| Golf swing training device -> Monitor Keywords |
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Golf swing training deviceRelated Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Golf, Practice Swingable Implement Or Indicator Associated With Swingable Implement, Swingable Implement Swing Path IndicatorGolf swing training device description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070087856, Golf swing training device. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/726,235, filed Oct. 14, 2005. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to sports training equipment, and more particularly to a golf swing training device intended to teach a proper method of swinging a golf club. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Golf is a popular sport played by amateurs and professionals. Avid golfers typically carry a set of golf clubs in a carrying bag or golf bag. Each golf club in the set is adapted for use in a relatively narrow variety of situations and lies that might be encountered while playing golf on a golf course. For example, a golfer may carry an assortment of clubs called woods, which are primarily designed for long distance shots, an assorted of clubs called irons for playing shots of intermediate to short distances, and specialty clubs adapted for particular situations. The specialty clubs may include a putter for use on the greens or a sand wedge for playing the ball in sandy areas, such as in a sand trap. Most avid players find that playing golf well is relaxing and enjoyable, while playing golf poorly is a frustrating and less pleasurable experience. [0006] An important part of mastering the game of golf is learning how to properly swing each of the golf clubs. Developing a proper swing technique requires repetitive practice so that the golfer develops a feel for a proper swing. It is important that the elements of the golfer's swing be performed correctly during practice so that the "feel" developed during practice be correlated with a proper swing, rather than a faulty swing. The player then seeks to generate the same "feel" when playing an actual game of golf. [0007] The elements of a proper swing include swinging the club so that the club head travels in the proper arc during the upswing and on the downswing, and holding the club at a proper angle during the swing. Swinging the club head in the proper swing arc insures that a struck golf ball flies in the desired direction and path. With an improper arc the golfer may produce a golf shot with an uncontrolled hook or slice, causing the ball to travel in an unintended direction. [0008] Watching the flight of the golf ball after striking the ball provides visual feedback to the golfer as to whether his golf swing is proper, but the feedback is not specific to a particular facet of the swing. An improper flight may result from an improper stance while striking the golf ball, from holding the club at an improper angle, from an improper swing plane, and/or from a number of other causes. Without specific feedback, a golfer may not be able to make the proper correction to his swing technique. [0009] Striking a golf ball requires the golfer to focus visually on the ball, using hand-eye coordination to direct the club at the ball. Because the focus of the golfer is fixed exclusively on the ball, the golfer cannot readily observe the plane of his golf swing or the angle of his golf club while striking a golf ball. [0010] A golfer might employ a second person, such as a golf-teaching professional, to observe his swing and to provide feedback on any detected improper swing elements. While the feedback from an observer would allow the golfer to practice the correct swing, employing a golf teaching professional may be expensive, since the professional expects to be paid for his time. The golfer may also wish to schedule his practice around his or her own free time, which may be incompatible with the availability of a teaching professional. [0011] A training device that detects an improper swing and provides tactile feedback to the golfer would allow the golfer to understand when his swing is improper without distracting the golfer's vision from the golf ball during the swing. A device that is adjustable for practicing the swing arcs and swing planes for swinging different clubs would allow the golfer to practice his swing using any of the clubs he carries. The training device might be adjusted based on a teaching professional's advice, but once adjusted, no further interaction with the professional would be needed, thus allowing flexible and cost effective practice sessions. Further, a training device that could be compactly folded would allow the device to be stored in a golf bag for easy transport to a golf course, driving range or other practice facility. [0012] Thus, a golf swing training device solving the aforementioned problems is desired. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0013] The golf swing training device provides tactile feedback to golfers practicing their swings. The golf swing training device, also referred to herein as a "swing trainer," provides a first, generally horizontal (but angularly adjustable) guide arm positioned at a height above the ground so that in the lower portion of the arc of a proper golf swing, the head of the golf club will pass below the first guide arm without making contact with the arm. When the arc of the golf swing deviates from the ideal arc, the golf club will strike a portion of the first guide arm, providing tactile feedback that the swing was improper. A second guide perpendicular to the first guide may be provided. The angle of the second guide may be adjusted to a desired angle with the ground, corresponding to the angle of the plane of the swing arc as the golfer swings the club. The second guide is positioned so that it will be struck if the angle of the shaft of the golf club is improper during the swing. [0014] The arc swing guides are covered with a resilient material, such as open- or closed-cell plastic foam, foam rubber, or the like that partially absorbs the shock of an impact with a golf club. Absorbing some of the energy from the collision with the golf club reduces the transmission of shock to the golfer. [0015] The arc swing guide arm is releasably attached to the frame of the swing training device so that additional energy from an impact from a golf club is dissipated in releasing the guide arm from the frame, thus reducing the possibility of damaging the swing trainer. The arc swing guide arm is tethered to the swing trainer so that the guide arm does not end up a distance away from the swing trainer when struck by a golf club. [0016] These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] FIG. 1 is an environmental perspective view of a golf swing training device according to the present invention as seen from above, showing the arcuate swing path of a golf club head with the device. [0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the golf swing training device, showing the resilient attachment of the first and second guide arms thereto. [0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a golf swing training device according to the present invention. [0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of a golf swing training device according to the present invention, with a curved swing arc training arm. Continue reading about Golf swing training device... 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