GOLF TRAINING DEVICE

Abstract

A small compact golf swing alignment aid that lies flat on the ground and can readily be disassembled and placed in a small carrying case that can be carried in the side pocket of any golf bag is described. It requires no attachments to the body nor any parts extending upward from the ground. It assembles flat on the ground with side rods e.g. tubes, that project rearwardly on either side of the user's feet to facilitate foot spacing and foot and body alignment, two front rods e.g. tubes, each of which releasably couples to the front end of one of the side rods, tubes, and are releasably joined endwise to each other through the two opposite side couplings of a three way coupler to form a straight target alignment rod to facilitate proper foot spacing and provide target alignment, and a centrally located vertically forwardly projecting tube releasably connected to the front coupler of said three way coupler to serve as a ball positioning tube.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention relate to a golf alignment device which can be used to improve proper muscle memory of a golfer through repetitive practice using the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Muscle memory has been defined as the ability to reproduce a particular movement without conscious thought, acquired as a result of frequent repetition of that movement such as in typing and specifically in the practice of various sports including the game of golf. Some key fundamentals in the game of golf include being able to identify the target line and the proper set up of the body and feet alignment. The target line is the imaginary line between the golf ball and the desired target. A golfer's feet, knees, hips, and shoulders must be lined up parallel to this line and while permitting the proper twisting of the hips during the swing of the club to gain maximum power. A golfer must be able to visualize this line in order to achieve the proper setup. It is also recognized that the feet of the golfer should be placed about shoulder width when using drivers and long irons. With higher irons the width between the feet can be narrowed. Too wide and the hips cannot properly rotate to achieve power in the swing. Too narrow and balance is bad. In addition, depending on the club being used the ball should be placed on a line midway between the outside edge of the feet and a distance away from the toe line of the feet. These aspects of a proper stance can be improved through proper repetitive practice using the device of the present invention. The instant device is very inexpensive, made of plastic piping or the like, and can be disassembled such that it can be assembled, used and easily disassembled for easy transport as a kit in a container such as a bag. The device is also adjustable for an individual golfer's shoulder width.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A small compact golf swing alignment aid that lies flat on the round and can readily be disassembled and placed in a small carrying case that can be carried in the side pocket of any golf bag is described. It requires no attachments to the body nor any parts extending upward from the ground. It assembles flat on the ground with side rods e.g. tubes, that project rearwardly on either side of the user's feet to facilitate foot spacing and foot and body alignment, two front rods e.g. tubes, each of which releasably couples to the front end of one of the side rods, tubes, and are releasably joined endwise to each other through the two opposite side couplings of a three way coupler to form a straight target alignment rod to facilitate proper foot spacing and provide target alignment, and a centrally located vertically forwardly projecting tube releasably connected to the front coupler of said three way coupler to serve as a ball locating positioner and swing alignment aid. Instead of the two front rods they may be replaced by a single front rod, e.g. tube, which has the same length as the two front rods when joined together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the figures and description that follows unnumbered described parts of the device have the same definition as those in other figures and descriptions set forth herein that are both numbered and described.

FIG. 1 is a view of the golf alignment device disassembled as a kit and a carrying case comprising a sack having a drawstring closure. The device comprises five tube pieces, two ninety-degree elbow connectors, one “T” connector and three end caps.

FIG. 2 is a view of a golf alignment device of FIG. 1 assembled and lying on a flat surface, and also showing the first step in the use of the device.

FIG. 3 illustrates the second and third steps involved in using the device as shown in FIG. 2 with a golfer using it to correctly align himself for a golf shot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. 1 the golf alignment device 10 is represented as a kit that can be easily transported to a site where it can be used. Such as a driving range or the like. The golf alignment device 10 is comprised of two front hollow tubes of equal length, 11a and 11b, two side tubes 12a and 12b, a forward projecting ball positioning tube 13, two right angle elbow connectors 14a and 14b, one “T” connector, 15, a carrying bag 16 with a draw string closing and optionally three tube end caps 17a, 17b and 17c.

