Not Applicable.
A golf instructional aid is provided to help players feel and understand the proper swing path technique, among other drills, to help players of all levels perform better. While the invention is discussed with particular emphasis on the game of golf, those skilled in the art will appreciated the wider application to other sport games which require individual efforts for shot control. One of the features of the present disclosure is a device which is simple and multifunctional, i.e., having more than one purpose or drill, which can replace other single function teaching aids.
A primary feature or function of the device is to help the average golfer draw, hook or work the ball right to left, which most right handed players can not do consistently, if they can do it at all. It is well known that ball flight is controlled by swing path. Most players believe swing path is controlled by use their arms, but the invention is intended to help them use their lower body to obtain and use the correct path to hit a well struck shot. The device works equally well for both right and left handed players, but the description below for simplicity generally is directed toward right handed players.
In trying to find a good material and design for the device, various materials and many additional uses and/or drills for the device became evident.
In that process, the first material was a foam rubber design, but that material, like most, did not collapse properly and would spring from the proper position when the devices was positioned with respect to a desired location on a player's body. Over time I came to realize what was needed was a material that would collapse under normal pressure encountered in a golf swing, for example, but return to its original shape even after repeated use. Preferably the material is expanded elastomeric plastic.
I determined that a hollow ball or sphere, something with minimal material and max flexibility which was realized in such designs as a child's toy commonly known as the Oball by Rhino Toys or the Tic Tac Ball by JW Pet Company could be modified, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, to provide the multi uses of the device described herein after.
Briefly stated, the present disclosure eliminates the problems encountered with other circular objects when used in a multifunctional arrangement for improving performance in the game of golf, for example. The design is intended to work for several drills or placements for particular practice drills, although different physical sizes may be required for men, women and/or juniors.
I have developed many uses in conjunction with common drills such as:
1. Lower body—between knees/thighs push back knee to front knee. When a player gets to the top of their swing, they often start the down swing with their arms. This usually leads to improper swing path which results in a player slicing or working the ball left to right for a right handed player. This results in loss of a powerful swing and is the major flaw of most golfers. The device of the present disclosure trains the player to start the down swing using their lower body.
In this drill, the device is positioned between the knees or thighs of the player and collapsed before the player starts their hands or arms in motion (i.e., lower body leads the way. The motion of pushing the back knee toward or to the front knee allows for the dropping of the back shoulder and the club into what is known as the “slot” or correct path. It also encourages the player to get their waist properly timed at impact/contact of the ball to maximize power.
2. Under back arm. Another common flaw is the “flying elbow”. One drill used to overcome the flying elbow problem is to have a towel folded under your back armpit. But, size, comfort and constantly picking up the towel and folding it back under your arm is time consuming and frustrating in use. By having or using the device in the back armpit while swinging the player is taught to keep the elbow close to the body, helping the player feel the proper swing path and technique. In this common drill, a feature of the device of this disclosure is that enables the user to form the device to the size of any player employing the device during the drill. Pipoe can also be used under the front arm to help the player turn the wrists over and “finish” the swing. The common golfer holds on and does not complete the swing.
3. Between forearms. For putting, two dimples are provided to set the device on the end of the putter shaft. The player must compress the device to create a stable position, never un-hinging the wrists, a common flaw in the putting stroke and a terrible technique in practice.
Compressing this device creates a pendulum type motion that is ideal in putting, chipping and pitching. Compressing the device eliminates the use of the “small” muscles and only uses the “large” muscles in the putting stroke, and abbreviated swings in chipping and pitching. It is a common practice in good putting, but most players do not understand or care to utilize the technique to improve their putting.
4. Full swing. Used in the same fashion as putting, but the elastic hole/diamond formed on the ends would allow the player to slip it on their grip of their clubs and use it when using full swings.
This allows a user see when the club is open or shut at different points in the swing. Many players do not understand open and closing during the swing. Preferably, the device is provided with a small handle and line/seam which is positioned so that it can be in line with the leading edge of the golf club. While swinging the club back to the top of the back swing, where the club shaft is approximately parallel to the ground, the user can look at the device and that handle should be pointing straight up, which is the same position as the club comes through after impact. It is an easy visual aid for an unknowledgeable player to check the position of the club head during the swing.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention as well as presently preferred embodiments thereof will become more apparent from the reading of the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings.
