Games using tangible projectile – Golf – Practice swingable implement or indicator associated with...
Patent
1996-09-17
1998-07-21
Marlo, George J.
Games using tangible projectile
Golf
Practice swingable implement or indicator associated with...
273DIG30, A63B 6936
Patent
active
057827010
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to golf practice aids and in particular to aids to practice striking a ball.
2. Description of Related Art
Traditionally practice of this kind occurs at driving ranges. These usually comprise a full scale fairway without a green. The golfer places a ball on a tee, addresses the ball, swings a club and strikes the ball to propel it down the fairway. Generally this is repeated several times before the golfer retrieves the balls driven down the practice fairway. This involves travelling a considerable distance down the fairway to locate and retrieve the balls or, as is more usual at commercial ranges, having the balls retrieved by persons employed for the purpose. Ball retrieval is a time-consuming and tiresome or expensive tasks.
Hitherto a variety of training appliances and apparatus have been proposed to aid the golfer in the practice of the kind in question. These range from expensive and technically complex computer and video aided equipment to uncomfortable mechanical hardware into which a golfer is harnessed, and to less expensive and simpler aids such as the use of a ball connected by a flexible cord to an anchor. However the latter aid may be hazardous and requires the use of a sizeable obstruction-free practice zone.
It is also known to practice with lightweight balls in place of standard balls. These are usually the size and shape of standard balls but are constructed of lightweight material. They may be of solid or hollow construction. One known lightweight ball comprises a perforated hollow shell wherein the perforations increase drag when the ball is in flight. The lightweight balls are addressed and struck in the usual manner but the distance they travel is significantly less than that of standard golf balls. Practicing with lightweight balls thereby obviates the need for a fairway-sized practice green. Nevertheless a sizeable obstruction-free practice zone is required and ball retrieval is still a time-consuming and tiresome task.
Another prior art device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,924. This patent discloses a golf practice device which includes a simulated ball comprising a low mass foam ball having a strip of VELCRO extending around the entire circumference of the foam ball. The VELCRO cooperates with a VELCRO pad or the strike face of the golf club so that when the foam ball is struck by the golf club it adheres to the strike face. This device suffers from several problems. Firstly, the foam ball is likely to be damaged relatively easily because it is exposed when in use. Furthermore, the foam ball will not stick to the club strike face every time. It is believed this may be because the VELCRO strip extends continuously around the circumference of the foam ball and as such is limited in the manner it can be deformed. A further disadvantage with the device is its appearance and its "feel" when the club strikes the ball. The foam ball does not look like a normal golf ball nor does it provide any noise or feeling of impact when the club strikes the ball. This is a particularly important factor if the device is to be used as a golf practice device.
An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a golf practice aid which will substantially overcome or alleviate one or more of the abovementioned disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect the invention there is provided a golf practice aid suitable for use with, and adapted to be struck by a golf club having a strike face, the aid comprising a simulated golf ball which includes an inner lightweight core and outer cover having retention means on its surface, the properties of the core and cover being such that the ball is adapted to be releasably retained on the strike face of the golf club after being struck.
Preferably, the retention means on the golf practice aid comprise one part of a coupling means whereby the ball is adapted to be releasably retained when the strike face of the golf club is furnished with a complementary
REFERENCES:
patent: 1262532 (1918-04-01), McElroy
patent: 3032345 (1962-05-01), Lemelson
patent: 3185476 (1965-05-01), Fechner
patent: 3401941 (1968-09-01), Hesidence
patent: 3554543 (1971-01-01), Di Laura
patent: 3721447 (1973-03-01), Louderbark
patent: 3940145 (1976-02-01), Gentiluomo
patent: 4718677 (1988-01-01), Barnes
patent: 5213324 (1993-05-01), Bowers
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