| Golf swing training and exercise method -> Monitor Keywords |
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Golf swing training and exercise methodRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, User Manipulated Force Resisting Apparatus, Component Thereof, Or Accessory Therefor, User Interface ElementGolf swing training and exercise method description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060100071, Golf swing training and exercise method. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to methods of enhancing sports performance and swing training. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for exercising the arm muscles involved in producing power in a golf swing. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Becoming proficient in the game of golf requires practice to improve skills and to overcome weaknesses. Although many popular golf exercises emphasize one or more elements of the game including stance and weight shifting, these exercises do little to directly "deprogram" one's natural and counter-productive tendencies. More specifically, these exercises often times permit a user to swing a golf club with all the force and speed that one can muster. Typically, the user who employs a training device that permits the user to closely simulate a golf swing does not efficiently "deprogram" but rather simply learns how to modify their swing to compensate for one's natural and counter-productive tendencies. Accordingly, users who practice "powering" the ball quickly plateau and do not learn to overcome their weaknesses to improve the golf game. [0003] A weakness that is shared among the majority of golfers is the tendency to use their rearward or trailing hand (i.e., the hand closest to the head of the golf club) and associated arm, which are typically their dominant hand and arm, to provide power to the club during the swing. In this regard, although power is supposed to be provided to the club through the arm that is associated with one's forward or leading hand (i.e., the hand farthest from the head of the club), many golfers find this awkward, difficult and unnatural because the forward hand is typically their non-dominant hand. Consequently, many golfers are not able to consistently use their forward hand and arm to best effect. [0004] It would be desirable to provide a golf exercise that emphasizes the use of one's forward hand and arm. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] In one form, the teachings of the present invention provide a method that includes: providing a training device with a handle and a means for providing resistance, the handle being configured to non-slipably engage a forward hand of a user, wherein the handle measures less than about twenty four inches in length, the resistance means being coupled to the handle and simulating a weight of at least about 2/3 of a weight of a selected golf club head that is raised and lowered in response to movement of the handle; grasping the handle with only the forward hand of the user; and moving the handle to simulate at least one of a downswing and a follow-through without striking a golf ball. [0006] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: [0008] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the training device; [0009] FIG. 2 is a view of a golfer utilizing the training method of the present invention, the golfer having the handle in a half downswing position; [0010] FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 but illustrating the golfer with the handle approaching the bottom of the downswing and the wrist of the golfer starting to turn over; [0011] FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 but illustrating the wrist of the golfer in a turned over condition; and [0012] FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 but illustrating the golfer with the handle in a follow-through swing position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0013] The following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. [0014] Referring to FIG. 1, a training device 10 is provided that includes a handle 12, a means for providing resistance, which may include a weight 14, a pulley 16 and a cable 18, and a mount 19. The weight 14 and the handle 12 are attached to opposite ends of the cable 18. The handle 12 may be pivotably coupled to the cable 18 and includes a gripping portion 12a. The pulley 16 is attached to the mount 19 and the cable 18 is wrapped over the pulley 16. The mount 19 may include a base 22, a beam 24 and an attachment means 26. The base 22 may extend generally horizontally proximate a point at which the training device 10 is attached to a vertical structure 20, such as a wall or a door. The attachment means 26 couples the training device to the vertical structure 20. The beam 24 projects outwardly from the base 24 and provides an attachment point at which the pulley 16 is mounted. The attachment means 26 may include clips, hooks, straps or threaded fasteners, for example and may facilitate the temporary attachment of the training device 10 to the vertical structure 20. It is preferred that the attachment means 26 be made of material that prevent marking on or any damage to the supporting vertical structure 20. [0015] The gripping portion 12a of the handle 12 is adapted to non-slipably engage a forward hand of a user. Non-slipable engagement includes, but is not limited to, grooves, finger-sized indentations or a textured cover, such as the depicted golf grip. Preferably, the handle 12 is substantially shorter than a golf club and is of a sufficient length to accommodate the single forward hand of a user. Many other exercise devices include a handle or grip that is substantially or exactly the same length as a standard golf club. These exercise devices allow the user to use other muscles that are not targeted by the technique employed herein but rather permit a user to rely on the muscles in their rearward arm and shoulder. Such reliance is prevented with the shorter handle 12 provided herein. Furthermore, a shorter handle 12 prevents the golfer from focusing on other things that are not germane to the technique employed herein, such as the distance of the club head from the ground, etc. The gripping portion 12a of the handle 12 measures less than about twenty-four inches, preferably less than about twelve inches, and more preferably, less than about six inches. [0016] The weight 14 may have a weight that is related to the weight of a selected golf club head. Preferably, the weight 14 is greater than 2/3 of the weight of the selected golf club head. By having the weight 14 heavier than the golf club head, yet lighter than the weight of the entire club, the user is able to improve coordination of the forward hand and also strengthen the internal rotator muscles associated with a corresponding side of their body. While benefits are provided by having the weight 14 lighter than the weight of the entire club, embodiments of this invention may be performed with weights equal to or greater than the weight of the entire club. [0017] The cable 18 may be any suitable rope, cable or wire and may be formed in part or in whole from an organic, plastic and/or metal material. While the training device 10 illustrated has but a single pulley 16, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the training device 10 may be constructed in the alternative with a multi-pulley system, a series of gears, a series of levers or combinations thereof. [0018] Referring to FIGS. 2 through 5, the methods of the present invention involve grasping the handle 12 of the training device 10 with only the forward hand such that the palm of the forward hand substantially surrounds the gripping portion 12a of the handle 12. The gripping portion 12a of the handle 12 is placed in the center of the palm, generally perpendicular to the fingers, the fingers are brought towards the palm and sufficient manual pressure is applied such that a closed fist encircles the gripping portion 12a of the handle 12. For example, a left-handed person would utilize their right (i.e., forward) hand to grasp the handle 12. [0019] With the handle 12 gripped in their forward hand, the user faces generally away from the training device 10 and simulates a segment of the golf swing and lifting the weight 14. The weight 14 provides resistance that is transmitted to the handle 12 via the cable 18. The user may practice a downswing, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 4, and a follow-through swing, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Significantly, the user may practice a portion of the swing wherein the wrist that is coupled to the forward hand of the user turns over as is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Specifically, the wrist W of the user rotates from the outwardly facing condition illustrated in FIG. 3 (i.e., so that the palm of the forward hand faces away from the user) to the inwardly facing condition illustrated in FIG. 4 (i.e., the palm of the forward hand faces the user). Continue reading about Golf swing training and exercise method... Full patent description for Golf swing training and exercise method Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Golf swing training and exercise method patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. 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