf club 91. Strap 30 secures shell 20 to golfer 80, as illustrated.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, proximal end 29 of shell 20 is positioned proximal of lead wrist 85, and proximal end 29 is positioned on distal portions of lead forearm 83 well distal of the elbow so as not to interfere with elbow articulation. Strap 30 illustrated in secured position 34 wrapped around proximal end 29 of shell 20 releasably secures shell 20 about distal portions of the lead forearm 83, lead wrist 85, and the back of lead hand 87 of golfer 80 using a hook and loop fastener system (e.g., Velcro®), in this implementation. Strap 30 in secured position 34 avoids contact with the palm, thumb, and fingers leaving the palm, thumb, and fingers free to grip shaft 93 of golf club 91 unencumbered by strap 30, as illustrated. Also, strap 30 in secured position 34 being distal of the elbow avoids contact with the elbow. Of course, other implementations may include multiple straps.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 further illustrates shell 20 of golf aid 10 standing alone. As illustrated, strap 30 in secured position 34 is wrapped around portions of exterior surface 21 of shell 20 in engagement therewith generally proximate proximal end 29 as if securing shell 20 to lead arm 81. At least portions of interior surface 23 of shell 20 define shell interior 25 that receives portions of the lead forearm 83, the lead wrist 85, and the lead hand 87, in this implementation. As illustrated in FIG. 4, portions of shell 20 that cover posterior portions of the forearm, wrist, and hand are aligned with the bottom of the Figure. Note shell 20 is shaped toward the distal end 27, as illustrated in FIG. 4, to expose the palm and leave the thumb and fingers unbound.

FIG. 5 illustrates portions of shell interior 25 of shell 20 of golf aid 10. Portions of interior surface 23 have been molded to conform to the anatomy of golfer 80 including lead forearm 83, lead wrist 85, and lead hand 87 as indicated by contours, such as contours 37a, 37b, formed in interior surface 23 of shell 20, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Accordingly, shell 20 may custom fit golfer 80, which may be important as explained below. Shell 20, as illustrated in FIG. 5, includes gap 24. Distal portions of the lead forearm 83, the lead wrist 85, and at least portions of the lead hand 87 may be received within shell interior 25 by insertion through gap 24, and strap 30, when engaged about the exterior surface 21 of shell 20 maintains shell 20 in securement. Shell 20 may be removed by releasing strap 30 and then passing distal portions of the lead forearm 83, the lead wrist 85, and at least portions of the lead hand 87 from shell interior 25 through gap 24. Note that strap 30 is in released position 32, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Gap 24 is sized to allow therethrough insertion into or removal from shell interior 25 of distal portions of the lead forearm 83, the lead wrist 85, and at least portions of the lead hand 87.

In the illustrated implementations, shell 20, 120, 220a, 220b comprises material 40, and material 40 may be transformable between a conformable state 42 and a rigid state 44 to allow molding of material 40 to fit specifically a particular golfer, such as golfer 80, 180, 280. Thus, shell 20, 120, 220a, 220b may be custom fit to the particular golfer. Material 40 may include, for example, EVOSHIELD® available from Wilson Sporting Goods Co., Athens, GA that is initially in conformable state 42 and then hardens into rigid state 44 in a few minutes upon exposure to air. In other implementations, material 40 may, for example, harden from conformable state 42 into rigid state 44 upon exposure to light or water. Fabric, such as fabric 47 of exemplary golf aid 10, may cover material 40, with the fabric forming surfaces, such as interior surface 23 and exterior surface 21, of the shell, such as shell 20, 120, 220a, 220b. Fabric 47 may, for example, be comprised of canvas, knitted or woven synthetic material (e.g., Nylon, Rayon), blends of natural and synthetic material, and so forth, as would be readily recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art upon study of this disclosure. Various implementations may include padding (not shown) disposed, for example, between at least portions of fabric 47 and material 40. Note that, in the illustrated implementations, the shell is essentially a unitary structure with material 40 extending continuously between proximal end 27 and distal end 29 without hinges, pivots, flexural points, or other discontinuities.

