FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The embodiments of the present invention relate to a golf swing training member adapted to be selectively and removably attached to a golf glove forming a versatile golf swing training tool and hand position tool. The golf swing training member may be in many forms including cylindrical or semi-spherical.
BACKGROUND
Golf is a very popular and frustrating game. Golfers are constantly in search of tools to improve their golf game. The golf swing is one of the most challenging skills to master. Even professional golfers are constantly honing their golf swings.
Accordingly, it would be beneficial to develop a new, easy-to-use and versatile apparatus for training a golfer the one or more of the elements of a good golf swing and hand deposition. More particularly, it would be beneficial to develop a golf swing training member attachable to a golf glove and including a series of channels for receiving and retaining a rod in a plurality of positions to aid a golfer with hand and arm position through a golf swing and positioned to prevent improper hand position.
SUMMARY
The embodiments of the present invention are directed to a golf swing training member removably attachable to a rear or palm surface of a golf glove. The golf swing training member includes a series of spaced channels for receiving and retaining a rod. Depending in which channel the rod is inserted, the rod may be used to teach various elements of a golf swing when the golf swing training member is attached to a rear surface of a golf glove. When attached to the palm surface of the golf glove, the golf swing training member is used to control hand position when gripping the golf club.
In one embodiment, the golf swing training device is removably attachable to a golf glove using hook and loop fasteners, snaps, magnets, projection and grooves, and the like. In one embodiment, the golf swing training member is attachable to a rear surface of the golf glove such that the rod may extend into a path of the golf swing to aid in training. In another embodiment, the golf swing training member is attachable to a palm surface of the golf glove to control hand position when gripping the golf club. Rods may also be used when the golf glove is attached to the palm surface of the golf glove.
In one embodiment, the golf swing training member is semi-spherical in shape so that when attached to a rear or palm surface of a golf glove, spaced channels permit the rod to be selectively positioned and also when attached to a palm surface of a golf glove is substantial enough to control a hand grip.
Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a top down view of a golf swing training member according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the golf swing training member of FIG. 1 according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 3A illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the golf swing training member of FIG. 1 according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 3B illustrates a side view of a semi-spherical golf swing training member according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 4 illustrates a rod inserted into one of the channels of the golf swing training member of FIG. 1 according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 5A illustrates a side view of a golf glove with a pocket for holding the golf swing training member according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 5B illustrates a top view of a golf glove with a pocket for holding the golf swing training member according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 6 illustrates the golf swing training member attached to a rear surface of a golf glove and worn by a golfer according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 7 illustrates the golf swing training member attached to a rear surface of a golf glove with a rod inserted and worn by a golfer according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the golf swing training member attached to a palm surface of a golf glove worn by a golfer according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 9 illustrates a top down view of the golf swing training member attached to a rear surface of a golf glove worn by a golfer according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 10 illustrates a top down view of the golf swing training member attached to a palm surface of a golf glove worn by a golfer holding a golf club according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 11 illustrates a close up top down view of the golf swing training member attached to a palm surface of a golf glove worn by a golfer holding a golf club according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 12 illustrates a straight on view of the golf swing training member attached to a palm surface of a golf glove with a rod inserted and worn by a golfer according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 13 illustrates another straight on view of the golf swing training member attached to a palm surface of a golf glove with a rod inserted and worn by a golfer according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 14 illustrates a rear view of the golf swing training member attached to a palm surface of a golf glove with a rod inserted and worn by a golfer according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 15 illustrates a side view of the golf swing training member with a strap according to the embodiments of the present invention; and
FIG. 16 illustrates the location of a hamate bone in the human hand.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed.
The embodiments of the present invention broadly comprise a golf swing training member removably attachable to a golf glove. Alternatively, the golf swing training member may be integral with the golf glove (i.e., not removable). In either instance, the golf club training member may be fabricated of any suitable material including, but not limited to, plastic, rubber, polymers, wood, metals, alloys, combinations thereof and the like. The golf club training member may also be fabricated using any suitable method including, but not limited to, injection molding, 3D printing, machining, casting, forming, etc. The golf glove may be any type of golf glove.
