[0001] This invention relates to a method of using golf clubs, and more particularly although
not necessarily exclusively, putters which are used in the game of golf to strike
the ball along the surface of a green.
[0002] Golf is generally played on courses having eighteen or nine holes having "tees" at
one end of the hole from which a ball is initially struck by a player and a green
provided with a hole therein at the alternate end. The tee and the green are separated
by a fairway and the general principle behind the game of golf is to deposit the ball
in the hole on the green with as few strikes of the ball as possible.
[0003] Putters are typically used on the greens and on the fringes surrounding the greens
to strike the golf ball towards the hole with the aim of depositing the ball in said
hole. The hole is only of the order of 12 centimetres in diameter and when it is considered
that putts, which term is commonly used to describe the strokes taken with a putter,
may often be in excess of 12 meters (40 feet), it will be understood that great accuracy
is required to ensure that the resulting position of the ball after the stroke is
at least proximate if not within the hole. In general, the distance of the ball from
the hole is proportional to the likelihood that the putt will be missed, i.e. further
putts will be required to deposit the ball in the hole.
[0004] It is well known in the game of golf that a significant element of the professional
game is centred on putting, and poor putters of the ball rarely achieve successful
results. Indeed the difference between the scorecards of players with equal "tee to
green" ability, but different putting ability is immediately evident.
[0005] It is surprising that there are currently relatively few putting training devices
available, especially when it is considered that putting is such an essential element
of the game. One device which is available, but adapted for conventionally indoor
use, consists of a plastic tray provided with a U-shaped inclined channel which narrows
along its length, one end of the channel being closed off and located substantially
centrally and above the base of the device, the alternate end being open and adjacent
the base level. The channel is typically integrally moulded into the device such that
on placing the device on a carpet or the like, the wider open end of the channel coincides
with the periphery of the device to create a sharp lower edge which rests on the said
carpet. The channel is inclined upwardly from the wider open end to the closed off
end which is within the body of the device. Also within the device there is provided
a battery powered ejector mechanism.
[0006] In use the device is placed on a carpet, and a user wishing to practice his putting
stands some distance away from the device and putts balls towards the device, which
is disposed with the wider open end of the channel facing towards the user. The provision
of a sharp lower edge of the channel which rests on the carpet facilitates the passage
of a ball accurately struck along the said carpet by the user into the channel and
towards the closed off end thereof provided in the device. A ball struck by a putter
with the correct weight and accuracy of direction towards the device will locate itself
in the closed end of the channel, which is provided with a slight recess and moulded
to the spherical shape of a golf ball. The battery powered ejector mechanism then
detects the presence of a ball in the closed end of the channel and ejects same back
down the inclined channel towards the putter who can again attempt to putt the ball
with said correct weight and direction. It can be appreciated that a good putter of
the ball will be capable of repeatedly striking the ball such that it is received
by the narrowing channel and located in the recess at the closed end thereof.
[0007] The primary and pervasive disadvantage of such training devices is that they do not
address any of the often numerous imperfections in the putting stroke of the player.
In order to strike a golf ball with a putter directionally accurately, a smooth unerring
swing is required. In particular, it is generally believed that the arc along which
the putter head travels as the same is taken away from the stationary ball during
the "backswing", the arc which the putter head follows as it is returned to the ball
to strike same, and the arc followed thereby after the ball has been struck, i.e.
follow through, are to be part of the same imaginary circle whose centre is approximately
between the shoulders of the golfer. Furthermore, the diameter of said circle in the
direction which it is desired to strike the ball must be parallel to the plane containing
the legs of the player. If this were not the case, the putting stroke of the player
would either slice the ball at impact from above when viewed from above, or would
push the ball from below. In any event, an undesirable component of velocity would
be imparted to the ball at impact with the face. The only component of velocity ideally
imparted to the ball at impact is in the desired striking direction. In this case
the ball simply rolls in the direction in which it was struck.
[0008] An example of a golf putter which can be used as a training aid is disclosed in
US5725441 and includes a putter head having a series of stepped concentric cavities formed
in the top surface thereof. A ball can be supported in the cavity and will remain
therein during a correct putting swing. If the putting stroke accelerates or decelerates
too quickly the supported ball rocks or becomes dislodged from the cavity.
[0009] It is an object of this invention to provide a method of using a putting device which
allows a player to analyse whether he is imparting any undesirable velocity components
to the ball at impact.
[0010] It is a yet further object of the invention to provide a method of using a putter
which when used in training, enables a user to "groove" his putting stroke by ensuring
that the arcuate rotational travel of the putter head conforms to the theoretical
optimum described above, in particular by conforming the backswing and follow through
of the player to the optimum described before and after impact respectively.
[0011] It is a further object of the invention to provide a method which defocuses the mind
of the user on the actual point of impact, and increases the concentration of that
user on the particular arc of swing during the stroke.