In FIG. 6, material 40 of shell 20 as well as fabric covering is illustrated in conformable state 42 wherein material 40 assumes a generally planar configuration. Strap 30 is affixed to shell 20 proximate proximal end 29, as illustrated. Portions of sides 31, 33 generally proximate proximal end 29 are parallel making this portion of shell 20 rectangular. Other portions of sides 31, 33 generally proximate distal end 27 are angled giving this portions of shell 20 a roughly trapezoidal shape, as illustrated. These other portions of sides 31, 33 generally proximate distal end 27 are shaped to leave the palm, thumb, and fingers exposed when shell 20 in rigid state 44 is secured to golfer 80, in this implementation.

FIGS. 7A, 7B illustrate movements of the wrist, such as lead wrist 85 or trail wrist 86, as may be controlled by the shell, such as shell 20, 120, 220a, 220b. Deviation of the wrist including radial deviation 401, ulnar deviation 405, and no deviation 403 of the wrist are illustrated in FIG. 7A using a right hand. Radial deviation 401 may be defined as turning of the wrist toward the thumb side of the forearm (e.g., toward the radial bone on the inside of the forearm). Ulnar deviation 405 may be defined as turning of wrist toward the little finger side of the forearm (e.g., toward the ulnar bone on the outside of the forearm). No deviation 403 is illustrated as neither radial deviation 401 of the wrist nor ulnar deviation 405 of the wrist so that the wrist and hand are generally aligned with the radial and ulnar bones.

Extension 407, neutral position 409, and flexion 411 are illustrated in FIG. 7B using a left hand. As illustrated in FIG. 7B, wrist 409 in neutral position 409 is unbent so that the wrist and hand are generally aligned with the radial and ulnar bones of the forearm. Flexion 411 and extension 407 are opposite movements of the wrist. With the wrist in flexion 411, the wrist and hand are bent with respect to the radial and ulnar bones so that the palm of the hand is faced toward anterior portions of the forearm, as illustrated in FIG. 7B. With the wrist in extension 407, the wrist and hand are bent with respect to the radial and ulnar bones so that the back of the hand is faced toward posterior portions of the forearm, as illustrated in FIG. 7B. Radial deviation 401, ulnar deviation 405 as well as extension 407 and flexion 411 may be measured with a goniometer, as would be readily recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art upon study of this disclosure.

In use, a shell, such as shell 20, 120, 220a, 220b, of a golf aid, such as golf aid 10, 100, 200 that is comprised of a material 40 in a conformable state, such as material 40 in conformable state 42, is wrapped around a portion of an arm, such as lead arm 81, 181, 281 or trail arm 82, 182, 282, of a golfer, such as golfer 80, 180, 280, to form the shell. The material in the conformable state may be initially configured generally as a planar sheet (see FIG. 6). The material in the conformable state is activated by exposure to air, for example, and then wrapped around the forearm, wrist, and back of the hand to form the shell while the golfer grips the shaft, such as shaft 93, 193, 293, of the golf club, such as golf club 91, 191, 291 and assumes a stance as generally depicted, for example, in FIG. 1A. Activation of material 40 causes material 40 to transform from conformable state 42 into rigid state 44. Exposure to other stimuli may activate material 40, in various other implementations. Gripping the golf club throughout the hardening of the material from conformable state 42 into a rigid state, such as rigid state 44, ensures that the resulting shell in the rigid state orients the forearm, wrist, and hand in consistent alignment with the shaft to strike the golf ball flush, square, and center to center with the center of the club face (see FIG. 8A). The material in the conformable state may be manipulated to conform to a particular anatomy of the portion of the arm of the golfer, wherein the portion of the arm may comprise at least distal posterior portions of the forearm, at least posterior portions of the wrist, and the back of the hand up to the knuckles. The material in the conformable state, when so wrapped, may form a gap, such as gap 24, generally over anterior portions of the forearm and anterior portions of the wrist with the palm and thumb remaining uncovered. The material in the conformable state is then allowed to harden into the rigid state while engaged with the golfer thereby molding the shell to conform to the anatomy of the golfer.

