Pendular golf position alignment and golf swing training devices and methods, especially for use with putters and similar clubs to train golfers

Abstract

Devices, apparatus, kits and methods for providing alignment, positioning and swing guidance and feedback to a golfer in learning or improving putting and similar skills are provided. Devices and apparatus of the invention comprise a pendular component, and are constructed and arranged for use in aligning the parts of a putter with respect to a target golf ball, with respect to the golfer, and with respect to the target hole. Apparatus and methods of the invention also provide both dynamic and static feedback to a golfer or to an observing instructor, as well as guidance before, during, and after the golf club is swung or otherwise moved. Devices, apparatus and methods of the invention are useful as teaching and training tools to aid in learning, improving and perfecting skills for the game and sport of golf.

1 . A device for providing feedback regarding the swing of a golf club, the golf club comprising a head having a face, a shaft and a handle, the device comprising:
 an alignment pendulum, wherein the pendulum is adapted and arranged to respond to gravitational and other accelerations in at least one axis; and   means for operatively connecting the alignment pendulum to the golf club, wherein the means comprises a swing-arm adapted and arranged for connecting the pendulum to the shaft of the golf club.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the means for operatively connecting the alignment pendulum to the golf club further comprises a connector adapted and arranged for rotatably connecting the pendulum to the swing arm, wherein the pendulum is adapted and arranged for providing feedback regarding the motion of the club with respect to at least one parameter. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one parameter is one or more from the group of motion parameters comprising: the club head speed, the rate of change of club head speed with respect to the ball, the rate of change of club head speed with respect to the ground, the angular speed of the club shaft with respect to the ground, and the angular speed of the club shaft with respect to the club head, and the angular speed of the club head with respect to the pendulum. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment pendulum is free to respond to gravitational and other accelerations in one axis, and wherein the one axis allows rotation in a first plane substantially perpendicular to the club face. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment pendulum is free to respond to gravitational and other accelerations in at least two axes, and wherein two of the at least two axes allow rotation in a first plane substantially perpendicular to the club face and in a second plane substantially parallel to the club face. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment pendulum comprises top and bottom rails, and
 wherein the top and bottom rails are each adapted and arranged such that a golfer positioned in a golfing stance with respect to the club can visually align the club with respect to the relative positions of the rails, and with respect to one or more of the target ball, the target hole, the club head, the club shaft, the golfer's feet, the golfer and the ground,   wherein the means for connecting the alignment pendulum to the swing arm comprises a connector, the connector comprising a first journal and a second journal, wherein said journals lie in planes perpendicular to one another such that the pendulum can rotate in two axes, and wherein the two axes allow rotation in a plane substantially perpendicular to the club face and substantially parallel to the club face.   
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment pendulum comprises a body, and at least one indicator bridge, the bridge disposed above the body and including at least one facet comprising a plurality of indicator markings, at least one distance indicator alignment blade, and means for fixedly attaching the blade to the swingarm, wherein the device further includes at least one support to hold the bridge with respect to the swingarm,
 and wherein the device is adapted and arranged such that a golfer positioned in a golfing stance with respect to the club can visually align the club with respect to the relative positions of one or more of the target ball, the target hole, the club head, the club shaft, the golfer's feet, the golfer and the ground,   wherein the means for connecting the alignment pendulum to the swing arm comprises a connector, the connector comprising a first journal and a second journal, and wherein said journals lie in planes perpendicular to one another, and   wherein the alignment pendulum comprises at least one swing pin, wherein the at least one swing pin is adapted and arranged for connecting the pendulum rotatably to one of the first and second journals of the connector such that the pendulum can rotate in two axes, and wherein the two axes allow rotation in a plane substantially perpendicular to the club face and substantially parallel to the club face.   
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , adapted and arranged such that the movement or lack of movement of the indicator with respect to the indicator markings indicates the relative motion of the club with respect to one or more of the target ball, the target hole, the club head, the club shaft, the golfer's feet, the golfer and the ground. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment pendulum comprises an arcuate body, the body having an arcuate top ridge, a centerline, a lower margin, an inner alignment edge, and an outer alignment edge,
 wherein the inner and outer alignment edges are disposed opposite to one another on the lower margin, and at least one of the alignment edges is provided with spaced indentations disposed for indicating the relative position of the pendulum,   and wherein the device is adapted and arranged such that a golfer positioned in a golfing stance with respect to the club can visually align the club with respect to the relative positions of one or more of the target ball, the target hole, the club head, the club shaft, the golfer's feet, the golfer and the ground.   
   
