Putting training apparatus

Abstract

A training apparatus for putting is provided. The apparatus includes an elongate main body including an upper end and a lower end. The apparatus further includes a club clamp located at the lower end and configured to clamp a shaft of a golf club relative to the main body. The apparatus further includes a rod clamp located at the upper end and configured to clamp an alignment rod relative to the main body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A training apparatus for putting, the apparatus comprising:
 an elongate main body including an upper end and a lower end;   a club clamp located at the lower end and configured to clamp a shaft of a golf club relative to the main body; and   a rod clamp located at an upper end and configured to clamp an alignment rod relative to the main body.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rod clamp is movable toward and away from the upper end. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the main body includes a transversal portion near the upper end, and the rod clamp is movable along the transversal portion prior to being clamped. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the transversal portion includes a set of marks spaced apart along a length of the transversal portion and defining a sliding section. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rod clamp is rotatable around the main body along the transversal portion. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the transversal portion includes a circular cross-section, and the rod clamp includes an enclosure enclosing the transversal portion and including an adjustable opening, a fastening mechanism to reduce the adjustable opening and tighten the enclosure around the transversal portion, and a rod support supporting the alignment rod relative to the rod clamp. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the alignment rod is oriented to extend across the transversal portion. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the alignment rod is oriented to be perpendicular to the transversal portion. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the fastening mechanism includes a knob that is rotatable to tighten or loosen the enclosure. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the main body is dimensioned such that a grip of a golf club can be placed between the club clamp and the transversal portion. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the main body includes reinforcing truss structures throughout the main body. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the club clamp includes a stationary portion and a pivoting portion. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the pivoting portion is pivotably connected to the main body. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the pivoting portion is biased toward the stationary portion to close the club clamp. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the pivoting portion includes a lever for manipulation thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein each of the pivoting portion and the stationary portion includes a recess to accommodate a shaft of a golf club. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein a pad is provided in the recess to abut a shaft of a golf club. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a cross-section of the longitudinal portion is rectangular. 
     
     
         19 . A method of practicing putting using a training apparatus, the training apparatus comprising an elongate main body including an upper end and a lower end joined by a longitudinal portion and a transversal portion, the training apparatus further comprising a club clamp located at the lower end and configured to clamp a shaft of a golf club relative to the main body, the training apparatus further comprising a rod clamp located at the upper end and configured to clamp an alignment rod relative to the main body, the method comprising:
 clamping the club clamp to the shaft of the golf club such that a plane formed by the longitudinal portion and the transversal portion is parallel with a club face of the golf club;   assuming a putting position by gripping a grip of the golf club and checking where the alignment rod contacts each of a user's forearms; and   adjusting a position of the rod clamp along the transversal portion and clamping the rod clamp such that the alignment rod touches each of the user's forearms at a same spot.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein, after the adjusting of the position of the rod clamp, the user's forearms become aligned with the shaft of the golf club when viewed from a side of the user.