Golf Swing Improving Device

Abstract

A pliant shape-holding mat having generally the shape of an elongated isosceles triangle for use by golfers. Indicia defining a straight line is provided to denote the relatively short height of the mat and a golf tee receiving opening is provided about midway of the line and about 1 inch normally offset therefrom.

Description

This invention relates to a device for aiding a golfer in driving a golf ball along a straight predetermined path.

Golf swing indicating devices, feet and ball positioning devices for golfers, and other structures relating to golf instruction improvement means are known in the art. However, most of such prior art devices are complicated in nature, relatively expensive to manufacture, difficult to use, and carry and assemble.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an extremely simple, relatively inexpensive, highly portable structure which is simple to use and when used will materially improve straight driving of golf balls and will endow a golfer with a proper and natural stance in addressing the golf ball.

A further object is to provide such a device that may be simply folded and carried in a golfer's coat pocket, golf bag, or the like, and moved and placed at will.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the invention which may be generally defined as a device for aiding a golfer in driving a golf ball along a straight path comprising; a pliant, shape-holding mat; the mat being shaped in a generally isosceles triangular configuration with the base thereof having a length of about three to six times its height, and its height of from about 4 to about 8 inches; indicia denoting the height of said mat, and an opening through the mat about midway of the length of the denoting indicia and about 1 inch normally offset therefrom.

The above and other features and objects and the manner of using the invention will be best understood by reference to the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the golf swing aiding device illustrating the position of a golf ball, its direction of flight, the position of the golf club head at impact with the ball and the position of the feet of the golfer;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section substantially on line 3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows the device being folded for carrying or storage.

Referring to the drawings, the improved golf swing aiding device is generally designated 10. The device 10 comprises a pliant, shape-holding mat with the mat shaped in a generally isosceles triangular configuration with the base 12 having a length which is about three to six times the height H of the triangle and the height H is from about 4 to about 8 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the base 12 is 24 inches and the height H of the triangle is 5 inches. The mat is constructed of material firm enough to hold its shape but pliant enough to absorb the force of a swinging golf club and still retain its form. Materials such as rubber impregnated fabric, Rubberoid, natural or synthetic rubber, plastic sheet material such as polypropolene or Mylar are acceptable. Where a rubber-like material is employed a thickness for a mat of about one-eighth inch has been found to be satisfactory. Where 1/8 inch stock material is used, corrugating the under surface of the mat, as shown at 14 in FIG. 4, is useful as it renders the structure more pliable without material loss in its shape-holding ability.

The height of the isosceles triangular structure is denoted by some form of indicia generally designated 16. In the illustrated form of the invention the indicia comprises a V-cut, as more clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, part way through the thickness of the material. Since the triangular configuration is isosceles, the height H of the triangle and the indicia 16 is perpendicular to the base 12 of the structure. Further, as illustrated in the drawings, one end generally designated 18 of the device is truncated as an aid in establishing the forward end 20 of the golf swing aiding device.

An opening 22, for example, about one-half inch in diameter, is made in the mat and the position of the opening 22 is approximately one to 11/2 inches toward end 20 from the indicia denoting line 16 and about half the height H. The opening 22 permits the player or golfer to insert a golf tee 24 in the ground in the proper position through the mat 10.

Referring particularly to FIG. 1, the use of the golf swing improving device is illustrated. The device 10 is placed upon the ground at the tee-off area with the base line 12 pointing towards the flagstick or down the fairway in the direction the golfer wishes the golf ball, generally designated 26, to travel. A golf tee 24 is then placed in the ground through the opening 22 and the left and right feet of the golfer are positioned equidistant on opposite sides of the height line 16 of the device projected a distance from the base line 12 suitable for the particular golfer. The face 30 of the head 32 of a golf club is then squared using the indicia denoting line 16 as a reference. With the indicia denoting line 16 immediately back of the teed golf ball guesswork is eliminated from the aligning of the face of the club in the proper position for the struck golf ball to travel in a line of flight B parallel to the base line 12 of the device. After having driven the golf ball, the mat 10 is picked up, folded, and placed in the player's pocket, golf bag, golf cart and the like, until the next tee position.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that use of the improved golf swing improving device will endow a player with a proper and natural stance in addressing the golf ball and result in improved, straight driving and lower scores.

Claims

I claim

1. A portable device for aiding a golfer in driving a golf ball along a straight path comprising; a pliant shape-holding mat; said mat shaped in a generally isosceles triangular configuration with the base having a length of about three to six times the height and a height of from about 4 to about 8 inches; indicia denoting the height of said mat; and a golf tee receiving opening through said mat about midway of the length of the denoting indicia and about one inch normally offset therefrom.

2. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the length of the base of the generally triangular mat is about 24 inches and the height of the triangular mat is about 5 inches.

3. The invention defined in claim 2 wherein the mat is formed of natural or synthetic rubber.