Golf swing trainer

Abstract

One aspect provides a golf swing trainer for training a golfer to achieve a tour impact position during execution of a golf swing. The golf swing trainer includes a first element which selectively secures to a grip end of a golf club, and a second element coupled to the first element and moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. The second element moves from the retracted position to the extended position by the force of gravity during a backswing of the golf club by a golfer, wherein the second element contacts a midsection of the golfer when in the extended position when the wrists of the golfer are not bent back during a downward portion and an impact portion of a forward swing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf swing trainer for training a golfer to achieve a tour impact position during execution of a golf swing comprising:
 a first element which selectively secures to a grip end of a golf club; and   a second element coupled to the first element and moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the second element moves from the retracted position to the extended position by the force of gravity during a backswing of the golf club by a golfer, and wherein the second element contacts a midsection of the golfer when in the extended position when the wrists of the golfer are not bent back during a downward portion and an impact portion of a forward swing.   
     
     
         2 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 1 , first element includes a coupling member to secure the first element to the grip end of the golf club. 
     
     
         3 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 2 , wherein the coupling member comprises a socket including an opening which slides over and engages the grip end of the golf club. 
     
     
         4 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 2 , wherein the coupling member comprises a pin which inserts into a vent opening in the grip end of the golf club. 
     
     
         5 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 1 , wherein the second element extends telescopically from the first element. 
     
     
         6 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 1 , wherein the first element and second element are aligned coaxially with an axis of a shaft of the golf club when the second element is in the retraced position and in the extended position. 
     
     
         7 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 1 , wherein after moving from the retracted position to the extended position, the second element is held in the extended position during the downward and impact portions of a forward swing by centrifugal force generated during the swing. 
     
     
         8 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 1 , wherein the second element is coupled to the first element via a pivot. 
     
     
         9 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 8 , wherein the pivot comprises a hinge. 
     
     
         10 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 8 , wherein after moving from the retracted position to the extended position, the second element is secured to the first element by a securing mechanism so as to maintain the second element in the extended position. 
     
     
         11 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 10 , wherein the securing mechanism comprises a magnet. 
     
     
         12 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 8 , wherein the second element is coaxial with an axis of a shaft of the club when in the extended position and off-axis from the axis of the shaft of the club when in the retracted position. 
     
     
         13 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 1 , wherein the first element and second element together extend from the grip end by a first distance in an axial direction of the golf club away from a club head when the second element is in the retracted position and by a second distance when the second element is in the extended position, the second distance greater than the first distance. 
     
     
         14 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 1 , wherein the first element includes a retaining element which engages the second element to limit a distance the second element moves when moving from the retracted position to the extended position. 
     
     
         15 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining element is adjustable so as to adjust a distance the second element moves when moving from the extended position to the retracted position. 
     
     
         16 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second elements comprises a flexible material. 
     
     
         17 . A golf swing trainer comprising:
 a coupling member which selectively couples the golf swing trainer to a grip end of the golf club, wherein the golf swing trainer extends along an axis of the golf club from a first length to a second length by the force of gravity during a backswing portion of a golf swing, wherein centrifugal force maintains the golf swing trainer at the second length during a forward swing portion of the golf swing, and wherein the golf swing trainer contacts a midsection of the golfer when at the second length when the golfer fails to keep his wrists bent back during a downward portion and impact portion of the forward swing portion of the golf swing.   
     
     
         18 . A method for training a golfer to achieve a tour impact position when impacting a golf ball with a golf club during execution of a golf swing, the method comprising:
 attaching a training device to a grip end of the golf club, the training device moveable between a retracted position and an extended position along an axis of the golf club;   moving the training device to the extended position from the retracted position by the force of gravity during a backswing portion of the golf swing;   maintaining the training device in the extended position during a forward portion of the golf swing.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , contacting a midsection of the golfer with the training device when at the extended position when the golfer fails to keep his wrists bent back during a downward portion and impact portion of the forward swing portion of the golf swing. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein maintaining the training device in the extended position comprises maintain the training device in the extended position via centrifugal force generated during the forward portion of the golf swing.