Method and apparatus for teaching the game of golf

Abstract

A method and apparatus for teaching the game of golf, the apparatus of which includes a novel harness assembly that is removably affixed to the upper body portion of the trainee. The harness assembly includes first and second spaced apart straps that are draped over the trainee's shoulders. Uniquely, each of the first and second straps have on their front portions an upper rod receiving loop, a lower rod receiving loop and an intermediate rod receiving loop disposed between the upper rod receiving loop and said lower rod receiving loop. The apparatus also includes an elongated position-indicating rod having first and second end portions that are selectively receivable within the rod receiving loops provided on the first and second straps. The position-indicating rod can be interconnected with the harness so that it extends either substantially parallel with the plane of the trainee's shoulders or angularly with respect thereto. The position-indicating rod is of a length so that it spans the trainee's chest and arms and includes end portions that are visible to the trainee both at the time of address and during the golf swing. Accordingly, the position-indicating rod can be used to assist in aligning with the target and can also uniquely be used to provide a tactile indication to the trainee if the degree of rotation during the golf swing is improper and if the arms are incorrectly positioned relative to the trainee's body at address and during the golf swing.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A golf training apparatus for use by a trainee having a chest and shoulders having a width and being disposed within a plane comprising: 
 (a) harness assembly removably affixed to the upper body portion of the trainee, said harness assembly including shoulder straps having spaced apart front portions arranged to drape over and engage the chest of the trainee, each of said front portions of said shoulder straps having a plurality of spaced apart generally semi-circular shaped rod receiving loops; and    (b) an elongated position-indicating rod having a length greater than the width of the shoulders of the trainee and having a central portion and spaced apart end portions that are selectively receivable within a selected pair of said rod receiving loops, whereby said central portion of said elongated position-indicating rod can be adjustably positioned across and maintained in close contact with the chest of the trainee and within planes generally parallel to the plane of the trainees shoulders and alternatively can be positioned across and maintained in close contact with the chest of the trainee and within planes extending angularly with respect to the plane of the trainee's shoulders.    
     
     
         2 . The golf training apparatus as described in  claim 1  in which each of said shoulder straps has a plurality of spaced apart segments sewn to said shoulder straps, said segments being expandable to define a generally semicircular shaped upper rod receiving loop, a generally semicircular shaped lower rod receiving loop and a generally semicircular shaped, intermediate rod receiving loop disposed between said upper rod receiving loop and said lower rod receiving loop.  
     
     
         3 . The golf training apparatus as described in  claim 1  in which said shoulder straps of said harness assembly have end portions and in which said harness assembly further includes a chest band connected to said end portions of said shoulder straps, said chest band so constructed and arranged so as to maintain said shoulder straps in close contact with the trainee's body.  
     
     
         4 . The golf training apparatus as described in  claim 3  in which said chest band has first and second ends and in which said harness assembly further includes connector means for releasably interconnecting said first and second ends of said chest band.  
     
     
         5 . The training device of  claim 4  in which the connector means comprises a buckle located on a front portion of said chest band.  
     
     
         6 . A method of teaching a trainee a proper golf swing using a golf club to strike a golf ball and a golf training apparatus, the trainee having an upper torso, a chest and first and second shoulders disposed proximate the intersection of a first generally horizontal plane and a first generally vertical plane, right and left elbows and an upper body including a chest portion and a back portion, the golf training apparatus comprising a harness assembly removably affixed to the upper body of the trainee, said harness assembly including first and second spaced apart straps draped over the trainees first and second shoulders respectively and having front and rear portions, each of said front portions of said first and second straps being maintained in close contact with the trainee's upper body and having on their front portions an upper rod receiving loop, a lower rod receiving loop and an intermediate rod receiving loop disposed between said upper rod receiving loop and said lower rod receiving loop, said golf training apparatus also including an elongated position-indicating rod having first and second end portions closely receivable with said rod receiving loops and a central portion, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) inserting the first end portion of the position-indicating rod into a selected one of the upper or lower loops provided on the front portion of the first strap of the harness;    (b) inserting the second end portion of the position-indicating rod into a selected one of the upper and lower loops on the front portion of the second strap of the harness so that said central portion of said position-indicating rod extends across and is maintained in close contact with the chest of the trainee; and    (c) initiating a golf swing while observing the position of a selected one of said first and second end portions of said position-indicating rod and sensing any tactile indication to the trainee's arms given by the position-indicating rod during the golf swing.    
     
     
         7 . The method as defined in  claim 6  in which the first end portion of the position-indicating rod is inserted into the lower loop provided on the first strap of the harness; in which the second end portion of the position-indicating rod is inserted into the upper loop on the second strap of the harness and in which a back swing of the golf club is carried out with the central portion of the position indicating rod being in close contact with the upper portion of the trainee's body and in a manner so as not to lift the first end of the positioning indicating rod and to thereby ensure that the right elbow is not unduly lifted and remains in close proximity with the upper body during the initial turn of the upper body.  
     
     
         8 . The method as defined in  claim 6  in which the first end portion of the position-indicating rod is inserted into the upper loop provided on the first strap of the harness; in which the second end portion of the position-indicating rod is inserted into the lower loop on the second strap of the harness; and in which a back swing of the golf club is carried out in a manner with the central portion of the position indicating rod being in close contact with the upper body of the trainee so as not to lift the second end of the positioning indicating rod and to thereby ensure that the left elbow is not unduly lifted and remains in close proximity with the upper body during the initial turn of the upper body.