Golf Aid

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application has no related applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golf swing visualization or training aids exist. However, they require rotation to different positions for different golf clubs and are intended to aid in the immediate golf swing, not as a training tool.

This invention relates to golf training aids; more specifically, to alignment aids which improve a golfer's swing in relation to the desired target landing. Currently the most common type of alignment tools golfers use are straight alignment sticks. Golfers set these sticks on the ground and point them in the direction they want to hit the ball. They set them up parallel to each other like railroad tracks to point in the direction they want to hit the ball. Some golfers add a third stick perpendicular to the other two sticks to help determine where their ball position should be. The problem with straight sticks is, if the golfer wants to hit the ball in a different direction or different target on the range, they need to move the sticks, set them up all over again.

A circular shaped alignment aid has not been seen in the market. The circular alignment aid disclosed herein facilitates visualizing the desired line using the circle aid. The golf alignment circle disclosed herein is a visual aid that sits flat on the ground and helps the golfer visualize the line of the intended direction to hit the golf ball. While it's on the grass or mat the golfer stands inside the circle and hits balls in any direction they want. The problem solved with the circular golf aid is that the golfer does not need to set the aid, like the previous sticks, up all over again. Having a circle to hit out of, the golfer can easily see the top of a circle (like where 12 o'clock is on a clock). Visualizing the center at 12 o'clock helps them with ball position, positioning their body in the direction they want to hit the ball. If the golfer wants to hit to a different target or direction down the range, the golfer simply rotates their body in the circle and find that 12 o'clock position again and swing away. No need to move sticks and set up all over again. This golf aid is simple, easy to set up, use and transport.

The foregoing detailed description of exemplary and preferred embodiments is presented for purposes of illustration and disclosure in accordance with the requirements of the law. It is not intended to be exhaustive nor to limit the invention to the precise form(s) described, but only to enable others skilled in the art to understand how the invention may be suited for a particular use or implementation.

The possibility of modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. No limitation is intended by the description of exemplary embodiments which may have included tolerances, feature dimensions, specific operating conditions, engineering specifications, or the like, and which may vary between implementations or with changes to the state of the art, and no limitation should be implied therefrom.

SUMMARY

A golf aid includes a first segment having a first end and a second end, the first end includes a first engagement mechanism. A second segment having a first end and a second end, the first end includes a second engagement mechanism. A third segment having a first end and a second end, the first end includes a third engagement mechanism. A fourth segment having a first end and a second end, the first end includes a fourth engagement mechanism. The segments are engageable via each engagement mechanism to form a ring configured to surround a golfer to facilitate visualizing a line of an intended direction to hit a golf ball.

A golf aid includes a first stick having a first end and a second end, the first end includes a first ferrule. A second stick having a first end and a second end, the first end includes a second ferrule. A third stick having a first end and a second end, the first end includes a third ferrule. A fourth stick having a first end and a second end, the first end includes a fourth ferrule. The sticks are engageable via each ferrule to form a ring configured to surround a golfer to facilitate visualizing a line of an intended direction to hit a golf ball.

A golf aid includes a first stick having a first end and a second end, the first end includes a first ferrule. A second stick having a first end and a second end, the first end includes a second ferrule. A third stick having a first end and a second end, the first end includes a third ferrule. A fourth stick having a first end and a second end, the first end includes a fourth ferrule. The sticks are engageable via each ferrule such that the second end of one stick is engageable with the ferrule of an adjacent stick to form a ring configured to surround a golfer to facilitate visualizing a line of an intended direction to hit a golf ball.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a golf training aid according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a golf training aid, with parts separated, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows parts of a golf training aid according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows parts of a golf training aid according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a golf training aid according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows a golf training aid in use according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a golf training aid in use according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows a golf training aid in use according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows a golf training aid in use according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various embodiments of a golf aid. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity and clarity, all the contemplated variations may not be individually described in the following detailed description. Those skilled in the art will understand how the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered and not depart in substance from the scope of the examples described herein.

