GB2254008A

GB2254008A - Golf training aid.

Info

Publication number: GB2254008A
Application number: GB9206334A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Gordon Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-03-27
Filing date: 1992-03-24
Publication date: 1992-09-30
Also published as: AU1413492A; GB9106514D0; GB2254260A; WO1992017248A1; GB9206334D0

Abstract

An aid for teaching a golfer to adopt the correct stance in addressing the ball includes a rectangular framework (2, 4, 6, 8) having a projection (14) extending from one side arm (2) of the frame. A second removable extension (30) from a further arm (22) is used for positioning the ball such that the end (38) of the projection (14), the centre line of the ball and the target pin all lie on the same lines.

Description

GOLF STANCE TRAINING DEVICE This invention relates to golf training devices and is particularly but not exclusively concerned with a device for assisting a golfer to adopt the correct stance in relation to the ball.

Golf practice and teaching aids are well-known among other accessories available for use in that sport.

Some of these are aimed at teaching the important fundamental principles of a square and parallel stance in relation to the ball and the pin. For example a golfer may be instructed to adopt a position whereby his line of stance i.e. a line adjoining his toes or heels is parallel to an imaginery line extending from the ball to the pin.

U.S. patent 4718674 discloses a frame-like arrangement having adjustable elements intended to teach a golfer to adopt a correct stance in relation to the intended line of flight of the ball. However there is no element in that arrangement which permits alignment of the frame in parallelism with the intended line of flight of the ball. Furthermore, the frame device is constructed with so many adjustments that make it even more complicated than the game of golf itself.

U.S. patent 4384718 discloses a similarly complicated frame-work device having the same object in mind, but has no facility for ensuring that the two aligning members of the frame are positioned parallel to each other and to the intended line of flight of the ball.

U.S. patent 4322084 illustrates and describes a complicated frame arrangement with a great number of adjustable members intended to cater for different types of shots from a drive, through chip and pitch, putting and low trajectory shots. Various adjustments are possible making the machine complicated and expensive. Furthermore, there is not included in the device any means for accurately aligning the ball with the target line.

U.S. patent 2169407 discloses yet another complicated frame system but which does not include means for accurately aligning the ball and the frame together with the line of flight to the target pin.

It is an object of this invention to provide a simple, uncomplicated device for use by a golfer for improving his game, which is inexpensive to produce, may be carried within a conventional golf bag and is simple to assemble for use and dis-assemble for storage.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a geometric assembly including a parallelogram frame comprising first and second end frame longitudinal members, third and fourth longitudinal members adapted to interconnect the end frame members substantially at right angles thereto, at least one of the further members being adjustable with respect to the end frame members in a longitudinal direction, a fifth longitudinal member being locatable with respect to the third and fourth longitudinal members and adjustable in the direction parallel to the longitudinal plane of the third and fourth members, the fifth member constituting a ball locating member and at least one of the first and second members extending beyond the third member by an amount which aligns with the centre line of the ball when the ball is positioned adjacent the ball locating member such that an imaginary line passing through the end of the extension of the first or the second member and the centre of the ball and the target pin constitutes the intended line of flight when the ball is struck by a golf club.

The ball locating member may be retractable from a position where it is in contact with the ball to a position where it is not in contact with the ball, and may include an arm pivotable about a fulcrum pin such that in one position one end of the arm is in contact with the ball and in a second position the end of the arm is not in contact with the ball.

The third longitudinal member is pivotally mounted at its ends to the first and second end frame members and the fourth longitudinal member is removably secured to the first and second end frame members.

The fifth longitudinal member may be removably secured to the third longitudinal member and may be member is removably secured to both the third and the fourth longitudinal members.

The end of the extension may be provided with a sight line in order to assist aligning the end of the extension, the ball and the target pin, and the sight line may be an arrow.

The first or second end frame member may be provided with a guideline in order to assist in setting those members at right angles to the third longitudinal member or alternatively. The end frame members may be set at right angles to the third longitudinal member by means of a diagonal strut.

