Golf swing training device and method

• US 20040038743A1
• Filed: 08/20/2002
• Published: 02/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joseph Warren Belanger
• Original Assignee: Joseph Warren Belanger
• Inventors: Belanger, Joseph Warren
• Granted Patent: US 6,780,122 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/257
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/024 with screws or pins in the earth
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3621 Contacting or non-contacting mechanical means for guiding the swing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3623 for driving A63B69/3608, A63B69/3658, A63B69/3661, A63B69/3667 and A63B69/3691 take precedence

Abstract

A golf training device to help a golfer improve a golf swing. The device includes a base member, a mast member, and at least one swing indicator. The mast member is coupled with the base member and has opposite ends and a plurality of holes. The swing indicator(s) are insertable into at least one of said plurality of holes.

Claims

1. A golf training device comprising:

a base member;

a mast member coupled with said base member, said mast member having opposite ends and a plurality of holes; and

at least one swing indicator insertable into at least on of said plurality of holes.

2. The golf training device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of holes are vertically arranged in a plurality of columns, each column being disposed opposite another column of said plurality.

3. The golf training device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one swing indicator comprises a first swing indicator and a second swing indicator, the first swing indicator being configured to pass through a first and second hole and a second swing indicator being configured to pass through the third and fourth holes.

4. The golf training device according to claim 1, wherein the base member comprises a hollow cylindrical member having a flanged end portion, the flanged end portion having a plurality of through-holes.

5. The golf training device according to claim 4, further comprising fastening members which are inserted into the plurality of through-holes in the flanged end portion, to fix the base member to a ground surface.

6. The golf training device according to claim 5, wherein the fastening members comprise at least one of a stake, screw, peg and spike.

7. The golf training device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one swing indicator comprises a guide wand.

8. The golf training device according to claim 7, wherein the mast member, base member and guide wand comprise PVC plastic.

9. The golf training device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises rust proof material.

10. The golf training device according to claim 4, wherein the flanged end portion of the base member has a diameter that is at least two times larger than the diameter of the base member.

11. The golf training device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one swing indicator comprises a head and shoulders indicator securable to the top of said mast member.

12. The golf training device according to claim 11, said device further comprising a cap disposed on a first end of the mast member, and

wherein the head and shoulders indicator is coupled to an upper surface of the cap and comprises a forked, multi-pronged elongated member having at least two prongs branching from the fork, said at least two prongs being configured to fit across a golfers shoulders.

13. The golf training device according to claim 12, wherein the head and shoulders indicator has a first prong and a second prong, each prong for resting on an opposite shoulders of the user.

14. The golf training device according to claim 13, wherein the first prong is longer than the second prong.

15. The golf training device according to claim 13, wherein each prong of the head and shoulders indicator is padded.

16. The golf training device according to claim 1, wherein the base member comprises a weighted ring and the mast member is insertable into the center portion of the weighted ring.

17. A golf training device comprising:

at least one swing indicator means for providing a visual or sensory indication to a golfer of at least one aspect of a golf swing;

a mast means for providing support to said at least one swing indicator means; and

a base means for providing support to said mast means.

18. The golf training device according to claim 17, wherein the mast means comprises a plurality of coupling means for securing said at least one swing indicator means thereto in a desired position.

19. The golf training device according to claim 17, wherein said base means comprises a plurality of fastening means for fastening said base means to a surface.

20. The golf training device according to claim 17, wherein said at least one swing indicator means is further for providing a visual indication of a golf swing.

21. The golf training device according to claim 20, wherein said at least one swing indicator means is further for providing a visual indication of at least one of a back-swing and a follow-through.

22. The golf training device according to claim 17, wherein said at least one swing indicator means is further for providing a touch indication of a golf swing.

23. The golf training device according to claim 22, wherein said at least one swing indicator means is further for providing a touch indication of at least one of head alignment, knee movement, hip movement, and shoulders alignment.

24. A method for practicing a golf swing using a golf training device, said golf training device comprising a base member, a mast member coupled with said base member, said mast member having opposite ends and a plurality of holes, and at least one swing indicator insertable into at least one of said plurality of holes, said method comprising the steps of:

inserting at least one swing indicator through one of said plurality of holes based upon the height of a golfer planning on using the device; and

swinging a golf club while utilizing said at least one swing indicator as a visual indication to guide the swing.

25. The method as recited in claim 24, further comprising a step of extending said at least one swing indicator in a direction a ball is meant to travel if hit with a golf club during said golf swing, and

wherein, during said swinging step, utilizing said at least one swing indicator as a visual indication to guide the swing to guide the swing after the point at which the ball has been struck.

26. The method as recited in claim 24, further comprising a step of extending said at least one swing indicator in a direction opposite a ball is meant to travel if hit with a golf club during said golf swing, and

wherein, during said swinging step, utilizing said at least one swing indicator as a visual indication to guide the swing back to a point where the club head will be properly aligned to strike the ball.

27. The method as recited in claim 24, further comprising the steps of:

extending said at least one swing indicator in a direction perpendicular a ball is meant to travel if hit with a golf club during said golf swing, and

standing said at least one swing indicator extending past a side of the golfer;

wherein, during said swinging step, utilizing said at least one swing indicator to provide a visual and tactile guide for hip and knee movement, such movement resulting in the golfer actually touching the wand during the swing.

28. The method as recited in claim 24, further comprising a step of extending said at least one swing indicator in a direction perpendicular a ball is meant to travel if hit with a golf club during said golf swing, and

wherein, during said swinging step, utilizing said at least one swing indicator as a visual indication of a point in the swing at which the golfer must shift his weight from one foot to the other.

29. The method as recited in claim 24, further comprising the steps of:

extending said at least one swing indicator in a direction perpendicular a ball is meant to travel if hit with a golf club during said golf swing, extending toward the golfer perpendicular to the direction the ball is intended to travel, the at least one swing indicator being extended directly over the ball, and

wherein, during said swinging step, utilizing said at least one swing indicator to provide a visual indication of the direction in which the club face is pointed as it strikes the ball.

30. The method as recited in claim 24, further comprising the step of:

extending said at least one swing indicator out to a shoulder of the golfer, and

wherein, during said swinging step, utilizing said at least one swing indicator to provide a visual indication of an amount of shoulder turn employed by the golfer during the back swing.

31. The method as recited in claim 24, further comprising the step of extending said at least one swing indicator in a direction perpendicular a ball is meant to travel if hit with a golf club during said golf swing, and

wherein, during said swinging step, utilizing said at least one swing indicator as to provide a visual reference point to determine whether the body of the golfer has moved sideway out of position with respect to the ball.

32. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein said golf training device further comprises a head and shoulders indicator securable to the top of said mast member, wherein

said step of inserting at least one swing indicator includes securing said heads and shoulders indicator to the top of said mast member method, and during said swinging step, utilizing said heads and shoulders indicator to provide a tactile indication of movement of the head or upper body during a swing.