[0012] According to the present invention a method according to the claims 1 and 9 is provided
to improve a golf club swing using a golf club with a means for the retention of a
golf ball in the golf club head, said golf ball releasable from the golf club head
during the swing of the club and wherein said training method involves the steps of
placing a golf ball in a retained position in the golf club head, performing a swing
with the golf club head and as the swing is performed monitoring the path and speed
of the golf ball released from the golf club head during the swing.
[0013] Typically the at least one recess passes through the thickness of the golf club head.
[0014] In one embodiment the object or article is movable with respect to the head but the
head acts to restrict the movement thereof in a direction parallel to the striking
face when the said ball is in contact with the said further faces or edges during
the swinging of the club by a user.
[0015] Typically the golf club is a putter with which the invention is particularly suited
and reference heron in is made to a putter when defining the invention.
[0016] The object or article in the recess can be of any shape or size to suit the recess
but a ball, and more particularly a conventional golf ball is well suited in a preferred
embodiment.
[0017] In a first embodiment of the invention the recess opens to the rear face or edge
of the putter, and in a second alternative embodiment, the recess is closed to form
an aperture within the body of the putter. Preferably the aperture is circular and
of a diameter marginally greater than the diameter of a conventional golf ball.
[0018] Preferably, the recess of the first embodiment is defined at least on two sides by
the further faces or edges within the body, the separation of said the faces or edges
being marginally greater than the article to be placed in the recess in use.
[0019] In the former embodiment, the further faces or edges are preferably substantially
parallel and perpendicular to the striking face. Further preferably said further faces
or edges are provided substantially equidistantly from the centre of the striking
face, and accordingly can have the additional function of alignment means.
[0020] In any event the head of the putter is preferably provided with additional alignment
means which allow the user of the putter to position the striking face squarely to
the desired direction of travel of the ball after striking thereof.
[0021] Preferably additional weighting elements are provided in the body of the putter head
on either side of the recess to provide a balanced "toe/heel" weight distribution.
The toe and the heel of the putter head are those regions towards the extremities
of the striking face and providing such a weight distribution across the striking
face reduces the twisting moment imparted to the putter head on impact with the ball
when the point of impact is displaced from the centre of the striking face.
[0022] In one embodiment the article or object placed in the recess can be placed in a "fixed"
position during use so as to provide a selected effect in use of the golf club. In
one embodiment the article or object has a weight or a weight distribution which changes
the characteristics of the club when fixed in the recess, typically via any convenient
form of engagement means.
[0023] The golf club head can be of any suitable shape such as a "mallet" or blade type
head.
[0024] Preferably the putter conforms to the regulations concerning putters of the Royal
and Ancient (R&A) Golf Association. In this case the putter of the present invention
can be used in competitions. Other training devices are either impossible to use in
competition or do not conform to the regulations of the R&A. Henceforth the uniformity
of putting stroke acquired during training is not immediately lost once playing on
the golf course, as is so often the case with current training means employed by golf
professionals.
[0025] Preferably, in the case where the recess is provided as an aperture in the putter
head throughout the thickness thereof is defined by the said further faces or edges,
said aperture is substantially centrally located of the putter head body considered
as a whole. However, different locations of the aperture may be provided depending
on personal choice, or to suit particular training techniques and practices.
[0026] Regardless of the position of the aperture, a heel-to-toe weight distribution can
automatically be achieved because the removal of matter from the body head in the
manner described automatically increase the relative weights towards the extremities
of the striking face.
[0027] It has been postulated that a larger "sweet spot" (that area of the striking face
which when impacted causes resonant dynamics within the body of the putter head) can
be achieved if the aperture is provided towards the rear of the putter head body.
Experimentation can define the precise location of the said aperture to give rise
to the largest sweet spot, for particular head designs.
[0028] In a further embodiment of the invention, in addition to receiving an object or article,
the recess is provided to receive an insert in the form of a sleeve.
[0029] In one embodiment the sleeve is provided to alter the size and/or shape of the recess
in which the object or article is to be placed. In addition, or alternatively, the
insert is provided in the recess so that after the article or object has been placed
therein the insert acts to retain or improve retention of the object or article in
the recess and/or further guide the movement of the object with the head.
[0030] In one embodiment the insert can be positionally moved with respect to the head and
recess. In one embodiment, when an article or object is also placed in the recess
the insert can be moved to adjust the position of the object or article within the
recess, and thereby allow a plurality of positions for the article in the recess.
[0031] Alternatively the insert is itself the selectable article or object and can be positionally
moved with respect to the recess so as to cause variation in the performance of the
same.
[0032] In a further embodiment the walls of the club head which define the recess are shaped
to suit particular requirements and may, for example, be concave or convex shaped
to retain or allow controlled release respectively of the article from the recess.
[0033] In one embodiment of the invention the head can include a plurality of recesses defined
therein, at least one of which is provided for the reception of an article therein,
which article is releasable as the golf club is swung by a player in the performance
of a golf club swing.