The shell in the rigid state may thus custom fit the golfer. With the shell in rigid state 44, the interior surface, such as interior surface 23, and shell interior, such as shell interior 25, may then custom conform to the anatomy of distal portions of the forearm, the wrist, and at least portions of the hand of the golfer thereby providing a custom fit that consistently aligns the forearm, wrist, and hand with the shaft of the golf club to strike the golf ball flush, square, and center to center with the center of the club face when performing a golf stroke. The custom fit of the shell accounts for the way that the particular golfer's forearm, wrist, and hand align with the shaft due to the anatomy of the particular golfer. Note that the neutral position of the wrist as captured by the shell is in general as individual golfers, due to their specific anatomy, may exhibit a slight flexion or a slight extension of the wrist in alignment of the forearm, wrist, and hand with the shaft of the golf club, which is then accounted for by the custom fit of the shell, in certain implementations. Hence, it should be understood that neutral position of the wrist as used herein may allow for such slight flexion or slight extension of the wrist in alignment of the forearm, wrist, and hand with the shaft of the golf club.

The shell of the golf aid, which is now in the rigid state, may be secured to the arm or removed from the arm of the golfer, for example, by passing portions of the lead arm through the gap, in golf aid 10. The strap may correspondingly be placed between a secured position, such as secured position 34, to secure the shell to the golfer and a released position, such as released position 32, to allow removal of the shell from the golfer. The shell is in the rigid state and is secured using the strap while being used during performing a golf stroke. The golfer may remove the shell when so desired.

With the shell secured to the arm, the golfer may then stoke the golf ball. The shell by its rigidity and placement controls the wrist position with respect to the forearm during the golf stroke. For example, the shell may maintain the wrist in a generally neutral position, such as neutral position 409, aligned linearly with the forearm so as to be essentially neither in flexion, such as flexion 411 (e.g., cupping), nor in extension, such as extension 407 (e.g., cocking) during the golf stroke. Flexion of the wrist during a golf stoke may be particularly undesirable. During the golf stroke, the shell, for example, may prevent radial deviation, such as radial deviation 401, may prevent ulnar deviation, such as ulnar deviation 405, or may prevent both radial deviation and ulnar deviation, thereby maintaining the wrist with generally no deviation, such as no deviation 403. The shell may also prevent rotation of the wrist during the golf stroke. For example, current driving techniques generally maintain the wrist generally in the neutral position throughout the stoke and develop power and consistency by using the hips and shoulders. Current putting techniques may also maintain the wrist in the neutral position and rotate the shoulders to stroke (putt) the golf ball. Thus, it may be desirable to maintain the wrist in the neutral position throughout the golf stroke. Similarly, it may be desirable to prevent deviation of the wrist throughout the golf stroke. Use of two shells 220a, 220b, such as in exemplary golf aid 200, allows the shells to reinforce each other further stabilizing both wrists thereby preventing deviation of both wrists and maintaining both wrists in the neutral position with no flexion and no extension throughout the stroke.

FIG. 8A illustrates striking golf ball 97 with one or more wrists generally held in the neutral position by the shell(s) of the golf aid. FIG. 8A may exemplify a golf stroke according to the PLS with the forearm, wrist and hand in alignment. As illustrated, club face 95 of golf club 91 is oriented to contact golf ball 97 with club face 95 being aligned generally perpendicular to velocity vector 99a of club face 95 at the moment of contact of club face 95 with golf ball 97 during the stroke. Such perpendicular alignment of club face 95 with velocity vector 99a of club face 95 at the moment of contact of club face 95 with golf ball 97 during the stroke, for example, may prevent fading or slicing. The shell, in various implementations, may create consistent contact with the golf ball and consistent alignment of the club face 95 with the velocity vector 99a of club face 95 at the moment of contact of club face 95 with golf ball 97 during the stroke as depicted in FIG. 8A by aligning the forearm, wrist, hand with the golf club 91.