The present disclosure includes a golf aid 10, as described herein. Golf aid 10 includes a golf alignment circle, for example, a ring 12, as shown in FIG. 1. Ring 12 is formed by connecting one or a plurality of segments. In some embodiments, the plurality of segments, for example, sticks 14 is four. In a preferred embodiment, sticks 14 include, for example, stick 14a, stick 14b, stick 14c and stick 14d. In some embodiments, the number of sticks can be less or more than four.

In some embodiments, stick 14a includes a length La. In some embodiments, length La is approximately 45 inches. Stick 14 includes a first end 16 and a second end 18. First end 16 is includes an engagement mechanism, for example a ferrule 20. Second end 18 includes an insertion portion 22. A portion of ferrule 20 is affixed with end 18 and a portion of ferrule 20 includes a receiving portion 24 configured to receive an insertion portion from an adjacent stick, as described herein. Insertion portion 22 is configured to be engaged with a ferrule of an adjacent stick, as described herein. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a expanded view of stick 14a, ferrule 20 and second end

In some embodiments, stick 14b includes a length Lb. In some embodiments, length Lb is approximately 45 inches. Stick 14b includes a first end 26 and a second end 28. First end 26 includes an engagement mechanism, for example a ferrule 30. Second end 28 includes an insertion portion 32. A portion of ferrule 30 is affixed with end 28 and a portion of ferrule 30 includes a receiving portion 34 configured to receive an insertion portion from an adjacent stick, as described herein. Insertion portion 32 is configured to be engaged with a ferrule of an adjacent stick, as described herein.

In some embodiments, stick 14c includes a length Lc. In some embodiments, length Lc is approximately 45 inches. Stick 14c includes a first end 36 and a second end 38. First end 36 is includes an engagement mechanism, for example a ferrule 40. Second end 38 includes an insertion portion 42. A portion of ferrule 40 is affixed with end 38 and a portion of ferrule 40 includes a receiving portion 44 configured to receive an insertion portion from an adjacent stick, as described herein. Insertion portion 42 is configured to be engaged with a ferrule of an adjacent stick, as described herein.

In some embodiments, stick 14d includes a length Ld. In some embodiments, length Ld is approximately 45 inches. Stick 14d includes a first end 46 and a second end 48. First end 46 is includes an engagement mechanism, for example a ferrule 50. Second end 48 includes an insertion portion 52. A portion of ferrule 50 is affixed with end 48 and a portion of ferrule 50 includes a receiving portion 54 configured to receive an insertion portion from an adjacent stick, as described herein. Insertion portion 52 is configured to be engaged with a ferrule of an adjacent stick, as described herein.

Ring 12 is constructed by fastening sticks 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d to form a circular cross section, as described herein. Ring 12 includes a diameter D1. In some embodiments, diameter D1 is approximately 54 inches. Diameter D1 can be varied with different length sticks if a smaller or larger ring 12 is desired. The ideal diameter can be suitable for golfers of all heights. However, it is contemplated that ring 12 may be provided in various sizes.

Ring 12 is assembled by connecting sticks 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d end-to-end such that they form a continuous ring 12. For example, insertion portion 22 of stick 14a is inserted and engaged with receiving portion 30 of stick 14b, and so on. Sticks 14 can be kept disengaged from each other while in transit. In some embodiments, the engagement between sticks 14 includes a tapered insertion end and a hollow portion for the receiving end. In some embodiments, sticks 14 may engage in various other methods, for example, with through holes, fasteners, interlocking pieces similar to a puzzle, hinges, a threaded connection, wedges, anchors, buttons, clips, snaps, friction fittings, compressive fittings, expanding rivets, adhesives or posts. The sticks, whether hinged or completely disconnected, are suitably dimensioned to fit into a conventional golf bag.

Each segment 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d is made of a flexible fiberglass material. This material facilitates connecting each segment due to the material's flexibility. However, the material also resists and/or prevents deforming of ring 12 during movement of ring 12 from one place to another during use. In some embodiments, sticks 14 can be made from, including but not limited to, bendable rods, wood, pex tubing, PVC tubing, cardboard, or metal.

