Golf Swing Training Method and Apparatus

Abstract

A golf swing training apparatus increases the efficiency of the training process for a desired golf swing. Multiple training apparatus are mounted on a support base to define the proper golf swing path and corresponding body movement. The golfer strikes a barrier when the golf swing is performed in an undesirable manner, thus providing negative feedback in the training of the desired swing yet positive results. The apparatus allows a golfer to practice a selected swing without restraints to facilitate muscle memory of an optimal golf swing and with optimal body movement.

1 . An apparatus for teaching a golfer how to set up for a putt, comprising: 
 a base;    a pair of brackets secured to the base;    an elongate guide plate secured to the pair of brackets, wherein the brackets are adapted to enable height-adjustability of the elongate guide plate, and wherein the brackets enable pivoting of the elongate guide plate about a longitudinal axis, and wherein the elongate guide plate is positioned at a predetermined angle matching an angle of a golf club shaft when the golfer holding the shaft is addressing a golf ball to be putted;    knee position-locking means for holding a golfer's knees in a predetermined optimal position, wherein the knee position-locking means are adapted to enable height-adjustability of the knee position-locking means; and    shoulder and forearms-guiding means for positioning a golfer's shoulders and forearms in an optimal position, wherein the shoulder and forearms-guiding means are longitudinally disposed in parallel with a target line.    
   
   
       2 . A golf swing training apparatus comprising: 
 a horizontally disposed plate;    a horizontally disposed rod carried proximate the horizontally disposed plate, wherein the horizontally disposed plate and the horizontally disposed rod provide feedback to a golfer when the head of the golfer changes levels during the swing and when the head of the golfer moves in relation to the horizontally disposed rod during the golf swing;    a knee barrier for engaging a dominant knee of the golfer in an abutting relation, wherein the golfer is constrained to move longitudinally and generally parallel to a target line; and    a vertically disposed barrier wall anatomically spaced from and longitudinally opposing the side barrier wall for positioning on a non-dominant side of the golfer in an abutting relation to a non-dominant leg of the golfer, the vertically disposed barrier wall adjustable for positioning proximate and below a non-dominant hip when the golfer is in a ball-addressing position.    
   
   
       3 . A golf swing training apparatus comprising: 
 a first elongate, telescoping pole pivotally mounted for movement in a vertical plane so that the pole may be tilted from within a-vertical plane such that a distal end of the pole is positioned over a dominant shoulder of a golfer when the golfer is in a ball-addressing position, wherein the pole provides a barrier that is struck by the arms of the golfer when the arms are lifted to a height above a desired height during a back swing;    a horizontally disposed elbow barrier anatomically spaced from the first elongate pole and positioned on a dominant side of the golfer proximate shoulder height and at a longitudinal spacing equal to about the length of the golfer's upper arm, the elbow barrier providing feedback to the golfer when a dominant elbow of the golfer strikes the elbow barrier; and    a planar barrier disposed above the pole and the barrier in an angled plane at a predetermined angle relative to a vertical plane, the planar barrier being oriented so that a top edge of the planar barrier is adapted to be closer to the golfer's head than a bottom edge thereof, wherein a golf club shaft strikes the planar barrier at the top of the golf swing when the golf swing moves outside a desired swing plane.    
   
   
       4 . A golf swing training apparatus comprising: 
 an arcuate barrier disposed at a predetermined angle relative to a target line, the arcuate barrier disposed on a non-dominant side of a golfer, wherein the hemispherical barrier provides feedback when struck during the take-away movement in the backswing when the take-away movement is not performed in a desired manner, and wherein the arcuate barrier further provides feedback when struck during a backswing and downswing movement when the downswing is not performed in the desired manner;    a barrier wall carried in spaced relation and longitudinally back of the arcuate barrier and generally parallel the target line, the barrier wall disposed generally perpendicular to the target line, wherein the barrier wall is struck by a golf club if hinged in an undesirable manner by the golfer; and    a horizontally disposed rod longitudinally extending from the barrier wall toward the golfer in a plane parallel to the target line, the horizontally disposed rod having a free distal end for providing barrier that is struck by the golfer's hands during a take-away movement of the backswing when the golfer's hands move away from the golfer's body by a predetermined distance and during a downswing movement if the golfer's hands move away from the golfer's body by the predetermined distance.    
   
   
       5 . A golf swing training apparatus comprising: 
 a vertical rod adapted to be positioned just inside a stance line of a golfer, the vertical rod carried in spaced relation from a dominant side of the golfer, wherein the vertical rod provides a barrier that is struck by a golf club head during a take-away movement of the backswing when the golf club head travels more than a predetermined distance inside a plane that is parallel to the stance line:    a barrier wall carried in spaced relation and longitudinally back of the vertical rod parallel a target line, the barrier wall disposed generally perpendicular to the target line, wherein the barrier wall is struck by a golf club if hinged in an undesirable manner by the wrists of the golfer;    a horizontally disposed rod longitudinally extending from the barrier wall toward the golfer in a plane parallel to the target line, the horizontally disposed rod having a free distal end for providing barrier that is struck by the golfer during a take-away movement of the backswing when the golfer's hands move away from the golfer's body by a predetermined distance and during a downswing movement if the golfer's hands move away from the golfer's body by the predetermined distance.    
   
   
       6 . A golf swing training apparatus comprising: 
 a vertically disposed rod adapted to be positioned inside a stance line of a golfer in a spaced relation from a dominant side of the golfer, the vertically disposed rod serving as a barrier that is struck by a club head during a take-away movement of the golf swing when the club head travels more than a predetermined optimal amount inside a plane that is parallel to the stance line;    a planar barrier positioned at a predetermined angle relative to a target line for placing the planar barrier in spaced relation to a dominant shoulder of the golfer, wherein the planar barrier provides feedback when struck during a golf swing, and wherein the planar barrier is struck by the hands of the golfer during the backswing and downswing when not performed in a desired manner; and    a pole mounted in upstanding relation to a follow-through barrier rod carried by the pole and extending transversely therefrom in a horizontal plane generally perpendicular to a target line, wherein the follow-through barrier rod provides feedback to the golfer when the hands of the golfer strike the follow-through barrier rod during a follow-through portion of the golf swing.    
   
   
       7 . A golf swing training apparatus comprising: 
 an arcuate barrier disposed at a predetermined angle relative to a target line, the arcuate barrier disposed on a non-dominant side of a golfer at a longitudinal distance equal to about one club length, wherein the arcuate barrier provides feedback when struck during the take-away movement in the backswing when the take-away movement is not performed in a desired manner, and wherein the arcuate barrier further provides feedback when struck during a downswing movement when the downswing is not performed in the desired manner;    a planar barrier positioned at a predetermined angle relative to a target line for placing the planar barrier in spaced relation to a dominant shoulder of the golfer, wherein the planar barrier provides feedback when struck during a golf swing, and wherein the planar barrier is struck by the hands of the golfer during the backswing and downswing when not performed in a desired manner; and    a pole mounted in upstanding relation to a follow-through barrier rod carried by the pole and extending transversely therefrom in a horizontal plane generally perpendicular to a target line, the follow-through barrier rod adapted to be positioned on a non-dominant side of the golfer, wherein the follow-through barrier rod provides feedback to the golfer when the golfer strike the follow-through barrier rod during a follow-through portion of the golf swing.