   
       10 . The pendulum of  claim 9 , wherein both inner and outer alignment edges are provided with spaced indentations, and wherein the alignment pendulum is adapted and arranged to rotate in at least two axes, and wherein two of the at least two axes allow rotation in a plane substantially perpendicular to the club face and substantially parallel to the club face. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 9 , adapted and arranged such that the movement or lack of movement of the indicator with respect to the indicator markings indicates the relative motion of the club with respect to one or more of the target ball, the target hole, the club head, the club shaft, the golfer's feet, the golfer and the ground. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment pendulum comprises an arcuate body, the body having an arcuate top ridge, a centerline, a centered arcuate lower margin, an inner alignment edge, and an outer alignment edge, and
 wherein the inner and outer alignment edges are disposed opposite to one another on the lower margin, and at least one of the alignment edges is provided with spaced pins arcuately disposed for indicating the relative position of the pendulum,   and wherein the device is adapted and arranged such that a golfer positioned in a golfing stance with respect to the club can visually align the club with respect to the relative positions of one or more of the target ball, the target hole, the club head, the club shaft, the golfer's feet, the golfer and the ground.   
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein both inner and outer alignment edges of the pendulum are provided with spaced pins, and wherein the alignment pendulum is adapted and arranged to rotate in at least two axes, and wherein two of the at least two axes allow rotation in a plane substantially perpendicular to the club face and substantially parallel to the club face. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment pendulum comprises a laser operatively connected to the golf club,
 and wherein the laser provides light in at least one plane such that a golfer positioned in a golfing stance with respect to the club can visually align the club with respect to the relative positions of one or more of the target ball, the target hole, the club head, the club shaft, the golfer's feet, the golfer and the ground.   
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the laser provides light in at least two planes, wherein the alignment pendulum is adapted and arranged to rotate in two axes, and wherein the two axes allow rotation in a first plane substantially perpendicular to the club face and in a second plane substantially parallel to the club face. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises a surface, the surface having indicator markings and comprising a portion of a sphere, wherein the portion of the sphere comprises a bearing surface, and
 wherein the alignment pendulum comprises a front arm and a rear arm, the arms provided with indicator markings and disposed diametrically opposite to one another and substantially within a plane, wherein the front and rear arms are connected by a ring portion, and wherein the ring portion is adapted and arranged to rotate and revolve on the bearing surface portions of the sphere in response to movement of the club to which it is mounted or attached,   such that a golfer positioned in a golfing stance with respect to the club can visually align the club with respect to the relative positions of one or more of the target ball, the target hole, the club head, the club shaft, the golfer's feet, the golfer and the ground.   
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the alignment pendulum is adapted and arranged to rotate in at least two axes, and wherein two of the at least two axes allow rotation in a plane substantially perpendicular to the club face and substantially parallel to the club face. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the alignment pendulum is provided with one or more pins, and the spherical surface is provided with one or more grooves, and wherein the one or more pins are disposed for articulating within the one or more grooves such that the pendulum is free to rotate in the two axes, and wherein the device is adapted and arranged such that the movement or lack of movement of the indicator with respect to the indicator markings indicates the relative motion of the club with respect to one or more of the target ball, the target hole, the club head, the club shaft, the golfer's feet, the golfer and the ground. 
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the alignment pendulum is provided with one or more pins, and the spherical surface is provided with one or more grooves,
 and wherein the one or more pins are disposed for articulating within the one or more grooves such that the pendulum is free to rotate in the two axes.   
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment pendulum comprises a front frame forming a front opening and a rear frame forming a rear opening, the front and rear frames and openings being disposed diametrically opposite to one another and substantially within a plane, wherein the front and rear frames are adapted and arranged such that at least a portion of a target ball in the vicinity of the club face is visible to a golfer through at least one of the front and rear openings,
 and wherein the pendulum further comprises a pin such that the pendulum is adapted and arranged to rotate on the pin in response to movement of the club to which it is mounted or attached,
 such that a golfer positioned in a golfing stance with respect to the club can visually align the club with respect to the relative positions of one or more of the target ball, the target hole, the club head, the club shaft, the golfer's feet, the golfer and the ground. 
   
