Patent Application
20240216776
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This invention relates to golf instruction, as it addresses the basic fundamentals of the golf swing in a manner conducive for a golfer to observe, comprehend, and take full ownership of the golf swing.
In golf, the old adage is that “Feel isn't real.” Therein lies the beauty of video, as it provides an opportunity for golfers to see what they are actually doing vs. what they think/feel they are doing. In general, video is offered in two perspective views: face on and target line. They both have value and are essential to comprehensive analysis. With the face on view, body position, proper footing, grip, head movement, takeaway width, and weight shift, amongst others, are readily available. The target line view offers a diagnosis of posture (e.g. head position, spine angle, hip flexion, etc.), alignment, and swing plane, amongst others. In the end, it all comes down to fundamentals and few things are more essential than the foundation provided by a sound address position, as it lends itself to good posture, proper alignment, a smooth takeaway, preferred tempo, and a balanced finish. The good news is that video isn't the only way to study the many facets of a golf swing. The object of the present invention is to provide the convenience of surveillance by way of full body imaging.
Prior art reveals a number of options for self-evaluation of the golf swing. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,919,099 to Woods (1999) offers a training aid that guides its users along a preferred swing path by way of a swing assembly that includes reference markings and a projection of light resulting in a shadow of at least a portion of the user holding a golf club during the exercise; U.S. Ser. No. 15/165,297 filed by Zhang (2015) offers a device which provides guidance for its users to swing along or parallel to a reference plane that includes a projection of light creating a plane wall; U.S. Pat. No. 7,108,610 to Florian (2006) offers a swing training device which allows its users to receive immediate visual feedback with respect to stance, form, and technique by way of a break-resistant mirror having shock absorbent legs to repel balls; US20060094523A1 patent filed by Hall (2004) offers a method and apparatus for teaching how to execute a predetermined motion that includes a full length mirror combined with an electronically addressable film, which renders an image of a desired golf swing as an overlay to be observed in unison with its user's swing; U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,766A to Guiney (1999) offers a teaching aid having fixed markings for reference line locations that includes a full length mirror, an outer frame, cords and clips enabling teaching professionals to provide measurable guidance for students to see key elements such as ball position, head position, spine angle, and swing plane; U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,617A to Light (1997) offers a sports trainer which provides a reflection of its users while performing a number of sports activities that combines a mirror with a television monitor and video cassette player positioned thereunder to display an observable illustration of the sports activity of interest; U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,304A to Meade (1994) offers a golf club swing training method that utilizes a three part mirror mechanism positioned between the feet of the user and a golf ball, thereby providing a view of the user from the head to the knees and enabling its user to determine whether proper alignment with the knees, hips, and shoulders is achieved; U.S. Pat. No. 5,270,871A to Florian (1993) offers a stand up practice mirror that's lightweight, relatively portable, and enables a user to compare a reflected self-image to that of an alignment image to detect and correct improper body alignment; U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,566A to Kelnhofer (1992) offers a training device for golfers that provides measurable guidance by way of a mirror with removable diagrams that address key elements (e.g. address position, spine angle, tilt of torso, width of stance, etc.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,576A to Lee, Park, and Ganaja (1992) offers a portable golf practice mirror comprising a thermoplastic surface, u-shaped hollow frame with horizontal as well as vertical markings that provide adaptable measurable guidance; U.S. Pat. No. 5,015,084A to Kryder (1991) offers an apparatus for training athletes comprising at least one mirror that permits an athlete a full body view and adjustable frame supports for positioning the mirror assembly for use in a plurality of sports; U.S. Pat. No. 4,693,570A to Kryder (1987) offers an apparatus for training athletes by allowing them to view the entire body throughout the maneuver comprising a shock resistant mirror assembly which includes an acrylic layer and a mirrored acrylic material with a plurality of mounting options; U.S. Pat. No. 4,083,559A to Owen (1978) offers a sports training apparatus having an assembly of a shock resistant mirror, netting, and a means to adjust the mirror's angle which allows its users to view their entire body while projecting a ball towards the mirror.
Although the cited inventions offer the opportunity for a golfer to witness a number of maneuvers while working on the fundamentals of the golf swing, not one of them features the projection of a full body shadow.
In accordance with the present invention, a golfer is provided the convenience of surveillance while working on the fundamentals of the golf swing.
Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a golfer the opportunity to witness key elements and the position of specific body parts throughout the golf swing.
Accordingly, an object of this invention is to afford a golfer the opportunity to study key elements such as head position, spine angle, hip flexion, knee flexion, ankle flexion, and club shaft angle while at address.
Accordingly, an object of this invention is to afford a golfer the opportunity to study key elements such as takeaway, swing plane, impact position, follow through, and a balanced finish throughout the golf swing.
Accordingly, the advantage of this invention is that improper maneuvers are revealed and addressed, thus enabling the golfer to take full ownership of the golf swing.
The objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.