In a further embodiment of the invention the extension of the first or second end frame member may be an upstanding portion at right angles to its length.

The above and other aspects of the invention will come to light from the following description given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention in use; Figure 2 is a plan view of the device seen in Figure 1; Figure 2a and 2b are fragmentary plan views of an alternative arrangement; Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but with parts in a different position; Figure 4 is a plan view of the elements of the device in its partly dis-assembled and folded state suitable for storage or carrying within the golf bag; and Figure 5 is a side view of the parts seen in Figure 4.

As seen in the drawings the device comprises a generally rectangular frame assembly having right and left hand bars 2, 4 respectively, connected by front and rear bars 6 and 8. The front bar 6 is pivotally connected to the right and left-hand bars by pivot pins 10 and 12 and the right-hand bar 2 has an extension 14 which extends somewhat forwardly of the bar 6.

Each of the bars 2, 4 is formed with locating holes 16 and the extremities of the bar 8 are provided with pegs 18 which are adapted to fit within selected holes 16 in the bars 2 and 4.

The bar 6 is formed with locating holes 20 spaced along part of its length and the forward end portions of an intermediate bar 22 has a downwardly depending peg 24 adapted to fit within a selected one of the holes 20.

The rearward bar 8 is formed with locating holes 26 and the bar 22 is formed with pegs 28 one of which is adapted to fit within one of the holes 26 as will be hereinafter described.

The forward end portion of the bar 22 is provided with a ball locating piece 30 pivotally mounted on a pin 32 fast in the bar 22.

As is clear from Figure 5 the bars 2, 4 may be hinged at the corners of the bar 6 to locate parallel to and beneath the bar 6 after the bars 8 and 22 have been detached from the assembly 1. It may thus be folded into a comparatively small volume for ease of carrying e.g. within a golf bag.

In use, in order to accustom a golfer to adopt the correct stance for the shot to be played, the frame is assembled as seen in Figures 1, 2 or 3. The position of the bar 8 with respect to the bars 2 and 4 is selected according to the length of golf club being used. For example, if a long shafted club is being used then the bar 8 would be in the position seen in Figure 2, i.e. towards the end of the bars 2 and 4 nearest the golfer.

The bar 22 is positioned parallel to the bars 2 and 4 by locating its pegs 24 & 28 in selected holes 20 and 26 in the bars 6 and 8 respectively, the holes 20 and 26 being chosen according to the ability of the golfer. For example, with some golfers, say beginners, it will be found that the most benefit is obtained when the ball is set on a line parallel to the bars 2, 4 and passing midway between the player's heels. In the case of an experienced golfer of greater ability it is found that the ball is better set on a line which passes closer to the left heel tin the case of aright-handed player] as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

.

Alternatively the pegs 28 may be omitted and the locating holes 26 may be replaced by marker lines, in which case the downwardly depending peg 24 locates in one of the holes 20 as before, and the rearward end portion of the bar 22 is simply laid on the appropriate marker line on the bar 8.

The position of the bar 22 determines the position of the ball to be driven as will now be explained.

The ball locating piece 30 is positioned with respect to its pivot pin to protrude forwardly of the bar 6 as illustrated in Figure 2 and the ball is placed in line with the bar 22 and adjacent the outer end of the locating piece. The dimensions of the component parts of the frame are such that the end of the extension 14 and the centre of the ball are in line parallel to the bar 6. The frame is than adjusted with respect to its position on the ground so that the ball, the end of the extension 14 and the target e.g. the pin or flag, all lie on the same imaginary line.

The adjustment is made by sighting along the end of the extension 14 towards the target pin or flag and moving the frame until the end of the extension, the ball and the target pin are all aligned.

The locating piece 30 is then swiveled about its pivot pin 32 so that the longer length of the piece is within the boundaries of the frame, seen in Figure 3, and the ball is free from contact with the frame.