[0034] Typically the article is a golf ball and in one embodiment each of the recesses is
provided for the reception of an article therein. The recesses can be arranged and
positioned with respect to each other in any desired configuration but two particularly
effective arrangements are for the plurality of recesses to be arranged along an axis
substantially perpendicular to the plane of the striking face of the club head or
alternatively or in addition for a plurality of recesses to be arranged along an axis
substantially parallel with the striking face of the club head. The arrangement of
the recesses in different configurations allows different and selective attributes
of a golf club swing to be monitored such as the swing arc, head accuracy in movement
and/or club grip.
[0035] To further allow different characteristics to be selectively monitored, the recesses
can be formed such that each article is released from the respective recess at different
points of the golf club swing, such that the path of the released articles thereafter
indicating a characteristic or characteristics of the swing at the instant of release
of the said article. This can be achieved by either or a combination of forming the
recesses with different shaped walls and/or altering the depth of respective recesses.
[0036] According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided an attachment for
a putter head capable of being attached thereto by any suitable means, said attachment
having an attachment location and at least one arcuate face or edge or further planar
faces or edges defining at least one recess therebetween, said recess being defined
behind the putter head, wherein the at least one recess is adapted to receive an object
or article such as a conventional golf ball and restrict the movement thereof in a
direction parallel to the striking face when the said ball is in contact with the
said faces or edges during the swinging of the putter by a user.
[0037] The attachment is provided with an arcuate hoop behind the attachment location, the
edges or faces defining same having a separation which is marginally greater than
that of the diameter of a conventional golf ball.
[0038] Preferably the attachment means ensures uniform and repeatable attachment to the
said putter head.
[0039] The understanding of the invention is now enhanced by the following specific description
in which reference is made to the accompanying diagrams wherein:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a putter head according to one embodiment of
the invention;
Figures 2a and 2c show putter heads which are not suitable for the invention;
Figure 2b show a plan view of modified putter head constructions falling within the
scope of the invention;
Figures 2d show a plan view of an attachment according to a modified aspect of the
invention as attached to a blade putter head;
Figures 3 to 5 show perspective views of the mode of operation of the putter as a
training device.
[0040] Referring firstly to Figure 1 there is shown a putter head 2 provided with a striking
face 4, side faces 6, 8 and a rear face 10 which in general define a central body
12 of the putter head. A recess 14 in the form of an aperture is provided within the
body 12 and extends throughout the entire thickness thereof. It will be appreciated
that although the aperture 14 is substantially symmetrically disposed within the body
12 of the putter head 2 about both a lateral axis 16 and a longitudinal axis 18, the
precise disposition of the centre of the aperture may be moved within the body 12
so as to be offset from either of the said axes 16, 18 according to choice or experimentation
regarding the position and size of the sweet spot indicated generally at 15 on the
striking face 4. It will further be appreciated that altering the location of the
aperture 14 alters the dynamic and vibrational characteristics of the putter head,
and such characteristics can be further altered by providing a toe weight 20 and/or
a heel weight 22 in the toe or heel portions 24, 26 respectively of the cutter head
2. Henceforth, it will be understood that a large number of modifications and variations
may be made to the putter head 2 as desired and one such modification is to provide
one or more additional apertures in the golf club head which can operate in the same
manner as herein described with respect to the single aperture 14.
[0041] The heel region 26 is further provided with a location 28 to which a putter shaft
may be connected to allow the putter to be swung by a user. Such a shaft is shown
in Figures 3 to 5 at 30. Although the putter head of Figure 1 is shown as a mallet
type putter head, it will be immediately understood that a wide variety of shapes
can be employed and indeed that the invention can be adopted in other golf clubs such
as for example a driver or golf club "woods". The putter head of Figure 1 is further
provided with a channelled region 32 having edges 34, 36 which is set back from the
upper surfaces of the toe and heel portions 24, 26. Although this feature is not essential
to the invention, a putter provided with such a feature can be aligned with the desired
direction of travel of a ball struck by the striking face 4 as shown at 38, as the
said channel sides 34, 36 define discreet edges 40, 42 which are substantially parallel
with the desired striking direction 38, and perpendicular to the striking face 4.
[0042] Referring now to Figures 2a and 2b, alternative configurations of putter head 2 are
shown. In Figure 2a, the putter head 50 is provided with a U shaped recess 52 in the
rear face of the putter head. Correct alignment of the putter can be achieved as a
result of the further internal faces 54, 56 which define the recess 52, because said
faces define edges in the uppermost surface 58 of the putter head which are both parallel
with the desired direction of striking and perpendicular to the striking face 4 in
similar manner to the edges 40, 42 described above in relation to Figure 1.
[0043] A further putter head 6 is shown in Figure 2b and is provided with an aperture 62,
the centre of which is offset from both the lateral axis 62 and the longitudinal axis
64. Alignment means 66, 68 are provided in a similar manner to that described in relation
to Figure 1.
