WO2009137846A2

WO2009137846A2 - Golf practice device

Info

Publication number: WO2009137846A2
Application number: PCT/ZA2009/000037
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arthur Owen Stephen Carolin; Igmar Ludovic Van Rie
Original assignee: Arthur Owen Stephen Carolin; Igmar Ludovic Van Rie
Priority date: 2008-05-05
Filing date: 2009-05-05
Publication date: 2009-11-12
Also published as: WO2009137846A3; ZA200903068B

Abstract

The invention relates to a golf practice device (10) for improving a golfer's ability to properly execute a chip or pitch golf stroke. The golf practice device (10) comprises a guide arm (14) and a support post (12) for supporting the guide arm (14) above the ground such that during a correctly executed golf swing with a golf club (34), the golf club head (32) passes beneath the guide arm (14) and a golf ball (28), struck by the golf club head (32), passes over the guide arm (14). The height of the guide arm (14) is such that an incorrectly struck golf ball (28) is prevented from passing thereover.

Description

GoIf Practice Device

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

THIS invention relates to a golf practice device. More specifically, the invention relates to a chipping or pitching practice device and method of using such device for improving a golfer's ability to properly execute a chip or pitch stroke.

One of the most common weaknesses of a novice golfer is their failure to keep the club head low through impact, resulting in the "topping", "thinning" or "teething" of the golf ball, in other words striking the top or middle portion of the golf ball causing poor ball trajectory. The main cause of an improper golf swing is the lifting of the head too soon, resulting in a golfer failing to deliver a downward blow to the golf ball at the point of impact. Although many existing golf swing training devices aim at reducing the probability of topping the ball, very few devices are specifically tailored to assist a golfer in reducing the chances of topping the golf ball while at the same time executing a good chip or pitch stroke.

A chip is a short lofted shot played from around the green, whereas a pitch is a reasonably high shot onto the green, travelling anything from a few metres to about 110 metres. Both the chip and pitch shots are generally played with a pitching or sand wedge. Chipping and pitching are regarded as the more difficult strokes to master in the game of golf, requiring precision to leave the golf ball as close to the hole as possible.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a golf chipping or pitching practice device, together with a method of using such a device, which assists a golfer to more regularly play well executed chip or pitch strokes. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a golf practice device including:

a guide arm; and

a means for supporting the guide arm above a ball supporting surface, the guide arm being positionable relative to the ball supporting surface so as to allow, during a correctly executed golf swing, a golf club head to pass beneath the guide arm and a golf ball struck by the golf club head to pass over the guide arm, wherein the height of the guide arm is such that an incorrectly struck golf ball is prevented from passing thereover.

The guide arm may comprise two opposing faces, a first free end, a second attachment end attached to the supporting means, a top end and a bottom end. Typically, the height of the guide arm is defined between the top and bottom ends thereof. In one embodiment, the guide arm may comprise first and second guide arm members being movable relative to one another such that the height of the guide arm is adjustable. Preferably, the first and second guide arm members are lockable to one another at a desired guide arm height by a primary releasable locking mechanism.

Adjustable or otherwise, the guide arm height is typically between about 30 millimetres and 100 millimetres. Preferably, the guide arm height is between about 50 millimetres and 80 millimetres. More preferably, the guide arm height is between about 60 millimetres and 70 millimetres. Most preferably, the guide arm height is about 60 millimetres.

Generally, the guide arm is freely rotatable about the supporting means such that in use, contact between the club head and/or ball with the guide arm, due to an incorrectly executed golf swing, is indicated by the movement of the guide arm relative to the supporting means. Typically, the guide arm is freely rotatable about the supporting means by an attachment formation defined proximate the second attachment end of the guide arm.

The attachment formation may be a vertical bore defined at or near the second attachment end of the guide arm, running between the top and bottom ends thereof. Preferably, the bore is sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of an upper end of the supporting means. More preferably, the guide arm is flag shaped. The supporting means may be a support post, the upper end of which being attachable to the guide arm and a lower end of which being supportable on or by the ball supporting surface. Typically, the lower end of the support post is sharpened or pointed so as to allow the support post to be driven into the ball supporting surface, preferably the ground. The lower end of the support post preferably comprises a non-circular cross-section so as to restrict rotation of the support post relative to the ball supporting surface. Further, the lower end of the support post may define formations for assisting the driving of the support post into the ball supporting surface and once driven thereinto, for better supporting the support post therein.

