Golf swing improvement device

Details Golf swing improvement device Golf swing improvement device

1999-03-08

2001-10-02

Young, Lee (Department: 3729)

Games using tangible projectile

Golf

Practice swingable implement or indicator associated with...

C473S220000, C473S223000, C473S229000, C473S236000, C473S307000, C473S313000, C473S325000, C473S329000, C473S335000, C473S342000, C473S346000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06296574

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF INVENTION
The invention relates to the sport of golf and, in particular, to an apparatus and method for improving a player's golf swing during putting.
BACKGROUND
In order to putt effectively, a golf player must have fine control over where the putter strikes the ball and the initial direction of the putted ball. During a putting stroke, the energy imparted to the ball, affecting its initial speed, will be greater when the ball is struck with the putter's “sweet spot.” Striking the ball on the sweet spot imparts minimal torque on the putter, thus transferring more predictable energy to the ball. Additionally, it is important that the putter face be perpendicular to the putter's motion so that the ball's initial direction will be in the direction of the putting stroke. Many of these considerations apply to play with other lofted clubs.
What is needed, therefore, is a device to assist a golf player to learn how to focus on the desired impact point on a golf ball and strike the ball correctly during the putting stroke.
SUMMARY
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, one of a striking pin is mounted on a mounting bracket. The opposite end of the striking pin has a flat striking surface. The mounting bracket holding the striking pin is configured to be rigidly yet removably attached to a golf club head without physically altering the club head. The bracket is further configured to allow the striking pin's striking surface to be parallel with the club head face. In other embodiments, the striking surface angle may be different.
In one embodiment, a golfer attaches the mounting bracket with striking pin to a putter such that the striking surface of the pin is located at the putter's sweet spot. The golfer then swings the putter so that the striking pin's small striking surface hits a target golf ball at a desired impact point. Any faulty swing will result in the ball angling off from a hit on an edge of the striking pin rather than from a hit on its striking surface. In effect, the striking pin has reduced the putter's sweet spot to the size of the pin's striking surface. Similarly, any skewing of the club face angle will cause the pin's striking surface to be offset from the ball, causing the ball to be deflected at a wide angle.
When the golfer achieves proficiency using the striking pin, he or she removes the mounting bracket and pin and continues regular play with the club, having learned increased directional and alignment control during his or her swing. As a further refinement of a training method, a golfer may sequentially use an additional one or more striking pins, each pin having a progressively smaller striking surface area. The reduced striking surface area of the additional pins forces the golfer to make additional adjustments to his or her swing. When proficient, the golfer then removes the additional striking pin and engages in regular play.
The mounting bracket may be attached to the club head in various ways. In some embodiments the bracket is affixed to the club head using a set screw. In some embodiments, a spring is used to clamp the bracket to the club head. In still other embodiments, the bracket is held to the club head using elastic devices. Other mounting methods are possible. Means for mounting the bracket to the club head may include padding so as to avoid scratching the club head.
In some embodiments the striking pin is made removable from the bracket. In embodiments in which the striking pin is removable, one or more additional striking pins may then be attached to the bracket. An additional striking pin has a smaller striking surface area than the original pin's striking surface area.


REFERENCES:
patent: 976176 (1910-11-01), Hollingsworth
patent: 3194564 (1965-07-01), Swan
patent: 3384376 (1968-05-01), Greenlee
patent: 3730529 (1973-05-01), Donofrio
patent: 4988107 (1991-01-01), Sasse
patent: 5135229 (1992-08-01), Archer
patent: 5219169 (1993-06-01), Martini
patent: 5417429 (1995-05-01), Strand
patent: 5429366 (1995-07-01), McCabe
patent: 5441273 (1995-08-01), Stormon
patent: 5447313 (1995-09-01), Finley
patent: 5709611 (1998-01-01), Intag

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Golf swing improvement device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Golf swing improvement device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Golf swing improvement device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2561222