[0044] A primary characteristic of the invention is that said recess in whatever form is
preferably of marginally greater relevant dimensions than the diameter of the article
to be received therein such as a an article in the form of a conventional golf ball
and accordingly such a golf ball can be received in a toleranced manner in said apertures
and recess. The diameter of the circular apertures 14, 62 are marginally greater than
the golf ball diameter. Accordingly, the said apertures and recess prevent significant
movement of the golf ball in the direction of the longitudinal axes 18, 64. This feature
is more fully explained with reference to Figures 3 to 5.
[0045] Referring now to Figure 2d, an alternative embodiment is disclosed in which it can
be seen that an attachment 70 is provided with attachment means 72 which ideally does
not interfere with the striking face 4 of a putter head 74. This functions in a broadly
identical manner to the apertures 14 and 62 described in relation to Figures 1 and
2b. In both Figures 2c and 2d, the relevant dimensions of the attachment 70 are marginally
greater than the diameter of a conventional golf ball, in order that such may be received
within either the recess 76 defined by a pair of rearward extending limbs 75, 75'
in the case of Figure 2c, and by the internal walls 77 of a circular hoop in the case
of Figure 2d. The said walls 75, 75', or 77 prevent any significant movement of the
golf ball in a direction parallel to the striking face 4 of the putter head during
the putting stroke.
[0046] Referring now to Figures 3 to 5, a putter head 2 as described in Figure 1 is provided
with a shaft 30 which is gripped by a user (not shown) and aligned by said user along
a desired direction of striking 38. Such alignment is crucial in accurate putting
and is aided by the provision of edges 40, 42 in the upper surface of the putter head
2 which allow a user to ascertain the orientation of the striking face 4 of the putter
with the desired striking direction 38. It is to be pointed out the material from
which the club head is manufactured may not permit the provision of a channel as described,
and accordingly the edges 40, 42 may be replaced by painted lines applied to the upper
surface of the club face.
[0047] The walls of the recess can also be shaped to further control the retention and selected
instant of release of the article during a golf swing.
[0048] During play on a golf course, obviously no marking of the desired striking direction
exists and the user has only the alignment edges 40, 42 to aid his alignment of the
putter such that the striking face 4 is exactly perpendicular with the imagined desired
striking direction.
[0049] In order to train using the putter head 2 with one recess therein, a pair of golf
balls 80, 82 is provided, the first golf ball 80 being positioned in front of the
striking face 4 and the second of the golf balls 82 being disposed within the aperture
14 provided in the putter head 2. The aim of the putting training device of the invention
is to ensure both that exact perpendicularity is achieved between the striking face
4 and the desired striking direction 38 during impact between the said striking face
4 and the ball 80, and furthermore to ensure that a correct arc of swing is achieved
by a user during every putting stroke.
[0050] This is achieved as follows:-
[0051] In Figure 4, the putter head 2 has been drawn back from the ball 80 along a back
swing arc 84 to the position shown. It can be seen from the figure that the ball 82
is supported only by the ground 86 on which the training is being conducted and accordingly
as the putter head is rotated about the back swing arc 84 and rises above the ground
86, the ball 82 simply drops from within the aperture 14 under gravity, but is nevertheless
confined to travel along the line of the desired striking direction 38, except in
opposite fashion. It can be seen from the figure that at the extremity of the back
swing of the user, the putter is of such a thickness that the ball 82 is not completely
released from within the aperture 14, but is partially retained by the walls of said
aperture approximate the lowermost surface of the putter 2.
[0052] It is a common flaw of players who are poor putters to break their wrists during
the putting stroke and also to concentrate too specifically on the point of impact
as opposed to the arc of swing which gives rise to an accurate direction of strike.
[0053] With regard to the first flaw, although not shown in any of the diagrams, the arms
and wrists of the player ideally remain rigid throughout the putting stroke, with
only the shoulders rotating to effect the stroke, and in this manner a uniform and
accurate direction of strike is achieved. The breaking of the wrists during the stroke
results in the putter head rising above the ground during the backswing and follow
through to greater degree than when the arms and wrists of the player remain rigid.
The training device of the present invention allows a poor putter to quickly correct
this deficiency because the ball 82 will be released from within the aperture if the
wrists of the player break during the stroke, whereas during a correctly executed
stroke, the wrists would not break and the putter head would rise above the ground
86 only gradually and to a lesser degree. It is to be further pointed out that the
putter of the present invention may be used as a training device with only a single
ball 82, and in such configuration could be used simply to hone the putting stroke
of the player by ensuring that the player retains the ball 82 within the aperture
14 at all times during a stroke.
[0054] With regard to the second flaw, the training device according to the invention defocusses
the mind of the user from the impact between the striking face and the ball, and indeed
such impact need not actually occur (as discussed above there is no need to provide
an object ball 80 which is to be struck by the putter). This form of training can
be invaluable in teaching players to "play through the ball" without concentrating
specifically on the impact of the face therewith. In all sports, the mental approach
of doing more than is actually required, for example in sprinting where sprinters
run towards a point past the line, is unequivocally believed to result in improved
performance. Accordingly the training device of the invention accomplishes this.