In FIGS. 8B, 8C, club face 95 of golf club 91 is misaligned with respect to velocity vectors 99b, 99c, respectively, of club face 95 thereby contacting golf ball 97 generally at angles α, β that are substantially other than perpendicular thereby causing hooking, slicing, fading, etc. For example, as illustrated, angle α is substantially greater than 90° while angle β is substantially less than 90°. The misalignment illustrated in FIGS. 8B, 8C may be caused by deviation of the wrist(s) from the neutral position (e.g., cupping or cocking) as may occur when not using the shell(s) of the golf aid. Note that golf club 91 is depicted in a generalized manner with the pitch of club face 95 ignored in FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C for purposes of explanation.

Table 1 illustrates the effect of exemplary golf aid 10 on play. Data as presented in Table 1 was collected for various golfers both with exemplary golf aid 10 and without exemplary golf aid 10. The Table 1 data was collected using an Approach® R10 Portable Golf Launch Monitor (010-02356-00) manufactured by Garmin of Kansas City, MO. The golfers used a 7 iron in the fairway portion of the data. Note that the Table 1 column “Fairway hit using both devices” refers to use of exemplary golf aid 200 including shells 220a, 220b. Also note that columns labeled “without/using apparatus” refer to data obtained without using the apparatus separated by the “/” from data obtained using the apparatus. As may be seen from the results of Table 1, the golf aid seems to improve statistically the various golfers' games. Use of the golf aid seems to increase accuracy and spin rate for iron play and decreases the radius about the hole of misses for putting. Use of the golf aid for driving appears to increase carry (distance) and accuracy while decreasing spin. It should be noted that the golf aid does not, for example, correct for a misaligned stance or prevent topping or hitting the ground short of the golf ball.

TABLE 1

From fairway using a 7 iron

Fairways hit

Spin rate
Spin rate
Fairways hit

without
Fairways hit
without
using
using both

Age/

apparatus/
using
apparatus
apparatus
apparatuses/

handicap
M/F
shots
apparatus
(rpm)
(rpm)
shots

43/7
M
6/10
8/10
5486
5989
9/10

18/25
M
3/10
7/10
5110
6200
7/10

27/15
M
5/10
8/10
5530
6005
8/10

18/11
F
6/10
9/10
4850
5480
10/10

Putting from 12′ distance

Putts made

out of 10

Age/

without
Putts made out of 10
average distance remaining on misses

handicap
M/F
apparatus
using apparatus
without/using apparatus

43/7
M
5
7
4′2″/2′1″

18/25
M
3
6
6′3″/2′10″

27/15
M
4
7
3′5″/1′11″

18/11
F
4
7
4′1″/2′1″

Driving

Carry

distance

Spin rate
Spin rate
Spin rate

(yards)
Fairway hits [40 yard
without
using
using both

Age/

without/using
width]
apparatus
apparatus
apparatuses

handicap
M/F
apparatus
without/using apparatus
(rpm)
(rpm)
(rpm)

43/7
M
229/251
6 of 10/8 of 10
2950
2725
2500

18/25
M
280/298
3 of 10/5 of 10
2622
2100
2050

27/15
M
235/249
5 of 10/6 of 10
3150
2765
2540

18/11
F
210/228
7 of 10/8 of 10
2620
2440
2310

The foregoing discussion along with the Figures discloses and describes various exemplary implementations. These implementations are not meant to limit the scope of coverage, but, instead, to assist in understanding the context of the language used in this specification and in the claims. The Abstract is presented to meet requirements of 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b) only. Accordingly, the Abstract is not intended to identify key elements of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein or to delineate the scope thereof. Upon study of this disclosure and the exemplary implementations herein, one of ordinary skill in the art may readily recognize that various changes, modifications and variations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions as defined in the following claims.

GOLF AID AND RELATED METHODS OF USE

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