GOLF TRAINING AID

Abstract

The golf training aid includes a mat forming a primary plane having a top hitting surface and a means for adjusting the angle of incline of the primary plane in relation to a ground surface. Optionally, angled supports removably attached to the bottom surface of the mat can be used to adjust the angle of incline of the mat. As a further option, the top hitting surface may include a swing pathway configured to aid the golfer in hitting a draw shot.

Description

FIELD

The present application relates to the field of golf training aids. More specifically, the present invention relates to a training tool for hitting a draw golf shot.

BACKGROUND

A golfer is always trying to improve his or her swing. Depending on the type of swing, and the clubface angle at the moment of impact, the golfer can dictate the trajectory of the golf ball. The resulting golf shots are commonly referred to as a straight shot, or alternatively, a draw or fade. A draw is a shot that gradually curves from right to left for a right-handed player, or from left to right for a left-handed player. A fade gradually curves in the opposite direction of the draw. Amateur and professional golfers tend to favor a draw shot over a fade for several reasons, including that draws tend to roll more than fades because draws have less backspin, and for much the same reason, a drawing shot usually flies lower and penetrates the wind better than a fade. However, draw shots can be difficult to master.

A draw shot requires a proper swing path and clubface angle. Swing path is the direction the club is traveling relative to the target line at the moment of impact. For a draw, the clubhead should approach the ball on an inside-to-outside path relative to the target line. This means the club is coming from inside the target line (player side) and moving outwards through impact. At the moment of impact, the clubface should be slightly closed relative to the swing path but still open or square to the target. It is predominantly the separation between the swing path and club face angle that influences the flight of the draw shot.

Given the complexities surrounding the ability to hit a draw shot, there is always a need for an aid that trains a golfer to adjust his or her swing and club face angle to allow for a draw shot.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of this invention to provide a golf training aid that trains a golfer to correctly hit a draw shot.

The golf training aid includes a mat forming a primary plane having a top hitting surface and a means for adjusting the angle of incline of the primary plane in relation to a ground surface.

In one embodiment, the golf training aid includes one or more angled supports that are removably attached to the bottom of the mat. The angled supports include an angled top surface, a bottom surface, a proximal side. and a distal side, and the position of each angled support beneath the mat determines the angle of incline of the primary plane in relation to a ground surface.

In another embodiment, the mat further comprises a swing pathway configured to provide a visual guide to a golfer of the correct swing path for a draw shot from the back swing through impact. The swing pathway may be a different color from the remaining top surface of the mat.

In another embodiment, the mat further comprises a ball marker and clubface alignment indicator configured to provide a visual aid for the correct alignment of the club head at the moment of impact.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts are given like reference numerals and, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the golf training aid in accordance with the embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an alternative perspective view of the golf training aid in accordance with the embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the golf training aid in accordance with the embodiments of the invention, showing the hitting mat and angled supports.

FIG. 4 is an alternative partially exploded view of the golf training aid in accordance with the embodiments of the invention showing the angled supports positioned beneath the hitting mat.

FIG. 5 is top view of the hitting mat in accordance with the embodiments of the invention being configured for a right-handed golfer.

FIG. 6 is top view of the hitting mat in accordance with the embodiments of the invention being configured for a left-handed golfer.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the angled supports in accordance with the embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the golf training aid in accordance with the embodiments of the invention shown with two angled supports.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the golf training aid in accordance with the embodiments of the invention shown with one angled support.

The images in the drawings are simplified for illustrative purposes and are not depicted to scale. Within the descriptions of the figures, similar elements are provided similar names and reference numerals as those of the previous figure(s). The specific numerals assigned to the elements are provided solely to aid in the description and are not meant to imply any limitations (structural or functional) on the invention.

The appended drawings illustrate exemplary configurations of the invention and, as such, should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention that may admit to other equally effective configurations. It is contemplated that features of one configuration may be beneficially incorporated in other configurations without further recitation

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning to FIGS. 1-4, a first embodiment of the golf training aid 10 is shown with a proximal end 130 facing a golfer, a distal end 140, a front end 150 and a back end 160. The golf training aid 10 has a hitting mat 20 and a bottom surface 30 that is separated by an angle θ. The hitting mat 20 includes a top surface 35 and a bottom surface 45. When in use, the bottom surface 30 of the golf training aid 10 will rest on a ground surface. The bottom surface 30 of the golf training aid 10 may include a slip-resistant lining or material to increase friction between the bottom surface 30 and the ground. Alternatively, the bottom surface 30 may have one or more projections, including for example, spikes or cleats, that will increase the friction between the bottom surface 30 and the ground.