[0055] As the putter head begins its down swing from the position shown in Figure 4 to the
position shown in Figure 5, the ball 82 remains trapped within the aperture 14 until
such time as the putter head 2 is raised a distance at least equal to the diameter
of the golf ball 82 above the ground 86. At this stage, the ball 82 is released from
within the aperture 14 and as a result of the angular velocity of the putter head
2 at this time, the ball 82 is imparted with a forward velocity directly proportional
to the angular velocity of the said putter head. It is important to note that as the
putter head 2 is returned from the position shown in Figure 4 to the stationary position
of Figure 3, the striking face 4 impacts the ball 80 and thus imparts a forward velocity
to said ball. On account of this impact, and the fact that the angular velocity of
the putter head after impact is generally lower than that at impact, the ball 82 will
have imparted thereto a lower velocity than the ball 80, and accordingly will lag
somewhat behind the said ball 80.
[0056] The putter head described acts as a training device in that it is possible for a
user of the putter provided with a putter head 2 to ascertain whether the arc of his
follow through as shown at 85 is in the correct plane. If this is the case, then the
direction of the velocity imparted to the ball 82 will be identical to that direction
in which the ball 80 is already travelling, and ideally both of these said directions
will be identical to the desired striking direction 38.
[0057] A common fault of poor putters of the golf ball is the tendency to drag the putter
head towards the body after striking the ball 80, and in such circumstances the putter
head 2 would follow a path indicated generally by the dotted line 88. If a player
whose arc of swing of the putter head 2 is habitually along an incorrect path such
as 88, the fault of that player will be immediately evident on using the training
device according to the invention because although the ball 80 may travel at least
to some extent along the desired striking direction 38, the secondary ball 82 will
be released from within the aperture 14 of the putter head in a direction indicated
generally by the dotted line 90. Such instantaneous appraisal of an incorrect putting
arc of swing has heretofore been impossible with currently existing putting training
devices.
[0058] It will be appreciated that the putter heads shown in Figures 2a and 2c operate in
a different manner to the putter heads shown in Figures 1, 2b and 2d in that a marking
on the ground 86 along the desired striking direction 38 both in front of the striking
surface before and behind the putter head 2 is required. The putter head shown in
Figures 2a and 2b are ideally adapted to conform the arc of swing of a player to the
correct theoretical arc 84 in the back swing phase of the putting stroke. Henceforth,
a ball disposed within the recesses 52, 76 will travel along the marked desired striking
direction 38 away from the putter head when said head reaches the extremity of the
back swing, and in the case where an incorrect arc of swing is habitually adopted
by a player such as that shown at 88 in figure 5, the direction of travel of the ball
away from the putter head will vie away from marked desired striking direction 38.
Accordingly, it is possible to use the putter head shown in Figure 1 in a training
method wherein three conventional golf balls are used, two being in the positions
shown of golf balls 80, 82 in Figure 3 and a third golf ball (not shown) disposed
immediately behind and adjacent the rear face 10 and also directly above a marked
line indicating the desired striking direction 38. In such method, both the back swing
and the follow through of the stroke of the player can be conformed to the correct
theoretical arc of swing denoted by 84 and 85 by ensuring that the second golf ball
82 travels along an identical path to that taken by the ball 80 after impact, and
also by ensuring that the third golf ball moves in a direction of the marked line
indicating the desired striking direction 38 but in a reverse manner to the balls
80, 82.
[0059] A number of additional features may be provided in a putter head having the configurations
shown in Figures 1, 2a, 2b. In particular, more than a single aperture 14 may be provided,
one being disposed towards the toe 24 and the other being disposed towards the heel
26 of the putter head 2. In such circumstances, a pair of golf balls may be disposed
within the two apertures of the putter head which, when in use as a training device,
would impart a velocity to both the said golf balls disposed in the said aperture
on either side of a desired striking direction 38. Imperfections in the arc of swing
of a player would accordingly become evident with even more clarity than would be
the case with the putter head 2, and furthermore, such a modified putter head may
be of use in assessing the particular orientation of the striking surface at impact
and thereafter.
[0060] It has further been proposed to provide a fluted aperture whose diameter varies across
the thickness of the putter head, and in particular an increasing diameter of aperture
from the top surface of the putter head to the bottom surface thereof would allow
an earlier release of the ball 82 therefrom. This may be of advantage in testing the
short putting stroke of a player, or may be used in circumstances where the arc of
swing of a player is approximately correct but requires slight fine tuning.
[0061] To enhance the overall aesthetic appearance of the putter head 2, caps may be provided
to cover the aperture either on the upper surface thereof and/or on the lower surface
such caps could be of use in identification purposes or alternatively may be provided
with further alignment features to enhance the alignment capabilities of the putter
head and the player as a whole.
