Modular golf training aid and method

Abstract

A modular training aid 10 for developing putting skills in the game of golf for use by a right or left handed player. The modular training aid 10 comprises a rigid planar reflecting base 12 having a leading edge 14 from which an imaginary intended straight or curved target line 16 extends, a trailing edge 18 , a lower face 20 that is supported on the ground or a floor and an upper smooth surface 24 . A raised rail 25 extends above the upper smooth surface 24 for protecting it from abrasion by the underside of the golf club. A first alignment mirror 50 is positioned on the ground or floor. A second alignment mirror 54 has a reflecting surface that is inclined to the ground or floor. A target putting mirror 60 is positioned behind a target or hole in relation to the base so that the reflective surface faces the target or hole. An image including the ball and putter head is reflected back to the player. The invention includes a method for using the modular training aid 10.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A modular training aid for developing putting skills in the game of golf for use by a right- or left-handed player, the modular training aid comprising: 
 a rigid planar reflecting base having a leading edge from which an imaginary intended target line extends, a trailing edge, a lower face that is supported on the ground or a floor and an upper smooth surface from which a raised rail extends for protecting the upper smooth surface from abrasion by the underside of the golf club, the reflecting base being sized for convenient portability and reflecting an image primarily composed of putter head path before, during and after impact with a golf ball, and alignment of a face of the putter head face at impact; and    a first elongated slot having a length (L) and first edges defined in the reflecting base and extending rearwardly from the leading edge for receiving a golf ball that initially rests on the ground or floor so that the ball may be propelled along the slot, the first edges being spaced apart by a distance (D) proximate the leading edge, the distance (D) the diameter of a generally circular planar section of the golf ball that lies in the plane of the upper smooth surface of the base, thereby creating a clearance between the ball and at least one edge of the first elongated slot that increases with proximity to the leading edge, an imaginary centerline between the edges of the first elongated slot being aligned with an intended target line extending from the leading edge.    
     
     
         2 . The modular training aid of  claim 1 , wherein the modular training aid is moved about 180 degrees from an initial position and further comprises: 
 a second elongated slot extending from the trailing edge, the second elongated slot having a length (l) and second edges defined in the reflecting base and extending rearwardly from the trailing edge for receiving a golf ball that initially rests on the ground or floor so that the ball may be propelled along the slot.    
     
     
         3 . The modular training aid of  claim 2 , wherein (L) exceeds (l).  
     
     
         4 . The modular training aid of  claim 2 , wherein (L) equals (l).  
     
     
         5 . The modular training aid of  claim 1 , wherein the base has a pair of lateral edges extending between the leading and trailing edges and a centerline extending therebetween orthogonally to the imaginary intended target line, the modular training aid further comprising: 
 a first alignment mirror positioned on the ground or floor, having a reference line positioned adjacent to one of the lateral edges of the base so that the reference line of the alignment mirror lies on an imaginary extension of the centerline of the base, the alignment mirror reflecting an image to the player that includes the upper torso the hands, extended arms, the head and shoulders of the player, thereby permitting the player to check the alignment of them in relation to the imaginary target line and the hands in relation to the putter head.    
     
     
         6 . The modular training aid of  claim 1 , wherein the base has a pair of lateral edges extending between the leading and trailing edges and a centerline extending there between orthogonally to the imaginary intended target line, the modular training aid further comprising: 
 a second alignment mirror with an edge resting on the ground or floor having a reflecting surface that is inclined to the ground or floor and being provided with a datum line positioned adjacent to one of the lateral edges of the base so that the datum line of the second alignment mirror and the centerline of the base are coplanar, the second alignment mirror reflecting in image to the player that includes the putter head and putter shaft, thereby permitting the player to check the alignment of them in relation to the imaginary target line.    
     
     
         7 . The modular training aid of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a target putting mirror having a reflective surface that is positioned behind a target or hole in relation to the base so that the reflective surface of the target mirror faces the target or hole and an image including the ball and putter head is reflected back to the player.    
     
     
         8 . A modular training aid for developing putting skills in the game of golf for use by a right or left handed player, the modular training aid comprising: 
 a rigid planar reflecting base having a leading edge from which an imaginary intended target line extends, a trailing edge, a lower face that is supported on the ground or a floor and an upper smooth surface, the reflecting base being sized for convenient portability and reflecting an image primarily composed of putter head path and alignment; and    a first elongated slot and first edges defined in the reflecting base and extending rearwardly from the leading edge for receiving a golf ball that initially rests on the ground or floor so that the ball may be propelled along the slot;    a second elongated slot extending from the trailing edge second edges defined in the reflecting base and extending rearwardly from the trailing edge;    a pair of lateral edges extending between the leading and trailing edges and a centerline extending there between orthogonally to the imaginary intended target line;    a first alignment mirror positioned on the ground or floor, having a reference line positioned adjacent to one of the lateral edges of the base so that the reference line of the alignment mirror lies on an imaginary extension of the centerline of the base, the alignment mirror reflecting in image to the player that includes the upper torso with an image of the hands, extended arms, head and shoulders of the player, thereby permitting the player to check the alignment of them in relation to the imaginary target line and the hands in relation to the putter head;    a second alignment mirror with an edge resting on the ground or floor having a reflecting surface that is inclined to the ground or floor and being provided with a datum line positioned adjacent to one of the lateral edges of the base so that the datum line of the second alignment mirror and the centerline of the base are coplanar, the second alignment mirror reflecting in image to the player that includes the putter head and putter shaft, thereby permitting the player to check the alignment of them in relation to the imaginary target line; and    a target putting mirror having a reflective surface that is positioned behind a target or hole in relation to the base so that the reflective surface of the target mirror faces the target or hole and an image including the ball and putter head is reflected back to the player.    
     
