WO2012135873A1

WO2012135873A1 - Golf swing aid

Info

Publication number: WO2012135873A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2012/000019
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eugene Francois VAN LOGGERENBERG
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-03-31
Filing date: 2012-04-02
Publication date: 2012-10-04
Anticipated expiration: 2013-09-30

Abstract

The invention provides for a golf swing aid (10) which includes a target alignment indicator (12) which is aligned to with an intended target and a distance indicator (14) for indicating a distance that a golfer (16) is standing away from a golf ball (17). The aid further includes a swing plane indicator (18) consisting of a pair of support posts (30) with arms (32) mounted thereon. The arms (32) can freely pivot and are aligned to indicate a swing plane of a golfer (16).

Description

GOLF SWING AID

TECHINCAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a golf swing aid and in particular to a golf swing aid for aiding a golfer in achieving consistency in his set up and swing path.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a golf swing aid which includes : - a target alignment indicator which is arranged to extend in a direction which corresponds with an imaginary line that points in a direction that is substantially parallel with a target;

a distance indicator for indicating a distance that a golfer is standing away from a golf ball at an address position, the distance indicator being configured to extend from the target indicator towards the golfer, the target and distance indicators being connected to each via an adjustable connector for allowing the target and distance indicators to be displaced longitudinally and transversely relative to each other according to a user's particular anatomical characteristics and/or requirements; a swing plane indicator in the form of : - a pair of support posts which are configured to be arranged to extend substantially vertically from the ground on either side of and in alignment with a golfer's shoulders, the spacing between the support posts conforming to an arc defined by a golfer during a backswing and follow through; and

arms which are mounted pivotably on free end regions of the posts to permit the arms to be inclined relative to the ground so as to define a backswing and follow through plane for a golfer to follow during a swing in accordance with his particular anatomical characteristics and/or swing plane requirements; and

hip and shoulder alignment means which are configured to be mountable on and extend outwardly a golfer's hip and shoulder regions respectively, the hip and shoulder indicators serving to indicate to a golfer the position of his hips and shoulders relative to each other and to the target, distance and/or swing plane indicators during a golf swing.

l The golf swing aid may include a pair of extension members which are configured to extend, preferably substantially orthogonally, from the target indicator to operative lower end regions of the posts. Adjustable connectors may be provided to interconnect the extension members with the target indicator and the support posts for allowing the support posts, target indicator and extension members to be displaced longitudinally and transversely relative to each other according to a user's particular anatomical characteristics and/or particular requirements.

The golf swing aid may further include a spine angle indicator for allowing a golfer to incline his spine at a desired angle in the address position. The spine angle indicator may include a generally L-shaped element which is mounted pivotally a free end region of the distance indicator proximal the golfer, a free end of the L-shaped member being capable of being arranged to point towards the target indicator at any particular angle desired by a golfer.

The golf swing aid may also include a follow through alignment indicator to encourage a golfer to rotate his hips towards a desired position at the completion of a follow through. In particular, the follow through indicator may include a generally L- shaped element which is mounted pivotally a target end region of the target indicator, a free end of the L-shaped member being capable of being arranged to point towards the golfer at any particular angle desired by a golfer to encourage him to rotate his hips to a position where the follow through indicator and hip alignment means are in substantial alignment with each other.

The distance indicator may include a ball position indicator for indicating a position where a ball is to be positioned relative to the target indicator, the ball position indicator being configured to extend away from the golfer and target indicator along a line described by the distance indicator.

A pivotable shaft plane indicator may be mounted a free end of the distance indicator to allow a golfer to achieve a desired shaft plane of a golf club at address and through impact. The aid may include a hand position indicator, which may be mounted on the shaft plane indicator, typically at a free end region.

The extension members may be configured to extend inwardly towards the golfer, the arms and posts in such arrangement being orientated to be substantially horizontal the ground and at a height conforming to the height of the golfer's hips. In particular, this configuration may serves as a hip indicator to inhibit hip sliding by the golfer insofar as it encourages a golfer to turn rather than slide his hips during a swing. The extension member may also be configured to position one of the posts behind the golfer, with the arm positioned to indicate the spinal position of the golfer in order to encourage a golfer to maintain his spinal position. A post may also be positioned in front of the golfer with the arm positioned to indicate the head position of the golfer in order to encourage a golfer to maintain a consistent head position during the back swing.

Graduation indicators may be provided on the various indicators, posts, and pivotal connectors to allow the golfer to maintain consistency in his address set up and swing plane. The graduation indicators may serve as a fixed point of reference, so a golfer will always know, where he is in terms of set-up and swing, where the golfer needs to be or where he was in terms of any change and improvements a golfer may like to make.