[0062] Caps provided within the aperture may be transparent, and indeed the entire putter
head may be manufactured of a transparent material.
1. A method of using a golf club as a training aid to improve a putting swing of a golfer,
said golf club including a head with at least on striking face, a rear face or edge
and side faces or edges, any of which may be curved, said edges or faces defining
a head of a predetermined thickness, a shaft being attached to said head for use in
swinging the club, said head having at least one further arcuate face or edge or further
planar faces or edges defining at least one aperture between said side races or edges,
and wherein said method includes the steps of placing a first golf ball in a retained
position in said aperture with the golf club head stationary and against the ground
prior to commencing a swing, performing a backswing with the golf club head so that
said club head is not raised a distance greater than at least equal to the diameter
of the golf ball above the ground, thus causing the first golf ball to fall through
the aperture and be partially retained by the faces or edges of said aperture, performing
the swing through so that the first golf ball remains trapped within the aperture
until such time as the golf head is raised a distance at least equal to the diameter
of the golf ball above the ground, wherein the first golf ball is released from the
aperture and is imparted with a forward velocity directly proportional to the velocity
of the golf head, and monitoring the direction and/or speed of the first golf ball
as it is released from the aperture during the swing to ascertain whether the arc
of the swing is in a correct plane.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein a second golf ball is positioned in front of
the striking face on the ground, the second golf ball being struck during the swing
through and having a forward velocity imparted thereto.
3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the forward velocity imparted to the first golf
ball is less than the forward velocity imparted to the second golf ball.
4. A method according to any preceding claim wherein if the swing has been taken in a
correct plane, the direction of velocity imparted to the first golf ball will be substantially
identical to the direction of velocity of the second golf ball which is already travelling.
5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the direction of velocity of the first and second
golf balls is substantially identical to a desired striking direction in which the
second golf ball is to travel.
6. A method according to claim 1 wherein a third golf ball is disposed behind and adjacent
the rear face of the golf club head, the third golf ball being struck at the start
of the backswing.
7. A method according to claim 6 wherein if the swing has been taken in a correct plane,
the third golf ball moves in a direction opposite to the first and second golf balls
and the desired striking direction.
8. A method according to claim 1 wherein two apertures are defined in the golf club head
for the location of two golf balls therein.
9. A method of using a golf club having an attachment secured thereto as a training aid
to improve a putting swing of a golfei, said golf club including a head with at least
on striking face, and a shaft being attached to said head for use in swinging the
club, said attachment being secured to said club head to be behind the striking face
and having at least one arcuate face or edge or further planar faces or edges defining
at least one aperture therebetween, and wherein said method includes the steps of
placing a first golf ball in a retained position in said aperture with the golf club
head stationary and against the ground prior to commencing a swing, performing a backswing
with the golf club head so that said club head is not raised a distance greater than
at least equal to the diameter of the golf ball above the ground, thus causing the
first golf ball to fall through the aperture and be partially retained by the faces
or edges of said aperture, performing the swing through so that the first golf ball
remains trapped within the aperture until such time as the golf head is raised a distance
at least equal to the diameter of the golf ball above the ground, wherein the first
golf ball is released from the aperture and is imparted with a forward velocity directly
proportional to the velocity of the golf head, and monitoring the direction and/or
speed of the first golf ball as it is released from the aperture during the swing
to ascertain whether the arc of the swing is in a correct plane.
1. Verfahren zum Benutzen eines Golfschlägers als Trainingshilfe zum Verbessern eines
Puttschwungs eines Golfers, wobei der genannte Golfschläger einen Kopf mit wenigstens
einer Schlagfläche, eine(n) rückseitige(n) Fläche oder-rand und Seitenflächen oder
-ränder, von denen beliebige gekrümmt sein können, aufweist, wobei die genannten Ränder
oder Flächen einen Kopf einer vorbestimmten Dicke definieren, wobei an dem genannten
Kopf ein Schaft angebracht ist zur Verwendung beim Schwingen des Schlägers, wobei
der genannte Kopf wenigstens eine(n) weitere(n) gebogene(n) Fläche oder Rand oder
weitere ebene Flächen oder Ränder hat, die wenigstens eine Öffnung zwischen den genannten
Seitenflächen oder-rändern definieren, und wobei das genannte Verfahren die folgenden
Schritte aufweist: Platzieren eines ersten Golfballs in einer gehaltenen Position
in der genannten Öffnung, wobei der Golfschlägerkopf stationär ist und sich am Boden
befindet, bevor ein Schwung begonnen wird, Durchrühren eines Rückschwungs mit dem
Golfschlägerkopf, so dass der genannte Schlägerkopfnicht um einen größeren Abstand
als wenigstens gleich dem Durchmesser des Golfballs über den Boden angehoben wird,
wodurch bewirkt wird, dass der erste Golfball durch die Öffnung fällt und von den
Flächen oder Rändern der genannten Öffnung teilweise festgehalten wird, Durchführen
des Durchschwungs, so dass der erste Golfball so lange in der Öffnung gefangen bleibt,
bis der Golfkopf um einen Abstand, der wenigstens gleich dem Durchmesser des Golfballs
ist, über den Boden angehoben wird, wobei der erste Golfball aus der Öffnung freigegeben
wird und ihm eine Vorwärtsgeschwindigkeit verliehen wird, die zur Geschwindigkeit
des Golfkopfes direkt proportional ist, und Überwachen der Richtung und/oder Geschwindigkeit
des ersten Golfballs, wenn er während des Schwungs aus der Öffnung freigegeben wird,
um zu ermitteln, ob der Bogen des Schwungs in einer richtigen Ebene liegt.
2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, bei dem ein zweiter Golfball vor der Schlagfläche auf den
Boden gelegt wird, wobei der zweite Golfball während des Durchschwungs geschlagen
wird und ihm eine Vorwärtsgeschwindigkeit verliehen wird.
3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2, bei dem die dem ersten Golfball verliehene Vorwärtsgeschwindigkeit
kleiner als die dem zweiten Golfball verliehene Vorwärtsgeschwindigkeit ist.
4. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei dem, wenn der Schwung in einer
richtigen Ebene durchgeführt wurde, die Richtung der dem ersten Golfball verliehenen
Geschwindigkeit im Wesentlichen mit der Richtung der dem zweiten Golfball, der bereits
in Bewegung ist, verliehenen Geschwindigkeit identisch ist.
5. Verfahren nach Anspruch 4, bei dem die Geschwindigkeitsrichtung des ersten und des
zweiten Golfballs im Wesentlichen mit einer gewünschten Schlagrichtung identisch ist,
in der sich der zweite Golfball bewegen soll.
6. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, bei dem ein dritter Golfball hinter und neben der Rückseitenfläche
des Golfschlägerkopfs angeordnet wird, wobei der dritte Golfball zu Beginn des Rückschwungs
geschlagen wird.
7. Verfahren nach Anspruch 6, bei dem, wenn der Schwung in einer richtigen Ebene durchgeführt
wurde, der dritte Golfball sich in einer dem ersten und dem zweiten Golfball und der
gewünschten Schlagrichtung entgegengesetzten Richtung bewegt.
8. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, bei dem im Golfschlägerkopf zwei Öffnungen zum Positionieren
von zwei Golfbällen in ihnen definiert sind.
9. Verfahren zum Benutzen eines Golfschlägers mit einem daran befestigten Aufsatz als
Trainingshilfe zum Verbessern eines Puttschwungs eines Golfers, wobei der genannte
Golfschläger einen Kopf mit wenigstens einer Schlagfläche aufweist und an dem genannten
Kopf ein Schaft angebracht ist zur Verwendung beim Schwingen des Schlägers, wobei
der genannte Aufsatz an dem genannten Schlägerkopf befestigt wird, so dass er sich
hinter der Schlagfläche befindet, und wenigstens eine(n) gebogene(n) Fläche oder Rand
oder weitere ebene Flächen oder Ränder hat, die wenigstens eine Öffnung dazwischen
definieren, und wobei das genannte Verfahren die folgenden Schritte aufweist: Platzieren
eines ersten Golfballs in einer gehaltenen Position in der genannten Öffnung, wobei
der Golfschlägerkopf stationär ist und sich am Boden befindet, bevor ein Schwung begonnen
wird, Durchführen eines Rückschwungs mit dem Golfschlägerkopf, so dass der genannte
Schlägerkopf nicht um einen größeren Abstand als wenigstens gleich dem Durchmesser
des Golfballs über den Boden angehoben wird, wodurch bewirkt wird, dass der erste
Golfball durch die Öffnung fällt und von den Flächen oder Rändern der genannten Öffnung
teilweise festgehalten wird, Durchführen des Durchschwungs, so dass der erste Golfball
so lange in der Öffnung gefangen bleibt, bis der Golfkopf um einen Abstand, der wenigstens
gleich dem Durchmesser des Golfballs ist, über den Boden angehoben wird, wobei der
erste Golfball aus der Öffnung freigegeben wird und ihm eine Vorwärtsgeschwindigkeit
verliehen wird, die zur Geschwindigkeit des Golfkopfes direkt proportional ist, und
Überwachen der Richtung und/oder Geschwindigkeit des ersten Golfballs, wenn er während
des Schwungs aus der Öffnung freigegeben wird, um zu ermitteln, ob der Bogen des Schwungs
in einer richtigen Ebene liegt.
