Patent Application
20200391093
The invention relates generally to devices used to improve the proficiency of golfing. More particularly, the invention relates to putting training aids.
A variety of devices have been developed to enhance the proficiency of golfing in general and putting in particular. Depending upon the specific device, each may focus on one or more variables that enter into the putting stroke.
These variables can relate to body placement, such as the feet, shoulders, hips, hands and eyes in relation to the addressing of the ball. Further variables can relate to the striking force, the alignment and related eye-hand coordination pertaining to the backswing and follow through of the putting stroke.
The related complexity of the assembly varies depending upon the numbers of variables that the device attempts to correct through repetitive practice. Some of such devices provide prepared putting surfaces approximating the granularity of grass, which include practice holes. Some include electronic sensors to provide feedback about the stroke condition.
Some mimic the golf hole and provide a target hole that can be placed on a floor surface or in HVAC system registers to permit indoor practice. Some provide reflective mechanisms or magnetic indicators to assure certain head alignments. Others provide mechanical restraints to maintain arm, wrist and/or hand position to the putter.
Many assemblies also exist to assure a squared alignment of the putter head to the ball during and through the putting stroke motion. Some provide mechanical gauges and reflective mechanisms whereby the golfer is able to monitor head motion over the stroke. Some provide a guide surface, which the putter shaft follows to assure an aligned, squared travel motion.
Although a repetitive motion can be practiced with many of the latter devices, a deficiency exists in that the golfer does not have the benefit of the feedback of the ball travel to confirm the proper stroke motion.
Consequently, repetitive practice can merely result in a learned stroke, but which does not provide accurate results. Preferably, a training device should permit a normal stroke motion, while allowing the golfer to monitor selected portions of the motion and obtain a feedback of the resultant effect on ball travel.
One aspect of putting that has been recognized as being important to making puts is striking the golf ball with a proper putter orientation and swing such that the golf ball travels in a substantially straight line.
One such device is disclosed in Kueng et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,231, which discloses an elongated golf stroke training device. The golf ball is positioned on the elongated golf stroke training device and then struck with a putter where the goal is for the golf ball to roll along the elongated golf stroke training device to an end of the device that is opposite the initial position of the golf ball.
In appreciation of the foregoing shortcomings, the present invention was developed to provide an assembly that allows a golfer to monitor initial positioning as well as stroke motion during the backswing motion, to assure the putter head is square to the ball, and to confirm a straight line ball travel in relation to an elongated travel path. A controlled, consistent backswing and follow through with corresponding putting accuracy are thereby obtained.
An embodiment of the invention is directed to a putting training aid that includes an elongated body, a first tee recess and a second tee recess. The elongated body has an upper surface, a first end and a second end. The first end is opposite the second end. The elongated body has a width that is less than a diameter of a golf ball that is used in conjunction with the putting training aid. The first tee recess is formed in the upper surface of the elongated body between the first end and the second end thereof. The first tee recess is adapted to receive a first portion of the golf ball. The second tee recess formed in the upper surface of the elongated body. The second tee recess is closer to the second end of the elongated body than the first tee recess. The second tee recess is adapted to receive a second portion of the golf ball.
Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a putting training system that includes a golf ball, a putting training aid and a golf club. The golf ball has a diameter. The putting training aid has an elongated body, a first tee recess and a second tee recess. The elongated body has an upper surface, a first end and a second end. The first end is opposite the second end. The elongated body has a width that is less than the diameter of the golf ball. The first tee recess is formed in the upper surface of the elongated body between the first end and the second end thereof. The first tee recess is adapted to receive a first portion of the golf ball. The second tee recess is formed in the upper surface of the elongated body. The second tee recess is closer to the second end of the elongated body than the first tee recess. The second tee recess is adapted to receive a second portion of the golf ball. The golf club is capable of contacting the golf ball when placed on the first tee recess or the second tee recess to cause the golf ball to roll along the upper surface of the elongated body.
Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of training on putting. A training aid having an elongated body is provided. The elongated body includes an upper surface, a first end, a second end, a first tee recess and a second tee recess. The first end is opposite the second end. The elongated body has a width that is less than a diameter of a golf ball. The first tee recess is formed in the upper surface of the elongated body between the first end and the second end thereof. The second tee recess is formed in the upper surface of the elongated body closer to the second end of the elongated body than the first tee recess. The golf ball is placed at least partially in the second tee recess. The golf ball placed at least partially in the second tee recess is struck with a golf club so that the golf ball rolls along the upper surface of the elongated body to the second end of the elongated body. The golf ball is placed at least partially in the first tee recess. The golf ball placed at least partially in the first tee recess is struck with the golf club so that the golf ball rolls along the upper surface of the elongated body to the second end of the elongated body.
The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of embodiments and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments and together with the description serve to explain principles of embodiments. Other embodiments and many of the intended advantages of embodiments will be readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding similar parts.
An embodiment of the invention is directed to a putting training aid 10 that generally includes an elongated golf stroke training device 20, a reflective mechanism 22 and a mounting mechanism 24, as illustrated in
The elongated golf stroke training devices disclosed in Kueng et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,231, and Gribovsky, U.S. Pat. No. 8,684,858, only include a single recess that is adapted to receive a portion of a golf ball to thereby retain the golf ball in an initial position while the golfer is aligning with respect to the golf ball.
In contrast, the putting training aid 10 of this invention includes at least two recesses 30, 32, 34 formed in the elongated golf stroke training device 20, as illustrated in
The plurality of recesses includes a first recess 30, a second recess 32 and a third recess 34. The second recess 32 is intermediate the first recess 30 and the third recess 34. The first recess 30 is a first distance from the first end 26 of the elongated golf stroke training device 20. A spacing between the first recess 30 and the second recess 32 may be approximate equal to a spacing between the second recess 32 and the third recess 34.
The third recess 34 has a diameter. The second recess 32 has a diameter that is less than the diameter of the third recess 34. The first recess 30 has a diameter that is less than the diameter of the second recess 32.
In certain embodiments, the diameter of the second recess 32 is between about 70% and about 90% of the diameter of the third recess 34. In other embodiments, the diameter of the second recess 32 is about 80% of the diameter of the third recess 34.
In certain embodiments the diameter of the first recess 30 is between about 70% and about 90% of the diameter of the second recess 32. In other embodiments, the diameter of the first recess 30 is about 80% of the diameter of the second recess 34.
Forming the putting training aid 10 with the diameter of the third recess 34 larger than the diameter of the second diameter 32 and the diameter of the second recess 32 larger than the diameter of the first recess 30 reduces the potential of the golf ball 12 being disrupted from its rolling path as the golf ball 12 passes over the first recess 30 and the second recess 32 when rolling along the upper surface 38 of the elongated golf stroke training device 20 after being struck with a golf club 14 where the golf ball 12 is in an initial position at least partially seated in the third recess 34.
The first recess 30, the second recess 32 and the third recess 34 are all formed with a shape and size that permits the golf ball 12 to at least partially seat therein. The at least partial seating of the golf ball 12 in the first recess 30, the second recess 32 or the third recess 34 causes the golf ball 12 to resist moving with respect to the elongated golf stroke training device 20 when the golf ball 12 is at least partially seated in the first recess 30, the second recess 32 or the third recess 34.
In certain embodiments, the first recess 30, the second recess 32 and the third recess 34 each have a generally circular shape. A person of skill in the art will appreciate that the concepts of the invention permit the first recess 30, the second recess 32 and/or the third recess 34 may be formed with a non-circular shape as long as the first recess 30, the second recess 32 and the third recess 34 retain the functionality set forth above.
The elongated golf stroke training device 20 may be defined as having a first end 26 and a second end 28 at opposite ends thereof, as illustrated in
The elongated golf stroke training device 20 is formed with a width that is sufficiently narrow to encourage the golfer to accurately putt the golf ball 12. In certain embodiments, the width of the elongated golf stroke training device 20 may be less than a width of the golf ball 12 that is to be used with the putting training aid 10. In other embodiments, the elongated golf stroke training device 20 has a width of about 1 inch.
Opposite sides 36 of the elongated golf stroke training device 20 may be oriented generally parallel to each other between the first end 26 and the second end 28. While it is illustrated that the sides 36 are oriented perpendicular to the upper surface 38, it is possible for the sides 36 to have alternative orientations with respect to the upper surface 38.
Intermediate the sides 36, a first alignment line 39 is provided on the elongated golf stroke training device 20. In certain embodiments, a distance between the first alignment line 39 and both sides 36 is substantially equal.
The first alignment line 39 extends from the third recess 34 towards the first end 26. The first alignment line 39 does not need to be continuous. Additionally, the first alignment line 39 may include indicia such as an arrow to indicate the direction in which the golf ball 12 is to roll on the elongated golf stroke training device 20.
The elongated golf stroke training device 20 is formed with a thickness that is sufficiently large such that the elongated golf stroke training device 20 resists bending and breakage during use. As such, the thickness may be selected based upon the material from which the elongated golf stroke training device 20 is fabricated. In certain embodiments when the elongated golf stroke training device 20 is fabricated from a plastic material, the elongated golf stroke training device 20 has a thickness of about ⅜ of an inch.
The elongated golf stroke training device 20 is formed with a length that is sufficiently long to enable the golfer using the putting training aid 10 to ascertain that the golf ball 12 has been putted in a substantially straight direction. In certain embodiments, the length of the elongated golf stroke training device 20 is at least ten times greater than the width of the elongated golf stroke training device 20. The length of the elongated golf stroke training device 20 is at least 24 inches. In other embodiments, the length of the elongated golf stroke training device 20 is about 48 inches.
The elongated golf stroke training device 20 may be fabricated from a variety of materials using the concepts of the invention. Examples of suitable materials include plastic, wood, metal or combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the elongated golf stroke training device 20 is fabricated from a substantially clear plastic material.
Fabricating the elongated golf stroke training device 20 from the substantially clear plastic material enables indicia to be printed on a lower surface thereof. Alternatively, the indicia may be provided at an intermediate position that is between the upper and lower surfaces of the elongated golf stroke training device 20.
Using either of the preceding configurations enables the upper surface of the elongated golf stroke training device 20 to be substantially smooth to facilitate the golf ball 12 rolling over the surface thereof. Alternatively, the indicia may be printed on the upper surface of the elongated golf stroke training device 20 in a manner that provides the upper surface of the elongated golf stroke training device 20 that is substantially smooth.
The weight of the reflective mechanism 22 and the mounting mechanism 24 cause the first end of the elongated golf stroke training device 20 to resist movement during use of the putting training aid 10. To decrease the potential of the second end 28 of the elongated golf stroke training device 20 moving during the use of the putting training aid 10, a lower surface 70 of the elongated golf stroke training device 20 includes an enhanced friction region 72 that is positioned proximate the second end 28 as illustrated in
The enhanced friction region 72 is thereby contrasted from the lower surface 70 of the elongated golf stroke training device 20 that is substantially smooth and is not fabricated from a material that enhances the ability of the elongated golf stroke training device 20 to resist movement with respect to the surface on which the elongated golf stroke training device 20 is placed during used.
The reflective mechanism 22 may be fabricated from a variety of materials that provide a relatively high level of reflectivity. In certain embodiments, the reflective mechanism 22 may be a mirror. The reflective mechanism 22 may be fabricated from a plastic material that resists breaking to a greater extent than reflective mechanisms fabricated from glass.
The reflective mechanism 22 may include a second alignment line 40 that is used during the alignment process, as illustrated in
The second alignment line 40 may have a width that is sufficiently large to enable the second alignment line 40 to be readily seen by the golfer using the putting training aid 10. However, the second alignment line 40 should not be too wide so that the second alignment line 40 restricts the ability to see the elongated golf stroke training device 20 and the first alignment line 39 during the alignment process.
In certain embodiments, the second alignment line 40 may have a width of up to about ½ of an inch. In other embodiments, the second alignment line 40 may have a width of about⅛ of an inch or less as long as the golfer can see the line and the golf ball 12. While the figures illustrate that the second alignment line 40 is substantially complete, the second alignment line 40 may be fabricated in other configurations such as being a dashed line.
The reflective mechanism 22 may have a height that is greater than a width. Forming the reflective mechanism with these dimensions enhances the ability of the golfer to obtain an accurate alignment while also enabling the putting training aid 10 to have a compact configuration when not being used.