All parts are inter-changeable, allowing a golfer complete freedom to choose how or what to practice such as all aspects from set-up to swing or only certain parts, just set-up, or back swing or follow through or body positioning.

The various parts and components are formed from any suitable tubular synthetics plastics material such as for example ABS or polyvinylchloride (PVC).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A golf swing aid in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying photographs and drawing.

In the drawings :- figures 1 and 2 show three dimensional views of a golf swing aid in accordance with the invention;

figure 3 shows three dimensional view of a second embodiment of a golf swing aid in accordance with the invention; figures 4 to 7 are line representations of the golf swing aid shown if figures 1 and 2 showing a golfer addressing a ball as well as performing a back swing and a follow through.

figure 8 is a line representation of the second embodiment of the invention; and

figures 9 and 10 show yet further embodiments of the golf swing aid, in accordance with the invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to figure 1 , reference numeral 10 generally depicts a golf swing aid in accordance with the invention.

The golf swing aid 10 includes a target alignment indicator 12, a distance indicator 14 for indicating a distance that a golfer 16 is standing away from a golf ball 17 at an address position and a swing plane indicator 18 for defining a desired swing plane for the golfer. The swing aid 10 further includes hip and shoulder alignment means 20 and 22 for indicating to the golfer 16 the position of his hips and shoulders relative to each other and to the target, distance and/or swing plane indicators 12, 14 and 18 respectively during a golf swing. A pair of extension members 24 are configured to interconnect the target indicator 12 and the swing plane indicators 18.

The target indicator 12 is of generally elongate tubular form, the target indicator 12 being arranged to extend in a direction which corresponds with an imaginary line that points in a direction that is substantially parallel with a target.

The distance indicator 14 is of generally elongate tubular form and is configured to extend orthogonally from the target indicator 12 towards the golfer 16. The target and distance indicators 12 and 14 are interconnected via an adjustable connector 26 which allows them to be displaced longitudinally and transversely relative to each other according to a golfer's particular anatomical characteristics and/or requirements. A free end 28 of the distance indicator 14 which extends beyond the target indicator 12 away from the golfer 16 serves to indicate a position where a ball 17 is to be positioned relative to the target indicator 12. The swing plane indicator 18 includes a pair of telescopic support posts 30 which are configured to extend substantially vertically from the ground on either side of and in alignment with a golfer's shoulders and arms 32 of elongate tubular form which are mounted pivotably operative upper free end regions of the posts 30 via pivotable connectors 33 to permit the arms 32 to be inclined relative to the ground so as to define a backswing and follow through plane for the golfer 16 to follow during a swing in accordance with his particular anatomical characteristics and/or swing plane requirements. The spacing between the support posts 30 generally conforms to an arc defined by the golfer during a backswing and follow through as shown in figures 4 to 7.

Referring now to figures 3 and 7, there is shown a swing aid 110 wherein the extension members 24.2 are arranged to extend inwardly from extension members 24.1 towards the golfer 16, the arms 32 in such arrangement being orientated to be substantially horizontal the ground and at a height conforming to the height of the golfer's hips. In particular, the swing aid 110 serves as a hip indicator to inhibit hip sliding by the golfer 16 insofar as it encourages a golfer 16 to turn rather than slide his hips during a swing. A pivotable shaft plane indicator 50 at the free end 28 of the distance indicator 14 is provided to allow a golfer 16 to achieve a desired shaft plane of a golf club 52 at address and through impact. The shaft plane indicator has a hand position indicator 54 mounted thereon.

Adjustable connectors 34 are provided to interconnect the extension members 24 with the target indicator 12 and the support posts 30 to allow the support posts 30, target indicator 12 and extension members 24 to be displaced longitudinally and transversely relative to each other according to a user's particular anatomical characteristics and/or particular requirements.

Each extension member 24 includes a first member 24.1 which is configured to extend orthogonally from the target indicator 12 through a first adjustable connector 34.1 and a second member 24.2 which is arranged to extend orthogonally from the first member 24.1 through a second adjustable connector 34.2 at a base of the post 30. The first and second members 24.1 and 24.2 are of elongate tubular form. The connectors 34.1 and 34.2 are configured to receive the extension members 24.1 and 24.2 complementally and displaceably therethrough to allow the position of the posts 30 and arms 32 to be adjusted relative to the target and distance indicators 12 and 14 according to a golfer's particular requirements. The hip and shoulder alignment means 20 and 22 are of generally elongate tubular form and which are configured to be mountable on and extend outwardly a golfer's hip and shoulder regions respectively via adjustable straps 36 and 38 respectively.