The golf practice device may further include a handle attached to the upper end of the supporting means. Preferably, the handle is ball shaped and more preferably golf ball shaped.

The golf practice device may also include a height setting formation, located along the lower end portion of the support post, for setting the relative height between itself and the bottom end of the guide arm. In use, the lower end of the support post may be drivable into the ball supporting surface until the height setting formation abuts the ball supporting surface, thereby restricting the height between the bottom end of the guide arm and the ball supporting surface.

Typically, the height setting formation is a collar being movable along the lower end portion of the support post thereby allowing adjustment of the relative height. Further, the collar may be lockable to the support post at the desired height by a secondary releasable locking mechanism. Generally, the relative height is substantially similar to or greater than the height of the golf club head. Preferably, the relative height is between about 20 millimetres and 100 millimetres. More preferably, the relative height is between about 25 millimetres and 90 millimetres.

The golf practice device may include a ball position indicating formation for indicating the position, relative to the golf practice device, at which the golf ball in use should be positioned. Generally, the ball position indicating formation is integral with the height setting formation and extends outwardly therefrom. Preferably, the ball position indicating formation is substantially L- shaped, having one end connected to the height setting formation and an opposite end for indicating the position at which the golf ball, in use, should be positioned.

The golf practice device may further comprise indicia, preferably promotional type indicia on one of both of the opposing faces of the guide arm. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of setting up the golf practice device comprising the steps of:

(A) positioning or fixing the supporting means on or to the ball supporting surface such that the bottom end of the guide arm is positioned at a desirable height above the ball supporting surface; and

(B) orientating the guide arm relative to the supporting means and a user, such that the guide arm is orientated substantially perpendicularly to a desired target line, with the first free end of the guide arm being positioned closer to the user than the second attachment end of the guide arm.

The method of setting up may further include the step of positioning the golf ball substantially midway between the first free end and second attachment end of the guide arm and backwardly from the guide arm in a direction on the target line opposite to the direction in which the ball, in use, is to be struck.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of using the golf practice device comprising the steps of:

(A) setting up the golf practice device including the step of positioning the golf ball;

(B) addressing the golf ball such that the golf club head is positioned behind the golf ball; and

(C) executing a golf swing such that the golf club head, after impact with the golf ball, passes beneath the guide arm, the impact further causing the golf ball to pass over the guide arm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a golf practice device in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the golf practice device of figure 1 in a setup position; and

Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the golf practice device while in use by a golfer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A golf practice device, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, is designated generally with reference numeral 10 in figure 1. The golf practice device 10 includes a supporting means 12, a guide arm 14 and a handle 16.

The supporting means 12 is in the form of a support post having an upper end 12A, to which the handle 16 is connected, and a lower end 12B pointed or sharpened to make driving of the lower end 12B into a ball supporting surface, such as the ground, easier. The support post 12 further defines formations 18 along a portion of the support post 12 closest to the lower end 12B. The formations 18 are in the form of ridges or a pattern of projections to aid the driving of the support post 12 into the ground and to better secure the support post 12 in the ground once driven thereinto. Further, the lower end 12B of the support post 12 comprises a non-circular cross-section so as to restrict rotation of the support post 12 relative to the ground.

The handle 16, connected to the upper end 12A of the support post 12, may be of any shape or size but is preferably in the shape of a golf ball. The support post 12 further defines an attachment portion 20 between the upper end 12A and lower end 12B to which the guide arm 14 is attachable. The attachment portion 20 is preferably nearer to the first end 12A of the support post 12 than to the lower portion 12B thereof.