In certain embodiments, the reflective mechanism 22 has a height of between about 2 inches and about 10 inches. In other embodiments, the reflective mechanism 22 has a height of between about 4 inches and about 6 inches.
In certain embodiments, the reflective mechanism 22 has a width of between about 1 inch and about 6 inches. In other embodiments, the reflective mechanism 22 has a width of between about 3 inches and about 4 inches.
The mounting mechanism 24 may generally include a base 50 and an arm assembly 52 that extends from the base 50, as illustrated in
In certain embodiments, the base 50 may have a generally square or rectangular configuration. The base 50 may have a length and a width that are both between about 3 inches and about 10 inches. In other embodiments, the base has a length and a width that are both between 3 inches and about 5 inches.
The base 50 may be fabricated with a height that is about the same as the height of the elongated golf stroke training device 20 that is used in conjunction with the putting training aid 10. In certain embodiments, the height of the base 50 may be between about¼ of an inch and about½ of an inch.
The base 50 may be formed with a recess 54 that extends from an edge of the base 50 towards a central portion of the base 50. The recess 54 may have a width that is approximately the same as a width of the elongated golf stroke training device 20 that is used in conjunction with the putting training aid 10. In certain embodiments, the recess 54 has a width of between about½ of an inch and about 2 inches.
The base 50 may be fabricated with a retention device 56 located proximate the recess 54 that is used to retain the elongated golf stroke training device 20 in a substantially stationary position with respect to the putting training aid 10 during the use of the putting training aid 10. In certain embodiments, the retention device 56 is a friction fit between the elongated golf stroke training device 20 and the base 50. In other embodiments, the retention device 56 may include a plurality of fingers mounted along both sides of the recess 54.
The fingers may be fabricated from a material that allows the fingers to deflect when the elongated golf stroke training device 20 is inserted into the recess 54. The fingers thereby engage the sides of the elongated golf stroke training device 20. When the elongated golf stroke training device 20 is formed with a width that is approximately the same as a width of the recess 54, the fingers do not have to deflect very far when the elongated golf stroke training device 20 is inserted into the recess 54.
A force by which the fingers engage the sides of the elongated golf stroke training device 20 is sufficiently large so that the elongated golf stroke training device 20 resists movement with respect to the base 50 during use of the putting training aid 10. However, the force should not be too large so that the elongated golf stroke training device 20 may be separated from the putting training aid 10 when not in use.
The fingers may be fabricated from the same material that is used to fabricate the other portions of the base 50. Using such a configuration minimizes the potential that the fingers would become separated from the base 50.
In another configuration, the retention device comprises at least one screw (not shown) that extends into the base 50. The screw is capable of extending into the recess 54 to engage the elongated golf stroke training device 20 to thereby retain the elongated golf stroke training device 20 in a substantially stationary position with respect to the base 50.
In another embodiment, sides of the recess 54 each have a channel (not shown) formed therein. An end of the elongated golf stroke training device 20 may include an extension (not shown) that extends from the sides thereof proximate the end of the elongated golf stroke training device 20 that engages the base 54.
This configuration enables the elongated golf stroke training device 20 to slide into engagement with the base 54. A person of skill in the art will appreciate that the configuration may be reversed.
The arm assembly 52 operably attaches the reflective mechanism 22 to the base 50. The arm assembly 52 may include a first arm portion and a second arm portion. The first arm portion may be oriented substantially transverse to the base.
In certain embodiments, the base 50 has an aperture 64 formed therein having a width and a length that are approximately the same as the width and the thickness of the first arm portion. Using such a configuration enables the first arm portion to frictionally engage the base 50.
The second arm portion may be attached to the reflective mechanism 22. In one such configuration, the second arm portion is attached to a surface of the reflective mechanism 22 using an adhesive, a fastener or combination thereof.
A fastening mechanism 66 may be used to operably attach the first arm portion to the second arm portion. The fastening mechanism 66 should enable the reflective mechanism 22 to be pivoted with respect to the base 50 so that the reflective mechanism 22 may be aligned based upon factors such as the height of the golfer who is using the putting training aid 10.
In one such configuration, the fastening mechanism 66 is a screw and a wing nut. Using such a configuration enables the fastening mechanism 66 to be adjusted without the use of tools.
