Golf-swing training device

Abstract

A golf-swing training device consists of a base and a reference bar of variable effective length pivotably mounted thereon. The attitude of the bar defines a swing plane for reference by the golfer in controlling his swing, and the length of the bar is adjusted so as to position the contact element, at the upper end of the bar, for interception by the head of a club moving in the swing plane; the contact element is resiliently deflectable to automatically resume its normal coaxial position after being struck.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A golf-swing training device comprising: supporting means constructed to stably engage an underlying supporting surface; a reference bar having a lower end portion, and an upper end portion comprised of a resiliently deflectable contact component that automatically resumes a position from which it is deflected, the effective length of said reference bar being variable in the range of about 33 to 46 inches; and means for operatively attaching said lower end portion of said reference bar to said supporting means for angular displacement of said reference bar about at least one axis adjacent said supporting means, said means for attaching being constructed to enable secure positioning of said reference bar in each of a range of attitudes angularly displaced relative to a surface on which said supporting means is disposed; whereby the attitude of said reference bar can be adjusted to dispose said reference bar in each of a multiplicity of reference planes lying adjacent desirable swing paths for a variety of golf clubs, whereby the effective length of said reference bar can be adjusted to dispose said contact component in a selected position in the path of a golf club head moving in a said reference plane and swung by a trainee standing away from said device, and whereby said supporting means is resistant to inadvertent movement and said adjusted attitude of said reference bar is resistant to inadvertent displacement.  
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said supporting means is a base.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said reference bar is pivotably attached to said supporting means by said means for attaching.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said reference bar comprises a plurality of telescopically interengaged sections.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said contact component comprises a resilient cellular material.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said contact component comprises a coil spring.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein said contact component includes a covering of resilient cellular material on said coil spring.  
     
     
         8 . A golf-swing training method, including the steps: 
 (a) providing a device comprising: supporting means constructed to stably engage an underlying supporting surface; a reference bar having a lower end portion, and an upper end portion comprised of a resiliently deflectable contact component that automatically resumes a position from which it is deflected, the effective length of said reference bar being variable in the range of about 33 to 46 inches; and means for operatively attaching said lower end portion of said reference bar to said supporting means for angular displacement of said reference bar about at least one axis adjacent said supporting means, said means for attaching being constructed to enable secure positioning of said reference bar in each of a range of attitudes angularly displaced relative to a surface on which said supporting means is disposed, whereby the attitude of said reference bar can be adjusted to dispose said reference bar in each of a multiplicity of reference planes lying adjacent desirable swing paths for a variety of golf clubs;    (b) adjusting the attitude and length of said reference bar to substantially match the lie angle and length of a selected golf club disposed in proper ball-hitting position, said reference bar thereby defining the angular orientation of a reference plane;    (c) positioning said device away from a trainee standing in position for hitting the ball forwardly, in said flight direction, using said selected club and with a swing that includes a rearward, backswing component and a forward, downswing component, the device being so positioned that the trainee's medial body plane is forward, in said flight direction, of said means for operatively attaching said lower end portion of said reference bar, and so that the trainee is facing a flight-direction plane in which the ball and said means for operatively attaching are disposed, said reference bar being so spaced from the trainee that said contact component of said upper end portion thereof would be contacted by the club head moving in said reference plane; and    (d) the trainee undertaking to strike a ball by causing the selected golf club to follow a backswing path with the club head moving above said reference plane and with a downswing path having an intermediate portion in which the club head moves underneath said reference plane.