The angle θ is adjustable such that the incline of the plane forming the hitting surface 20 in relation to the bottom surface 30 can change during use of the golf training aid 10. The inclined lie assists the golfer in generating the correct swing for the draw shot by encouraging a more horizontal or “around-the-body” swing, leading to a greater inside-to-outside swing path.

As shown in FIGS. 3-4, a preferred embodiment of the golf training aid 10 utilizes a plurality of angled supports 40 to create and adjust the angle θ. The angled supports 40 include an angled top surface 50, a bottom surface 60, a proximal end 70, and a distal end 80. For this embodiment, the bottom surface 60 of each of the angled supports 40 is configured to rest on the ground and serves as the bottom surface 30 of the golf training aid 10. The angled supports 40 are removably attached to the bottom surface 45 of the hitting mat 20. In an alternative embodiment, the hitting mat is set within a frame 90. The top surface 50 of the angled supports 40 is removably attached to the bottom surface of the frame 90 for embodiments utilizing a frame 40, or alternatively, the angled supports 40 are removably attached to the bottom surface of the hitting mat 20. The angled supports 40 can be attached to the bottom of the frame 90 (or bottom surface of the hitting mat 20) by using a suitable fastener, including but not limited hook and loop fasteners (e.g. VELCRO®), snap-buttons, quick-release clips, or any other quick-release fastener known in the art.

For the preferred embodiment, to adjust the angle θ of the golf training aid 10, one or more of the angled supports 40 is placed beneath the hitting mat 20. When using the golf training aid 10, a golfer should begin with a maximum incline that includes all of the angled supports 40. As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of angled supports 100, 110, and 120 are shown and configured to create a consistent slope when placed (or attached) adjacent to one another beneath the mat 20. To reduce the angle of incline, the golfer need only remove angle support 100 and reposition angled supports 110 and 120 towards the distal end 140 of the golf training aid 10. Likewise, the angle θ can be reduced further by removing angled support 110 and repositioning angled support 120 towards the distal end 140 of the golf training aid 10. To accommodate the repositioning of the angled supports, the bottom of the frame 90 (or bottom surface of the hitting mat 20) can include a plurality of fasteners, or alternatively, a single sheet fastener or adhesive, disposed on the bottom configured to secure the angled supports 40 to the bottom of the frame 90 (or mat 20). Finally, as the golfer becomes more comfortable with the draw swing path, he or she can reduce the angle θ to zero and practice hitting a draw golf shot on a flat surface without any angled supports 40.

FIG. 7 shows exemplary dimensions for an embodiment of the angled supports 100, 110, and 120, however the invention anticipates angled supports of varying size and shape can be used without detracting from the spirit of the invention so long as the gradual adjustability of the top hitting surface 35 in relation to the ground can be maintained.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the preferred angled supports 100, 110, and 120 have the following dimensions. For angled support 100, the height a of the distal end 80 is 60 mm, the height b of the proximal end 70 is 42 mm, and the length c is 109 mm. For angled support 110, the height b of the distal end 80 is 42 mm, the height e of the proximal end 70 is 23.5 mm, and the length d is 109 mm. For angled support 120, the height e of the distal end 80 is 23.5 mm, the height g of the proximal end 70 is 5 mm, and the length f is 109 mm. Based on these dimensions, when using all three angled supports 100, 110, and 120, the angle of incline θ is 11°. When angled supports 110 and 120 are used and adjacently placed against the distal end 140 of the golf training aid (as shown in FIG. 8), the angle θ is 8°. When angled support 120 is solely used and adjacently placed against the distal end 140 of the golf training aid (as shown in FIG. 9), the angle θ is 5°. The angle θ may be adjusted by positioning one or more of the angled supports 40 at a different location under the hitting mat 20. The maximum angle θ for the board to be usable is 45°, and to obtain this angle of incline, the height a of the distal side 80 for angled support 100 would be 236 mm.

While the preferred embodiment utilizes angled supports 40, other means for adjusting the angle θ known in the art may be used, including for example, a mechanical jack, hydraulic or pneumatic actuators, or equivalent.