     
         9 . A modular training aid for developing putting skills in the game of golf for use by a right or left handed player, the modular training aid comprising: 
 a rigid planar reflecting base having a leading edge from which an imaginary intended target line extends, a trailing edge, a lower face that is supported on the ground or a floor and an upper smooth surface, the reflecting base being sized for convenient portability and reflecting an image primarily composed of putter head path and alignment; and    a pair of lateral edges extending between the leading and trailing edges and a centerline extending therebetween orthogonally to the imaginary intended target line;    a first alignment mirror positioned on the ground or floor, having a reference line positioned adjacent to one of the lateral edges of the base so that the reference line of the alignment mirror lies on an imaginary extension of the centerline of the base, the alignment mirror reflecting in image to the player that includes the upper torso with an image of the hands, extended arms, head and shoulders of the player, thereby permitting the player to check the alignment of them in relation to the imaginary target line and the hands in relation to the putter head;    a second alignment mirror with an edge resting on the ground or floor having a reflecting surface that is inclined to the ground or floor and being provided with a datum line positioned adjacent to one of the lateral edges of the base so that the datum line of the second alignment mirror lies and the centerline of the base are co-planar, the second alignment mirror reflecting in image to the player that includes the putter head and putter shaft, thereby permitting the player to check the alignment of them in relation to the imaginary target line; and    a target putting mirror having a reflective surface that is positioned behind a target or hole in relation to the base so that the reflective surface of the target mirror faces the target or hole and an image including the ball and putter head is reflected back to the player.    
     
     
         10 . A modular training aid for developing putting skills in the game of golf for use by a right or left handed player, the modular training aid comprising: 
 a rigid planar reflecting base having a leading edge from which an imaginary intended target line extends, a trailing edge, a lower face that is supported on the ground or a floor and an upper smooth surface, the reflecting base being sized for convenient portability and reflecting an image primarily composed of putter head path and alignment; and    a pair of lateral edges extending between the leading and trailing edges and a centerline extending there between orthogonally to the imaginary intended target line;    a first alignment mirror positioned on the ground or floor, having a reference line positioned adjacent to one of the lateral edges of the base so that the reference line of the alignment mirror lies on an imaginary extension of the centerline of the base, the alignment mirror reflecting in image to the player that includes the upper torso with an image of the hands, extended arms, head and shoulders of the player, thereby permitting the player to check the alignment of them in relation to the imaginary target line and the hands in relation to the putter head; and    a second alignment mirror with an edge resting on the ground or floor having a reflecting surface that is inclined to the ground or floor and being provided with a datum line positioned adjacent to one of the lateral edges of the base so that the datum line of the second alignment mirror and the centerline of the base are co-planar, the second alignment mirror reflecting in image to the player that includes the putter head and putter shaft, thereby permitting the player to check the alignment of them in relation to the imaginary target line.    
     
     
         11 . A method for practicing putting, comprising the steps of: 
 positioning a target mirror with a centerline behind a target or hole;    place a golf ball on the ground or floor at a distance from the target or hole so that the ball is aligned with the centerline;    placing a putter head behind the ball;    looking at the target mirror while stroking the ball toward the target or hole.    
     
     
         12 . A method for developing a consistent, repeatable golf putting stroke, comprising steps of: 
 positioning a reflecting base on the ground or floor;    positioning an alignment mirror adjacent to a lateral edge of the base mirror, the alignment mirror being supported in an inclined position in relation to the ground or floor;    placing a golf ball on the reflecting base mirror so that the ball is aligned with a centerline of the reflecting base mirror so that the ball rests upon the ground between the edges of a channel defined within the base mirror; and    placing the face of a putter head behind the golf ball and inspecting in the mirrors an alignment of the face of the putter, the trajectory of the putter as it is taken away from the golf ball during a back stroke, and the trajectory of the putter head after impact with the golf ball while observing the motion of the golf ball as it exits the channel.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising the step of: 
 positioning a first alignment mirror between an imaginary line extending between the toes of the golfer and a lateral edge of the reflecting base.  
 
     
     
         14 . A method for developing a consistent, repeatable golf swing, comprising the steps of: 
 positioning a first alignment mirror having a pair of lateral edges so that the edges are located between a golf ball and an imaginary pedestal line between the feet of the golfer;    placing the face of a golf club behind the golf ball; and    inspecting in the mirror an alignment of the face of the golf club, the head, shoulders arms and hands of the golfer before making a swing.