Golf swing training aid

Abstract

A golf swing training aid is configured to be worn by a player during practice swings or while playing the game of golf. The golf swing training aid includes a forearm plate strapped to the forearm, a thumb plate is strapped to the thumb, and a pivot that connects the thumb plate to the forearm plate. When donned, the pivot is positioned on the radial area of the wrist so that the hand is substantially restricted to extension and flexion movement relative to the forearm throughout the swing. The golf swing training aid automatically positions the player's hands in the correct position and provides muscle memory that instills proper positioning and movement of the arms and hands even when removed for actual game play.

1 . A golf training aid donned by a player having a hand, a forearm and a wrist, comprising:
 a first portion configured to be secured to the forearm;   a second portion configured to be secured to the hand; and   a pivot connecting the first portion to the second portion such that the second portion pivots relative to the first portion;   wherein when the golf training aid is donned by the player the pivot is positioned substantially on the radial area of the wrist such that the hand is substantially restricted to extension and flexion movement relative to the forearm.   
     
     
         2 . The golf training aid of  claim 1  wherein the first portion is a first rigid plate and the second portion is a second rigid plate. 
     
     
         3 . The golf training aid of  claim 2  wherein the second rigid plate is laid upon a thumb of the player and the first rigid plate is laid upon the forearm. 
     
     
         4 . The golf training aid of  claim 2  wherein a first major surface of the first rigid plate is laid on a second major surface of the second plate at the radial area, the pivot holding the first major surface in planar parallel proximity to the second major surface to prevent substantial rotation of the second rigid plate relative to the first rigid plate other than rotation about an axis of the pivot. 
     
     
         5 . The golf training aid of  claim 1  wherein the pivot secures the second portion to the first portion through a slotted aperture to permit sliding and rotation of the second portion relative to the first portion. 
     
     
         6 . The golf training aid of  claim 1  wherein the first portion is a first rigid plate laid upon the forearm and the second portion is a second rigid plate laid upon the player's thumb, such that lifting of the thumb in radial abduction is substantially prevented. 
     
     
         7 . The golf training aid of  claim 6  wherein the second rigid plate is secured about the thumb with an elastic strap. 
     
     
         8 . The golf training aid of  claim 2  wherein the second rigid plate is secured about the thumb with an elastic strap and the first rigid plate is secured about the forearm with an adjustable strap. 
     
     
         9 . The golf training aid of  claim 2  wherein the second portion is configured to be secured to the thumb on the thumb's dorsal surface such that the pivot is positioned substantially on the radial area of the wrist. 
     
     
         10 . A method of golf swing training for a player having a forearm, a wrist with a radial area and a thumb, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a golf training aid with a first plate configured to be secured to the forearm, a second plate configured to be secured to the thumb, and a pivot connecting the first plate to the second plate;   donning the golf training aid upon the forearm and the thumb of the player; and   positioning the pivot substantially within the radial area of the wrist, thereby restricting the hand substantially to extension and flexion movement relative to the forearm.   
     
     
         11 . The method of golf training of  claim 10  further comprising the step of gripping the handle of a club with the training aid donned on a bottom hand positioned closest to a head of the club.