Golf club and method for use to improve golf game

Abstract

Golf club includes a head having a front, ball-striking surface and a cavity arranged to removably retain therein a ball. The front surface includes an opening communicating with the cavity and arranged apart from peripheral edges of the front face such that an annular portion of the front face surrounds the opening. The head is constructed without structure in front of the opening such that when the golf club is swung against a ball, passage of the ball through the opening into the cavity is used to evaluate the swinging of the golf club. The head may include one or more channels leading from the cavity to a rear face and/or to a side face to allow flow of air from the cavity during the swing. A ball removal mechanism may be incorporated into the head to facilitate removal of the ball from the cavity.

1 . A golf club, comprising:
 a head having a front, ball-striking surface and a cavity arranged to retain therein a ball;   said front surface including an opening communicating with said cavity and arranged apart from peripheral edges of said front face such that an annular portion of said front face surrounds said opening, said opening having a size larger than a cross-sectional size or diameter of the ball,   said head lacking structure in front of said opening such that when the golf club is swung against a ball, passage of the ball through said opening into said cavity is used to evaluate the swinging of the golf club.   
     
     
         2 . The golf club of  claim 1 , wherein said cavity is configured to prevent movement of the ball therefrom after capture during the swing, 
     
     
         3 . The golf club of  claim 1 , wherein said head further comprises a rear face, a side face and at least one channel leading from said cavity to said rear face or to said side face to allow flow of air from said cavity during the swing. 
     
     
         4 . The golf club of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one channel comprises a plurality of channels. 
     
     
         5 . The golf club of  claim 1 , wherein said opening is positioned on said front face in a sweet spot of said head determined based on dimensions of said head. 
     
     
         6 . The golf club of  claim 1 , wherein said cavity comprises an opening in a rear surface of said head having a size the same as or larger than a diameter of the ball to thereby constitute a through channel through which the ball passes. 
     
     
         7 . The golf club of  claim 1 , further comprising a ball removal mechanism that enables removal of the ball from said cavity. 
     
     
         8 . The golf club of  claim 7 , wherein said ball removal mechanism comprises a pair of fold-out doors pivotally or hingedly connected to said body at said front surface of said head, said fold-out doors being configured to pivot or swing outward thereby increasing access to said cavity and the ball when present therein. 
     
     
         9 . The golf club of  claim 7 , wherein said ball removal mechanism comprises a flip door pivotally or hingedly connected to said body at a top of said head, said flip door being configured to flip up to enable release of the ball when present in said cavity. 
     
     
         10 . The golf club of  claim 7 , wherein said ball removal mechanism comprises a pin that is movable to cause ejection of the ball from said cavity. 
     
     
         11 . The golf club of  claim 10 , wherein said pin extends though a channel to a rear surface of said head. 
     
     
         12 . The golf club of  claim 7 , wherein said ball removal mechanism comprises a finger groove opening from said front surface to position proximate or at a rear of said cavity. 
     
     
         13 . In combination, the golf club of  claim 1  and one of a plurality of different collars, said collars have an outer dimension to enable a snug fit into said cavity, said collars having different size openings all of which are larger than a diameter of the ball, whereby alternative insertion of said collars into said cavity provides for different size openings. 
     
     
         14 . In combination, the golf club of  claim 1  and a ball, said ball being made substantially entirely of a soft material to prevent damage to objects if during the swing, said annular portion of said front face contacts said ball and propels said ball forward. 
     
     
         15 . A method for practicing swinging of a golf club and developing golfing skills, comprising:
 providing a golf club including a head having a front, ball-striking surface and a cavity arranged to retain therein a ball, the front surface including an opening communicating with the cavity and arranged apart from peripheral edges of the front face such that an annular portion of the front face surrounds the opening;   dimensioning the opening to be larger than a cross-sectional size of the ball;   placing a ball on a support; then   swinging the golf club while attempting to capture the ball in the cavity; and   evaluating the swing of the golf club based on whether the ball was captured in the cavity or not or   developing golfing skills by repeatedly swinging the golf club white attempting to capture the ball in the cavity.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising adjusting parameters of a subsequent swing based on the evaluation of the swing when the ball is not captured in the cavity. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising positioning the opening on the front face in a sweet spot of the head determined based on dimensions of the head. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising providing the head with a ball removal mechanism to facilitate removal of the ball from the cavity after its capture. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising configuring the cavity to prevent movement of the ball therefrom after capture during the swing. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the head further comprises a rear face, a side face and at least one channel leading from the cavity to the rear face or to the side face to allow flow of air from the cavity during the swing.