Patent Application
20250135314
The present invention is generally directed to the technical field of speed training devices for clubs and more specifically for golf clubs designed to be optimized and efficient for increasing a golfer's club head speed when swinging a golf club such as, for example, a driver and thereby increasing the distance a ball can travel.
Understanding the relationship between club head speed and distance is crucial for golfers looking to improve their game, as it helps them focus on the aspects that can lead to longer, more accurate shots.
In golf, club head speed is one of the critical factors influencing the distance that a golf ball travels. Club head speed refers to the speed at which the golf club head is traveling at the moment of impact with the golf ball. The speed can be measured in miles per hour (mph).
Distance, in this context, is the length the golf ball travels after being struck by a club head. This includes both the carry distance (i.e. how far the ball flies through the air) and total distance (i.e. carry distance plus roll after the ball lands).
Generally, there is a linear relationship between the club head speed and the distance. As club head speed increases, the distance the ball travels can also increase. An increase of 1 mph in swing speed can result in approximately 2-3 yards of additional distance. Achieving the optimal launch angle (about 12-15 degrees) and spin rate (about 2500-3000 RPM for drivers) is crucial for maximizing distance.
While club head speed is a significant factor, other elements including launch angle, spin rate, and impact efficiency (sometimes measured as the smash factor) also affect the distance. Optimal launch conditions can maximize the distance for a given club head speed.
A golfer's technique can also influence how efficiently energy is transferred from the club to the ball. Even with a high club head speed, differences in technique can result in suboptimal distance.
Professional golfers may have club head speeds between about 110 and about 120 mph while using their drivers, resulting in distances between about 280 and about 320 yards. Amateur golfers typically have lower club head speeds, between about 85 and about 100 mph, resulting in distances between about 200 and about 250 yards.
Improved higher club head speed can be achieved by numerous methods including: improving strength and flexibility thorough fitness training; improving technique by working with a golf coach to refine swing mechanics; using properly fitted clubs designed for a golfer's swing.
An important conditioning component in the development of a golfer's swing speed is swing speed drills. The use of known swing speed training aids or weighted clubs to practice swinging faster can, over time, help increase swing speed.
The instant invention allows for underweight swing training in golf in order to increase club speed with the specific golf driver shaft that the golfer uses on the golf course. Known devices utilize shafts that are attached to weighed systems. Such shafts differ in both technical and performance aspects from shafts used in play. Speed training with shafts that are different from shafts used in play is inefficient and may produce poor results because the training shaft can be radically different than the shaft used in play.
Further, compounding the problem encountered using known devices, each make/model of shaft behaves differently. Thus, the instant invention solves this problem by allowing golfers to practice speed training with an optimized system using including their own unique shaft.
A number of golf training devices are known, several illustrative examples are enumerated below.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,743,297 (“Dennis”) discloses a golf swing practice, training and exercising club which is expressly designed for practicing and developing a well-timed rhythmically speed-controlled golf swing. It comprises a shaft having an upper end with a handgrip and which, generally stated, is comparable with a regulation or conventional handle-equipped shaft. The lower end is provided with a specially constructed head, that is, a ball-shaped head of predetermined diameter and weight. The ball has its upper axial portion bored and constructed to accommodate and fasten a shouldered reduced end portion of the shaft. The end portion of the shaft is screw threaded to coact {sic} with a retaining nut located in an enlargement at the lower end of the bore. A counterbored portion constitutes a socket which opens through the bottom of the head and is lined and internally screw-threaded to accommodate insertable and removable weights held in place by a screw-threaded plug. The plug has a kerf to permit the same to be removed by a coin or a screwdriver.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,444,396 (“Wendt”) an exercise device for improving a golf swing comprising a grip on an upper end of a shaft, a series of perforated circular discs weighing 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 ounces, respectively, adapted to fit securely on the shaft, progressing geometrically in weight and a system for releasably securing any combination of the perforated discs on a lower end of the shaft. The system includes a lower base plate on the shaft secured against axial movement toward the lower end of the shaft and an upper collar releasably secured on the shaft. The base plate has a configuration so that the discs are secured on the shaft between the collar and the base plate.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,994,184 (“Snyder”) teaches a golf swing speed trainer for releasable attachment via a retainer to a shaft sleeve of a golf club shaft, including a head, a sleeve, and a weighting system. The trainer provides a customizable golf swing speed trainer that mimics the feel of a real club as a golfer works to increase their swing speed, without introducing any new bad habits. It allows a golfer to use their “gamer” shaft and grip during speed training, thereby increasing the user's familiarity with the trainer, which should result not only in increased swing speed but also improved consistency and accuracy.
