METHOD FOR ANALYZING A GOLF SWING

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to golf aids and, more particularly, to a method for analyzing a golf swing.

II. Description of Related Art

The game of golf is a popular yet challenging sport. One reason for the popularity of the game of golf is that it is always possible for any player to improve his or her game.

In order to achieve the low scores desired in the game of golf, it is necessary to strike the ball properly with the golf club. Unfortunately, many golfers misstrike the golf ball so that the golf club contacts the golf ball outside the “sweet spot” of the club. When this happens, the golf ball often fails to go in the desired direction and usually for less than the desired distance.

The proper analysis of a golf swing, however, has proven difficult. This difficulty arises in large part because of the speed of the golf club through impact with the golf ball. This relatively high speed, often exceeding 90 miles per hour, renders it virtually impossible to determine not only the position of the golf ball on the golf club during impact, but also the angle of the golf club head movement at impact. While high speed video equipment and video replay of the shot is helpful for determining the type of misstrikes in a golf swing, such equipment is expensive and unavailable to most golfers.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention provides a method for analyzing a golf swing which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the previously known methods.

In brief, in the method of the present invention, at least a part of a golf ball is coated with a powder. Any powder, such as chalk, will do.

Thereafter, the golf ball is struck with a golf club. In doing so, at least a portion of the powder dislodges from the golf ball and transfers to the golf club. The pattern of the powder transfer to the golf club is then examined to determine not only the point of impact of the golf ball with the golf club, but also the angle of the golf club head movement at impact.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view illustrating a pattern of transfer of powder to the golf club head during the golf swing;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but illustrating a different type of golf swing; and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIGS. 2 and 3, but illustrating still a further type of golf swing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

With reference first to FIG. 1, a flowchart illustrating the method of the present invention is shown. At step 10 at least a portion of a golf ball is coated with a powder, such as chalk. Any appropriate method may be utilized to coat the ball with the powder. For example, an aerosol spray can of powder may be used, the golf ball may be dipped into a container of powder, or powder may be poured onto the golf ball.

Thereafter at step 20 the powder coated golf ball is struck with a golf club. In doing so, at least a portion of the powder is transferred during impact to the head of the golf club. This powder transfer, furthermore, will vary not only depending upon the position of the golf club head which strikes the golf ball, but also the angle of the golf club head movement at impact.

After the golf ball has been struck at step 20, the pattern of the powder transfer to the golf club head is examined at step 30. This pattern will vary not only depending upon the position that the golf club head strikes the golf ball, but also the angle of movement of the golf club head during impact.

For example, with reference to FIG. 2 an exemplary pattern 32 of powder transferred to the golf club head 34 is illustrated. This pattern 32 is fairly uniform, but positioned on the toe 36 of the golf club head 34. Consequently, the pattern 32 is indicative of a golf club swing where the golf club head 34 was properly squared during impact, but improperly contacted the golf club head 34 on the toe, rather than the central sweet spot.

With reference now to FIG. 3, a different pattern 36 of the transfer of the powder to the golf club head 34 is shown. In the pattern 36, the golf ball was struck at the outside of the central or “sweet” spot of the golf club head 34. However, the pattern 36 of the powder transfer shows excessive powder toward the toe 36 from the point of impact 38. Such a pattern of powder transfer would indicate that the golf club head 34 was swung from the outside toward the inside relative to the golfer which usually results in a slice.

With reference now to FIG. 4, an exemplary pattern 40 of the powder on the golf club head 34 is illustrated. In this pattern 40, the pattern is centered around the point 42 of impact which is properly in the center or sweet spot for the golf club head 34. Additionally, a slight concentration of powder on the heel side of the golf club head 34 as shown at 44 is indicative of an inside to outside swing which produces the desired draw for the golf ball trajectory.

It will be understood, of course, that FIGS. 2-4 are merely exemplary of a few different golf swings. Other golf swings will produce other patterns.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention provides a simple, inexpensive and yet effective method for analyzing a golf swing. Having described my invention, however, many modifications thereto will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains without deviation from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

METHOD FOR ANALYZING A GOLF SWING

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