The guide arm 14 comprises two opposing faces 14A, a first free end 14B, a second attachment end 14C attached to the supporting means 12, a top end 14D and a bottom end 14E. The height of the guide arm 14, between the upper end 14D and the bottom end 14E, is such that an incorrectly struck golf ball is prevented from passing thereover. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the guide arm 14 comprises first and second guide arm members being movable relative to one another such that the height of the guide arm 14 is adjustable. In this embodiment, the first and second guide arm members may be lockable to one another at a desired guide arm height by a primary releasable locking mechanism. Adjustable or otherwise, the guide arm height is preferably between about 30 millimetres and 100 millimetres, but most preferably about 60 millimetres.

The second attachment end 14C of the guide arm 14 defines a vertical bore 22 running between the top and bottom ends 14D, 14E. The bore 22 is sized and shaped to receive the attachment portion 20 of the support post 12 therein. Further, the guide arm 14 is freely rotatable relative to the support post 12 about the attachment portion 20 such that in use, contact between a golf club head and/or a golf ball with the guide arm, due to an incorrectly executed golf swing, is indicated by the movement of the guide arm 14 relative to the support post 12. Preferably, the guide arm 14 is flag shaped.

With specific reference to figure 2, the golf practice device 10 may further comprise of a height setting formation in the form of a collar 24 and a ball position indicating formation in the form of an L-shaped arm 26. To set up the golf practice device 10, the lower end 12B of the support post 12 is driven into the ground until the collar 24 abuts it. In this position, the relative height between the bottom end 14E of the guide arm 14 and the ground is preferably substantially similar or greater than the height of a golf club head. The collar 24 may further be movable relative to the support post 12, and releasbaly lockable thereto, such that the relative height can be adjusted. Adjustable or otherwise, the relative height should be between about 20 millimetres and 100 millimetres, but preferably between about 25 millimetres and 90 millimetres. The L- shaped arm 26 comprises of a first member 26A connected to the collar 24 and a second member 26B indicating the position at which the golf ball 28 should be positioned.

With reference now to figure 2 and figure 3, and for the purposes of setting up the golf practice device 10, the lower end 12B of the golf practice device 10 is driven into the ground until the bottom end 14E of the guide arm is positioned at a desirable height relative to the ground. The abutment of the collar 24 with the ground may indicate the desired relative height. The guide arm 14 is then orientated so as to be positioned substantially perpendicularly to the target line T. The first member 26A of the L-shaped arm 26 is then adjusted until lying parallel with the target line T. In this position, the free end of the second member 26B of the L-shaped arm 26 indicates a position at which the golf ball 28 should be placed, the indicated position being backwards from the guide arm 14 in a direction on the target line T opposite to the direction in which the golf ball 28 is to be struck. In use, and with particular reference now to figure 3, a golfer 30 stands in the address position with his feet closer to first free end 14B than to the second attachment end 14C of the guide arm 14, while placing the golf club head 32 of a golf club 34 behind the golf ball 28. By executing a correct pitching or chipping shot swing, the club head 32 will pass beneath the bottom end 14E of the guide arm 14 while the golf ball 28 travels upwardly and over the top end 14D of the guide arm 14. Contact between the golf club head 32 and/or the golf ball 28 with the guide arm 14 will indicate an incorrectly executed swing.

Although the invention has been described above with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that many modifications or variations of the invention are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, the golf practice device may be supported on a base where the ball supporting surface is a hard surface.

Claims

1. A golf practice device including:

a guide arm; and

a means for supporting the guide arm above a ball supporting surface, the guide arm being positionable relative to the supporting surface so as to allow, during a correctly executed golf swing, a golf club head to pass beneath the guide arm and a golf ball struck by the golf club head to pass over the guide arm, wherein the height of the guide arm is such that an incorrectly struck golf ball is prevented from passing thereover.

2. A golf practice device according to claim 1 , wherein the guide arm comprises two opposing faces, a first free end, a second attachment end attached to the supporting means, a top end and a bottom end, the height of the guide arm being defined between the top and bottom ends.

3. A golf practice device according to claim 2, wherein the guide arm comprises first and second guide arm members being movable relative to one another such that the height of the guide arm is adjustable, the first and second guide arm members being lockable to one another at a desired guide arm height by a primary releasable locking mechanism.