In use, ring 12 can improve the accuracy of a golfer's swing by improving the golfer's set up position in relation to their feet, ball position, and intended line of travel of the golf ball. When in use, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5-9, ring 12 is placed flat on the ground with the golf ball in the center, which helps the golfer visualize the ball position in relation to their feet and is also used to visualize the intended direction of travel of the golf ball. If a different target location is chosen, the golfer can rotate themselves without requiring repositioning of the alignment ring.

Having a circle to hit out of, the golfer can easily see the top T of a circle (like where 12 o'clock is on a clock). Visualizing the center at 12 o'clock helps them with ball position, positioning their body in the direction D3 they want to hit the ball. If the golfer wants to hit to a different target or direction down the range, the golfer simply rotates their body, FIG. 7 in the circle and find that 12 o'clock position again and swing away in the direction D4. No need to move sticks and set up all over again. This golf aid is simple, easy to set up, use and transport.

The golf alignment circle may also be used to designate a target destination, instead of surrounding the current position of the golf ball; there may even be multiple golf alignment circles in use simultaneously, with one to align the golfer and another as the target destination. The golf alignment circle may be placed on a chipping green for use as a target destination.

The golf alignment circle may be formed as an image projected on the ground, such as in a golf training center. However, it is not intended that the golf be positioned off the ground. The golf alignment circle may be available in different sizes, as an adult will need a larger circle than a child.

The possibility of modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. No limitation is intended by the description of exemplary embodiments which may have included tolerances, feature dimensions, specific operating conditions, engineering specifications, or the like, and which may vary between implementations or with changes to the state of the art, and no limitation should be implied therefrom.

Related elements in the examples and/or embodiments described herein may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity and clarity, related elements may not be redundantly explained. Instead, the use of a same, similar, and/or related element names and/or reference characters may cue the reader that an element with a given name and/or associated reference character may be similar to another related element with the same, similar, and/or related element name and/or reference character in an example explained elsewhere herein. Elements specific to a given example may be described regarding that particular example. A person having ordinary skill in the art will understand that a given element need not be the same and/or similar to the specific portrayal of a related element in any given figure or example in order to share features of the related element.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many other implementations will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading and understanding the above description. The scope of the present implementations should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

The foregoing disclosure encompasses multiple distinct examples with independent utility. While these examples have been disclosed in a particular form, the specific examples disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter disclosed herein includes novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above both explicitly and inherently. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims is to be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more of such elements.

As used herein “same” means sharing all features and “similar” means sharing a substantial number of features or sharing materially important features even if a substantial number of features are not shared. As used herein “may” should be interpreted in a permissive sense and should not be interpreted in an indefinite sense. Additionally, use of “is” regarding examples, elements, and/or features should be interpreted to be definite only regarding a specific example and should not be interpreted as definite regarding every example. Furthermore, references to “the disclosure” and/or “this disclosure” refer to the entirety of the writings of this document and the entirety of the accompanying illustrations, which extends to all the writings of each subsection of this document, including the Title, Background, Brief description of the Drawings, Detailed Description, Claims, Abstract, and any other document and/or resource incorporated herein by reference.

As used herein regarding a list, “and” forms a group inclusive of all the listed elements. For example, an example described as including A, B, C, and D is an example that includes A, includes B, includes C, and also includes D. As used herein regarding a list, “or” forms a list of elements, any of which may be included. For example, an example described as including A, B, C, or D is an example that includes any of the elements A, B, C, and D. Unless otherwise stated, an example including a list of alternatively-inclusive elements does not preclude other examples that include various combinations of some or all of the alternatively-inclusive elements. An example described using a list of alternatively-inclusive elements includes at least one element of the listed elements. However, an example described using a list of alternatively-inclusive elements does not preclude another example that includes all of the listed elements. And, an example described using a list of alternatively-inclusive elements does not preclude another example that includes a combination of some of the listed elements. As used herein regarding a list, “and/or” forms a list of elements inclusive alone or in any combination. For example, an example described as including A, B, C, and/or D is an example that may include: A alone; A and B; A, B and C; A, B, C, and D; and so forth. The bounds of an “and/or” list are defined by the complete set of combinations and permutations for the list.