1. Méthode d'utilisation d'un club de golf qui sert d'aide à l'entraînement d'un joueur
qui souhaite améliorer son swing pour le putting, ledit club de golf comprenant une
tête avec au moins une face de frappe, une face ou arête arrière et des faces ou arêtes
latérales, dont n'importe lesquelles peuvent être convexes, lesdites arêtes ou faces
définissant une tête d'une épaisseur prédéterminée, un manche étant attaché à ladite
tête pour l'exécution du swing, ladite tête ayant au moins une autre face ou arête
convexe ou d'autres faces ou arêtes planes définissant au moins une ouverture entre
lesdites faces ou arêtes, et ladite méthode comprenant les étapes consistant à mettre
en place une première balle de golf dans une position ou elle est retenue dans ladite
ouverture, la tête du club de golf étant stationnaire et contre le sol avant le début
du swing, exécuter un swing vers l'arrière (backswing) avec la tête du club de golf
de sorte que ladite tête du club ne soit pas soulevée au-dessus du sol sur une distance
plus grande qu'au moins le diamètre de la balle de golf, ce qui fait que la première
balle de golf tombe à travers l'ouverture mais est partiellement retenue par les faces
ou arêtes de ladite ouverture, exécuter le reste du swing (swingthrough) de sorte
que la première balle de golf demeure piégée à l'intérieur de l'ouverture jusqu'à
ce que la tête du club de golf soit soulevée au-dessus du sol sur une distance au
moins égale au diamètre de la balle de golf, la première balle de golf étant alors
dégagée de l'ouverture et projetée vers l'avant à une vitesse directement proportionnelle
à la vitesse de la tête du club et, finalement, contrôler la direction et/ou la vitesse
de la balle de golf au moment où elle est dégagée de l'ouverture pendant le swing
afin de vérifier si l'are du swing est ou non dans un plan approprié.
2. Méthode selon la revendication 1, selon laquelle une seconde balle de golf est placée
sur le sol, devant la face de frappe, la seconde balle de golf étant frappée pendant
le swing, ce qui lui impartit une vitesse vers l'avant.
3. Méthode selon la revendication 2, selon laquelle la vitesse vers l'avant impartie
à la première balle de golf est inférieure à la vitesse vers l'avant impartie à la
seconde balle de golf.
4. Méthode selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes selon laquelle, si le
swing a eu lieu dans un plan approprié, la direction de la vitesse impartie à la première
balle de golf sera sensiblement identique à la direction de la vitesse de la seconde
balle de golf qui a déjà commencé sa trajectoire.
5. Méthode selon la revendication 4, selon laquelle la direction de la vitesse des première
et seconde balles de golf est sensiblement identique à une direction de frappe souhaitée
dans laquelle la seconde balle de golf doit évoluer.
6. Méthode selon la revendication 1, selon laquelle une troisième balle de golf est disposée
derrière la face arrière de la tête du club de golf et adjacente à celle-ci, la troisième
balle de golf étant frappée au début du swing vers l'arrière.
7. Méthode selon la revendication 6 selon laquelle, si le swing a été exécuté dans un
plan approprié, la troisième balle de golf se déplacera dans une direction opposée
à la première et à la seconde balles de golf et à la direction de frappe souhaitée.
8. Méthode selon la revendication 1, selon laquelle deux ouvertures sont définies dans
la tête du club de golf pour recevoir deux balles de golf.
9. Méthode d'utilisation d'un club de golf auquel est fixé un accessoire qui sert d'aide
à l'entraînement pour améliorer le swing de jeu d'un golfeur, ledit club de golf comprenant
une tête avec au moins une face de frappe, un manche étant attaché à ladite tête pour
permettre d'exécuter un swing du club de golf, ledit accessoire étant fixé à ladite
tête de club de sorte à se trouver derrière la face de frappe et ayant au moins une
face ou arête convexe, ou d'autres faces ou arêtes planes qui, entre elles, définissent
au moins une ouverture, ladite méthode comprenant les étapes qui consistent à placer
une première balle de golf dans une position où elle est retenue dans ladite ouverture,
la tête du club de golf étant stationnaire et contre le sol avant le début d'un swing,
à exécuter un swing vers l'arrière avec la tête du club de golf de sorte que ladite
tête du club de golf ne soit pas soulevée au-dessus du sol sur une distance plus grande
qu'au moins le diamètre de la balle de golf, ce qui fait que la première balle de
golf tombe à travers l'ouverture mais est partiellement retenue par les faces ou arêtes
de ladite ouverture, à exécuter le reste du swing de sorte que la première balle de
golf demeure piégée à l'intérieur de l'ouverture jusqu'à ce que la tête du club soit
soulevée au-dessus du sol sur une distance au moins égale au diamètre de la balle
de golf, la première balle de golf étant alors dégagée de l'ouverture et projetée
vers l'avant à une vitesse directement proportionnelle à la vitesse de la tête du
club de golf, et à contrôler la direction et/ou la vitesse de la première balle de
golf au moment où elle est dégagée de l'ouverture pendant le swing afin de déterminer
si l'arc du swing est ou non dans un plan approprié.