Golf Swing Training System and Method of Using the Same

This application claims priority to Patent Application No. 63/623,111 filed on Jan. 19, 2024 which is incorporated herein for all purposes.

The embodiments of the present invention relate to a system configured to attach an article (e.g., ball) to a golfer at different locations (e.g., arms, legs, etc.) during a golf swing thereby training the golfer to learn certain golf swing techniques.

Golf is an extremely popular game played by more than 30 million people in the U.S. The number of golfers worldwide is significantly higher. A good golf swing is one key to playing golf well. Unfortunately, a good golf swing is made up of many, many facets and most people are not born with a good golf swing.

Accordingly, it would be beneficial to develop a new, easy-to-use system for training a golfer to practice and learn a good golf swing. More particularly, the system disclosed herein teaches a golfer proper techniques to learn a good golf swing.

The embodiments of the present invention are directed to a system broadly comprising a spherical member and means for attaching the same to various locations on a golfer's body. In one embodiment, the spherical member is an inflatable ball and the means for attachment to the golfer is a body strap including a clip receiver removably engageable with a clip joined to the spherical member. In this manner, the body strap, with the ball disengaged from the body strap, can be moved to a new body location, where the ball can be re-attached via the engagement of the clip to the clip receiver. In one embodiment, the clip is attached to one or more ball-retaining straps wrapped about the ball. In another embodiment, the ball is solid or semi-solid rather than inflatable.

Depending on the desired swing technique to be taught, the spherical member may be connected to the golfer's arms, wrists, hips, waist, etc. When not in use, the spherical member may be attached to a golfer's belt or other article of clothing, golf bag, or the like by using the clip.

Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims.

For purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the components detailed below can be fabricated of suitable materials including plastics, composites, metals, alloys, fabrics, glasses, polymers and the like as well as combinations thereof. Those skilled in the art will further recognize that the components detailed below can be fabricated using suitable methods including injection molding, machining, additive processes, casting and the like as well as combinations thereof.

Applicant incorporates herein by reference U.S. Pat. No. 9,072,957 entitled Golf Swing Training Apparatus For Maintaining Arms in Proper Position Throughout a Golf Swing and Method of Using the Same.

Referring to, the embodiments of the present invention broadly comprise an inflated ball, retaining straps-,-, clip support, clip, body strapand clip receiver. In one embodiment, the clipcomprises a belt or spring clip with an integral pair of spaced stopsaffixed thereto. In one embodiment, the clipis connected to the clip supportwhich is attached to the retaining straps-,-. In one embodiment, the clipis connected to the clip supportwith a pair of rivets which further serve as the spaced stops. Other types of connectors may be used to connect the clipto the clip support. In an alternative embodiment, the connectors and spaced stops are independent members. In another embodiment, the clipmay be attached directly to the retaining straps-,-or inflated ballwithout a clip support.

The clip supportmay be attached to the retaining strapusing any suitable means including adhesives, pins, nuts and bolts, clevis and pin fasteners, etc. As shown, in one embodiment, the clip supportis formed of plastic or similar rigid material to which the clipmay be attached. The clip supportalso serves to hold the retaining straps-,-together about the inflated ball.

Now referring to, the body strapcomprises a band, bodyand the clip receiver. Referring again to, the clip receiverincludes a series of openings-through-. The openings-through-receive the spaced stopsof the clipwhen the clipis slid into the clip receiver. The interaction of the spaced stopsand openings-through-maintain the inflatable ballattached to the clip receiverof the body strap. The attachment of the inflatable ballto the clip receiveris strong enough to resist separation of the inflatable ballfrom the clip receiverduring a golf swing while not too strong to prevent easy separation of the inflatable ballto the clip receiverby the golfer when desired.

show several, although not all, possible uses for the system detailed herein. In practice, the golfer can move the body strapto different parts of the body, attach the inflated balland practice golf swings dedicated to improving certain golf swing techniques as disclosed in more detail below. Tactile and spatial awareness associated with the inflated ballteach certain proper swing techniques and associated muscle memory.