FIGS. 1-3A show one embodiment of the golf swing training member 100 shaped as a generally semi-spherical body. The golf swing training member 100 includes one or more channels 105-1 through 105-3. The channels 105-1 through 105-3 are configured to receive and retain a rod, stick or bar for purposes detailed below. While typically one channel 105-1 through 105-3 and one rod is used for a particular training exercise, it is conceivable that multiple rods and channels 105-1 through 105-3 may be used. FIG. 3B shows a semi-spherical golf swing training member 101 with channels 102-1 through 102-3. In one embodiment, channels 102-1 and 102-3 are parallel to a bottom surface of the semi-spherical golf swing training member 101.
While the golf swing training member 100 is shown as semi-spherical, the golf swing training member 100 may take on any suitable shape including cylindrical, elliptical, circular, rectangular, etc. Regardless of the shape, the golf swing training member 100 may be used for at least two primary training regimes—(1) on a rear or palm surface of the golf glove with one or more rods to train hand/arm position through sections of a golf swing and (2) on a palm surface of the golf glove without rods to maintain a proper hand grip on the golf club and with rods to train hand/arm position through sections of a golf swing.
FIG. 4 shows the golf swing training member 100 with a rod 110-1 inserted into channel 105-1. FIG. 7 shows a rod 110-2 inserted into channel 105-2 while being worn by a golfer. The rods 110-1 and 110-2 serve to aid a golfer with swing techniques. In one embodiment, the position of the rod 110-1 and 110-2 during the golf swing can aid in a golf swing technique.
In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8-11 the golf swing training member 100 is removably attachable to the rear or palm surface of the golf glove. In one embodiment, the attachment is accomplished via hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, magnets or similar means. In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the golf glove 101 includes one or more pockets 115 configured to removably receive and retain a golf swing training member 100. The pockets 115 include openings 116 for insertion of the rod into the channels in the golf swing training member 100. Alternatively, one or more golf swing training members 100 may be integrally fabricated with the golf glove such that the one or more golf swing training members 100 are substantially permanent or actually permanent. In one such embodiment, the one or more golf swing training members may be sewn into the golf glove.
FIGS. 12-14 show one method of using the golf swing training member 100 with rod 110-2 into channel 105-2. FIG. 11 shows the rod 110-2 extending in front of the golfer's right arm indicating an improper hand position. FIGS. 12 and 13 show the rod 110-2 in the proper position behind the golfer's right arm. Positioning the rod 110-2 in other channels 105-1 through 105-3 can be used to accommodate the swings of different golfers and/or to teach different golf swing techniques. Moreover, positioning the golf swing training member 100 on the rear or palm surface of the golf glove can facilitate teaching other golf swing techniques.
Now referring to FIG. 15, in another embodiment, the golf swing training member 103 includes a flexible strap 104 for removably attaching the golf swing training member 103 to a golfer's hand/glove. In this manner, the flexible strap 104 (e.g., elastic) maintains the position of the golf swing training member 103. In one embodiment, the flexible strap 104 is adjustable in length to permit a snug or tight attachment of the golf swing training member 103 to the golfer's hand/glove.
As best shown in FIG. 11, when positioned on the palm surface of the glove, the golf swing training member 100 also serves to maintain a proper hand grip on the golf club. Nearly all players grip the golf club with their leading hand above the trailing hand. Many players grip the golf club improperly with the leading hand such that the golf club grip rests against the hamate bone 150 (see, FIG. 16) in the leading hand. Players have been known to break the hamate bone during a golf swing when improperly gripping the golf club. The golf swing training member 100 can be positioned on the palm surface of the golf glove (e.g., over the hamate bone) to prevent the golf club from being improperly gripped whereby the golf club grip rests against the hamate bone 150. As shown in FIG. 10, at the same time, the golf club training member 100 maintains the golf club grip in the proper position below the hamate bone 150.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention.
Patent Application
20250186853
