Golf swing apparatus and method

Abstract

An apparatus and method for improving the consistency and effectiveness of a golfer's swing. In a first aspect of the invention, a gyroscope is mounted in the head of a gold club has a rotor which is rotated by a small electric motor. A pair of dry cell batteries and a push type “on/off” switch In a grip of the golf club turn the motor on and off. The batteries are connected to the motor with a pair of wires which extend through a tubular golf club shaft. The rotational plane of the rotor is parallel to the face of the golf club head which strikes a golf ball. When the rotor is rotated, changes in the plane of rotation or spin axis of the rotor are resisted by the angular momentum of the rotor, thereby producing reaction torques which are sensed by a golfer. The reaction torques inform the golfer of the release of the club and changes in the path of travel. In a second aspect, the invention the gyroscope is mounted directly on an end of a golf club shaft.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . A swing training aide assembly comprising:
 a shaft; and   a gyroscope mounted to an end section of said shaft opposite a grip section of said shaft.   
   
   
       13 . The assembly as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising a head mounted to said shaft to at least partially surround said gyroscope. 
   
   
       14 . The assembly as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said shaft is hollow. 
   
   
       15 . The assembly as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising at least one battery mounted within said hollow shaft adjacent said grip section of said shaft. 
   
   
       16 . The assembly as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising an electric motor to drive said gyroscope, said at least one battery in electrical communication with said gyroscope to provide power therefor. 
   
   
       17 . The assembly as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising a grip mounted over said grip section of said shaft. 
   
   
       18 . The assembly as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising a switch mounted to said grip to operatively control said electric motor. 
   
   
       19 . The assembly as recited in  claim 18 , wherein said switch includes an ON/OFF switch. 
   
   
       20 . The assembly as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said shaft defines a shaft axis and said gyroscope rotatable about a gyroscope axis generally transverse to said shaft axis. 
   
   
       21 . The assembly as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said shaft defines a shaft axis and said gyroscope rotatable about a gyroscope axis perpendicular to said shaft axis. 
   
   
       22 . A golf swing training aide assembly comprising:
 a hollow shaft which defines an axis;   a gyroscope mounted to an end section of said hollow shaft opposite a grip section of said shaft, said gyroscope rotatable about a gyroscope axis non-parallel to said shaft axis;   an electric motor to power said gyroscope; and   a power supply mounted within said hollow shaft to power said electric motor.   
   
   
       23 . The assembly as recited in  claim 22 , further comprising a head mounted to said shaft to at least partially surround said gyroscope, said head formed from at least two separable portions. 
   
   
       24 . The assembly as recited in  claim 23 , wherein said head defines a head face 
   
   
       25 . The assembly as recited in  claim 24 , wherein said gyroscope axis is generally perpendicular to said face. 
   
   
       26 . The assembly as recited in  claim 24 , wherein said head face is operable to strike a golf ball. 
   
   
       27 . The assembly as recited in  claim 22 , further comprising a grip mounted over a portion of said grip section of said shaft opposite said gyroscope. 
   
   
       28 . A method of controlling a swing training aide assembly comprising the steps of:
 (A) gyroscopically establishing a swing plane of a golf swing training aide assembly with a gyroscope mounted to an end section of said shaft opposite a grip section of said shaft; and   (B) providing feedback relative to said step (A) which represents deviation of a face of the golf swing training aide assembly from a perpendicular relationship with the swing plane.   
   
   
       29 . A method as recited in  claim 28 , wherein said step (A) further comprises:
 (a) defining a gyroscope axis of a gyroscope mounted to the golf swing training aide, the gyroscope axis non-parallel to a shaft axis of a shaft.   
   
   
       30 . A method as recited in  claim 28 , wherein said step (B) further comprises:
 (a) providing the feedback in response to angular momentum provided by a gyroscope mounted to an end section of a shaft.   
   
   
       31 . A method as recited in  claim 28 , wherein said step (B) further comprises:
 (b) providing the feedback in response to a release of the golf swing training aide assembly during a downswing.   
   
   
       32 . (canceled)