In FIG. 2 the device 10 is shown as assembled and lying flat on the ground. The two front tubes 11a and 11b are jointed together with the top cross bar of the “T” connector to form a straight foot forward and target alignment piece 11. The vertical leg of the “T” connector faces forward perpendicularly away from the foot forward and target alignment rod, tube, 11. As previously mentioned the two front tubes may be replaced by a single front foot forward and target alignment tube having the same length as the two front tubes when joint together. In this embodiment the “T” connector slides over the tube 11 and centralized.

The two side tubes 12a and 12b are joined to the two front tubes at their respective ends or to the two ends of a single front tube, opposite to the “T” connector using the elbow connectors 14a and 14b respectively. Tubes 12a and 12b serve as foot spacing and foot alignment tubes. The two side tubes project perpendicularly away from the foot forward and target alignment rod 11. The forward projecting ball positioning tube 13 is connected to the vertical leg of the “T” connector and points forwardly and perpendicularly away from foot forward and target alignment tube 11. Caps 17a, 17b and 17c are placed at the open ends of the two side tubes and the upward facing tube to prevent dirt and other depress from entering. The device 10 lies flat on the ground, the use of two separate front alignment tubes is preferred because when the device is taken apart a more compact kit is provided.

The foregoing description of the device uses as an example hollow tubes to construct the device. Solid rods of suitable material can also be used. Hollow tubes are preferred because of their lighter weight. Examples of suitable materials of construction of the various parts included rigid plastics such as rigid PVC or nylon pipe having and outside diameter of ¾ inch and ⅛-inch thickness. The connectors and end caps can be constructed of similar materials and have an inside diameter of ¾ inch diameter. In one example of the device the side tubes 12a and 12b were each about 16 inches long, the two font tubes 11a and 11b were each about 14.5 inches long and the forward facing tube was about 16 inches long. These dimensions will enable most golfers to be able to use device 10. However, larger, taller, or smaller and shorter golfers may prefer tubes of differing dimensions to better accommodate their size.

Broadly, embodiments of the invention relate to a golf alignment device that lies flat on the ground and which contains no parts that attached to a golfer's body or parts that project upward from the ground containing alignment rods to help visualize the target line and other various setup positions.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the device being used by a golfer. The first step for using the device is for the golfer to position the device 10 on the ground with the align alignment tube 11 aligned with the target the golfer is aiming for. (FIG. 2) In the second step, the golfer positions his feet close to and in proper orientation with respect to the foot forward and target alignment tube 11. (FIG. 3). Some golfers like their feet parallel to one another and at right angles to the target. Others will orient their feet so that one is positioned farther from the foot forward and target alignment tube 11 than the other one (usually with the back foot a little farther back from alignment tube 11.)

The ball positioning tube 13 projects forward far enough that it will not interfere with the user's swing when the user is in his or her stance (FIG. 3). The properly placed ball will be a few inches past the end of ball positioning tube 13. Some golfers who prefer a “squared off stance” will want the directly in front of and in alignment with ball positioning tube 13. However, some golfers may want the bail a little diagonally forward of or diagonally rearward of the direct line end of ball positioning tube 13.

Once device 10 is squared away with the target, i.e., with alignment tube 11 aimed directly at the target, the golfer can consistently and repeatedly position his or her feet and his ball with respect to the target alignment tube 11, foot positioning side tubes 12 and the end of ball positioning tube 13. Thus, he or she can fine tune their stance and practice more consistently than would otherwise be the case.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above-described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.

Claims

1. A golf alignment device comprising: two side rods, that project rearwardly on either side of the user's feet, a front alignment rod each end of which is releasably coupled to the front, end of one of the two side rods, a three way centrally coupler fixed to said front and a centrally located vertically forwardly projecting rod releasably connected to the front coupler of said three-way coupler.

2. The golf alignment device of claim 1, wherein the rods are hollow tubes.

3. The golf alignment device of claim 1, wherein the parts of the device are made of a rigid plastic

4. A kit for making a golf alignment device comprising. two front hollow target alignment tubes of equal length, 11a and 11b, two side tubes 12a and 12b, a forward projecting tube 13, two right angle elbow connectors 14a and 14b, one right angle “T” connector, 15, a carrying case.