U.S. Pat. No. 11,918,879 (“Duffey”) teaches numerous tools a golfer can buy that will increase or decrease the weight or moment of inertia of a club to increase swing speed, but none of these tools accurately represent the center of mass of a standard golf club. The differences in the center of the mass between the standard club and the trainer club can create problems with the swing including improper alignment of the club face through contact and improper swing path. A swing trainer that increases or decreases the moment of inertia of the trainer by 10-12% while still maintaining the same center of mass as a standard club can solve this issue.
United States Pub No. 20070155525 (“Davenport”) discloses A practice device that can be used with or without a ball to help further develop the feel and muscle memory of a proper swing. A swing training device includes a handle, a shaft, and a weight slidably mounted along the shaft. During the swinging of the club, the weight slides from an end near the user's hands to a distal end away from the user. When the weight reaches the distal end, the weight contacts a stop creating an audible “snap,” giving the user both tactile and audible feedback to the success of the swing. The weight preferably includes a friction adjustment device to control the amount of static and/or dynamic friction between the sliding weight and the shaft. The shaft preferably has a constant cross-sectional area or diameter to provide a set amount of friction during the travel of the weight along the shaft.
United States Pub No. 20150005090 (“Parker”) discloses a golf club swing aid and method of use. The golf club includes an elongated shaft having a handle on a first end, and having a weighted attachment permanently secured to a second end. The weighted attachment is substantially cylindrical in shape and has a hollow bore at least partially therethrough and in which the second end of the elongated shaft is secured. Several golf club swing aids having weighted attachments of different weights can be used to help a golfer increase his or her swing speed. A first weighted attachment is the same weight as a traditional driver, a second weighted attachment is heavier than a traditional driver, and a third weighted attachment is lighter than a traditional driver. In this way, the golfer can practice swinging with golf club swing aids of different weight in order to improve his or her golf club swing speed.
United States Pat. No. 20210379464 (“Benoit”) teaches a swing speed training club includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and a head portion affixed to the distal end of the shaft and having a body having a proximal end and a distal end. The head portion is configured to produce a distinctive sound when the head portion is swung through the air at the distal end of the club shaft at a suitable speed.
None of the known devices alone or in combination disclose or suggest improved swing speed training devices or systems that include optimized weights that can be attached or detached from a user's personal golf club shaft. Therefore, there is a need for improved speed training devices which can assist a golfer to achieve higher swing speeds, longer distances, and ultimately, better golf scores.
In one aspect the present invention a swing speed training device has a cylindrical mass. The mass has a diameter D and an outer cylindrical portion connected to a bottom portion. The outer cylindrical portion and the bottom portion are separated by a radiused portion. The bottom portion has a bottom surface. A first aperture is disposed in the bottom portion. The first aperture has a diameter D1 which communicates with a second aperture having a diameter D2 via a first countersunk flange. The diameter D1 and the diameter D2 are centered within the diameter D. A tapered portion extends between the outer cylindrical portion and a top portion. The top portion is connected to a flange having a top surface and a diameter D3. The top surface of the flange has a third aperture having a diameter D4. The third aperture communicates with the second aperture via a second countersunk flange. The diameters D1 and D3 can be larger than the diameter D2. The diameter D1 can be sized to accept a countersunk male threaded fastener. Diameter D2 can be sized to accept a female threaded portion of a user's golf club shaft thereby facilitating a connection or a disconnection between the cylindrical mass and the user's golf club shaft.
In some embodiments of this aspect, the user's golf club shaft is a driver shaft.
In certain embodiments, the diameter D1 of the first aperture is between about 18% and about 22% of the diameter D of the cylindrical mass.
In some embodiments, the diameter D1 of the first aperture is between 20% of the diameter D of the cylindrical mass.