show the body strapattached to a golfer's lead bicep with the inflated ballattached to the body strap. In this position, the inflated ballserves to aid golfers with one or more of: (i) completing a full shoulder turn during the backswing; (ii) moving golf ball below face/chin and (iii) completing a full golf swing follow through.

shows the general position of the inflated ballduring a golfer's set up. As shown in, the inflated ballextends outward from the golfer's bicep generally parallel to the home position of the golf club at set up. As shown in, during a proper backswing, the inflated ballshould contact the golfer's ear and/or check at the top of the backswing. As shown in, during the down swing at impact, the inflated ballis generally beneath the golfer's chin. As shown in, at the apex of the follow through of the golf swing, the inflated ballshould contact an underside of the golfer's trail forearm and/or wrist and contact the lead forearm provided an approximate 90° angle is formed by the lead arm bicep and forearm.

show the body strapattached to a golfer's trail wrist with the inflated ballattached to the body strap. In this position, the inflated ballserves to aid golfers with the proper position of their wrist and hand during a golf swing.

shows the general position of the inflated ballduring a golfer's set up. As shown in, the inflated ballextends outward from the golfer's trail wrist proximate to the back of the golfer's trail hand. As shown in, during a proper backswing, the inflated ballshould contact the back of the golfer's trail hand as the trail hand flexes about the corresponding trail wrist at the top of the backswing. As shown in, during the down swing prior to impact, the inflated ballshould continue to contact the back of the golfer's trail hand as the trail hand flexes about the corresponding trail wrist until about impact. After impact, the trail hand should return to a non-flexed position. As shown in, at the apex of the follow through of the golf swing, the inflated ballshould once again contact the back of the golfer's trail hand as the trail hand flexes about the corresponding trail wrist at the top of the backswing.

again show the body strapattached to a golfer's trail wrist with the inflated ballattached to the body strap.show how the trail hand should flex about the corresponding trail wrist during certain positions during the backswing such that contact is made by the inflated ballagainst a back of the golfer's trail hand.shows a close-up view of the golfer's trail hand at the top of the back swing where contact is made by the inflated ballagainst a back of the golfer's trail hand.shows a close-up view of the golfer's trail hand during the down swing where contact continues between the inflated ballagainst a back of the golfer's trail hand.

through D show the inflated ballattached to the golfer's trail hip. In this embodiment, the inflated ballis attached to the golfer's belt using the clipthus eliminating the need for the body strap. The clipmay also be attached to the golfer's pants or shorts if no belt is available or any other article of clothing, or accessory thereto, as desired. In such an embodiment, the inflated ballmay be used to maintain the golfer's trail arm in the proper position through the down swing as seen best in. In other words, if the inflated ballinterferes with the down swing, the down swing is not proper.

show the inflated ballattached to the golfer's lead hip. In this embodiment, the inflated ballis again attached to the golfer's belt, or other article of clothing or accessory thereto, using the clipthus eliminating the need for the body strap. In such an embodiment, the inflated ballmay be used to maintain the golfer's front side in the proper position through impact to the follow through as seen in.

show a rear view of a golfer progressing through a golf swing with the spherical member inflated ballattached to the lower portion of the golfer's trail bicep according to the embodiments of the present invention. As best shown in, at the top of the backswing, the tactile feel of the inflated ball “squishing” between the trail bicep and forearm provides the golfer with feedback that the trail arm has bent approximately 90° as desired. As best shown in, at the top of the follow through, the inflated ballshould be generally next to the golfer's cheek/ear but with little or no contact with the golfer's cheek/ear. Significant contact between the inflated balland the golfer's cheek/ear is indicative of an improper follow through.

While a spherical inflated ballis described above, the inflated ballmay take on shapes other than spherical, such as elliptical, polygonal, etc. As used herein, ball refers to any article able to perform the functions of the inflated balldetailed herein. Moreover, the inflated ballmay be replaced with a solid or semi-solid ball. While a clipand clip receiverare described above, other connector types may be used such as hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons or magnets to attach the ball to the body strap.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention.