Swing alignment device

Abstract

A swing alignment device ( 1 ) for assisting or training a golfer to swing with the correct golf swing, the device comprising: a rod-like member ( 2 ); and a mounting member ( 3 ) for mounting to a shaft ( 5 ) of a golf club ( 6 ), the mounting member providing a support means ( 7 ) which supports the rod-like member on the mounting member such that the rod-like member ( 2 ) extends substantially parallel to the shaft and permits the rod-like member to slide relative to the support means ( 7 ). The mounting member ( 3 ) is suitably adapted for mounting to the grip portion ( 4 ) on the shaft of the golf club ( 6 ) and includes a grip engagement formation ( 10 ) for placing against the grip portion of the shaft ( 5 ). The support means for the rod-like member comprise at least one sleeve through which the rod-like member ( 2 ) passes, whereby the rod-like member is supported with its longitudinal axis closely laterally spaced from the axis of the golf club shaft ( 5 ).

1 . A swing alignment device for assisting a golfer to swing with the correct golf swing, the device comprising:
 a rod-like member; and   a mounting member for mounting to a shaft of a golf club, the mounting member providing a support means which supports the rod-like member on the mounting member such that the rod-like member extends substantially parallel to the shaft and permits the rod-like member to slide relative to the support means.   
   
   
       2 . The swing alignment device of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting member is adapted for mounting to the grip portion on the shaft of the golf club and includes a grip engagement formation for placing against the grip portion of the shaft. 
   
   
       3 . The swing alignment device of  claim 2 , wherein the grip engagement formation enables a golfer to hold the mounting member, and thereby the swing alignment device on the grip portion, when the club is gripped in the normal way 
   
   
       4 . The swing alignment device of  claim 1  wherein the support means for the rod-like member comprise at least one sleeve through which the rod-like member passes, whereby the rod-like member is supported with its longitudinal axis closely laterally spaced from the axis of the golf club shaft. 
   
   
       5 . The swing alignment device of  claim 4  wherein the support means may the rod-like member is slidingly received within the sleeve with a minimal or only a small amount of clearance whereby the rod-like member is free to slide relative to the sleeve. 
   
   
       6 . The swing alignment device of  claim 5  wherein the clearance for and mass of the rod-like member are arranged such that, in use, the rod-like member is permitted to slide when the club is correctly elevated on a back swing. 
   
   
       7 . The swing alignment device of  claim 1  wherein the mounting member further includes at least one bridging formation extending between the rod-like member support means and the grip engagement formation. 
   
   
       8 . The swing alignment device of  claim 7  wherein the mounting member includes two bridging formations extending between the support means for the rod-like member and the grip engagement formation, wherein a first bridging formation is located towards one end of the grip engaging element and a second bridging formation is located towards an opposed end of the grip engagement formation. 
   
   
       9 . The swing alignment device of  claim 8  wherein the mounting member includes further grip engagement formations associated with respective cross bridging formations; one grip engagement formation comprises a notch or recess within which the shaft of the club can be located or loosely received and a second grip engagement formation comprising a cup shaped recess or socket within which an upper end of the shaft of a club can be received. 
   
   
       10 . The swing alignment device of  claim 1  wherein the rod-like member further includes stop formations towards each end thereof for resisting the rod-like member from sliding off the mounting means when it slides to and fro relative to the mounting means, between first and second fully extended positions. 
   
   
       11 . The swing alignment device of  claim 10  wherein the rod-like member has an impact absorbing element at one or both ends thereof for cushioning the contact of the stop formation with the sleeve when the rod-like member slides into either fully extended position relative to the mounting means. 
   
   
       12 . The swing alignment device of  claim 1  wherein the rod-like member may have a length greater than one half of the length of the golf club, preferably comparable to that of the shaft of a golf club. 
   
   
       13 . The swing alignment device of  claim 1  further including retaining means for releasably retaining the rod-like member in a desired longitudinal position relative to the mounting member and associated club. 
   
   
       14 . The swing alignment device of  claim 13  wherein the retaining means comprises locking means that can be used to lock the rod-like member in one or more desired longitudinal positions relative to the club. 
   
   
       15 . The swing alignment device of  claim 14  wherein the sleeve and the rod-like member are provided in the form of inner and outer telescoping elements that can slide relative to each other in one orientation and, when rotated relative to each other, can be releasably locked in said one or more desired positions. 
   
   
       16 . A golf swing training device for assisting a golfer to swing with the correct golf swing, the training device comprising:
 a rod-like member; and   a mounting member comprising a support member and a sleeve for the rod-like member;   said support member including a grip engagement element that complements part of the circumference of a grip portion of a golf club for mounting on the club;   said sleeve mounted on the support member and spaced from the grip engagement element for supporting the rod-like member such that, when mounted on the club, the rod-like member extends substantially parallel to the shaft of the golf club, wherein the sleeve is sized to permit the rod-like member to slide freely relative to the support member; and   said support member further including at least two spaced bridging formations extending between the sleeve and the grip engagement element for holding them in lateral spaced relation to each other.   
   
   
       17 . An assembly of a golf club and a swing alignment device for practicing golf swings, said assembly comprising:
 a swing alignment device for assisting a golfer with a golf swing and including
 a rod-like member, and 
 a mounting member for mounting to a shaft of a golf club; and 
   a golf club having a shaft comprising a grip portion and an exposed shaft portion;   wherein the mounting member of the swing alignment device is mounted on the shaft of the golf club such that the rod-like member extends substantially parallel to the shaft, and permits the rod-like member to slide relative thereto with the axis of the rod-like member spaced a small distance away from the axis of the shaft.   
   
   
       18 . The assembly of club and device of  claim 17  wherein the mounting member is mounted on the grip portion of the golf club shaft. 
   
   
       19 . A method of practicing a golf swing, said method comprising:
 mounting a swing alignment device to a golf club, the swing alignment device including a rod-like member and a mounting member for mounting to a shaft of the golf club, the mounting member providing a support which supports the rod-like member on the mounting member such that the rod-like member extends substantially parallel to the shaft and permits the rod-like member to slide relative to the support;   swinging the assembly of golf club and device to perform at least part of a normal golf swing; and   checking visually whether the rod-like member is pointed at a desired line of the ball.