Alternatively, as seen in Figure 2a and 2b, the locating piece 30 may be omitted and the end portion 23 of the bar 22 is provided with tow pins 24 and 24A. In the initial set-up of the frame, as seen in Figure 2a, the pin 24A is located in one of the holes 20 and the ball is placed adjacent the forward end of the portion 23. Once the frame has been positioned to align the line 38, the ball and the target pin then the bar 22 is lifted from its location on bars 6 and 8 and replaced in the retracted position seen in Figure 2b with the pin 24 located in the appropriate hole 20.

The player then takes his stance normally with his feet on that side of the bar 18 distal from the bar 6 and under normal procedure the ball will be projected in the direction of the target pin as it is struck by the club head.

It will be understood that the general configuration of the frame, in use, is that of a rectangle and this format is accomplished by aligning the bar 6 with a guide line 36 formed or marked on the bar 2 at right angles to the length of that bar. Alternatively, a diagonal strut [not shown] may be provided to extend between one of the pivots 18 and a pivot 10 or 12.

The forward end portion of the extension 14 may be marked with a line 38 or an arrow as shown in Figures 2 and 3 in order to assist in aligning the frame, the ball and the target pin. Alternatively the end portion of the extension may be so formed as to depend upwardly at right angles to the horizontal to make for ease of alignment with the ball and target pin.

The holes formed in the bars 2, 4 may be marked with reference numerals indicative of the various clubs being used in conjunction with the device.

Although the use of the invention has been described so far with reference to the stance of the golfer having his feet outside the frame, on occasions, e.g.

during putting, his feet may necessarily be closer to the ball and will then need to be closely adjacent the front bar 6 and within the confines of the frame.

Further, the invention has been described and illustrated in respect of its use by a right-handed player.

When it is intended to be used by a left-handed player the extension 14 would be formed on the left-hand bar 4.

Claims

1. A golf training device comprising a geometric assembly which includes a parallelogram frame having first and second longitudinal end frame members, third and fourth longitudinal members adapted to interconnect the end frame members substantially at right angles thereto, at least one of the further members being adjustable with respect to the end frame members in a longitudinal direction, a fifth longitudinal member being locatable with respect to the third and fourth members, and adjustable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the third and fourth members, the fifth member constituting a ball locating member, and at least one of the first and second members extending beyond the third member by an amount which aligns with the centre line of a ball when the ball is located adjacent the ball locating member, such that an imaginary line through the end of the extension of the first and/or second member, the centre of the ball and a target pin constitutes an intended line of a flight when the ball is struck by a golf club.

2. A golf training aid according to Claim 1 wherein the ball locating member is retractable from a position where it is in contact with the ball to a position where it is not in contact with the ball.

3. A golf training aid according to Claim 2 where the ball locating member includes an arm pivotable about a fulcrum pin such that in one position one end of the arm is in contact with the ball and in a second position the end of the arm is not in contact with the ball.

4. A golf training aid according to any of the above Claims wherein the third longitudinal member is pivotally mounted at its end to the first and second end frame members.

5. A golf training aid according to Claim 4 wherein the fourth longitudinal member is moveably secured to the first and second end frame members.

6. A golf training aid according to any of the above Claims wherein the fifth longitudinal member is removably secured to the third longitudinal member.

7. A gold training aid according to Claim 6 wherein the fifth longitudinal member is removably secured to both the third and the fourth longitudinal members.

8. A golf training aid according to Claim 1 wherein the end of the extension is provided with a sight line in order to assist aligning the end of the extension, the ball and the target pin.

9. A golf training aid according to Claim 8 where the sight line is an arrow.

10. A golf training aid according to any of the above Claims wherein the first or second end frame member is provided with a guideline in order to assist in setting those members at right angles to the third longitudinal member.

11. A golf training aid according to any of the above Claims wherein the end frame members are set at right angles to the third longitudinal member by means of a diagonal strut.

12. A golf training aid according to Claim 1 wherein the extension of the first or second end frame member has an upstanding portion at right angles to its length.