Turning to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the hitting mat 20 includes a swing path 40 that is customized for a right-handed golfer (as shown in FIG. 5) or a left-handed golfer (as shown in FIG. 6). A golfer will stand with both his feet facing the proximal end 130 of the golf training aid 10. The swing path 40 may include a ball marker 50 and a target line 60. The swing path 40 is configured to provide a visual guide to a golfer for the direction of the club head during the back swing and through the moment of impact. The arc of the swing path 40 serves as a visual reminder to the golfer that for the ball to draw, they must swing the club from inside-to-out along the depicted swing path 40. The target line 60 (or clubface alignment indicator) provides a visual indicator showing the separation between the club path and the clubface necessary to hit a draw shot.

For the preferred embodiment, the swing path 40 is a different color from the remainder of the top surface 35 of the hitting mat 20. As a further option for distinguishing the swing path 40 from the remainder of the top surface 35, the swing path 40 may be slightly recessed and of a different height than the remainer of the top surface 35.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show the dimensions for an exemplary swing path 40 dimensions for hitting a draw shot. The distance A of the swing path 40 from the distal side 140 of the hitting mat 20 is 85 mm. The width B of the swing pathway is 95 mm and remains substantially constant as it curves downward towards the proximal side 130 back end 160 of the hitting mat 20. At the back end 160, the distance D of the swing path 40 from the distal side 140 of the hitting mat 20 is 150 mm, and the distance E of the swing path 40 from the distal side 140 of the hitting mat 20 is 247.5 mm. The distance G of the target line 60 from the front end 150 is 198 mm. The distance F of the ball marker 50 from the distal side 140 of the hitting mat 20 is 139.9 mm. The dimensions of the hitting mat 20 are as follows: the length H is 590 mm and the height I is 290 mm. The dimensions of the frame 90 are as follows: the length J is 635 mm and the height K is 335 mm.

The invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiments, and encompasses variations and alterations of these embodiments. Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims. For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference has been made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language has been used to describe these embodiments. However, this specific language intends no limitation of the scope of the invention, and the invention should be construed to encompass all embodiments that would normally occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. The particular implementations shown and described herein are illustrative examples of the invention and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the invention in any way. For the sake of brevity, conventional aspects of the system (and components of the individual operating components of the system) may not be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines, or connectors shown in the various figures presented are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical or logical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships, physical connections or logical connections may be present in a practical device. Moreover, no item or component is essential to the practice of the invention unless the element is specifically described as “essential” or “critical.” Numerous modifications and adaptations will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A golf training aid comprising: a hitting mat forming a primary plane comprising a top hitting surface,a means for adjusting the angle of the primary plane in relation to a ground surface.

2. The golf training aid of claim 1, wherein the top hitting surface comprises a swing path.

3. The golf training aid of claim 2, wherein the swing path is defined by a different color than the top hitting surface.

4. The golf training aid of claim 1 comprising a frame, wherein the hitting mat is disposed within the frame.

5. A golf training aid comprising: a hitting mat forming a primary plane comprising a top hitting surface and a bottom surface,a plurality of angled supports removably attached to the bottom surface of the hitting mat, wherein the angled supports are operable to adjust the angle of the top hitting surface.

6. A golf training aid of claim 5 wherein each of the angled supports comprises an angled top surface, a bottom surface, a proximal end, and a distal end, wherein the angled top surface is removably attached to the bottom surface of the hitting mat, wherein the angled supports are configured to be arranged sequentially from a distal end of the golf training aid to a proximal end of the golf training aid such that the angled top surface of each of the angled supports forms a secondary plane beneath the hitting mat.

7. The golf training aid of claim 6, wherein the angled supports are removably attached to the bottom surface of the hitting mat with a fastener.

8. The golf training aid of claim 5, wherein the top hitting surface comprises a swing path.

9. The golf training aid of claim 8, wherein the swing path is a different color than the top hitting surface.

10. A method for learning how to hit a draw shot comprising the steps of: providing a golf training aid comprising a hitting mat forming a primary plane comprising a top hitting surface, and a means for adjusting the angle of the primary plane in relation to a ground surface;setting the angle of the top hitting surface to a first angle and hitting at least one shot; andadjusting the angle of the top hitting surface to a reduced angle and hitting at least one shot.