In other embodiments, the diameter D4 of the third aperture is between about 22% and about 26% of the diameter D of the cylindrical mass.
In certain embodiments, the diameter D4 of the third aperture is about 24% of the diameter D of the cylindrical mass.
In other embodiments, the first aperture extends between about 17% and about 21% of a length L between the bottom surface and the top surface.
In some embodiments, the first aperture extends about 19% of a length L between the bottom surface and the top surface.
In certain embodiments, the third aperture extends between about 23% and about 27% of a length L between the top surface and the bottom surface.
In other embodiments, the third aperture extends about 25% of a length L between the top surface and the bottom surface.
In yet other embodiments, the cylindrical mass has a mass of between about 130 g and about 150 g.
In certain embodiments, the cylindrical mass has a mass of about 140 g.
In some embodiments, the first, second, and third apertures are colinear and centered on the diameters D, D1, D2, D3 and D4 and the centerline CL of axis A1 respectively
In another non-limiting aspect of the present invention a method of increasing a user's golf club swing speed includes the steps of: removing a golf club head from a user's golf club shaft; replacing the golf club head with a swing speed training device, the swing speed training device includes a cylindrical mass having a diameter D and an outer cylindrical portion connected to a bottom portion, the outer cylindrical portion and the bottom portion are separated by a radiused portion, the bottom portion includes a bottom surface, a first aperture is disposed in the bottom portion, the first aperture has a diameter D1 which communicates with a second aperture having a diameter D2 via a first countersunk flange, the diameter D1 and the diameter D2 can be centered within the diameter D, a tapered portion extends between outer cylindrical portion and a top portion, the top portion is connected to a flange having a top surface and a diameter D3, the top surface of the flange includes a third aperture having a diameter D4, the third aperture communicates with second aperture via a second countersunk flange, the diameters D1 and D3 can be larger than the diameter D2, the diameter D1 can be sized to accept a countersunk male threaded fastener and the diameter D2 can be sized to accept a female threaded portion of the user's golf club shaft thereby facilitating a connection or a disconnection between cylindrical mass and the user's golf club; and; swinging the user's golf club shaft having the swing speed training device attached.
In some embodiment, the method further includes the step of removing the swing speed training device from the user's golf club shaft.
In other embodiments, the method further includes the step of replacing the user's golf club head on the user's golf club shaft.
In a particular embodiment, the method includes the step of swinging the user's golf club shaft thereby increasing the user's swing speed
In some embodiments, the golf club head is a driver head and the user's golf club shaft is a driver shaft.
In some embodiments, the cylindrical mass has a mass of between about 130 g and about 150 g.
In certain embodiments, the user has a swing speed increase of about 7 miles per hour faster that an initial swing speed.
Swing speed training devices, systems, and methods that use devices weighing less than standard golf driver heads can be attached to virtually any golf club driver shaft(s) that are used by golfers across the world. This advantage allows golfers to practice underweight swing speed training to gain club speed with their own personal shaft. The apparatus, systems and methods disclosed herein ensure that swing speed training translates to the user's actual golf game. Underweight speed training has been proven to train the user's muscles and central nervous system to swing faster, thus translating to faster swings to the user's golf game.
As shown in
Bottom portion 6 includes bottom surface 6a and first aperture 8. First aperture 8 has a diameter D1 that corresponds with second aperture 12 having a diameter D2 via first countersunk flange 10. Diameter D1 and diameter D2 are centered within diameter D, wherein diameter D1 is larger than diameter D2.
Diameter D1 is sized to accept a countersunk male threaded fastener 102 and diameter D2 is sized to accept a female threaded portion 104 of a user's driver shaft 106 thereby facilitating a connection or disconnection through corresponding first and second apertures 8, 12 between swing speed training device 100 and the user's driver shaft 106.
The swing speed training device 100 includes tapered portion 14 extending between outer cylindrical portion 4 and top portion 16. Top portion 16 is connected to flange 18 having a top surface 20 and a diameter D3. Top surface 20 of flange 18 include third aperture 22. Third aperture 22 corresponds with second aperture 12 via second countersunk flange 24. The first, second, and third apertures 8, 12, and 22 are colinear and centered on diameters D, D2, D2, D3 and D4 and on the centerline CL of axis A1 respectively (see e.g.