In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification:
a-d are views in perspective illustrating the under foot use of the device, helpful for chip shot training;
a-b are views in perspective illustrating the between the legs use of the device;
a-b are views in perspective illustrating the use of the device to enable a user to determine club face position during the golf swing;
a-b are views in perspective illustrating the under arm use of the device;
a-b are views in perspective illustrating the putting training use of the device;
a-b are views in perspective illustrating the a further training use of the device;
Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.
The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention.
Referring now to
As best shown in
Referring now to
Structurally the line 4, while still generally extending circumferentially about the pipoe in this embodiment, is designed at one end to surround and define a receptacle 40 for an end cap 34. End cap 34 is removably mounted to the device 11 at the receptacle 40 and is retained in position along the receptacle 40 in a tongue and groove fit. Other forms or methods of attachment for the end cap 34 are compatible with the broader aspects of the disclosure. The end cap 34 can be used in certain practice drills described below.
A handle 36 also is mounted to the surface 34 along the line 4. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the handle 36 preferably is integrally formed with the device 11 as a one piece design; however other forms of construction may be used, if desired. Besides functioning as a handle for the device 11, the handle also functions as a sighting device during the various drills using the device 11
As indicated above, the pipoe is adapted for a variety of drills and uses. Merely by way of example and not of limitation, a number of those uses are discussed below.
Under Foot: There are two ways to utilize the pipoe while placing it under your foot shown for example in
Between Knees: The pipoe placed between the knees or thighs helps the user understand the importance of the lower body and how it moves and syncs with the top of the swing, illustratively shown in
This allows the club to come down on plane or at worst coming from the inside, which is better than over the top. There are severities that need to be avoided. In order to do that, pipoe should be placed between the knees with the line 4 going vertically. This gives the user a reference of how far the pipoe should be compressed before the arms should release through. The openings 22-23 are an aid in holding the pipoe during these drills. The user can rotate the vertical line 4 forward or backward to increase or decrease the amount of compression of the pipoe should occur before the arms are brought through to impact. This will give a FEELING of the correct timing and prevent the golfer from coming over the top, a common flaw.
The pipoe can also be used between the knees while chipping, pitching and putting to promote a quiet lower body, which is good technique on shorter shots.
Slid on Grip: The pipoe will be able to slide on over the grip towards the end of the grip as illustrated in
The golfer can slowly bring the club back, if the line or handle is to the left of the shaft the face is closed, if the line is to the right of the shaft the club face is open. The goal is to keep the line inline with the shaft and face until the arms are parallel with the ground. At this point the line of the pipoe will be exactly or generally vertical again. This is a common misunderstanding by golfers, yet there is no way, with the constant moving angles of the golf swing for the golfer to understand if the club is closed or open at any part of the swing. There are other uses with the core of the body, as illustratively shown in
In addition, the pipoe can be slid on the grip to the grips end. The user will make a normal swing to the top. Then make a controlled but aggressive swing to try and get the pipoe to release from the grip. The goal is to get the pipoe to release from the grip. This has two advantages. First it will increase power for the user and second, it will train the user to time the release as close to impact as possible. Used in this manner, the popoe will help users time their power release close to impact, which is important in obtaining more power/distance from the golf swing.
In another variation, the pipoe can be slid over grip and slid down shaft to the clubhead. This adds weight to the end of the club. Swinging the club with pipoe on the clubhead add significant weight and wind restriction to the swing, even thought the pipoe weighs significantly less than a traditional weight. This allows the user to use the pipoe for strength training and stretching.
Under Arm: The pipoe will be placed between the users back biceps and ribs, compressed as illustrated by
Between Arms: The pipoe can be placed between the arms while putting or chipping, as illustrated in
Between Hands: The pipoe can be held between both hands with the line going horizontal while at address, as illustrated in
Ball Holder (Shag Bag):
Partial Under Back Foot.
Bunker Play.
In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results are obtained. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
This application claims priority to provisional application 61/362,556, filed Jul. 8, 2010 which is incorporated herein by reference.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/US11/43370 | 7/8/2011 | WO | 00 | 1/30/2013 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61362556 | Jul 2010 | US |