In operation, the elongated golf stroke training device 20 is attached to the putting training aid 10 so that an upper surface of the elongated golf stroke training device 20 is generally aligned with an upper surface of the putting training aid 10.
The elongated golf stroke training device 20 is leveled so that the sides of the elongated golf stroke training device 20 are at approximately the same height. In certain embodiments, leveling may be performed using a leveling mechanism that is incorporated into at least one of the elongated golf stroke training device 20 and the putting training aid 10.
While side-to-side leveling of the elongated golf stroke training device 20 is an important factor in setting up the invention, the elongated golf stroke training device 20 should be relatively level with respect to the direction between opposite ends of the elongated golf stroke training device 20.
Next, the reflective mechanism 22 is oriented so that when the golfer is standing adjacent to an end of the elongated golf stroke training device 20 that is distal the reflective mechanism 22 so that the golfer may see at least a portion of the elongated golf stroke training device 20 in the reflective mechanism 22 when in a position that is typically used when putting. This aspect enables the invention to be used by golfers having various heights.
A golf ball 12 is positioned in first recess 30 on the elongated golf stroke training device 20. The golfer grasps the putter and positions the head of the putter proximate to the golf ball 12.
The golfer then turns his/her head to look towards the reflective mechanism 22. If the second alignment line 40 is not aligned with a center of the elongated golf stroke training device 20, the golfer moves his/her feet towards or away from the elongated golf stroke training device 20 until the second alignment line 40 is aligned with the first alignment line 39 on the elongated golf stroke training device 20.
The golfer then swings the putter with the goal of having the golf ball 12 roll along an upper surface of the elongated golf stroke training device 20 until the first end 26 of the elongated golf stroke training device 20. This process may be repeated using additional golf balls 12 to enhance the ability of the golfer to feel when the golfer's body is in an optimum position with respect to the golf ball 12.
The invention provides a golfer with instant feedback in a variety of areas that are important to success. The golfer can determine whether his or her eyes are directly over the golf ball 12 at the start of the golf stroke. The golf can monitor whether the golf club 14 is moving straight on the back swing as opposed to moving inside or outside. The golfer can monitor whether the golf club 14 has accelerated when moving the golf club 14 into contact with the golf ball 12.
The golfer can determine the orientation of the golf club face when the golf club 14 contacts the golf ball 12. The golf club face should be oriented straight with respect to the golf ball 12. If the golf club face is in an open orientation, the golf ball 12 will roll off the elongated golf stroke training device 20 to the right. If the golf club face is in a closed orientation, the golf ball 12 will roll off the elongated golf stroke training device 20 to the left. The preceding comments are with respect to a right-handed golfer. The movement of the golf ball 12 would be opposite what is described above for a left-handed golfer.
This process is repeated until the person consistently causes the golf ball 12 to roll over the first alignment line 39 until reaching the first end 26 of the elongated golf stroke training device 20.
Because the first recess 30 is closest to the first end 26 of the elongated golf stroke training device 20, putting from the first recess 30 has the greatest likelihood of enabling the person to cause the golf ball 12 to roll along the first alignment line 39 and off the first end 26 of the elongated golf stroke training device 20.
Once the person has attained sufficient proficiency at causing the golf ball 12 to roll along the first alignment line 39 from the first recess 30 to the first end 26, the person repeats the process with the golf ball 12 positioned in the second recess 32.
Once the person has attained sufficient proficiency at causing the golf ball 12 to roll along the first alignment line 39 from the second recess 32 to the first end 26, the person repeats the process with the golf ball 12 positioned in the third recess 34.
Through the preceding process, the golfer progressively develops not only the skill to accurately put but also the confidence. This process thereby represents a significant improvement over the process of using the putting training aid described in Gribovsky, U.S. Pat. No. 8,684,858.
In the preceding detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “leading,” “trailing,” etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The preceding detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.
It is contemplated that features disclosed in this application, as well as those described in the above applications incorporated by reference, can be mixed and matched to suit particular circumstances. Various other modifications and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill.
This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 62/859,957, which was filed on Jun. 11, 2019. The contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62859957 | Jun 2019 | US |