The golf swing aid 10 further includes a spine angle indicator 40 for allowing the golfer 16 to incline his spine at a desired angle in the address position as shown in figures 2 and 3. The spine angle indicator 40 is in the form of a generally L- shaped tubular element which is mounted pivotally a free end region of the distance indicator 14 proximal the golfer 16 via a pivotable connector 42 to allow a free end 44 of the L-shaped element to point towards the target indicator 12 at any particular angle desired by the golfer.

The golf swing aid 10 also includes a follow through alignment indicator 46 for encouraging the golfer 16 to rotate his hips towards a desired position at the completion of a follow through as shown in figure 7. In particular, the follow through indicator 46 is in the form of a generally L-shaped tubular element which is mounted pivotally a target end region of the target indicator 12 via a pivotable connector 48 to allow a free end of the L-shaped element to point towards the golfer 16 at any particular angle desired by the golfer to encourage him to rotate his hips to a position where the follow through indicator 46 and hip alignment means 20 are in substantial alignment with- each other.

By way of example graduation indicators are provided on the various indicators 12 and 14, extension members 24, posts 30, and pivotable connectors 33, 42 and 48 to allow the golfer 16 to maintain consistency in his address set up and swing plane.

The aid 10 is set up by first placing the target alignment indicator 12 and attaching the distance indicator 14 thereto. This set-up alone can be used to establish stance consistency for different types of clubs relative to the golf ball 17. The posts 30 are placed relative to the golfer 16 typically in alignment with his hips, in order to establish a basis for the swing plane of the golfer 6 during his backswing and follow through. The posts 30 may be attached to the target indicator 12 by means of extension members 24, the extension members enables the golfer to consistently position the posts 30 and thereby establish a blue print for a consistent golf swing. Operation of the swing aid 10 from address to completion is illustrated in figures 5 to 7.

According to the inventor the general purpose of the golf swing aid is to create a blue print for any golfer as guide lines for improvement and maintenance of the golf

The golf swing aid can be used by golfers to work on their set-up and swing techniques and create a blue print of their best set-up and swing. Once a golfer has his own unique blue print, he can practice more accurately what he was practicing yesterday, last week, last month, even last year.

This aid allows for accuracy and less variables day-in-day-out. Golfers will, according to the inventor be able to achieve long term consistency.

It is appreciated that a golf swing aid is not limited to the precise constructional and functional details as set out hereinabove and which may be varied as desired.

Claims

1. a golf swing aid which includes : - a target alignment indicator which is arranged to extend in a direction which corresponds with an imaginary line that points in a direction that is substantially parallel with a target;

a distance indicator for indicating a distance that a golfer is standing away from a golf ball at an address position, the distance indicator being configured to extend from the target indicator towards the golfer, the target and distance indicators being connected to each via an adjustable connector for allowing the target and distance indicators to be displaced longitudinally and transversely relative to each other according to a user's particular anatomical characteristics and/or requirements; a swing plane indicator in the form of : - a pair of support posts which configured to be arranged to extend substantially vertically from the ground on either side of and in alignment with a golfer's shoulders, the spacing between the support posts conforming to an arc defined by a golfer during a backswing and follow through; and

arms which are mounted pivotably free end regions of the posts to permit the arms to be inclined relative to the ground so as to define a backswing and follow through plane for a golfer to follow during a swing in accordance with his particular anatomical characteristics and/or swing plane requirements.

2. A golf swing aid as claimed in claim 1 which includes hip and shoulder alignment means which are configured to be mountable on and extend outwardly a golfer's hip and shoulder regions respectively, the hip and shoulder indicators serving to indicate to a golfer the position of his hips and shoulders relative to each other and to the target, distance and/or swing plane indicators during a golf swing.

3. A golf swing aid as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 which includes a pair of extension members which are configured to extend from the target indicator to operative lower end regions of the posts.

4. A golf swing aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which includes a spine angle indicator for allowing a golfer to incline his spine at a desired angle in the address position

5. A golf swing training aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the distance indicator includes a ball position indicator for indicating a position where a ball is to be positioned relative to the target indicator, the ball position indicator being configured to extend away from the golfer and target indicator along a line described by the distance indicator.

6. A golf swing training aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which includes a pivotable shaft plane indicator mounted on a free end of the distance indicator to allow a golfer to achieve a desired shaft plane of a golf club at address and through impact.

7. A golf swing training aid as claimed in claim 3 wherein the extension members are configured to extend inwardly towards the golfer, the arms and posts in such arrangement being orientated to be substantially horizontal the ground and at a height conforming to the height of the golfer's hips.

8. A golf swing training aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the various parts and components are formed from any suitable tubular synthetics plastics material.

9. A golf swing training aid generally as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings