Golf putting training apparatus and method

Abstract

A preferred embodiment of a version of the invention is directed to a golf putting training apparatus and method. In a preferred embodiment of a version of the invention, the training apparatus comprises a second handle that can be easily attached and detached from the shaft of an existing golf club. The second handle is attached such that it is parallel to the handle of the existing club. A golfer uses the apparatus by holding one handle in each hand while putting a golf ball. The training apparatus will help golfers learn to properly putt a golf ball. Additionally, the distance between the two handles can be varied. Furthermore, a preferred embodiment further comprises a method for golf putting training utilizing the apparatus disclosed herein.

1 . An apparatus for golf training for attachment to an existing golf club having a first handle thereon, comprising:
 a. an elongated member having an upper section and a lower section,
 i. the upper section comprising a second handle positioned such that the second handle is substantially parallel to the first handle, 
 ii. the lower section connected to at least one connector element; 
   b. said at least one connector element having a first end and a second end,
 i. the first end attached to the lower section of the elongated member, 
 ii. the second end attached to at least one attachment element; and, 
   c. the at least one attachment element having a semicircular configuration and capable of being removably attached to the shaft of the existing golf club.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the at least one connector element is adjustable so that the distance between the elongated member and the golf club shaft can be adjusted. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one connector element comprises male and a female mating pieces, the female piece having apertures and the male piece having corresponding protuberances, said male and female mating pieces allowing for adjustment of the length of the at least one connector element by pairing the protuberances into the desired corresponding apertures. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus for golf training for attachment to an existing golf club having a first handle thereon, comprising:
 a. an elongated member having an upper section and a lower section,
 i. the upper section comprising a second handle positioned such that the second handle is substantially parallel to the first handle, 
 ii. the lower section connected to a first and a second connector element; 
   b. said first and second connector elements each having a first end and a second end,
 i. each first end attached to the lower section of the elongated member, 
 ii. each second end attached to an attachment element; and, 
   c. each attachment element having a semicircular configuration and capable of being removably attached to the shaft of the existing golf club.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the length of each connector element is adjustable so that the distance between the elongated member and the golf club shaft can be adjusted. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one connector element comprises male and female mating pieces, the female piece having apertures and the male piece having corresponding protuberances, said male and female mating pieces allowing for adjustment of the length of the at least one connector element by pairing the protuberances into the desired corresponding apertures. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , the attachment element further comprising a U-shaped semicircular cylindrical member having a longitudinal groove therein, the longitudinal groove forming an open side of the cylindrical member, whereby a golf club shaft can be removably attached to each attachment element by inserting the golf club shaft into the open side of the cylindrical member. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the grooves of each attachment element are aligned such that the shaft of a golf club can be removably attached to each attachment element simultaneously. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the grooves of each cylindrical member of each attachment element face opposite directions. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the grooves of each cylindrical member are tapered so that each attachment element can be removably attached to a tapered shaft of a golf club. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein a support element connects each attachment element. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein a support element connects each connector element. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the support element is parallel to the longitudinal line along the cylindrical member of each attachment element. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the support element is parallel to the longitudinal line along the cylindrical member of each attachment element. 
     
     
         15 . A method for golf training, comprising the steps of:
 a. using an apparatus for golf training for attachment to an existing golf club having a first handle thereon, the apparatus comprising:
 i. an elongated member having an upper section and a lower section,
 1. the upper section comprising a second handle positioned such that the second handle is substantially parallel to the first handle, 
 2. the lower section connected to a first and a second connector element; 
 
 ii. said first and second connector elements each having a first end and a second end,
 1. each first end attached to the lower section of the elongated member, 
 2. each second end attached to an attachment element; and, 
 
 iii. each attachment element comprising a U-shaped semicircular cylindrical member having a longitudinal groove therein, the longitudinal groove forming an open side of the cylindrical member, whereby a golf club shaft can be removably attached to each attachment element by inserting the golf club shaft into the open side of the cylindrical member; 
   b. snapping the shaft of a golf club into the grooves of each attachment element of the apparatus such that the shaft of the golf club is removably attached to all attachment elements simultaneously;   c. holding the handle of the golf club with one hand and holding the handle of the apparatus with the other hand; and,   d. striking a golf ball with the head of the golf club while simultaneously holding the handle of the golf club with one hand and the handle of the apparatus with the other hand.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the apparatus is attached such that the handle of the apparatus is located in front of the handle of the golf club relative to a user of the apparatus. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the apparatus is attached such that the handle of the apparatus is located behind the handle of the golf club relative to a user of the apparatus.