4. A golf practice device according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the guide arm height is between about 30 millimetres and 100 millimetres.

5. A golf practice device according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the guide arm height is between about 50 millimetres and 80 millimetres.

6. A golf practice device according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the guide arm height is between about 60 millimetres and 70 millimetres.

7. A golf practice device according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the guide arm height is about 60 millimetres.

8. A golf practice device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the guide arm is freely rotatable about the supporting means such that in use contact between the golf club head and/or golf ball with the guide arm, due to an incorrectly executed golf swing, is indicated by the movement of the guide arm relative to the supporting means.

9. A golf practice device according to claim 8, wherein the guide arm is freely rotatable about the supporting means by an attachment formation defined proximate the second attachment end of the guide arm.

10. A golf practice device according to claim 9, wherein the attachment formation is a vertical bore defined at or near the second attachment end of the guide arm and running between the top and bottom ends thereof, the bore being sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of an upper end of the supporting means.

11. A golf practice device according to claim 10, wherein the guide arm is flag shaped.

12. A golf practice device according to claim 11 , wherein the supporting means is a support post, the upper end of which being attachable to the guide arm and a lower end of which being supportable on or by the ball supporting surface.

13. A golf practice device according to claim 12, wherein the lower end of the support post is sharpened or pointed so as to allow the support post to be driven into the ball supporting surface.

14. A golf practice device according to claim 13, wherein the lower end of the support post comprises a non-circular cross-section so as to restrict rotation of the support post relative to the ball supporting surface.

15. A golf practice device according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the lower end of the support post defines formations for assisting the driving of the support post into the ball supporting surface and once driven into the ball supporting surface, for better supporting the support post therein.

16. A golf practice device according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the golf practice device further includes a handle attached to the upper end of the supporting means.

17. A golf practice device according to claim 16, wherein the handle is golf ball shaped.

18. A golf practice device according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the golf practice device includes a height setting formation, located along the lower end portion of the supporting post, for setting the relative height between itself and the bottom end of the guide arm such that in use, the lower end of the support post is drivable into the ball supporting surface until the height setting formation abuts the ball supporting surface, thereby restricting the height between the bottom end of the guide arm and the ball supporting surface.

19. A golf practice device according to claim 18, wherein the height setting formation is a collar, the collar being movable along the lower end portion of the support post thereby allowing adjustment of the relative height, the collar being lockable to the support post at the desired height by a secondary releasable locking mechanism.

20. A golf practice device according to claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the relative height is substantially similar to or greater than the height of the golf club head.

21. A golf practice device according to claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the relative height is between about 20 millimetres and 100 millimetres.

22. A golf practice device according to claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the relative height is between about 25 millimetres and 90 millimetres.

23. A golf practice device according to any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein the golf practice device includes a ball position indicating formation for indicating the position, relative to the golf practice device, at which the golf ball in use should be positioned.

24. A golf practice device according to claim 23, wherein the ball position indicating formation is integral with the height setting formation and extends outwardly therefrom.

25. A golf practice device according to claim 24, wherein the ball position indicating formation is substantially L-shaped, having one end connected to the height setting formation and an opposite end for indicating the position at which the golf ball, in use, should be positioned.

26. A golf practice device according to any one of claims 2 to 25, wherein the guide arm comprises indicia.

27. A golf practice device according to claim 26, wherein the indicia is promotional indicia and located on the one of both of the opposing faces of the guide arm.

28. A method of setting up the golf practice device according to any one of claims 1 to 27, comprising the steps of:

29. A method of setting up the golf practice device according to claim 28, wherein the setting up method further includes the step of positioning the golf ball substantially midway between the first free end and second attachment end of the guide arm and backwardly from the guide arm in a direction on the target line opposite to the direction in which the ball, in use, is to be struck.

30. A method of using the golf practice device according to any one of claims 1 to 27, comprising the steps of:

(A) setting up the golf practice device according to claim 28 or claim 29;

31. A golf practice device substantially as herein described and illustrated.