Alignment device for a golf club and methods for using same

Abstract

The present invention provides an alignment device for aligning a golf club with a person, the golf club comprising a shaft, and a club face, the alignment device comprising a displaceable elongate member connected to the shaft of the golf club, the displaceable elongate member extending axially from the shaft a sufficient extent to enable the displaceable elongate member to be placed against the leading side of the person when the person is holding a golf club with the club face behind and adjacent a golf ball. The present invention also provides for a method of aligning a golf club with a person. The present invention further provides for a method of training a person to impact a golf ball with a golf club.

1 . An alignment device for aligning a golf club with a person, the golf club comprising a shaft, and a club face, the alignment device comprising a displaceable elongate member connected to the shaft of the golf club, the displaceable elongate member extending axially from the shaft a sufficient extent to enable the displaceable elongate member to be placed against the leading side of the person when the person is holding a golf club with the club face behind and adjacent a golf ball.  
     
     
         2 . An alignment device according to  claim 1 , wherein the displaceable elongate member is a telescoping member.  
     
     
         3 . An alignment device according to  claim 2 , wherein the telescoping member is collapsible.  
     
     
         4 . An alignment device according to  claim 1 , wherein the displaceable elongate member is a resilient member capable of being deformed under impact with the body.  
     
     
         5 . A method of aligning a golf club with a person, the golf club comprising a shaft, and a club face, the method comprising: 
 (a) providing an alignment device comprising a displaceable elongate member on the shaft of the golf club;    (b) placing the displaceable elongate member of the golf club up against the leading side of the person; and    (c) placing the club face of the golf club behind and adjacent a golf ball.    
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein the displaceable elongate member of the golf club is a telescoping member.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein after step (c) the telescoping member is collapsed while still maintaining the alignment of the golf club with the person.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein the displaceable elongate member of the golf club is a resilient member capable of being deformed under impact with the body.  
     
     
         9 . A method of training a person to impact a golf ball with a golf club, the golf club comprising a shaft and a club face, the method comprising: 
 (a) placing a person into a pre-set impact position to align the golf club with the person comprising the steps of providing an alignment device comprising a displaceable elongate member on the shaft of the golf club, placing the displaceable elongate member of the golf club against the leading side of the person, and placing the club face of the golf club behind and adjacent a golf ball;    (b) taking a back swing with the golf club; and    (c) returning the club to the position from step (a) so that an axis defined by the golf club intersects the side of the body as the club face impacts the ball.    
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the displaceable elongate member of the golf club is a telescoping member.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein after step (a) the telescoping member is collapsed while still maintaining the alignment of the golf club with the person.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the displaceable elongate member of the golf club is a resilient member capable of being deformed in step (c) under impact with the side of the body.  
     
     
         14 . A method of impacting a golf ball with a golf club, the golf club comprising a shaft and a club face, the method comprising: 
 (a) placing a person into a pre-set impact position to align the golf club with the person such that the axis defined by the shaft of the golf club when extended past the top of the shaft would be against the leading side of the person;    (b) taking a back swing with the golf club; and    (c) returning the club to the position from step (a) so that an axis defined by the golf club intersects the side of the body as the club face impacts the ball.