In some embodiments, the diameter D1 of first aperture 8 is between about 18% and about 22% of the diameter D of the cylindrical mass 2. In certain embodiments, the diameter D1 of first aperture 8 is between 20% of the diameter D of the cylindrical mass 2.
In some embodiments, the diameter D4 of third aperture 22 is between about 22% and about 26% of the diameter D of the cylindrical mass 2. In certain embodiments, the diameter D4 of third aperture 22 is about 24% of the diameter D of the cylindrical mass 2.
In certain embodiments, length L extends from bottom surface 6a to top surface 20. The first aperture 8 extends between about 17% and about 21% of length L between bottom surface 6a extending towards top surface 20. In some embodiments, the first aperture 8 extends between about 19% of length L between bottom surface 6a extending towards top surface 20.
In certain embodiments, the third aperture 12 extends between about 23% and about 27% of length L between top surface 20 towards bottom surface 6a. In some embodiments, the third aperture 12 extends between about 25% of length L between bottom top surface 20 extending towards bottom surface 6a.
In some embodiments, the swing speed training device 100 has a mass of between about 130 g and about 150 g. In certain embodiments, the swing speed training device 100 has a mass of about 140 g. Applicants have experimented with a large number of configurations and masses for optimization of swing speed training. The weight of a golf club driver head typically ranges from about 175 to about 205. This weight can vary depending on the manufacturer, design, and specific model of the driver. Applicants have discovered that using a head mass that is between about 70% and about 80% of the mass of a typical driver head produced the best results in actual swing speed trials. Applicants have tried many combinations of head mass and shaft while measuring the head speed of the swing speed training device with a launch monitor to measure club speed, and to measure ball speed, smash factor, carry distance, and total distance when hitting a golf ball.
In some embodiments, swing speed training device 100 can be attached to a user's golf club 202 having a removable club head 204 to form swing speed training system 200. The removable head 204 is attached to a shaft 206 using a male threaded fastener 208 which corresponds with a female threaded socket 210 at the end 206a of the shaft 206.
In practice, a user 400 can remove a male threaded fastener 208 using a known fastener removal tool and detach the removable club head 204 from the shaft 206. In some embodiments, the removable club head 204 can be a driver head. This allows the user to utilize their own personal golf club driver shaft or any shaft of their choice thus providing the user with the advantage of swing speed training with their own equipment rather than training with a premanufactured shaft that has different properties (e.g. length, stiffness, weight, etc.) than their own shaft.
After detaching the removable club head 204, the user can insert the end 206a of shaft 206 into third aperture 22 such that the female threaded socket 210 extends into aperture 12. A male threaded fastener 208 can be inserted into aperture 8 to engage the female threaded socket 210. The user can tighten the male threaded fastener 208 within the female threaded socket 210 until the male threaded fastener 208 engages the countersunk flange 10. Thus, the swing speed training device 100 can be attached or detached from the user's golf club 202 to form a personal swing speed training system 200.
The dimensions of the swing speed training device 100 are configured such the first, second, and third apertures 8, 12, and 22, respectively and the corresponding first and second countersunk flanges 10, 24 are designed to accept a plurality of high-level, expensive, commercial golf driver shafts to securely and removably attach the swing speed training device 100 in order to perform repeated swing speed training without damaging the shafts.
As shown in
The Applicant has discovered that the mass of the speed training device 100 allows for swing speeds on average of about 7 mph faster than a swinging with a golfer's driver head. have attached a chart and a picture. The Applicant has recoded daily average speed of about 1,000 swings by 200 users of the swing speed training device 100 over the course of six months. The results clearly show that difference of speed between a user's driver head (weighing about 195 grams) and swing speed using the instant swing speed training device 100 is about 7 mph. This increase results because the discovered mass of the device trains a user's fast twitch muscles and central nervous system to swing faster. Training with the device 100 directly translates to attaining faster swing speeds when swing a user's (heavier) driver head.
The Applicant has also discovered that the mass of swing speed training device 100 is heavy enough to ‘activate’ a golf club shaft such that it bends towards the ground (See e.g.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to various exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/594,322 entitled “A metal device used by golfers to swing faster”, filed Oct. 30, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63594322 | Oct 2023 | US |
