Golf glove with grip pressure reducing means

Abstract

A golf grip training apparatus for resisting finger and thumb flexion and for counteracting grip forces is disclosed. The apparatus assists the golfer in achieving a lighter grip pressure than would be exerted on the club without its use by providing a golf glove adapted with means for actively counteracting grip pressure by creating forces in opposition to those required for gripping the club handle. The apparatus is used to teach the golfer to relax the hands and fingers and to hold the club handle more lightly.

1 . A golf glove having a hand covering portion, a finger covering portion and finger covering portions, wherein the improvement comprises:
 a. at least one elastic member extending over the backs of:
 i. at least a portion of said hand covering portion, and:
 1. each of said finger covering portions; and 
 2. said thumb covering portion; and 
 
   b. means for retaining said at least one elastic member substantially in place.   
     
     
         2 . A golf grip training apparatus for reducing grip pressure on a golf club handle, the apparatus comprising:
 a. a golf glove comprised of a palm covering portion, a plurality of finger covering portions extending from said palm covering portion to receive and cover fingers, a thumb covering portion extending from said palm covering portion to receive and cover the thumb, a back portion associated with said palm covering portion to form a chamber, said chamber having an access opening into which a hand is slipped, said back portion having a slit extending from said access opening toward said finger covering portions to permit said access opening to be spread apart for ease of receiving the hand, and a tab fastened to one side of said slit for adjustable engagement with an area of said back portion of the glove;   b. at least one elastic member overlying the back of each of said finger covering portions and at least a portion of said back portion; and   c. means for retaining said at least one elastic member substantially in place.   
     
     
         3 . A method of reducing grip pressure on a golf club handle, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. wearing on at least one hand a golf glove comprised of:
 i. a palm covering portion, a plurality of finger covering portions extending from said palm covering portion to receive and cover fingers, a thumb covering portion extending from said palm covering portion to receive and cover the thumb, a back portion associated with said palm covering portion to form a chamber, said chamber having an access opening into which a hand is slipped, said back portion having a slit extending from said access opening toward said finger covering portions to permit said access opening to be spread apart for ease of receiving the hand, and a tab fastened to one side of said slit for adjustable engagement with an area of said back portion of the glove; 
 ii. at least one elastic member overlying the back of each of said finger covering portions and at least a portion of said back portion; and 
 iii. means for retaining said at least one elastic member substantially in place; 
   b. applying a gripping force to a golf club handle using said at least one hand thereby causing deformation of said elastic members and creating a restoring force therein;   c. relaxing said at least one hand until said gripping force is less than said restoring force;   whereby each said elastic member will cause extension of the wearer's digits, causing them to move away from the golf club handle thereby creating a lighter golf grip.