Golf training apparatus

Abstract

A golf training apparatus is formed of a body of a typically rigid material and includes a head portion corresponding in shape and dimensions to that of a regulation golf ball, and a stem portion, extending from the head portion. Adhesive is placed on a side of the body at the head and the stem portions, allowing the stem portion to attach the body to a support member, while the remaining portion of the body, including the head portion, extends upward and stands unsupported. A golf club can now be brought into contact with the body, and if contact is made between the club head and the first portion, the body will separate from the support member and the first portion will adhere to the club head, indicating the location on the club head where it contacted the golf ball. Based on this information, the golfer can adjust his swing, such that contact with a golf ball will be made at the desired “sweet spot” or other location on the club head.

1 . A golf training apparatus comprising: 
 a first portion having at least a portion for at least temporarily attaching to the head of a golf club;    a second portion in communication with the first portion for supporting the first portion, the second portion including a base for at least temporarily attaching to a support; and    the first portion and the second portion are configured for standing unsupported when the base is temporarily attached to a support.    
   
   
       2 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion is circular with a diameter at least substantially the diameter of a regulation golf ball.  
   
   
       3 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 2 , additionally comprising: at least one indicia on the second portion, the at least one indicia proximate to the base of the second portion.  
   
   
       4 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the first portion and the second portion define an integral member having a first side and a second side.  
   
   
       5 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the integral member includes a metal foil that defines at least the first side of the integral member.  
   
   
       6 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein at least a portion of the second side at the base and at the first portion includes adhesive.  
   
   
       7 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the second side includes adhesive.  
   
   
       8 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one indicia includes at least one score.  
   
   
       9 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one score includes two scores oppositely disposed with respect to each other at the edges of the second portion.  
   
   
       10 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first portion extends beyond the edges of the second portion.  
   
   
       11 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first portion attaches to the second portion in a substantially coaxial alignment.  
   
   
       12 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the second portion includes a stem attached to the base and the at least one indicia serve as a border between the stem and the base.  
   
   
       13 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the stem is substantially rectangular in shape.  
   
   
       14 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the base is substantially triangular in shape.  
   
   
       15 . A golf training apparatus comprising: 
 a body including, a first portion for at least temporarily attaching to the head of a golf club, and a second portion in communication with the first portion for supporting the first portion, the second portion including a base; and the body configured for standing unsupported when the base is temporarily attached to a support.    
   
   
       16 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the first portion is circular with a diameter at least substantially the diameter of a regulation golf ball.  
   
   
       17 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the body includes a metal foil layer defining a first side.  
   
   
       18 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the body includes an adhesive layer defining a second side.  
   
   
       19 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the body includes at least one indicia proximate to the base of the second portion.  
   
   
       20 . A golf training apparatus comprising: 
 a body having a first side and a second side, the first side of a metal foil layer and the second side of at least a partial layer of adhesive, the body including, a first portion for at least temporarily attaching to the head of a golf club, and a second portion in communication with the first portion, the second portion including a base for at least temporarily attaching to a support; and the body configured for standing unsupported when the base is temporarily attached to a support.    
   
   
       21 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the first portion is circular with a diameter at least substantially the diameter of a regulation golf ball.  
   
   
       22 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the at least a partial layer of adhesive includes a layer of adhesive covering at least substantially all of the body.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the body is an integral member.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the second portion is of a width less than the diameter of the first portion and is coaxial with the first portion.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the second portion includes a stem, the stem intermediate the first portion and the base.  
   
   
       26 . A golf training apparatus comprising: 
 a body including, a first portion of a planar dimension at least substantially the diameter of a regulation golf ball for at least temporarily attaching to the head of a golf club, a second portion in communication with the first portion for supporting the first portion, the second portion including a base for at least temporarily attaching to a support, and the body configured for standing unsupported when the base is temporarily attached to a support.    
   
   
       27 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the body includes a first side and a second side, the second side including at least one adhesive portion on at least the first portion and the base.  
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the body is an integral member.  
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the first side includes a metal foil.  
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the second portion is of a width less than the diameter of the first portion and is coaxial with the first portion.  
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the second portion includes a stem, the stem intermediate the first portion and the base.  
   
   
       32 . A method for determining the location on a golf club where the golf club contacts a golf ball comprising: 
 providing an apparatus including a body comprising a first portion of a shape corresponding to the shape of a regulation golf ball, and a second portion extending from the first portion, the body of a rigid material and including a first side having adhesive on at least part of the first portion and at least part of the second portion;    attaching the second portion of the body to a support member to cause at least a part of the body to stand unsupported; and    bringing a golf club head into contact with the apparatus such that at least some of the adhesive on the first side at the first portion adheres the apparatus to the golf club head.    
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein attaching the second portion of the body to a support member includes folding the second portion to form at least a substantially right angle, and attaching part of the second portion to a support member, such that the other part of the second portion and the first portion extend upward.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the bringing the golf club head into contact with the apparatus includes breaking the attachment of the second portion of the body to a support member.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 34 , additionally comprising, separating the apparatus from the golf club head.