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 1 , in combination with one or more of a golf club head, a golf club shaft, and a golf club wherein the golf club is a putter or other short-play club, such as a chipping wedge. 
   
   
       22 . A method for providing alignment information to a golfer or to a golf instructor regarding the positioning of the several portions of a golf club in the hands of the golfer, wherein the golf club comprises a head having a face, a shaft and a handle, the method comprising the steps of;
 A. providing an alignment pendulum, wherein the pendulum is adapted and arranged to be alignable with respect to a target golf ball, and to move in response to gravitational and other accelerations in at least one axis; and   B. providing means for operatively connecting the alignment pendulum to the golf club.   
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the means for operatively connecting the alignment pendulum to the golf club comprises a swing-arm adapted and arranged for connecting the pendulum to the shaft of the golf club. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the means for operatively connecting the alignment pendulum to the golf club further comprises a connector adapted and arranged for rotatably connecting the pendulum to the swing arm. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the pendulum is adapted and arranged for providing feedback regarding the motion of the club with respect to at least one parameter, and wherein the at least one parameter is one or more from the group of parameters comprising: the club head speed, the rate of change of club head speed with respect to the ball, the rate of change of club head speed with respect to the ground, the angular speed of the club shaft with respect to the ground, and the angular speed of the club shaft with respect to the club head, and the angular speed of the club head with respect to the pendulum, and
 wherein the alignment pendulum is free to respond to gravitational and other accelerations in one axis, and wherein the one axis allows rotation in a first plane substantially perpendicular to the club face.   
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the alignment pendulum is free to respond to gravitational and other accelerations in at least two axes, and wherein two of the at least two axes allow rotation in a first plane substantially perpendicular to the club face and in a second plane substantially parallel to the club face. 
   
   
       27 . A method for providing motion feedback information regarding the swing of a golf club to a golfer or to a golfing instructor, the golf club comprising a head having a face, a shaft and a handle, the method comprising the steps of:
 1) providing an alignment pendulum, wherein the pendulum is adapted and arranged to respond to gravitational and other accelerations in at least one axis; and   2) providing means for operatively connecting the alignment pendulum to the golf club wherein the means for operatively connecting the alignment pendulum to the golf club comprises a swing-arm adapted and arranged for connecting the pendulum to the shaft of the golf club.   
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the means for operatively connecting the alignment pendulum to the golf club further comprises a connector adapted and arranged for rotatably connecting the pendulum to the swing arm. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the pendulum is adapted and arranged for providing feedback information regarding the motion of the club with respect to at least one parameter, wherein the at least one parameter is one or more from the group of parameters comprising: the club head speed, the rate of change of club head speed with respect to the ball, the rate of change of club head speed with respect to the ground, the angular speed of the club shaft with respect to the ground, and the angular speed of the club shaft with respect to the club head, and the angular speed of the club head with respect to the pendulum. 
   
   
       30 . A method for providing alignment guidance and feedback information to a golfer or to a golf instructor regarding the positioning and movement of the several portions of a golf club in the hands of the golfer, the golf club comprising a head having a face, a shaft and a handle, the method comprising the steps of
 I. providing an alignment pendulum, wherein the pendulum is adapted and arranged to align itself with respect to one or more portions of a golf club to which it is attached and with respect to a target ball, and to move with respect to gravitational and other accelerations in at least one axis; and   II. providing means for operatively connecting the alignment pendulum to the golf club,   wherein the means for operatively connecting the alignment pendulum to the golf club comprises a swing-arm adapted and arranged for connecting the pendulum to the shaft of the golf club and a connector adapted and arranged for rotatably connecting the pendulum to the swing arm.