Golf swing training device and method

Abstract

A method of training a golfer to swing a certain golf club upon a desired swing plane angle comprises the step of indicating a swing path guide in front of the golfer. The shape of the swing path guide corresponds to the desired swing plane angle for the golf club and the golfer. In other words, if the golfer swings the club so that the club head creates an arc that corresponds to (or aligns with) the curvilinear swing path guide, the desired swing plane angle will be achieved. A device to train a golfer to swing upon a desired swing plane angle comprises a swing path guide. The shape of the swing path guide corresponds to the desired swing plane angle for a certain golf club and the golfer.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of training a golfer to swing upon a certain swing plane angle, the method comprising the step of: 
 a. providing a swing path guide in front of the golfer, a shape of swing path guide corresponding to the certain swing plane angle for a certain golf club and the golfer.    
     
     
         2 . The method of    claim 1    further comprising the step of: 
 b. having the golfer swing the golf club on the path of the curvilinear swing path guide.  
 
     
     
         3 . The method of    claim 1    further comprising the step of: 
 c. before providing the swing path guide in front of the golfer, determining the shape of the swing path guide to correspond to the certain swing plane angle for a certain golf club and the golfer, the shape being a projection of the swing plane onto a surface.  
 
     
     
         4 . The method of    claim 3    wherein the swing path guide shape is determined from variables including the golfer's stance and the length of the golf club.  
     
     
         5 . The method of    claim 1    wherein the swing path guide has a curvilinear shape.  
     
     
         6 . The method of    claim 5    wherein the curvature of the curvilinear swing path guide is increased to promote a more horizontal swing plane angle and the curvature of the curvilinear swing guide is decreased to promote a more vertical swing plane angle.  
     
     
         7 . The method of    claim 1    wherein the swing path guide comprises a physical template placed on a surface in front of the golfer.  
     
     
         8 . The method of    claim 7    wherein a curvature of the template is adjustable.  
     
     
         9 . The method of    claim 1    wherein the swing path guide comprises a projection of visible light.  
     
     
         10 . The method of    claim 2    wherein the golfer swings the golf club on the path of a plurality of curvilinear swing path guides of different shapes to determine the one of the plurality of swing path guides corresponding to the certain swing plane.  
     
     
         11 . A device to train a golfer to swing upon a desired swing plane angle, the device comprising a swing path guide, a shape of the swing path guide corresponding to the desired swing plane angle for a certain golf club and the golfer.  
     
     
         12 . The device of    claim 11    wherein the shape of the swing path guide corresponds to a projection of the swing plane onto a surface.  
     
     
         13 . The device of    claim 11    wherein the swing path guide has a curvilinear shape.  
     
     
         14 . The device of    claim 13    wherein the curvature of the curvilinear swing path guide is increased to promote a more horizontal swing plane angle and the curvature of the curvilinear swing guide is decreased to promote a more vertical swing plane angle.  
     
     
         15 . The device of    claim 11    wherein the swing path guide comprises a physical template placed on a surface in front of the golfer.  
     
     
         16 . The device of    claim 15    wherein a curvature of the template is adjustable.  
     
     
         17 . The device of    claim 11    wherein the swing path guide comprises a projection of visible light.  
     
     
         18 . The device of    claim 15    wherein the swing path guide is fabricated from a thin piece of rigid material.  
     
     
         19 . The device of    claim 15   , further comprising a ball rest upon which the ball is positioned during a golf swing.  
     
     
         20 . The device of    claim 15    wherein the swing path guide further comprises on a forward end thereof a forward target to be struck by the golf club during a golf swing.  
     
     
         21 . The device of    claim 15    wherein the swing path guide further comprises on a rearward end thereof a rearward target to be struck by the golf club during a golf swing.  
     
     
         22 . The device of    claim 15    wherein the swing path guide comprises a curvilinear frame corresponding to the desired swing plane angle for a certain golf club and the golfer.  
     
     
         23 . A golf training system to be used by a golfer comprising a plurality of swing path guides, each of the swing path guides having a different curvature, the amount of curvature of each of the swing path guides corresponding to a unique swing plane angle for a certain golf club and the golfer.  
     
     
         24 . The system of    claim 23    wherein the amount of curvature of the curvilinear swing path guide is increased to promote a more horizontal swing plane angle and the amount of curvature of the curvilinear swing guide is decreased to promote a more vertical swing plane angle.